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Ratings idling for American Idol
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TEXT OF INTERVIEW
Bill Radke: Fox TV's American Idol has wrapped up its first week of the new season, and the ratings suggest the show is slightly relaxing its grip on younger audiences. Ratings are down 14 percent among viewers 18 to 49, and down 16 percent among the 12 to 34 crowd.
Michael Speier is executive editor of Variety. Michael, why is Idol waning a little with the kids?
Michael Speier: Probably the mojo's probably gone. It was such at a high point, unlike any show we've seen in the past few years, that it really had nowhere to go but down. And that said, it's going down a little bit here and there, and that's why they brought in some changes. But overall, it's still a network problem that most people would love to have.
Radke: Well speaking of changes, there's this new rule that the judges can save a contestant that the audience has eliminated?
Speier: Right, all these kind of weird tweaks that . . actually American Idol has been criticized over the years for not making changes and being kind of stolid in their decision to keep three judges and the same kind of voting and all of that. So this time they brought in another judge, they have new voting techniques. It's not really helping that much. I think in the end, it really is all about the contestants. If you have someone like Kelly Clarkson, someone who kind of breaks out, you're going to have something big. If you're going to have someone like a Taylor Hicks, who, you know, in the moment people like, but after that doesn't have much of a career, then you're going to have a show that probably dips a little bit.
Radke: I don't think you heard me, Michael: saving contestants that the audience has eliminated! Where is the outrage? Some contestants need to fail. They're nationalizing American Idol.
Speier: Yes, they are.
Radke: This is network socialism, my friend.
Speier: Hahaha. But in the end, they probably have a better take on what sells than we do. And if there's a contestant that the fans are voting off, but they want to keep him, they're going to find a way to bring him back.
Radke: So if Idol is fading a little bit, who's taking advantage of the opening?
Speier: Oh the reality shows, really. Something like Dancing With The Stars, something like The Biggest Loser. Those are shows that were popular on their own first. Biggest Loser just keeps growing and growing, Dancing With The Stars just premiered to huge numbers. Those are almost kind of like Idol numbers, the way Idol . . . not quite, but almost. And so those are the kinds of shows that are hitting their peak, just like American Idol hit their peak.
Radke: We're in pilot season now, reality is ruling. How's that affecting pilot season?
Speier: Well as always, when there's fewer hours for scripted programming, there's going to be fewer programs ordered. And that's exactly what is happening. Pilot season, the ordering of pilots is going on right now, but you see networks ordering fewer, because all of these reality shows -- even Jay Leno, who is not a reality show but a talk show -- all of these shows mean fewer slots in the schedule for regular scripted programming. When that happens, they order fewer pilots, less people get hired, and they have to find other ways to get jobs.
Radke: Bad news for writers, good news for anonymous, about-to-be-famous people.
Speier: Exactly.
Radke: Variety's Michael Speier. Thanks.
Speier: Pleasure.
Taylor Hicks is one of the most skilled entertainers in the music business. He has amazing talent with his unusual voice, ability to play several instruments including the harmonica, writing a book, touring in Grease and entertianing through his own concerts. Record sales is not the only thing to indicate talent. He has found his own niche and shares with others through his music and charity work in its variious forms. He does not tear down other people but concentrates on his new found Company and learning more during his whole growing process. His stage presence is magnetic and full of energy that is drawing all ages. Taylor Hicks has just released his new outstanding CD, The Distance which expresses various genres. I love it so much that I have already been playing it several times and looking forward to more from this humble Genius! Like his new video too.
Taylor Hicks is the best Entertainer to come out of Idol, and the high ratings proved that, but they did not support their own winner, and the next season was pale in comparrison to Taylor's year. When he did not sign a management contract with 19 Entertainment, Idol did everything they could to ignore him, and distroy his career. Look at what they did to Kelly Clarkson when she was in a feud with Clive Davis. Taylor is happy with his music and career. The Grease promoters are so happy to have a bonafide STAR on their stage. You writers think the only kind of a successful career is cheap radio music that they play because the record company pays for it. Taylor is a working Entertainer - musician - author - and now has formed his own label. When he walks on stage, people love him He works more than any other Idol, and this new album is great, if AI allows the radio stations to play it, it has several hit songs on it. Stop believing Simon's hiddeous LIES!
I do believe that Taylor Hicks must be the busiest idol of all. Hard as I try I can't keep up with all that he is doing. He revitalized Grease making it the most successful show out there. His new cd is fantastic, hes independent now, has his own label, who knows how sales will go but he is out there working every day and has a large fan base that loves him. Go Taylor!
Why must you people always belittle Taylor? He is doing fine. Granted he may not sell a million cds , but does that not make him successful? Most of the artist I listen to aren't on the radio, and don't sell millions of cd's. Does that mean their not successful?
Taylor found a way to keep more of the money for himself, and not let the greedy AI people take it from him. I say way to go Taylor.
If the music that sells millions of cd's is what AI and radio tells us is good music..... I'll pass. That must be the reason I don't listen to the radio.
Mr. Speier said “If you're going to have someone like a Taylor Hicks, who, you know, in the moment people like, but after that doesn't have much of a career, then you're going to have a show that probably dips a little bit.â€
Season 5 was the most popular season for AI. Taylor Hicks won by a landslide. Perhaps Mr. Speier should reconsider the root cause in the decline in AI ratings. It is related to the lack of talent on the show.
Seriously, some of what you and the rest of the media write about is plain stupid. American Idol has been losing viewers since Season 5. Not because of Taylor Hicks, the public voted for him.
How does one do well? You know the answer - Payola. Where is Jordan Sparks? Oh she's been promoted, sang with Chris Brown. Where is Fantasia, she's doing well and working. Kelly Clarkson tried to CUT LOOSE FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THE WOLVES, they nearly destroyed. Held her sales for My December at a level and would not let it pass that. Let me be polite here, Taylor Hicks has been in Grease on Broadway, on the National tour thru 2010, shadow tour concerts, just released a 4th CD. Sure you don't hear about him, they were too busy promoting others after S5 was over. Where is David Cook playing? College campuses, now that's BIG!!! Where's Clay Aiken? He has a very successful career. How do you write these articles??? I'm amazed. It's music communism with illiterate propaganda.
