Once a year, millions of Americans gather in front of their televisions to learn who will be the next American Idol. 9.9 million viewers watched the very first American Idol episode in 2002. By the end of that first season, more than 22 million viewers sat down to watch Kelly Clarkson be crowned the first American Idol. As season five came to an end, 36 million viewers were on hand to watch Taylor Hicks be crowned the season five winner.
Some commentators believe that Idol ratings are high, because people like watching train wrecks. In the same way that traffic jams are caused by drivers rubber necking to see a traffic accident, many people believe that American Idols charm is the fact that viewers can see hopeful performers get sliced and diced by Simon Cowell and the other American Idol judges, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
However, if that were the case, American Idol ratings would be strong out of the gate and then slowly taper off until the final performances are done. But, it does not work that way. With the lone exception of season four, more viewers have tuned in for the season finales than the season premieres.
So, the phenomenal success of...