UNITED STATES – In the latest TV show ratings, CBS’ yet-to-be-renewed NCIS: Hawai’i this Monday drew 5.9 million total viewers — up 16 percent to a best-since-premiere audience — and held steady in the demo with a 0.5, as part of CBS’ NCIS crossover event.

FINAL RATINGS

• NCIS itself (6.6 mil/0.5) dipped in the demo but of course, copped Monday’s largest audience. Opening the Eye’s night, The Neighborhood (5.3 mil/0.6) and Bobishola (5 mil/0.5) were steady.
• ABC | American Idol (5.5 mil/0.7) and The Good Doctor (3.8 mil/0.4) were both steady, with the former leading Monday in the demo.
• FOX | 9-1-1 (4.8 mil/0.6) and Lone Star (3.8 mil/0.5) both slipped to at least season lows.
• NBC | American Song Contest (1.8 mil/0.3) plunged 40 percent from its debut. The Endgame (1.4 mi/0.2) in turn slipped to series lows.
• THE CW | All American (590K/0.2) added eyeballs, Homecoming (390K/0.1) lost some.

PRELIMINARY FIGURES

WEB ENGAGEMENT FALLS TOO

TIME TO GET ALERTED

There are indeed problems with the show and we all noticed that. The USA was not exactly ready to welcome the show which is all about music, based on the magnificent and ideal concept of original songs and equality between states/territories and the stardom level of its participants.

One more problem is the constant breaks. And of course not to forget the not functional (and long) postcards introducing the songs. Plus, something no one has noticed: the lack of interval acts. That could be an asset for such a show.

Maybe the format should have been a faster and shorter concept. But then again NBC wanted a series of this to air. But what if they brought in the third show, DRAKE to perform or Kim Kardashian to duet with Kanye?

Unless Björkman wants to record this venture as a failure must intervene immediately and bring his Melodifestivalen magic immediately to the format and the production of the show. Plus, NBC should seriously listen.

No fan base: another issue for the project as there are no fan base initiatives. Social media are controlled by NBC and its marketing companies, the official NBC website gives very narrowed information and the artists are already living/residing in L.A with no initiatives created for them in their home states and territories by state/partner broadcasters.

I mean, do they really need us to tell them how to do it?

SCEPTIC INTERNATIONAL PRESS

The concept of producing a US version of Eurovision was initially met with lukewarm reactions. Andy Kryza of Time Out wrote that the American Song Contest’s biggest challenge is “the relative homogeneity of the American musical landscape,” that its pop stars need to be paired with colourful performers like drag queens, wrecking crews, clowns, gospel singers, and the like.

Justin Kirkland of Esquire predicted that the contest will be “a colossal nightmare,” adding that Americans “lack the self-deprecation, campiness, and selfless energy to pull this off.”

Chris Murphy of Vulture.com pointed out that the television landscape in the United States is saturated with singing and talent competitions, adding that “no one’s gonna write a song as catchy as ‘Husavik’.”

In an interview with BBC Breakfast in 2020, Cheryl Baker (member of the winning act in the 1981 Eurovision) opined that the competition will not translate well in the U.S., adding that the country “has got a long way to go to get the kitsch, the cheese, and the fun element” of the contest. Baker also suggested that the U.S. should bring a representative to Eurovision instead.

When asked about the possibility of competing in the American Song Contest, Flo Rida explained that it would be “a dream come true.” The Florida-based rapper performed “Adrenalina” along with San Marino’s representative Senhit at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

Writing for The Guardian, Adam Gabbatt was excited about “the mouth-watering prospect of seeing how politically and culturally opposed states rate the musical output of their rivals.” Gabbatt explained how conservative viewers in Texas and liberal audiences in New York could express their mutual dislike for one another, or how voters might turn against Florida due to the anti-mask and vaccine-sceptic crusade of the state’s current governor.

Fellow The Guardian columnist Stuart Heritage described the list of participants as “breathtakingly starry,” referring to artists who “already have their own Wikipedia page,” which he took as a sign that the producers are “taking this thing seriously.”

Reacting to the premiere episode, Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast commented that it was a “big ole meh,” while pointing out the performances of Oklahoma’s AleXa and Puerto Rico’s Christian Pagán as the highlights of the night. Fallon added that while Wyoming’s entry “New Boot Goofin'” was “undeniably the worst song of the night,” he predicted that its irresistibility would become the show’s “greatest success story.”

Emily Yahr of The Washington Post also wrote praises about “New Boot Goofin'”, adding that it “immediately stole the show’s social media thunder” and it could be “the song of the summer.”

Yahoo! Music’s editor-in-chief Lyndsey Parker wrote that the first episode of the American Song Contest “failed to live up to Eurovision’s wacky promise or premise,” while predicting Rhode Island’s entry “Held on Too Long” could win the competition.

an oikotimes original text

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