David Squared Equals Bigger Idol Numbers

The impending battle of the Davids put a little spring in American Idol's flagging step last night. Fox's hit show—which, despite showing signs of deflation, still exhibits juggernaut behavior—attracted nearly 24.3 million viewers Wednesday, a 1.4 million-strong bump from last week and its largest audience since April 2, when Michael Johns and Carly Smithson were still singing for their supper and little Ramiele Malubay got the boot. Idol also saw viewership jump by more than 4 million people in its second half-hour, ensuring that Fox would flay the competition in its timeslot—although CBS' Criminal Minds put up quite a fight, averaging 12.7 million inquiring minds—and win the night in total viewers. (link)