'Idol' slips, yet improves 'Fringe'

After last Wednesday's "American Idol" ratings stunned insiders by growing from its Tuesday premiere, the launch of the reality hit's second week fell back to Earth last night.

"Idol" (22.4 million viewers, 8.9 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 22 share) dropped 24% from its debut -- the largest second week loss in the show's history. But heavy viewer interest in inauguration coverage could explain the drop.

On ABC, for example, the two-hour “The Neighborhood Ball: An Inaugural Celebration” (12.6 million, 3.7/9) clocked the fourth-highest-rated show of the night, and the cable news networks were undoubtedly strong. So tonight’s "Idol" should be a better indication of how the show is holding up.

What’s certain is that Fox’s “Fringe” (12.1 million, 4.7/11) benefited from its new lead-in, earning its second-highest rating all season (since last September during its first week paired with “House”). Fox won the night, with ABC and NBC tying for second place. ABC followed its inaugural special with yet another inaugural special, “A Moment in History: The Inauguration of Barack Obama” (9.5 million, 2.9/7) which topped the 10 p.m. hour.

NBC aired “The Biggest Loser" (10.2 million, 3.9/9) which jumped 18% this week. Partly that's due to facing only one hour of “Idol” competition instead of two. Yet "Loser" also manged to improve its 8 p.m. hour that went head-to-head against "Idol." "Loser" was followed by a “Dateline” special (6.2 million, 2.2/6).

CBS ranked third with repeats and special “Challenge and Change: The Inauguration of Barack Obama” (6.9 million, 1.8/4). CW aired “90210” (2.4 milion, 1.1/3) and “Privileged" (1.7 million, 0.8/2).

Comments

[james]

I think it's completely unamerican for American Idol to have even aired last night. they should have done the right thing and done the wed/thursday this week instead. For those who watched Idol instead, they missed some of the best performances by several artists ever -- especially Beyonce and Alicia Keys, just to name a few.

[Adam]

I still don't see "Fringe" being able to stand on its own without a substantial lead-in (which I'm assuming is Fox's ultimate goal). It seems more like one of those shows that people will watch if it's convenient... not if they have to purposefully seek it out.

[Playe]

Adam, shut up. Most of us have been watching Fringe despite whatever show is its lead in. Also, not all of us just watch a show just because of its lead in. So again, shut up.

[playe]

Also, some of us have heard of fringe even before whatever show is its lead in so shut the fuck up.