American Idol,” the colossus that reshapes the television landscape every January, returns tonight and Wednesday to rescue Fox from itself.
The No. 1 show in television regularly boosts Fox from fourth place in the network standings to dominate the race for younger viewers.
Fox is in a particularly distant fourth place this year. But “American Idol” is the rare TV blockbuster that can turn the rankings upside down. Last season, an average of 31.2 million viewers watched the Tuesday-night performance shows, while 30.2 million tuned in for the Wednesday night results episodes. That made “American Idol” by far the most-watched show on television. (CBS’s “CSI” came in third, with 24.6 million viewers.)
Despite some predictions that it may lose steam in its sixth season, “Idol” continues to command the highest advertising prices of any show – $594,000 for a 30-second spot during the Tuesday editions and $620,000 for a 30-second commercial on Wednesday, according to Ad Age.
“Idol” has inspired immitators. “Grease: You’re the One That I Want,” the Broadway casting project on NBC, has its fans. But “Idol” remains a more tantalizing spectacle.
Casting musical theater roles through television, particularly for a lowbrow pop musical like “Grease,” is a clever idea, and the ratings have been strong.
But choosing a pop superstar – an Idol! – via television, in a contest that counts charisma and looks as much as timing and melodic belting ability, well, that’s genius. “Idol” has cleverly captured viewers’ loyalty by turning the pop-music audition and performance process into a sort of sporting event. Fans cheers their chosen amateurs’ high notes the way they cheer a touchdown.
So what’s next?
As a number of expensive, unsuccessful
serial dramas have left the networks with books to balance, the arrival of more cheaply produced reality shows should be no surprise. Moving down the ladder from idol to stage performer and beyond, perhaps the next stop is “Shopping Mall: You’re the One I Want to Cut the Ribbon!”
Pumping up tonight’s two-
hour season premiere of “American Idol,” (7 o’clock on KDVR-Channel 31), judge Randy Jackson talked to his “dawgs” and others on a telephone media gaggle.
His fortitude in enduring the grueling process of city-by-city auditions, listening to 200 would-be vocalists per day, is part of why Jackson makes the big bucks.
“That’s a lot of bein’ sung at,” he said.
In spite of having to sit through too many painful off-key wannabes – some fans’ favorite part of the process – Jackson remains optimistic that there is “a lot of great talent” just waiting to be discovered.
Naturally he cites “Dreamgirls” success Jennifer Hudson, who “didn’t even win that year.”
The amazing Hudson auditioned in Atlanta in the third season, barely made it to the first group of semifinalists, and was voted off the show. That prompted charges of racism, and audience bias. Ultimately Hudson was brought back in the wild-card round by Jackson. She went on to be the sixth of 12 finalists voted off in late April, winning unusual praise (“sensational”) from Simon Cowell.
What’s going to keep this season feeling fresh and help push the numbers for Fox?
That’s not Jackson’s concern.
“It’s a search for superstars, not a search for the next ratings boost,” he said.
Serious fans will circle the dates: The action starts tonight from Minneapolis, continuing Wednesday with auditions from Seattle. Succeeding Tuesday night broadcasts chronicle auditions in Memphis, Birmingham, Los Angeles; and three Wednesdays, from Seattle, New York City and San Antonio.
Dragging out the suspense is a “Rest of the Best” show on Feb. 7. The 24 semifinalists will be announced Feb. 14. The competition continues until 12 finalists are announced March 8.
Slowly, cannily, with plenty of padding and posturing, the series wends its way into spring.
Finally, the last eight contenders are winnowed, week by week, as the contest stretches through (surprise) the May sweeps.
TV critic Joanne Ostrow can be reached at 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com.
