Even with Suzi Quatro Australian Idol couldn’t crack the 1m mark last night -and it had no dancing celebrities to contend with either.
Idol now has a fight on its hands to stay relevant, and to fend off suggestions that dumping Kyle Sandilands was a mistake.
The Top 11 show, in which Ashleigh Toole was sent home, took 990,000 viewers, beaten by Border Security (1.54m), The Force (1.52m), Domestic Blitz, Sunday Night (both 1.24m) and Stephen Fry in America (1.11m).
Midsomer Murders (1.36m) defeated Rescue: Special Ops (1.01), Seven’s Bourne Ultimatum movie (965,000) and Rove (816,000), which was the top show for the night in 16-39yos.
Nine News also had a rare win over Seven News.
As expected just 396,000 sampled Nurse Jackie in its late timeslot, behind Little Britain USA’s 537,000.
Wipeout took a big 248,000 on GO!
Quatro, who according to reports in the weekend newspapers was even offered a permanent judging gig on Idol, proved a spirited judge even if her vocal performance seemed a little under the weather.
Well well well, now it is all clear to me. We have a new judge Jay Dee on one hand & Dicko on the other. Kicking out Kyle & Holden just shows how those two wanted it all to themselves. JD isn’t much of a chop to watch, Dicko isn’t much better unless he is arguing with Holden. Bringing Susie Q on the show helped very little although her comments were worthy. The Nanny Fine look a like contestant is the one to look for. Over all the show has to be more honest with the contestants.
well people did like the snappy and sometimes funny comments of kyle….he was te mean one…..now where is that mean one…..people like mean judges who say it as it is.
Mark Holden.
Jack was saying the target audience would be saying Suzi who ?
In that case it’s great they are being educated about past Superstars, instead of the manufactured “here today gone tomorrow’ artists
BTW – People that think the fall in ratings is attributable to Kyle Sandilands departure must have rocks in their head.
His radio ratings dived today.
We expect too much of Idol. Ten could arrange for more experienced, working musicians to come into the show but if they’re not interested in doing that, we’re going to get a lot of people on L plates who needs nurturing. I don’t mind that (I do wonder at the choices of final 12 sometimes!) Some uncut diamonds are going to be discovered and I’m happy to sit through some mediocrity and see if I can spot one.
It might help Idol’s standing if a finalist made it big overseas. Viewers might see the value in it. Lisa Mitchell might be the first contestant to really make it big. She took off overseas, worked hard and it’s paying off. Guy certainly could, but he’d need to put in the overseas time. Jessica might have a go.
And that’s another thing. There are many contestants who’ve gone on to make decent careers after Idol. Jessica has had a run of hits lately, Guy has the number one song currently, and others are doing well. I thought the show would have mentioned these successes over the last couple of weeks as a reminder to some viewers that might not be aware, that yes, this show is worthwhile.
I’d like to see Idol keep going. And I wish we also had a show like Jools Holland (ABC2).
Sad to read so much negativity towards Suzi.She has gone out of her way when she could have been relaxing in her hotel suite.I agree that it is a silly choice to use her as a judge as she would not be known to the relevant audience of today.I have met her personally & she is a lovely person to talk to.Why not have “aussies” judging.Bring some of the past idols back,Anthony,Jessica even Casey to share their experiences.For me Idol looks very tired.The sets are boring & unfortuanetly so are the contestants.I really believe that most of them are picked for their looks,nothing more.It’s time to go……..
Sadly Ten will do the same with Masterchef.
@ Ellie
So all shows that do not win their timeselots are not successes?
I’d imagine Idol is still one of the Top 15 18-49 shows on TV
Far from it’s glory days yes, but not a disaster no.
no matter what you all say….love it or hate it… idol wont be axed..
think about it….. they are committed due to the fact its a competition and if they axed it they could land themselves into some legal problems….
so u can say what u want but this show will stay until the grandfinal… then it will be axed!!
Even Big Brother could muster 1m+ for its Sunday night evictions in its final year.
Idol isn’t far from the axe I think.
A talent show without the talent, im surprised it rates as well as it does.
@JohnP:
Agreed.
However, I’ve been naughty.. I voted for Sabrina 12 times last week and I voted for Toby quite a few this week too.
I’m still trying to work out why I bothered, lol.
Shows like this seem to die after season 3 … lack of tallent really.
Haven’t watched Idol in ages … wouldn’t be surprised if this is its last year
Don’t usually watch the show but Suzi was Great as was her advice to the contestants! -[ hopefully she punched out whoever cut her retro mullet ] – but yeah, the show Really Sucks as it has No interest in fostering Real talent!
@ Craig: Ryan Seacrest is one of the biggest tools on television. Period.
Yes bring back Holden.
most kids nowdays would go Suzi who?
Isn’t this show for teenage girls old girls with big mobile phone bills? They probably just run this show to make money from the votes.
I don’t like the fact that there is only one show a week now. It also sucks for the person who is leaving doesn’t get told after the voting closes but instead has to perform a whole week for a song that they don’t even have them perform, but instead perform what they performed last (and got the least votes for).
Australia doesn’t have (never did and never will) the population to support an Aus Idol show annually, but it’d work better every 2 years. In terms of success, it’s true Aus Idol’s winner track record is essentially a joke (excluding Guy Sebastian, Ricky Lee, Jess Mauboy, some may say Shannon Noll to a lesser extent), but so is Am Idol’s current one (excluding Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks).
Not a fan of Idol but I saw some of last nights show, the fact none of the contestant hit a key (they murdered a few) would have to be a major flaw with the show!
Actually Brett I could snap a screenshot of any performer mid-show and they’d look equally glum. There were plenty where she looked cheery, so I wouldn’t read too much into it. It was more the angle that showed something different.
I don’t watch this crap anymore, haven’t since season 2, but i heard it on in the other room last night and it was absolutely terrible. DWTS they’re not dancers so you don’t expect them to be good, Idol they’re meant to be singers but they can’t sing at all. It was hard to listen to they were that bad.
It’s ironic that Idol is now irrelevant, dead in the water, hopefully soon axed, but the #1 song in the country belongs to Guy Sebastian, Idol’s first winner.
If the numbers stay this dire I’d say axe the show. I don’t think the contestants are that bad but audiences are just tiring of the format. I’m only interested in Idol this year because last year I gave up on the show. Plus lead-in reliant Rove isn’t being helped. The problem with axing Idol is that they have 2 hours and ten minutes of television to fill for a third of the year with untested content. Whatever new show(s) they come up with may be the new MasterChef but also may be another Guerilla Gardeners.
I looked on Wikipedia & the last time Suzi Quatro had a single or album that charted was 1982 – Anywhere!!
She was good last night but I can understand the kids not knowing her!
Problem number 1: The target audience would be thinking “Susie Who???”
Problem number 2: The new “industry” judge is unappealing!
Problem number 3: The contestants are all mediocre, uncharismatic, and uninspiring singers … they should not be in the “top” anything … and that is 10′s Big problem … who cares if they get a contract, there are so many singers out there with much greater talent who never get a chance … and no-one will care if this lot all dissappear back into anonymity!
Jack!
Re Picture: Suzie Quatro’s glum tired expression reflects the state of Australian Idol. A series which lost credibility years ago with the failure of winning contestants translating into commercial successes. No matter how much they want to change our perception of this by bringing into the judging panel an industry person the problem remains. What compounds this problem further is that the judges are praising performances which are glaringly sub-standard.
There is no short term fix to this problem. Idol needs to take at least a one or two year break or however long is needed for the talent pool to rejuvenate. Bring in entertaining judges and pick performers that look and sound good. If Idol does return next year its ratings will sag lower than Suzie Quatro’s cheeks.
i havent watched idol since the episodes of kyle have been on, and i know of a number of people who have done the exact same thing.
im glad the show is failing, its what TEN gets for f.cking with kyle fans !
Suzi’s mullet was awful but she was a great guest judge. She (unlike Marcia) gave some constructive and honest feedback to the contestants. She was fantastic and the ones that actually listened to her were incredible. Sabrina’s version of “Numb” was wonderful
Yes some are showing they will not last the distance namely Scott and possibly even Casey. Ashleigh was one of the great talents this year. The public voting are clearly the teens. They are voting based on looks not necessarily talent.
Mark Holden should be recalled. He also gave good feedback and is way more entertaining to watch than JD. He really is boring.
I think the loss of viewers also has to come down to people having alternative forms of entertainment these days internet, twitter, games consoles etc. TV is not the only form of entertainment now. Viewer numbers are unlikely to reach the lofty heights they used to.
Will be so interesting to see Hey Hey’s ratings………….
Thank goodness for Suzie Quatro.. I could only imagine what the contestants wouldve come out and done if she hadnt been there! It was a pretty good show and I hope for tens sake Idols ratings pick up.
How could they vote off ashleigh. (vanessa amorisa sing a like)
no doubt that its struggling big time and i has nothing to do kyle leaving. he should never have been put on he show in the first place. all it is,. is all the very good music talent in australia are realising idol isn’t worth the trouble and fiding better ways of getting noticed. idol is dead
What a waste regarding Nurse Jackie. Wrong channel, wrong timeslot. What was 10 thinking?
@Russell – “I know you don’t get the demos for shows David. But these headlines and stories are 10 years out of date. A show relevancy on Ten is decided by 18-49.No doubt Idol is down. No doubt at all. But Ten itself does not measure success in total people, but 18-49.
@Russell, Idol did not win the 18-49 demo, does this mean it was still a success???
Loved Suzie Q ( Mullet included)
No botox or facelifts
Just herself
Hopefully Idol will continue to grow thanks to her great mentoring
Nothing to do with Vile’s exit – and everything to do with the contestant’s lack of skills and the judges ignorance of this fact. Last night they were sucking up to all of them (I assumed it was because they didn’t want to offend Suzi’s mentoring skills) when they all sounded Terrible!!
@Marco… and dont forget to add to marcia’s list when they are exit .. “remember, darlin’ this is (pause).. only…..just… the… beginning” when in fact they are never heard of since!!
I’m sorry – Suzie Quattro is relevant now? I’m 33 and I can tell you she’s before my time.
I can’t see Idol lasting beyond this year now, It’s done, as for relevance – hasn’t been relevant since 2004 IIRC
Suzi Quatro made some good comments but I couldn’t get past her outrageous mullet!
If you want ratings you bring back mark Holden, sack that new judge and make a media storm about it end of story. Its the only way.
Shelly, exactly – bland contestants, all of whom seem completely incapable of singing on key for more than five seconds (that bland doofus murdering Muse’s “Starlight” was the highlight of the lowlights!). A ‘rock night” theme that instantly alienates much of the show’s core audience.
And Suzi Quatro, who looked like she’d been exhumed from a lost Madame Tussaud’s exhibition and whose opening performance was a case study in Reasons Why Ageing Rock Stars Should Retire. The woman can barely sing these days. It was embarrassing to watch.
The contestants this year are bland, lifeless and astonishingly short on talent, originality and personality. Meanwhile Lisa Mitchell, who Idol ridiculed, rejected and forced out a couple of seasons ago, releases on of the year’s most admired debut albums.
Goes to show how relevant Idol is not. Its time is over.
And “Jay Dee” Springbett should get off television before he makes an even bigger fool of himself, by the way.
You just know who’s watching and who’s voting (teeny bopper girls in the main) when one of the bright sparks of this series is the first to leave (Vanessa Amorosi look/sound-a-like). Watch the other female contestants take a tumble before the young voters vote Scott Whathisname for the win just because he’s cute and adorable, not because he is truly talented. There’s no true star left now that makes you think, geez I wanna buy their CD! Hence why people are not watching. Put the damn thing out of its misery now. And we’re all tired of watching Marcia add absolutely nothing to the show except You Go Girl; You Go Darling: Stay True to Yourself: Did You Enjoy Yourself? Well That’s All That Matters, Don’t Worry About What Anyone Else Says!
Hey Bazza, Thanks for those comments. I don’t have digital and signal was really bad for me too in the Hinterland! Grr. I hadn’t watch RSO since the first episode and I decided to give it another go and I couldn’t even watch it!!!
Marcia looks different in that picture. The stress of the failing franchise must be taking its toll on her.
Maybe they need Ellen to help with the ratings
The contestants were good??? Every time I flicked over, someone was singing off key! Puh-lease! Who wants to listen to that?
Dumping Kyle had nothing to do with Idol not getting ratings. It is over-rated and needs to be dumped. Now..
This does not surprise me. I have always been and out and proud Idol fan over the years, and was really looking forward to this series, but there is something about this series (and other viewers obviously agree!) that is just really boring. I never used to miss a minute of Idol, but the last couple of weeks I have find myself spending more time over on Stephen Fry’s America or The Force. Despite me arguing to the contrary for a few years now, perhaps it really is time to consider hanging up the microphone Idol.
its odd that a show that seeks a younger audience would have Suzie Quatro as a judge, surely there was some other “rock chick” more relevant to Gen Y than her, I mean, geez, im 32 and barely remember her, the Kyle factor has nothing to do with it, its an ageing show and is way past its best, the fact the contestants are dull as dishwater doesnt help matters either and I actually kind of miss James Mathieson and the cheeky edge he brought to the show…oh, and Mr G, your not and never will be Ryan Seacrest so be yourself and stop trying to be emmulate him!
Suzi Quatro was fantastic last night, the Idol kids really stepped up the mark thanks to her knowledge & guidance.
It would be great if they could keep her or the wonderful Cyndi Lauper from last years season, & get rid of the very dull Jay Dee – he’s so boring & a complete waste of space!
i am just sick of the judges, before the season started they should of started afresh with three new judges. also i think they could learn a few lessons from x factor uk. like perhaps with the voting system. the voting lines are usually only open for 1 hour or two, and later the same night of performances they eliminate someone. they could eliminate someone after rove. it would be different, but could work.
forget about Suzi Q… bring in the original rock chick with better credibility and stage persona… Debbie Harry !!
Maybe people are a little sicko f this mainstream radio-friendly karoke style teeny competition and want something with a bit more substance?
It has to be a sign when even the people who vote for the winner of Idol don’t even bother to buy their albums.
Again, how many of these stories about total people when Ten does not target total people? “Idol struggles to stay relevant”?? really?
Considering in commercial TV the demos are relevant and total people irrelevant, this headline and story is well, this headline and story is a beat up. I suspect Stephen Fry (ABC1) and perhaps even Seven and Nine’s offerings were less relevant that Idol, which I’m sure did well in the demos.
I know you don’t get the demos for shows David. But these headlines and stories are 10 years out of date. A show relevancy on Ten is decided by 18-49..
No doubt Idol is down. No doubt at all. But Ten itself does not measure success in total people, but 18-49.
If you’re going to determine the date of shows based on ratings at least do it based on the ratings that are well… relevant!
Kyle has nothing to do with it. The contestants are simply too boring this year. I flicked between the first hour of Idol and “Sunday Night”, and then watched the final episode of Stephen Fry in America.
did these Idol contestants have to ask their grandparents who Suzi Quatro was?
Dumping Kyle was a massive mistake… The contestants are all pretty good. The Jay Dee thing is terrible…
idol isn’t even doing that well in the demos. didn’t win 18-49 and barley won 16-39. what’s worse is that the competition was 7&9′s supposedly old skewing nights. they run out of new excuses every week.
“and to fend off suggestions that dumping Kyle Sandilands was a mistake.”
my opinion: whether or not dumping kyle was a mistake is irrelevant when it comes to ratings. the thing that killed it most was the 6:30 timeslot. who thought that was a good idea? and it will only get worse when daylight savings kicks in.
judging from the last few years. the best ratings from idol are behind them already. bar the final, the best rating episodes are the semis, the wildcards, and the early auditions. the top 12 is the bad stretch of ratings. so anyone that says it will pick up is being very optimistic.
Everything defeated Rescue Special Ops here on the Gold Coast, the digital transmission was constantly breaking up throughout the show.
In fact the transmission from all channel 9 streams was broken one way or another for most of the day and Go had no audio most of the afternoon. The broadcast data was so badly bugged that our HD plasma set locked up a couple of times and had to be unplugged at the wall to get it operational again.
Suzi Quatro? None of the Idols have every heard of her I would assume? Was her hair and overall look like that for a joke? Was it 80′s night or something? I dont watch it these days.
Dumping Kyle Sandilands shouldn’t effect the ratings, surely no one watched it just for him, there are contestants singing, thats the premise of show.
I have to say she seemed like a perfect fit, way better than Marcia.
It feels like we’re quickly seeing the death of Idol coming up. This is exactly the same stuff Ten did with Big Brother (the inundation of guests), and when a big show can’t break the million mark, you know something is seriously wrong.
The thing is, if Ten did cancel Idol, it would be a massive red face moment. It would also make me wonder whether any other network would pick it up (a perfect fit for Fox8, but I doubt they have the cash to take it).
Judges can’t fix the major problem – the ‘talent’ aren’t that good, and we as viewers haven’t been given reason enough to care about them, there is no real connection with these people, and its really that bad that its a glorified kareoke talent quest, the type you would expect at your local shopping centre/mall.
10 have killed the golden goose, move this to 9:30pm Monday and let it ride off into the sunset.
Suzi Quatro hasn’t been relevant in thirty years.