Idol ratings drop -- Did they shoot themselves in the foot in shooting down Haley?

[Miguel]

5-17-13 NEARLY ONE YEAR LATER

'American Idol' finale ratings plummet, losing seven million viewers from last year's finale

14.3 million Americans tuned in to watch Candice Glover win the title, but once-powerhouse 'Idol' has dropped half its viewers in two years

...American Idol wrapped its twelfth season on Fox with a low for a finale. Final returns have the two-hour episode (which aired between 8 and 10:08 p.m.) averaging a 3.6 rating among adults 18-49, a massive 44 percent drop from last year's ender. Among total viewers, American Idol was down 7.2 million viewers to 14.3 million -- the first time a finale has not reached the 20-million mark.

[Swansteel]

Hmm. I wonder if they will do poorly with the tour as well. Season 9 had to cancel shows because of low sales in some states. I'm glad season 10 had a resurgence in tour sales with mostly sold out shows. I really think Idol is on the way out.

[Tusk]

I'm glad season 10 had a resurgence in tour sales with mostly sold out shows.

Unfortunately, for S10, they got reduced pay AND had to do their own back up singing because AI didn't want to dole out money for extras on the tour. BUT That meant Haley got a chance to gain more on stage experience because she volunteered for more than any of the others. Built her stamina and allowed her to strengthen her stage presence. S11 benefitted greatly from S10's successful tour, mind you... much better compensation.

Let's face it, S10 was one of those confluences of events that resulted in something singularly unique. R&B was about the only genre that wasn't represented (some might argue that was what Stefano was trying to represent).

James brought something unique, metal tinged stadium rock, Casey goes without saying, and then there was Naima, Pia was the belter, and country was represented each with a 'girl and boy next door'.

Steven was there for Haley, and Randy played the Cartoony villain that everyone hissed at. It had Casey's dramatic save, Pia's shocking elimination and Haley's Epic Rise from the dust, Idol's Rocky Balboa, taking punches and still getting up not to mention her multiple Idol Moments....

S10 is the template of entertaining singing reality show competition

[mercfan3]

That was what was so funny about Idol season 10.

Haley got the "idol star" attention. That attention is only reserved for people like Lambert. And yet they tried to get rid of her every week, not realizing she was the reason idol was doing well.

[Tusk]

I wonder if Haley got paid more because she was in the most performances? Or was it a flat rate.... Maybe a Scale? Scotty made the most, Lauren next, then Haley etc....

How many stops did they have...like 50 including twice in the Philipines?

and I think she said she was in 10 of the performances (maybe 11?).... That's werkin' it

[Babbs234]

I really enjoyed watching the S10 finalists as back up singers on tour. I thought they all sounded great, and it gave them more stage time. I only saw S10 on tour , so I can't compare with other years. But some of those songs on tour like "If I Die Young" sung by Lauren Alaina, with Haley, Stefano and Thia singing back up, I rewatched so many times on you tube with Haley and Stefano giggling in the background.

AI would be ok if there weren't so many singing shows out there. But the average TV show only gets 1-3 million people watching. 14 million for AI isn't so bad is it? It's lower than past years but is it a death sentence??

And yes, mercfan, I agree with you about Haley. She was picking up new fans with every passing week, and with her choice of songs, brought something dynamic to the competition IMO.

[lovinghaleyr]

I wonder if Haley got paid more because she was in the most performances? Or was it a flat rate.... Maybe a Scale? Scotty made the most, Lauren next, then Haley etc....

How many stops did they have...like 50 including twice in the Philipines?

and I think she said she was in 10 of the performances (maybe 11?).... That's werkin' it

They maked 49 shows and H.E.R. sang 11 times by presentation and was
the only who's never have an troath problem or need preserve her voice
because she knows how take care about this.

[MarinaReinhart]

I'm glad season 10 had a resurgence in tour sales with mostly sold out shows.

Unfortunately, for S10, they got reduced pay AND had to do their own back up singing because AI didn't want to dole out money for extras on the tour. BUT That meant Haley got a chance to gain more on stage experience because she volunteered for more than any of the others. Built her stamina and allowed her to strengthen her stage presence. S11 benefitted greatly from S10's successful tour, mind you... much better compensation.

Let's face it, S10 was one of those confluences of events that resulted in something singularly unique. R&B was about the only genre that wasn't represented (some might argue that was what Stefano was trying to represent).

James brought something unique, metal tinged stadium rock, Casey goes without saying, and then there was Naima, Pia was the belter, and country was represented each with a 'girl and boy next door'.

Steven was there for Haley, and Randy played the Cartoony villain that everyone hissed at. It had Casey's dramatic save, Pia's shocking elimination and Haley's Epic Rise from the dust, Idol's Rocky Balboa, taking punches and still getting up not to mention her multiple Idol Moments....

S10 is the template of entertaining singing reality show competition

I really liked Season 10. I haven't been able to watch an entire idol show, for the last two seasons. There was just so much talent... of course tehre was Haley, but there were other 11 contestans that, with the exception of the 'country singers' top 2, all sang different genres and stuff. Pia had a great voice, Thia was very itneresting too. Paul! Pau lwas awesome! Naima was really unique. Not to mention CASEY! Jacob! Or James Durbin... I mean, Idol HAS to have a season like that again. I don't care if it's scripted, but make sure there is variety... I don't want to have five divas, or more than two coutnry singers, or more and more people just singing pop music.

[mercfan3]

I thought season 11 was full of talented people. Like, ridiculously talented.

The problem was the lack of dynamic personalities. They had had adorable personalities. But.you know..Haley was fiesty, as someone compared her to Rocky. She'd get hit and come back fighting harder. Scotty was laid back and funny, and just likeable. Lauren was adorable and a little ADD. Casey was eccentric and fun. James put up exciting performances every week.

Holly, DeAndre, and Jessica were all bussed pretty badly at some points. And Holly and DeAndre have the most charasmatic personalities off the stage. But DeAndre and Holly responded like puppies/baby seals to the bussing. And Jessica passively fought back (and was so quiet she didn't show those personality), but you didn't notice unless you noticed her. Elise just wasn't likeable on camera. Erika wasn't around long enough to get to know her. Joshua came off as a Diva. Colton came off as preachy. Skylar came off as loud. Phillip was great personality wise..but there was nothing compelling about him (or any of them) during the season. I love that group, but in terms of compelling TV..they just weren't like season 10.

This season..the girls were pure talent. And although I loved Candice's personality..she was pretty quiet. The only one who really had that on camera charm was Janelle, and even she seemed kind of forced. I also think the judges hurt the ratings a lot. I like Nicki..but her and Mariah made the show about her and Mariah. The JLo, Steven, Randy judging table would have had better ratings.

[Tusk]

Don't forget, the Lazaro scenario... Talk about not knowing what you were in for when AI opened that particular Pandora's box.... That had to be the most excruciating in the history of Idol cannon fodder.... He went from Heart Warming story to intensely despised pariah