http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/the-sad-fall-of-american-idol-finale-ratings

About 10.1 million watched last night, less than half of the 21.5 million who watched the finale two years ago -- and a stunning drop from the 29.3 million viewers for the 2011 finale.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#5F4r9zYxkDOxiHrf.99

It used to be great during Season 1, but afterwards, everything went down.

I cannot repeat this all over again:

1.) I agree that in Season 2 finale, Clay Aiken should have won and Ruben Studdard should have been a runner-up.

2.) But IMO, Clay Aiken should have won season 2 and Kimberley Locke should have been the runner-up on Season 2 instead!

3.) Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke have better music than Ruben Studdard's and they sing well than Ruben.

Back then, were the judges bad, were the votes badly miscounted, or both?

Somebody needs to please answer this question right away or this reality show will go bankrupt immediately!

well the show has been on for 14 years so the decline is expected

I can't stand the show but apparently Harry Connick Jr has brought new life to it. I think he, Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban make a good team and get along well.

I think the general public (myself included) is just plain tired of reality singing competition shows. AI went downhill QUICK when Paula left---most people say it went down when Simon left but I disagree.

I also think the entire 5th season with Taylor Hicks was ago poets and utter joke.

To me, the 3 best seasons were 1, 3, and 4.

I know it is too late, but I still please need someone to answer this question before time runs out!:

Back in Season 2 finale of AI, were the judges bad or were the votes badly miscounted or both at the same time?

Thank you.

there's an answer that can be given, and stated as fact. There will always be speculation about how these kinds of shows operate.

Shows do decline with age, it's true, but the ratings decline has been alarming- over four-five years, a 64% drop or so. Part of that probably is because of singing-show fatigue, but also because the show itself got stale. I mean, how many strong acts have come out of it? Less than a handful?