”Idol” on a steady downhill slide
If you were watching carefully at the conclusion of last Wednesday’s “American Idol” (9 p.m., Fox), you would see judge Simon Cowell put his head in his hands in a gesture of either disgust or exhaustion or maybe both. Voters had just jettisoned Anwar from the competition.
This eviction, coming after the nixing of Nadia and the undeserved rebuke to Nikko, puts “Idol” on a path to pure tedium over the next month.
In this viewer’s humble opinion, only two of the remaining singers belong here now. Vonzell has improved with every performance, and Carrie has undeniable singing talent that may or may not compensate for her wooden stage presence.
I can dance better than Carrie can and, believe me, you don’t want to see me dance.
How bored is Simon? Last week he seemed to forget that this “Idol” was “American” and rattled on – much to the confusion of his home and studio audience – about Constantine resembling a singing waiter at a specific Spanish beach resort. For the record, Spain is a popular beach destination for British tourists.
And Simon isn’t the only disoriented viewer growing tired of “Idol” and its march to mediocrity.
The show’s ratings are slipping. And competing networks have taken notice.
During next month’s sweeps period ABC’s “Primetime Live” is planning a major expose on “Idol.”
It’s hardly surprising that ABC wants to take on the show. “Idol” is Fox’s strongest series, and there is rather bad blood between the networks ever since Fox stole ideas for ABC’s “Wife Swap” and “Supernanny.”
Open warfare between networks is always interesting. It remains to be seen if it will be entertaining.
Twelve aspiring chefs compete on the 12-part reality series “Cooking Under Fire” (7 p.m., KSPS). Many critics of PBS contend that the network has become redundant and that it offers programming found elsewhere on the cable dial. I disagree with them most of the time.
People used to say that PBS would be replaced by A&E. (And now that network is the home of Victoria Gotti.) But “Cooking Under Fire” could easily be found on the Food Network and elsewhere.
Confused by “Lost” (8 p.m., ABC)? Have you “lost” the story somewhere along the way. Tonight’s clip-show special “Lost: The Journey” will let you catch up.
Like “24,” “Lost” is a good show that seems to intimidate as many viewers as it attracts.” Many people tell me, “I’d like to watch “Lost,” but if I miss an episode, I feel like I won’t be able to follow.”
It behooves the networks to find a way to repeat these complex (and expensive) series much the same way HBO airs its dramas multiple times during the week. I’d much rather have a second shot at “Lost” than another opportunity to ignore “Rodney” or “Hope & Faith.”
Other highlights
A couple discover that the guy next door is a predator in the 2005 shocker “The Perfect Neighbor” (7 p.m., Lifetime).
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (8 p.m., CBS): Soldiers discover a cash cache in Iraq; the space shuttle’s next mission; the Broadway hit “Spamalot.”
The search for the miracle child leads to Rome on “Revelations” (9 p.m., NBC).
Bad news about Sophia on “Alias” (9 p.m., ABC).
A student’s murder may be drug related on “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS).
A phony flu vaccine proves deadly on “Law & Order” (10 p.m., NBC)
Leslie’s boyfriend takes a bullet on “Eyes” (10 p.m., ABC).
Part talk show, part sitcom and utterly charming and original, the British series “The Kumars at No. 42” (7 p.m., BBC America) recently received a Peabody Award for excellence. Tonight’s guest: Patrick Stewart.
Series notes
Luke Wilson guest-stars on “That 70s Show” (8 p.m., Fox) … Tyra Banks hosts “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN)… Chloe tutors Clark on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) … A very special contest on “Life on a Stick” (8:30 p.m., Fox) … A murder most elementary on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS) … George puts his foot down on “Kevin Hill” (9 p.m., UPN) … Fans out of control on “Stacked” (9:30 p.m., Fox) … Death stalks the big dance on “Jack & Bobby” (9 p.m., WB).