RATINGS LESS HUGE FOR “IDOL” FINALE

As expected, the season finale of American Idol, broadcast on the last day of the 2009-2010 broadcast season, produced the biggest ratings of the season for an entertainment show. According to preliminary Nielsen numbers, the two-hour show averaged 23.15 million viewers, peaking in the final half-hour (when the winner was announced) with 28.83 million. As enormous as those figures appear to be, they were nevertheless down nearly 20 percent from a year ago when an average of 28.84 million tuned in to watch Kris Allen surprisingly defeat Adam Lambert in the talent contest. Wednesday’s telecast also produced a surprise winner, Lee DeWyze, who came out ahead in the voting over favorite Crystal Bowersox. The telecast also featured the final appearance of Simon Cowell as the lead judge on the show and the return of former judge Paula Abdul, who told Cowell, “American Idol isn’t going to be the same without you, but as only I can tell you, it will go on.” Cowell responded: “What Paula said is true, the show goes forward. It will be different, but I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support, the fun and, everyone, your sense of humor — that’s been the best part. … Everyone asks who is going to replace me, who will be the next judge, and the truth is you [looking at the camera] are the judges of this show and you have done an incredible job over the years.”