‘X Factor’ debut underwhelming in ratings
Given all the hype over the past months, “The X Factor” debut last night didn’t exactly blow anybody away: 12.5 million viewers and a 4.4 share among 18 to 49 year olds. (Those are early numbers. Finals should be out soon and I will update with those.)
In this day and age, those are excellent numbers, but “Idol” first episodes still draw around 26 to 28 million viewers.
“Criminal Minds” on CBS and “Modern Family” on ABC drew more viewers and “Modern Family” eclipsed “X Factor” among 18 to 49 year olds with a huge 6.0 rating.
Competition tonight will be just as tough for night two.
I have no clue what Fox executives were expecting but personally, I would have predicted 18 to 20 million and at least a 6 share 18-49.
The over-arching question has always been: do we need an “Idol” clone all that badly? And sure, there are differences, but the differences have been usurped by other shows. The different age groups? See “America’s Got Talent.” Coaches? See “The Voice.” Simon and Paula? Vintage “Idol.” Hey, even Nicole Scherzinger is recycled from “The Sing Off.” L.A. Reid and host Steve Jones are “new” but otherwise, “X Factor” may have a hard time drawing the types of people who like these shows but have committed to others.
We’ll see if the numbers stabilize, drop or possibly climb. That’s not out of the question though I figure most folks who know about “X Factor” know about it by now.
In other ratings news last night, “Up All Night” struggled a bit transitioning to 8 p.m. but 6 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating for NBC is not godawful. “Free Agents” starring Hank Azaria, though, may be the first show canceled this year, pulling in just 3.9 million viewers and a mere 1.2 rating 18-49.
ABC should be happy. Besides the monstrous numbers for “Modern Family,” lead-in “The Middle” drew a series high 9.6 million (3.0 18-49).
The new ABC show “Revenge” opened with promise after “Modern Family” with 11.4 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating. CBS’s “CSI” with new cast member Ted Danson pulled in 12.6 million (down from 14.7 million a year ago) and a 3.1 18-49 rating. “Survivor,” in its second episode of the season, is losing steam against tough competition, drawing 10.3 million, 3.4 18-49 rating.
The CW’s “America’s Next Top Model,” despite an all-star crew, is fading fast. It drew a mere 1.6 million and 0.7 18-49.
- Also, coverage of the East Rutherford, N.J. “Idol” cattle call has been pitiful. I can’t find an estimate of turnout anywhere!
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24 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
September 22nd, 2011
3:47 pm
I think X-F may have lost some of it’s family appeal with the guy dropping trou. Isn’t exposing oneself illegal? Where were the police. Paula vomiting was not what the situation called for.
Mo Schreibman
September 22nd, 2011
4:03 pm
At the podiatrist I have read professional magazines that kept me awake longer. This Simon Cowell has laid a turkey for sure this time,
Harriett
September 22nd, 2011
4:03 pm
That was a huge mistake, letting that guy drop his pants and go on with his “show.” It was enough to have gotten him arrested in any city. And, the worst part? It was recorded in advance and they did not need to show it at all.
I loved Revenge and think I am going to be a fan.
Woodpappy
September 22nd, 2011
4:28 pm
The guy with his “ding dong” exposure will probably be arrested sometime in the near future if enough people raise a stink about it. I’m sure the police in whatever jurisdiction that occurred, are looking into it as we speak. Wait and see.
Deirdre
September 22nd, 2011
4:31 pm
It was Seattle, Woodpappy. Have you ever seen the homeless people in Seattle? It’s like an outdoor insane asylum there.
Rickster
September 22nd, 2011
4:35 pm
Not only was it underwhelming in ratings… it was underwhelming in what it offered.
And did anyone else notice in that grunge girl duo that it was the same screaming teen girl from AGT?
Harriett
September 22nd, 2011
4:39 pm
Yep, Rickster, I noticed. I watch AGT.
Time for me to get out of here. I will be at a conference in Charlotte all day tomorrow, so I will either peek in over the weekend or talk to y’all on Monday.
Rodney, thank you so much for this new home!
JTesla
September 22nd, 2011
4:41 pm
I would have found Mr. Pants to be really funny had it been a closed audition. However, in front of that size audience and you pour salt in the wound by showing people heading to the exit? It stops being entertaining at that point. Make the judges and crew uncomfortable, that is great they are getting paid, but to do that to that size of an audience, no. Not entertaining at all.
Otherwise, X-F is a retread, and retreads are never as good as the original. Nothing much to look forward to, the group vs. individual dynamic might be nice. Otherwise, bleh.
Of course, if they had Cheryl Cole still as a judge then there would be something original. LA Reid seemed to do well, but we need a little more originality on the judges/coaches/mentor/celebrity/pimp panel.
JTesla
September 22nd, 2011
4:42 pm
The screaming girl: was she the 15 or the 19 year old? My future comments regarding that matter depend on the answer.
JTesla
September 22nd, 2011
4:43 pm
“Woodpappy. Have you ever seen the homeless people in Seattle? It’s like an outdoor insane asylum there”
LOL, true very true.
Harriett
September 22nd, 2011
4:46 pm
On my way out, but saw your post, JT. The screamer was the younger one. Bye!
Rickster
September 22nd, 2011
4:47 pm
The X’s host is totally forgettable except for his accent. He has all the charm & charisma of… well… ummm….
Mandy
September 22nd, 2011
4:51 pm
I watched this show last night my first and last time!!!! I have watched American Idol every time it has been on and made every effort to be where I could watch it. I also enjoyed The Voice. This show is pure trash!!!! American Idol is 100 times better without Simon and as far as I am concerned, he can take his miserable show and go back to UK.
Deirdre
September 22nd, 2011
4:52 pm
I don’t know, JT. They were both awful so I’m not sure which was which.
Deirdre
September 22nd, 2011
5:08 pm
Mandy, you came to the right place!
Rickster
September 22nd, 2011
5:12 pm
Don’t sugar coat things, Mandy. Tell us what you really think!
Have a great evening, everybody!
Harm
September 22nd, 2011
5:52 pm
Hello fellow blogsters! You know who you are!
PunnedIt
September 22nd, 2011
7:15 pm
I concur. X-Factor sucks as much as American Idol. Thank god for Modern Family!
Nana
September 22nd, 2011
7:25 pm
Did anyone else think that Cheryl Crow looked like Shania Twain? I saw a resemblance between them. They should have kept Cheryl.
As far as droopy drawers, he should have been carted off in handcuffs immediately as soon as he dropped his pants and charged with child molestion, public indecency and whatever else they could charge him with. Also, the producers should be held accountable.
Nutmeg
September 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
After watching The Voice (which is tied for my favorite with The Sing Off) and X-Factor, I have really learned to appreciate Ryan Seacrest. I thought I would never write something complimentary about Seacrest… but he really does bring a presence, even a certain, um, gravitas to Idol that the other hosts completely lack–even Carson Daly.
I’m giving X-Factor a season to decide whether I like it. So far, so meh.
Rodney Ho
September 22nd, 2011
10:47 pm
Am catching up to “X Factor,” night two, late. The first 12 minutes was pure torture. It’s raining bad singers!
jana
September 23rd, 2011
1:29 pm
would have better ratings if not opposite survuvor!
Simon foul
September 25th, 2011
2:34 am
This show sucks! I auditioned in dallas and it was an awful expierence. the editing of the show is horrible. The guy with long hair with pink outfit with an easter basket on his head was 100 % in dallas but they edited him in in another city. X factor sux
Pen
September 28th, 2011
9:28 am
I really have no interest in watching X at all. It was SUCH a breath of fresh air without Simon on AI that there is no way I want to go back to hearing Simon’s brutal treatment of contestants. No way do I want to see the banter between he and Paula, and no thanks to Paula’s meaningless, spacey ramblings. She was nice, but not helpful except to try to lift spirits after Simon plunged his daggers. Without Simon, there would be no need of her. This country does not need a return to rudeness. I would like to see the show tank and send Simon back to the U.K..