The first hour of "American Idol" delivered 23.6 million viewers and a 7.6 rating among adults 18-49 for FOX.

The second hour of "American Idol" soared to 26.31 million viewers and an 8.7 rating in the key demographic for FOX


http://www.hitfix.com/articles/tv-ra...ursday-repeats


I think it is because the talent is so high this year.

Lots of talent and good judges who have been there and done it. Everything The X Factor isn't

I assume you're talking about ratings in the US.

I watched it for the first time ever this week and I can't see what the fuss is about. There was nothing there to suggest anything other than suc-standard Whitney/Mariah/Christina wannabes and bad swing and rock tribute acts.

I'll watch next week to see whether any of them show signs of improvement or anything else but I'm not holding my breath.

Do you watch the X factor?

Yes. The outstanding talent on XF has been few and far between (no one above average in the last 16 this year for example and only a handful over the previous years) but from what I saw last night there is just as much duff on AI but with none of the tongue in cheek. The ones of the wrong side of mediocre or those who are just caricatures actually seem to think they're good.

The X Factor is crap compared to Idol.

Matt wouldn't get in the top 24.

Agreed on both counts

Anyone checked Tony Cowell's twitter? He's always making his brother look like a petty arse by going on about how X-factor is going to crush Idol and Idol's success was ALLL down to Simon. And Paula. Can't forget his creepy obsession with Paula.

Someone should tweet him the ratings.

Someone should tweet Tony Cowell to say watching the judges now is so much better without his narcissistic brother rolling his eyes and sighing every few minutes and "pretending" to "check out the chicks" when really the only one he was checking was Ryan 99% of the time

only 99%!!!! are you sure it was as little as that

I agree this is by far better without Simon, who had obviously never heard of " if you cant say anything constructive dont day anything at all" endless hours of was / wasnt relevant for today, how do i see you as an artist / mediocre / and the thousands of you did/ didnt make it your owns are not missed by me at all

0.9% of the rest of the time he was checking out good looking male contestants. 0.1% of the time was the occasions he realised the camera was on him and he averted his gaze to a girl


I think the judging is pants without him though. I never thought I'd live to see the day when "Yeah, dawg, ...............man, dawg, .............. dude, dawg" was the pinnacle of critiquing.

The judging isn't "pants". It's just fine. I think JLO is just what they wanted her to be. Sweet and nurturing. She was never cast to be an alleged "truth teller". The fact that she is a gorgeous movie star/recording artist(with a number 1 song) doesn't hurt either. Randy has also improved greatly without Simon there. And Steven is Steven. He also wasn't cast to be Simon like. He was cast because he's Steven effing Tyler and a legend. He could just grunt and he'd be better than a lot of so called judges. But Steven has some interesting things to say. Not always understandable LOL, but then again that's all a part of who he is. He fills the "WTF did he say? Did you hear what Steven said on Idol last night?" watercooler talk role. And once again, he has major cred.

I also think Ryan is better. He doesn't get cut down for simply asking a question of the judges anymore. And isn't called gay at least twice an episode.

Agree 100% with this. JLo & Stephen have made this season.

As for Ryan, I have changed my view 180 degrees. Last season he really got on my nerves but this season he is coming accross as just a nice guy & supportive of the contestants.

This show is SOOOOO much better without SC, and all power to the producers who put it together.

Now if they could just forget about the sob stories the show format would be almost perfect.

I'm watching it now, it's become my Saturday afternoon ritual and I'm not surprised by the ratings. It's bloody brilliant this year, I'm not sure if that's because of the lack of Simon or because of the addition of outstanding contestants. The two are probably not mutually exclusive. Anyway it's frigging great telly.

And the fact that Ryan Seacrest is 10x better than Dermot O'Queery. He has a great presentation style and just hooks you in. Whereas DO'Q wants to make me switch off.

Excellent ratings. Do we think Simon Cowell is worried after these ratings come out? The possibility that American Idol is more popular than Mr Cowell, Simon could come back to the UK with his tail between his legs.

Seriously doubt America will take to US Factor if it’s just about Cowell and not about the singers.

I think the X-Factor will grip the USA just like it does here. Especially because it'll be the first time they've seen a "singing" contest with older people and groups.

Well that's true. Afterall, America's Got Talent doesn't get that many viewers.

Please. We've seen both before.

How mature

Yes I was sick of Simon's comments too. It was always the same and he hadn't updated his phrase book in years. I hated how he said 'you made that relevant' to nearly everyone!

I am much preferring the new panel - a much more positive vibe and the the judges actually look like they are enjoying the performances. Simon was always looking away, head clearly turned away from the stage, or rolling his eyes and sighing with his arms folded.

I think the judges have proved pretty pointless so far. Most of the contestants would benefit from a bit of actual criticism.

More likely that they've been picked for their talent rather than their 'likeability' or good looks. Steve, Randy and J Lo are artists themselves and can identify talent. Shame that JC didn't go through though. Maybe they thought he was out of his depth?

The show, I feel, is outstanding. They are being very sensible also, leaving the likes of Jaycee out, because he's just too young...

There's a judging panel this year? I can only see a pair of sycophants and another guy who'll need tweezers by the end of the season to remove the splinters.