“Idol” ratings skyrocket in the wake of Hudson success, Abdul controversy
By Amy Kaufman
Coming of age on Idol
As springtime draws near, high schoolers across the country embark upon numerous rites of passage: there’s the illicit hosting of an un-chaperoned party, the sloppy first kiss and – the standard audition for ‘American Idol?’
“They go to their first prom. They go on their first date. They have their first drink, and they will camp out for three nights, get soaking wet in a hope that they can become the ‘American Idol,’” said the show’s executive producer, Ken Warwick.
Whether or not the audition has become a prerequisite in the life of the average teen, no one can argue with “Idol’s” popularity. Now in its sixth season, the program has somehow managed to bolster its viewership even higher than ever before – with a whopping 57 million viewers tuning in for the show’s January premiere.
So how has “Idol” won its way into the hearts of so many Americans? Judge Simon Cowell believes the show’s success can be attributed to the fact it isn’t as “weird” as its fellow reality shows.
“We’re not handing out weird roses or talking about journeys,” Cowell joked.
“Nobody’s eating any weird bugs in any weird jungle that none of us will never be in,” judge Randy Jackson agreed.
Warwick thinks the audience participation in choosing the ultimate winner of the show is intrinsic to the “Idol” phenomenon. And judge Paula Abdul just thinks it’s a fun watch.
Abdul sticks with soda, Cowell with wisecracks
“For girls in college, [“Idol” is] their Monday Night Football. It’s the pizza and Chinese food,” she said.
Abdul may be right. “idol” not only helps the shows after it, it helps the shows before it. “Bones” airing at 8 p.m. before “Idol,” scored an impressive 4.2 rating in adults 18-49, with 12.6 million viewers on a recent Tuesday, according to Nielsen Research. That’s a rise of more than 50 percent over its season average. “Idol” itself continues to bring in about 32 million viewers weekly, more than a third of the once-a-year Superbowl, which did 94 million this year.
Or perhaps the high ratings are thanks to the success stories of former idols, many of whom are currently rising on the star meter. No one can ignore the fame of former reject Jennifer Hudson, who’s already tucked a Golden Globe and Best Supporting Actress nom under her belt for her role in the blockbuster “Dreamgirls.”
“That was one I spotted,” Cowell said of Hudson. “I always said [she] would have a great career.”
Another hot-shot of the moment is last season’s fourth place finisher, Chris Daughtry, who’s self-titled debut CD is currently No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
“I’ve got mad love for Carrie [Underwood],” Jackson said of the fourth season winner whose 2006 single “Before He Cheats” was certified Gold.
“She could be come the biggest one ever,” host Ryan Seacrest agreed.
But former contestants aren’t the only ones in the spotlight – Abdul recently garnered much criticism for a television interview in which she appeared to be under the influence.
Abdul explained that the situation occurred while on a satellite media tour. Sitting in a small room, she was speaking with various news anchors via microphone. After three hours of interviews, she said, technical difficulties left two split cities broadcasting into Abdul’s ear. As she waited for the difficulties to clear up, she admitted to “swiveling” in her swivel chair and becoming “very animated” with her hands.
“I’m going, ‘oh, you’re having, like, a party there,” she said. “That’s what I was hearing in my ear.”
“I have been in this business 20 years, but I’ll tell you this much,” she added. “I’ve never had to weather the storm of publicity, controversy.”
Co-host Cowell defended Abdul, calling the entire situation “overblown.”
“We all say things which we’re going to criticized for,” he said. “But [we] don’t condemn somebody for being a bit wacky occasionally or whatever, because it makes it interesting.”
“I hate to admit this publically,” Cowell added, “but I wouldn’t do this show unless Paula, Randy, and Ryan were on the same show. We’re all a bit nuts occasionally.”
While the love between the cast may be present, some critics are calling this season’s “AI” the harshest ever. The often callous Cowell admitted that overly cruel comments – such as referring to one recent auditioner who had bug-like eyes as “bush baby,” — can sometimes make him feel guilty.
“There are times, trust me, when I watch [the show] back and I just think, ‘God, I wish I hadn’t have said that and why do they put it in the show?’” he said.
Though Cowell can often be mean, it seems many of this season’s contestants may be deserving of the disparagement. With a bevy of untalented auditions going to air, some question if producers are looking to exploit those who come on the show.
Idol contestants vie for first kiss of fame
“Like it or don’t like it, people like the bad singers,” Warwick explained. “Asking me as a producer to make a show that people are going to tune into and enjoy, then it’s more the bad singers that will bring the ratings in.”
And Seacrest said those who audition really do believe they have the talent to make it.
“Before they go in … I’ll look at them and I’m inches in front of their faces. And they’re serious. They believe they’re that good.”
This season, Warwick verified music from The Beatles songbook will be used for what he speculated was the first time the tunes had ever been released. The producer is currently seeking to secure Paul McCartney or George Martin as a special guest.