1/14: Opening ratings down 10%, Jennifer Hudson back in spotlight next month?
Early ratings report that the opener of “Idol’ drew about 30 million viewers, down 10 percent from a year ago. That is about what I expected. No surprises. It’s the smallest opener since 2004, season three.
Hudson has not performed or made any public appearances since her mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King were shot to death a little over two months ago. William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia, has been charged with their murders.
Back in the day, I used to be able to go to Hollywood for the Television Critics Association gathering where networks would cart out their stars to get publicity for their shows. Alas, not anymore for me. Here’s what Paula Abdul had to say at TCA yesterday. Not much, from the sounds of it:
“For whatever reason, Paula Abdul, the name, makes people start creating rumors,” said Abdul, as a dozen journalists crowded around her after the press session. “It’s the most absurd thing to watch me being characterized that way. Because I am not at all what you guys think I am. I think they should all be happy that I’m on the show. Because even when nobody’s talking about Idol (tabloid headlines scream) Paula! Abdul! It’s the strangest thing for me to watch.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
31 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
1:06 pm
Thanks Rodney…I think it stinks that you don’t get to go to Hollywood. I’m going there next week..is there anything I could bring you? Besides a starlet!
KPH
January 14th, 2009
1:21 pm
Good to hear that Jennifer Hudson is getting back on her feet.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 14th, 2009
1:24 pm
Someone asked yesterday/last night: why paula “put her through” — it would have been 2 no and 2 yes on the vote vor bikini gal — since simon gets the tiebreaker, and since he’d voted “yes” — paula in her unusually clear-headed state realized apparently that it would be a hollywood ticket no matter WHAT she said, so she didn’t actually vote, she just said, if you will recall “you’re through to hollywood” or something like that. (i posted this on the other thread without thinking, so am copying here)
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
1:28 pm
Can’t say I’m surprised by the ratings drop. It was expected. I also noticed that they will not be going head-to-head with the premiere of Lost next week. Thank goodness!!!!!!
Sarah B
January 14th, 2009
1:34 pm
I’ve been a lurker for the last two seasons, but have been a Falcons blogger for a while so since we had such a great year there I’m “jumping in” as Linny put it. The “At Last” girl was the best last night but as always we don’t get to see everyone….
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 14th, 2009
1:45 pm
Amen, D!!!
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
1:51 pm
Sarah B…welcome to the blog! The Falcons were a lot of fun this year….especially after the previous miserable year.
GAgirl
January 14th, 2009
1:55 pm
Hi Friends
Good to see that Jennifer is getting out in public again. Expected the viewing to be down so no surprise. Can’t wait for Lost. Oh btw, temps in the 80’s here in SoCal this week (just couldn’t help but mention that)…Stay warm….
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 14th, 2009
1:56 pm
Welcome to the “pool” Sarah!!! Well, I’m glad for the falcons that they’ve had such a positive season after the previous fiasco, but i’m still a Bucs fan, so….
but glad you decided to join us!!! At Last — Etta James — that was Arianna, right? Dark hair, high school? And then Dock of the Bay — Otis Redding — that girl sounded like pure Pickler-all-over-again until she started singing — and her voice got sooooo soulful!!! imho, anyway, LOL!
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 14th, 2009
2:36 pm
so anyone else see THIS one (JT, i’m thinking of you and WE and Pappy here)
from the AJC:
Austin, Texas — “American Idol” is suing a Texas strip club over its “Stripper Idol” contest.
FremantleMedia North America, which owns the popular TV show, says the contest is a trademark violation that could mislead the public to think the show sponsors the event, The Dallas Morning News reported in Tuesday editions. The company has filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop the weekly contest.
Amateur strippers compete on stage for a $500 cash prize at the ‘Stripper Idol’ contest at Palazio Men’s Club in Austin, Texas. The weekly amateur stripping contest has irked the owners of ‘American Idol.’ FremantleMedia has sued the club in a federal court in Austin over ‘Stripper Idol.’
Peyton Watson , who is a stripper known as ‘Zypher’, 20, left (arms up) and friend Ashley Nicole Williams, whose stripper name is ‘Haley,’ 20, center, practice their moves before they go on stage for the ‘Stripper Idol’ contest, while friends Nicholas Johnson, right, and Aaron Jones, far right, watch, at Palazio Men’s Club in Austin, Texas.
Managers of the Palazio Men’s Club in Austin say the contest doesn’t resemble the TV show, and they don’t plan to end the Thursday night strip-off.
“Stripper Idol” contestants have 60 seconds to dance topless, then are ranked by audience applause to win $500.
Club managers say the contest is in its 12th week and is growing in popularity.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 14th, 2009
2:37 pm
there are pictures with the article (thus the middle paragraph about Peyton Watson etc)
JTesla
January 14th, 2009
2:45 pm
Linny: this will require further investigation. I have a bunch of 20’s ready to go, this is serious business.
KPH
January 14th, 2009
2:51 pm
I agree Linny on the Dock of the Bay girl I think her name is Deanna Brown she sounded great last night. She talks like a southerner but so do I LOL!
KPH
January 14th, 2009
2:56 pm
Hey Linny maybe that’s where Bikini girl thought she was… Stripper Idol. I bet they cut it just before she gave Simon a lap dance LOL!
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
3:21 pm
Rich fantasy lives going on here!
GAgirl…my kid has been complaining about the heat out there. Sure would like to borrow some of it. Let me know what the weather will be like next weekend…I’m thinking of heading out there.
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
3:29 pm
Speaking of Idol strippers…go to TMZ.com and scoll down to “American Idol wannabe makes an Ass of herself”
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
3:30 pm
WE…I think I may have just answered your question from last night.
JTesla
January 14th, 2009
3:36 pm
Ok, so she even has a tattoo there. However, did you see the pictures of Boy George on there?
KPH
January 14th, 2009
3:43 pm
TWENTIES! Damn JT you are a high roller arent you? Of course the last time I was in a strip club was over 20 years ago and we gave them singles.
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
3:44 pm
Yep…that was a little scary! That’s what hard living and a drug addiction will do to you…either that or he sure eats a lot of food!
Shawn Wasson
January 14th, 2009
3:47 pm
You guys should listen to the American Idol Podcast… it’s pretty good.
http://tvomg.com/2009/01/american-idol-fan-show-podcast/
JTesla
January 14th, 2009
3:53 pm
Truth be told KPH: I’ve only been in a strip club once, and that was back when I turned 21. At the time I didn’t realize that a downtown strip club on a Tuesday afternoon would forever crush my adolescent dream of spending every evening for the rest of my life basking in the glow of sequins and tassels. I don’t ever want to know where they get the girls to dance on Tuesday afternoons. However, fear not, I now have HBO.
KPH
January 14th, 2009
3:55 pm
That picture may hurt her chances if it gets much publicity. I mean that is not what some people would consider an American “Idol”. Dont really bother me though. Boy George has always been an ugly no talent boob he just covered it with makeup early on.
KPH
January 14th, 2009
3:58 pm
LOL! I hear ya JT (all) nakedness is not pretty.
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
4:08 pm
You know…I get enougha this kinda talk from my boys!!!!!!!
But I agree, KPH…that picture could come back to haunt her. WHEN will kids learn not to expose body parts on the internet!
JTesla
January 14th, 2009
4:36 pm
That type of picture appeals to one audience, but not another. In other words what gains one “LA Rocker” cred doesn’t work for American Idol. My response is the same as it was way back during the first AI picture scandal… yawn.
GAgirl
January 14th, 2009
4:54 pm
D, weather in high 60’s/low 70’s next week..sunny. Come on out!!!
harrietth
January 14th, 2009
4:54 pm
I’ll see you later on the blog. Gone for now.
Deirdre
January 14th, 2009
5:02 pm
Thanks GAgirl…..I’m looking forward to it!
KPH
January 14th, 2009
5:05 pm
Gagirl the low here thursday is going to be 9 above and 13 above friday with highs at 37. I thought this was HOTLANTA!
GAgirl
January 14th, 2009
6:22 pm
KPH..brrr!!! Although I miss many things in my hometown of ATL, the weather is not one of them.