It used to be that only sports events would beat American Idol in the ratings. But as we’ve seen this week, it’s becoming easier for both network and cable shows to do the same. Fantasia has a new album coming out in April — read on for the release date, cover art and track list. Plus, Justin Guarini is a new dad for the second time.
American Idol Recap: Five More Guys Round Out the Semifinals >>>
Ratings Fall to Lowest in Over 10 Years
Besides the tension between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, the other big discussion revolving around Idol this year is the declining ratings. Just this week, for example, the show fell to its lowest numbers in over 10 years.
On Wednesday, 13.15 million viewers tuned in to watch the remaining Top 40 girls perform. And as everyone’s been talking about, Idol hasn’t seen ratings that small since August 2002 during season 1. It still was the highest-rated show of the night, beating out shows like Survivor (9.43 million) and Law & Order: SVU (5.6 million), but Modern Family did win over Idol in the all-important 18-49 demographic (4.987 million). And it’s not just network television. On cable, A&E’s Duck Dynasty garnered more viewers in the 18-49 (4.995 vs. 4.945 for Idol).
Thursday’s edition with the boys performing (and boring us all along the way, I might add) received 12.5 million viewers. Considering it was up against mostly repeats, you’d think the numbers would have gone up. (That still could happen after updated numbers are released.)
Once the live shows begin, will the ratings tick up? Or is the show stuck in a spot that it can’t recover from? And when The Voice returns later this month, which singing competition show will come out on top?
Fantasia Announces New Album, Cover Art, Track List
Over the past several months and and even years, Fantasia has been known more for her screwed-up personal life and controversial statements than her music. But that’s about to change, as she’s announced that her new album, Side Effects of You, will be released April 16 (with pre-orders starting on March 19).
A deluxe edition with two bonus tracks, “Haunted” and “Kiss Bang Boom,” will be sold exclusively at Target.
Fantasia describes the album as a blend of Tina Turner and James Brown. And she’s appreciative that her label is allowing her to have writing credits. In an interview with Steve Harvey, she said, “It’s my baby because I finally got to write. I just wanted so bad to always do something like that and I thank the record company, RCA, for allowing me to do that on this album.” She’s also collaborating with Bad Boy Records rapper King Los, Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott on two songs.
Track List:
1. Make Me Feel (featuring King Los)
2. Ain’t All Bad
3. If I Was a Bird
4. Girl Talk (Interlude)
5. Without Me (featuring Kelly Rowland/Missy Elliott)
6. Side Effects of You
7. Get It Right
8. So Much to Prove
9. Change Your Mind
10. Lighthouse
11. Lose to Win
12. End of Me
13. In Deep
14. Haunted (Target Exclusive)
15. Kiss Bang Boom (Target Exclusive)
FOX Announces Season Finale Dates for American Idol, Glee and More >>>
Justin Guarini’s Wife Gives Birth to Son
Justin Guarini has some exciting news to share about his family: his wife, Reina Capodici, gave birth to a son on February 25 at 6:40pm. Asher weighed 7 lbs, 8 oz. The season 1 runner-up posted this photo to Instagram:
Speaking to People, he said, “He’s the sweetest little boy you could ever, ever, ever ask for. He made his way into the world nice and easy. … He is a ravenous eater! He would probably spend 24 hours latched to his mom if he could.”
Justin and Reina already have a son, 22-month-old William Neko. (Reina also has an 8-year-old daughter, Lola, from a previous marriage.) “My first son looked exactly like me,” he said. “We don’t know who Asher will take after. He’s a mystery right now! … [William] came to see Asher when he was a day old and all he wanted to do was lean over and kiss him.”
He’s got his hands full with a newborn at the moment, but Justin will be back on Broadway soon and is working on new music as well.
Want to add American Idol to your very own watch-list? Download BuddyTV Guide for free for your phone.
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
