"Idol" Ratings Down, Sanjaya to Blame?

Posted Apr 6th 2007 12:37PM by TMZ Staff

Viewership of "American Idol" has slipped compared to last season, and each episode has been watched by less people than the one before it. Is the lack of talent, embodied by Internet fav Sanjaya Malakar, the cause? Or maybe, as the show's EP would have us believe, it's the sun's fault.
American Idol
Nielsen stats show that the Tuesday performance shows are down about 10 percent compared to last season (from roughly 31 million viewers to 28). This past Wednesday night's results episode, which saw tongue-studded shrieker Gina Glocksen get the boot, was the least watched episode of the season, according to TV Week.

Idols on vacation: Click to launch galleryBut if you ask "Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe what is causing the problem, he'll blame daylight saving time, which started three weeks earlier this year. Ratings tend to dip every year whenever the time change kicks in. "Even if we lost 50 percent of our audience, we'd still be in the top three shows in the country," Lythgoe said at a press conference on Monday. It's good to be king.

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Filed under: American Idol


Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, sanjaya malakar, SanjayaMalakar

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(Page 1 of 33) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. yup .... just not as good this season. Sanjaya is the only interesting thing on the show .... he is SO bad I tune in to just how long he will continue. Poor Paula .... she just is out of it. Simon seems a little off his game and hornier than usual (i.e. Haley) and Randy is the same 'well dawg it was a little pitchy for me'

Posted at 12:47PM on Apr 6th 2007 by C.D.

2. I don't think it has anything to do with the talent(or lack thereof)... I just think the whole American Idol phenomenon has been played out. People just don't care as much anymore.

Posted at 12:48PM on Apr 6th 2007 by anon.ymous

3. YA THINK????????????

Posted at 12:50PM on Apr 6th 2007 by pattie

4. AI IS FAKE ANY WAY........I DON'T SEE HOW IT LAST THIS LONG????????????

Posted at 12:50PM on Apr 6th 2007 by you said what

5. There is entertainment and then there is ruining the future careers of hopefuls. The auditions are going to be a disaster next year based on what Sanjaya has wrought this year. I don't watch anymore, and I won't until the final number actually represents the most talented people in the competition.

Posted at 12:51PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Reality Check

6. This season sucks, it has nothing to do with Sanjaya.

Posted at 12:51PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Ro

7. We know AI is using the poor kid to keep the rating......The show sucks any way......

Posted at 12:51PM on Apr 6th 2007 by OK

8. They are not a likeable group this year

Posted at 12:52PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Howard K. Stern is Snidely WhiplashStern Family Slugs

9. Not very likely

Posted at 12:53PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Jessica Simpson Pictures

10. I have watched the show since day one and this year have turned it off more than once. Its a joke when someone with some real talent is booted off and Sanjaya is still there. You have ruined the show and have lost yet another fan

Posted at 12:54PM on Apr 6th 2007 by sapphire

11. Idol viewership is down because all the contestants are BUTT UGLY. I can't stand even looking at Melinda Doolittle and her non-existant neck. Maybe that is mean but part of being a pop star is LOOKING GOOD or at least having some charisma!!!!!! The top 12 this year is BORING AS HELL.

Posted at 12:54PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Molly

12. Dancing with the Stars rocks........much better than AI........u might get a chance to see if Heather's wooden leg falls off............

Posted at 12:55PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Please

13. I'm not surprised that ratings are down and I don't believe it is because of Daylight Savings Time. Sanjaya tenure has made a mockery of the whole Idol purpose. It's hard to watch a show when really talented people are being booted off and he makes it through every week. It is a joke that really has gotten so out of hand that it makes you rethink whether or not you want to devote one hour to watch a show when the most talented don't have a prayer of making it to the top five, much less winning. It was originally designed as a singing competition, but now it has become senseless to even watch.

Posted at 12:55PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Yvonne

14. this season does suck. i havent like any of them. Even from auditions. i havent really enjoyed a season since Bo bice. Hes my all time fav!

Posted at 12:56PM on Apr 6th 2007 by bo bice

15. Sanjaya or whatever his name is...that's the reason. I thought that this was supposed to be about TALENT and NOT on "sympathy votes". Howard Stern and the individuals who continue to vote for this little youth should ask themselves if they would also buy his CD's iif he wins, if not, let the talented remaining cast move on.

No one has said that Sanjaya is not a "nice person", he just is not as talented as the rest of the contestants. I think he needs to audition for Disney, develop his talents and see what happens in the future. He is still young and it is very evident that he has plenty of room for growth.

Posted at 12:58PM on Apr 6th 2007 by fraustratedidolfan

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