The Olympics of Reality Television
Feb. 23, 2006 — -- While Sasha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya battle it out on the ice tonight, NBC will be battling it out on the airwaves with Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and CBS' "Survivor" for ratings in the Olympics of reality television.
The television programs are so popular, even the critics don't know what to watch.
"I can't remember a night in the past where I felt I had to be home. I had to watch all the channels," said Mary Murphy, senior writer for TV Guide.
But last night, the "Idol" men trounced their Olympic competition. According to Mediaweek's Marc Berman, the two-hour "American Idol" -- featuring performances by 12 competing men -- beat the Olympics between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. by 69 percent in overnight ratings. Nielsen Media Research data showed the Fox show averaged 31.43 million viewers -- most between 18 and 49 -- while the Winter Games had 14.84 million viewers during the same time period.
You will have absolutely nothing to say around your watercooler Friday morning if you're not glued to your TV set tonight.
"American Idol" is the show to beat. It has been consistently trouncing the Olympics in the ratings. On Tuesday, Feb. 14, "Idol" beat the Olympics 27 million viewers to 16.1 million, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Viewers are doing their best to fit the most into their TV-watching schedules.
"We'll still TiVo 'Survivor,'" said viewer Traci Gazzo. "My husband will probably watch the Olympics upstairs because that's his favorite, and I will probably go to the third television in the house to watch 'American Idol.'"
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