Ratings for the season 11 premiere of  “American Idol” slipped to the lowest levels since the first season of the show premiered back in the summer of 2002. The season premiered with low ratings on Wednesday, and ratings dropped even further for the show that aired Thursday, which faced tougher competition from network sitcoms like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Parks and Recreation.”

In fact, it was the first time since that inaugural season that the successful singing competition has been in danger of not being the ratings leader on whatever night it airs. The first seasons of the show aired on Monday and Tuesday nights, before being moved to its current slot of Wednesday and Thursday.

On Wednesday, the show had 21.93 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings. This represents a 16.45 percent drop from the 26.25 million that tuned in for opening night last year. The lower ratings seem to be becoming a trend, as this year’s numbers represent a 28 percent drop from two years ago.

Thursday was even worse, with only 18 million viewers watching the episode. That’s down 23 percent from Wednesday night’s stats, and 27 percent from the first Thursday show last year. Entertainment Weekly reports that “The Big Bang Theory,” which is on CBS opposite of “American Idol,” had 15.7 million viewers, easily representing the closest ratings gap between “American Idol” and the second-place show since the reality show’s first season.

Many news outlets are reporting that the ratings drops are likely due to viewers tiring of singing competitions. Fox’s “X Factor,” the singing competition with former Idol stars Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul serving as judges, just ended about a month ago.

While “American Idol” has been beaten in the ratings in the past by specials such as the Olympics, this is the first time it is in danger of being edged out by a sitcom.

It’s official. Jennifer Lopez has signed on and will be returning as a judge for “American Idol”. It will be her second season with the hit television talent show.

Recently, it had been said that the singer/actress and Fox TV executives had agreed on a deal that was worth $20 million. However, she hadn’t signed it yet.

Producer Nigel Lythgoe, however, has confirmed that Lopez will be reunited with Steven Tyler, Aerosmith frontman, and Randy Jackson, the record producer, on Idol’s judging panel for their forthcoming 11th series.

Lythgoe made the announcement on Wednesday in Los Angeles on the radio show of Ryan Seacrest’s, who is the presenter for “American Idol.” He said, I’m very happy to announce that our brilliant host and all three of our judges are returning for “American Idol’s” next season.

Later this month, auditions will begin for next season.

Simon Fuller, “American Idol” creator, is suing Fox Broadcasting Company. He alleges that they failed to fulfill their promise made in 2005 to pay him “X-Factor” executive producer fees.

According to the complaint that was filed in Los Angeles today in state court, Fox made a contractual promise that at the time “X-Factor” was broadcast in the U.S. he could be given executive producer fees and credit that were commensurate with his stature and duties within the entertainment industry in order to bring Fuller’s copyright infringement lawsuit over the show that he filed in England for a British program that had similarities that were striking to “American Idol.”

According to Fuller’s complaint, FreemantleMedia North America, a television company, and News Corp Fox have made millions of dollars in profits from the show while refusing to pay Fuller.

Fuller’s spokeswoman Kelly Mullens said, Mr. Fuller has made an attempt to privately settle this matter. However the other parties are refusing to honor the terms of the original contract. The only choice he has left it the pursuit of legal action.

According to Fox, Fuller isn’t owed anything.

FreemantleMedia and Fox said, Mr. Fuller hasn’t performed any duties or been hired on “The X-Factor” U.S. version. His suit seeks credit and payment as executive producer even though the required parties haven’t approved this and he hasn’t been hired. We think his lawsuit has no merit. We expect we will prevail.

Fuller’s attorney Dale Kinsella said the position Fox is taking is absurd and that the company has a contractual obligation to compensate and approve Fuller.

Kinsella said, this case was filed because of the binding agreement of 2005 being breached.

J.Lo, say it isn’t so! Jennifer Lopez, after just one lone season with “American Idol,” may be ready to call it quits after the resident diva helped to revamp the reality competition this year.

On Monday, in a BBC Radio 1 interview, Lopez admitted she is unsure whether she will return to American Idol’s judging panel with Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson.

Lopez said, they aren’t forcing me to make a decision yet. I’m very happy about that. I am still on the fence. I love it and have had an incredible time doing it. However, I have lots of other things going on right now. It will come down to needing to make a choice for next year of what I would like to do. It’s not at any breaking point yet.

Lopez said it will boil down, ultimately, to what is best for her family. Lopez and Marc Anthony, her husband, have three-year-old twins, Emme and Max.

I was always busy at the start of my career. I didn’t mind then since I was all on my own doing this for the very first time and running around. I loved it. However, back then I didn’t really know I could say no. I’m more mature now and have a family. You need to be able to say no.

The judges were wrong.

Scotty McCreery, the country crooner from North Carolina, beat Lauren Alaina, the 16 year old from Tennessee, to win the “American Idol” title.

According to Ryan Seacrest, host of “Idol,” there was a record setting 122 million votes cast.

McCreery said to Seacrest, never would I imagine this in my wildest dreams. First I need to thank the Lord. He’s the one who got me here.

Despite the fact that in recent weeks McCreery had become the frontrunner, the sentimental favorite and judges’ pick was Alaina, following her performance on Tuesday when she sang despite having a strained vocal cord.

The last woman “Idol” winner was Jordin Sparks in 2007.

Viewers had to endure over two hours of musical mash reuniting the 13 finalists in order to get the final results.

Aerosmith frontman and “Idol” judge Steven Tyler screamed through the song “Dream On.” The booty-licious shaking from fellow judge Jennifer Lopez was the only thing memorable from the performance with her husband Marc Anthony. Spider-Man was swinging overhead while the Edge and Bono performed. The night’s most theatrical moment came when Lady Gaga dived off the high scaffold along with one of the male dancers to close out “The Edge of Glory.”

The judges eccentricities were gently mocked and the finalists rivalries were parodied by the montage packages.

Although this was a gentler season in many ways, the producers of “Idol” couldn’t resist one last time showcasing the delusional performers from the audition rounds who got crushed.

Stars on hand to show the wannabes how things are done included Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, TLC, Lil Jon, Beyonce, Jack Black, Judas Priest and Tim McGraw.

McCreery needs to enjoy the limelight while he can. Lee DeWyze, last year’s “Idol” winner, didn’t even get an invitation to perform for this year’s finale. The memory of “American Idol” only runs a short while longer than one of their Ford Focus commercials.

It’s a first for ‘American Idol’, two teens from the south battling out to be America’s tenth ‘Idol’ winner, Carolina native Scotty McCreery and Georgia’s best Lauren Alaina.

From the audition phase till the homestretch of the competition, many believe that this season is the best of the talent show yet – fresh, raw and the most versatile group of new talents – to hit the famous stage, all these despite the fans’ and critics’ initial reservations with this season’s new set of judges.

A closer look at these two finalists reveal that fans are afflicted with the country music fever, a theme that has been clearly missing on previous ‘Idol’ finals. McCreery, 17, hails from Garner, NC and has impressed everyone with his fresh take on Kenny Rogers’ or Alan Jackson’s classics, his winning spin on Thompson Square’s “Are you Gonna Kiss Me or Not”, or his well received mimicry of Josh Turner while singing “Your Man”, with which he was actually joined – by surprise – by the country star himself during the finalist’s performance in his home turf. The two shared a duet singing “Your Man” and “Long Black Train”.

Alaina, 16, is the prized gem of Rossville, GA. During the audition, she has wowed the judges with her awesome impromptu duet with new ‘Idol’ judge Steven Tyler, and throughout the competition, she has translated her life’s drama (she has a sister, Holly, who is a brain tumor survivor which she considers her musical inspiration) into great performances, utilizing material from female country greats like Leann Womack, Martina McBride, Faith Hill and The Band Perry. Performing onstage is no unfamiliar territory for this teenage inspiration, as she has been doing karaoke gigs at a local Magoo’s along with singing while spinning pizza dough at a local CiCi’s after school.

Tune in on May 24 and 25, Tuesday and Wednesday, and find out who gets crowned as the new ‘American Idol’, at 8 PM on FOX.

Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith has issued an update on the new album that is set to be released by the group.

Tyler indicated that he has been collaborating with Joe Perry, guitar player for the group, on recording several new songs. In addition, the group announced that it had recently played together at Marti Frederiksen’s Monrovia, California recording studio.

Tyler stated, “I sent Joe a bunch of songs and he sent me a bunch of licks, we’ve e-mailed back and forth with each other. All I need is a few good licks. That’s the way ‘Walk This Way’ was written, one of Joe Perry’s licks and I grabbed the ball and ran with it. And that’s all it takes sometimes.”

Tyler indicated that the band has been going through a rough patch over the past few years. In fact, Aerosmith nearly broke up before an intervention was held and Tyler went into rehab and left the group.

In an interview with Billboard, Tyler said, “Sometimes other people try to keep us apart, so it’s a little difficult. I’m with different management. They’re with different management, they’ve got their lawyers. I’ve got my lawyers. When we get together in a room, magic happens. Things get settled. It’s just hard right now, but who knows what this summer will bring.”

In addition, Tyler also verified that Aerosmith will be playing on American Idol this season.

He stated, “We’re playing the last show of the season. It was always my intention, always, to get Aerosmith on the show. I mean, Joe’s done it, I’m ready for it.”

American Idols Live!, to keep with tradition, is taking to the road this summer to showcase the television show’s 10th season Top 11 finalists.

The arena tour of North America will kick off in Salt Lake City, UT on July 6, before working its across North America and visiting an addition 42 markets. The outing will wrap up on September 10 in Rochester, NY.

On May 13, tickets for the tour will be going on sale via Ticketmaster.

American Idols Live! will feature the Top 11 finalists from this season, including eliminated singers Thia Megia, Stefano Lagone, Pia Toscano, Paul McDonald and Naima Adedapo. Currently, there are still six musicians in the running to win the “American Idol” title: Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery.

Katy Perry, armed with her new single “E.T”, graced the ‘American Idol’ stage Thursday night, but the Queen Alien wasn’t alone, Kanye West escorted her throughout the performance.

Donned in a tight bodysuit lit with pink lights, a cape guarding her back and a crown to complete the extraterrestrial get up, Perry performed her new single from her chart topping and top selling release, “Teenage Dream”. Accompanied by six alien-looking back up dancers, she made her grand entrance via a cage shaped like a throne.

And just as when the audience thought Perry’s performance was a solo act, Kanye West, clad in a fur accented leather get up, appeared while rapping simultaneously with the song’s video playing in the background. West and Perry played along each other’s strengths on stage, finishing off the performance with the female pop star running her soft fingers on the rapper’s cheek as she sat back on her throne while the stage gradually dimmed, except for her pink-lit costume wrapping up the special number with just the right amount of drama and spectacle.

This is not the first time for both singers to appear in the hit talent show. Perry showed up last season looking a lot like Elvis Presley while performing “Waking Up in Vegas”. West on the other hand appeared in season 8 and performed “Heartless”, the same song that Kris Allen, that season’s winner, covered which eventually became a hit as well for the ‘Idol’ alum.

One of country music’s biggest names today, the dynamic duo Sugarland, just made its ‘American Idol’ debut on Thursday night. They performed their current single out of their chart topping “Incredible Machine” release, “Stuck Like Glue”, and to say that the performance brought the house down, could be an understatement.

‘Idol’ audiences definitely loved the duo, they were moving to the beat of the song, swaying and bobbing their heads and arms here and there, clapping their hands to every beat and even singing along to the lyrics: “wo-oh, wo-oh, stuck like glue…”. Certainly the audience didn’t mind the twang in Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush’s diction; after all, they might be a little fed up with finalist Scott McCreery, as the show’s “resident” country performer, week after week.

I must say, this song ain’t just a catchy one, it can really stick to your head like glue. And it is also the perfect stress and tension reliever for the night since it was a results night episode for the show, where one finalist gets the boot.

If you can’t get enough of Sugarland, or Jennifer Nettles, you can see her onstage again, this time in tandem with Rihanna as the two perform the latter’s new single, “California King Bed” for the ACM Awards on April 3. The event will be aired by CBS on the same day, at 8 PM.