American Idol – News of Its Demise “Ridiculous,” Cowell

All over the news this week is the fact that American Idol is suffering in the ratings, and that its not up to par with its usual numbers. Judge Simon Cowell calls all of that ridiculous, citing the show’s success as the reason everyone wants to bring the American Idol juggernaut down. Cowell was quoted in the New York Post as saying if they only had 11 millions viewers, he would understand the concern. However, last Tuesday’s premiere had just over 33 million viewers, while last season the same evening had 37 million, which at the time broke a record for the highest rated television broadcast previously held be the Friends finale in 2004. While he fully admits that the 2007 season was less than spectacular, he promises this season will be better.

Of course, many will dwell on the difference between the American Idol judges in the past, specifically last year, to this year. While at one time they were known for making light of all the bad auditions, with even former pop star Paula Abdul joining in the sarcasm, this season they are much kinder and gentler, with some missing that abrasive humor and others thankful they don’t have to witness that anymore. Regardless, American Idol thrives on controversy, and once the show drums a little up for this season in the form of a “Sanjaya,” an “Antonella,” or arrest of a former or current Idol, the show is bound to be setting records again.