|
|
|---|
Friday, January 21, 2011
(Reuters) - A revamped "American Idol" dominated U.S. television on its first outing but lost millions of viewers despite the addition of celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
Some 26.1 million Americans tuned in for the 10th season premiere of the singing contest, down 13 percent on last year's opening show when nearly 30 million watched, according to Nielsen ratings data on Thursday.
The numbers still crushed all other programing on Wednesday night. But after weeks of hype and curiosity over what producers called "a new era," the numbers boded ill for hopes of restoring sparkle to the aging show and reversing a four years ratings slide.
Television critics were mostly unimpressed with their first glimpse of Lopez and Aerosmith front man Tyler as they weeded out good singers from the thousands of early auditions -- without the caustic presence of British judge Simon Cowell.
Cowell, the contest's biggest star, quit in May to launch his own talent show on Fox later in 2011.
Read More: American Idol" loses viewers despite make-over
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
It's not exactly the most encouraging piece of information for hopeful contestants to receive on the eve of American Idol's new season.
But word that season nine semifinalist Alex (no relation to Adam) Lambert was homeless lit up the Internet yesterday, thanks to a Twitter rant by no less an authority than Lambert himself.
And this despite not only going far on Idol, but signing a development deal post-show and starring in Simon Fuller's web series If I Can Dream. So is he really as housing-challenged as he let on? Is he one more example of Hollywood chewing up and spitting out young talent? Hold on to your big red plastic Coke cups, this rumor is…
Read more: So True? So False? Is American Idol Alum Alex Lambert Really Homeless
