This last season of “American Idol” was mostly a snoozefest and the show’s declining ratings reflected that. But the slide in interest is going beyond the TV show and extending to the once-popular tour. Once the show is over and a winner has been crowned, teeny-boppers usually line up eagerly to see their favorite Top 10 Idol performers live on tour. But not this year – sources are reporting that ticket sales for the “Idol” tour are selling so poorly, several dates have been canceled.
This past season of “American Idol” is widely regarded as one of the show’s worst, and the corresponding Idol Live! tour might be the last nail in season nine’s coffin.
The tour, which features the final 10 contestants, has suffered poor ticket sales (example: at press time, Wednesday’s show at Jones Beach, right outside New York, featured front-row seats still available for just $13). Seven shows have been cancelled, and nine shows have been rescheduled.
Is there an explanation for the lack of interest, or worry on the part of the “Idol” brass? Reps for “Idol” won’t say, other than to comment, “At this time, other than confirming that some shows on the IDOL LIVE! 2010 tour itinerary have been moved and/or canceled, we are not issuing any comment or statement.”
A source close to the production had a little bit more to say about the sad state of the Idol Live tour.
“No one was very optimistic about the success of the Idols tour this summer,” said one well-placed “Idol” source. “They knew they didn’t have big stars on their hands, and really, ‘American Idol’s’ focus isn’t about creating a successful tour, it’s about creating a successful show, week to week. But unfortunately, the tour (not doing well) reflects badly on the show, especially since there’s the ‘who will replace Simon’ situation to contend with this year.”
A tepid tour won’t halt progress, though. “American Idol” begins auditioning for new hopefuls, as scheduled, July 17 in Nashville, Tenn.
Meanwhile, both Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox are selling an underwhelming amount of singles. DeWyze’s first single as the winner of “American Idol” was a cover of the U2 anthem “Beautiful Day.” Apparently, even the people who voted for the former paint salesman thought that was a bad move, because it’s the worst selling single from a newly-crowned Idol in the history of the show- it spent one week in the Top 10 and then dropped off, selling 25% fewer units than the Kara DioGuardi-written single for last year’s winner, Kris Allen. So, it’s no surprise that the tour isn’t doing well. If people aren’t motivated to support the winner of the competition, why would they pay to see the kids who didn’t win?
Snooze fest. The cast line up is awful and Lee is hardly an Icon…
We can stop blaming the economy on stuff. The singing sucks. Pure and simple.
American Idol is still on TV? Didn’t realize.
I know these kids gave it their all but they’re just not very good – and any inspired and talented high school performer can do just as good. Anyway, with all the great music on youtube from the 60’s guitar Gods to old school rap and hip hop I think I’ll save my money and listen to Jimi do Voodoo Child 20 different ways on youtube. No offense to these kids but they just don’t have it.
Lee shouldn’t have won. He also shouldn’t have redone a U2 song. If I wanted to hear U2’s music, I’d buy U2’s version of it. Also, the talent this year really didn’t jump out at me, except for Crystal and when she releases an album with songs written for her and not cover songs I’ll probably buy it.
Hm, interesting. I admit I am a fan of the show and have been since season 1. I agree it isn’t as great as it used to be, but it is still a lot of fun to watch.
Usually the Idol tour comes to my town, but I have never been motivated to go before. This year I thought I might actually do it, because DeWyze is really good and I think it would be a lot of fun. But…turns out they never scheduled to be in my city.
Oh well.
The singing.
Finally people are finding better things to. Your local bar has singers as good as these people
I wonder if Glee and its tour has anything to do with it. I don’t want to see either and I love Glee. I don’t know why anyone would want to see an American Idol karaoke tour.
And yeah, don’t cover U2. It’s his own damn fault for being so stupid.
The economy. We have a huge unemployment rate. Much higher than the admitted number.
Why pay to see them anymore. It’s not like a “fresh new concept.” Besides, this year was as boring as 2004 when that gray-haired Soul Patrol guy took the win, and America went: ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
stop watching idol after fantasia. the show is boring and the newness is gone. i hope last season was the end.
It’s the talent not the economy. Considering that the show had the lowest ratings in years, it shouldn’t be a shock that the tour is tanking. Although I usually hate the winner’s original song but doing a cover of a recent huge song was a stupid idea. The funny thing is I hadn’t heard U2’s version on the radio in months but after Lee won I’ve been hearing it several times a week.
Worst season ever! The talent was awful and with Simon gone, I’ll never watch it again.
This was the first year that I barely watched Idol. They picked the wrong people to compete which explains the ratings and the lucklustre tour. No more of these coffee house singers.
Yep, this year was REALLY boring. Crystal was probably the only one with exceptional talent but I still don’t think she fits the “American Idol” mold. Her style’s not pop-y or commercial enough.
Anyway, does anyone else think that Lee looks like he’s straining to go #2 in that last pic?
I would venture to guess that the typical American Idol fan would rather have it spoon fed to them on the couch than actually drag their fat, lazy ass out to a theatre.
It’s probably why the show does so well, the viewers are too lazy to find the remote.
All these Idol shows are pretty bad because the singers don’t know how to interpret a song. Sure they can impress the audience when they hit their high notes, but they sing every song the same way regardless of what it’s about.
Sanjaya killed American Idol for me. Not that I was all obsessed with it in the first place, but I vowed never to watch again after that donkey made it so far into the competition.
@Roxi – ITA with you about Crystal! She should be the winner. From the little clips I’ve seen on other blogs and on you tube, she rocked it. I just new she wouldn’t win because she dosen’t fit the demographic. I think the show is totally rigged too, BTW.
…that perhaps the biggest criterion in choosing which contestants/winners in the early rounds is “Do they appeal to a specific demographic?” They always have one of every race, every size, and different styles. Really nothing wrong with that per se, except when it pushes out superior talent that we sorely need on our airwaves.
All hail mediocrity!
I think the producers influence the winner. They aren’t going to let the public pick a winner who will be having millions spent on them to record songs and market them. The producers and Simon Cowell wanted Lee to win, so they made sure that he did. It was a mistake. Lee is boring and can’t sing. When he won, I think most people who watch the show realized that it’s rigged and turned their backs on AI. I wouldn’t go see the tour for free, let alone pay for it.
I would rather save my money for Adam Lambert’s tour. I saw it once and I have to see it more.