American Idol Update

The fifth season of American Idol is setting new records, as the Top 11 finalists performed “songs from the ‘50s” on Tuesday. The broadcast scored as American Idol’s highest-rated performance episode ever among Total Viewers (33.4 million viewers). Last night, Barry Manilow sang “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” from his new hit album “Greatest Songs of the Fifties.” Approximately 35 million votes were cast after Tuesday’s performance show, ending Kevin Covais’ quest to become the next American Idol when it was revealed that he received the fewest votes. Covais, from Levittown, NY, sang “When I Fall in Love.”

Tuesday’s performance show delivered 13.6/33 among Adults 18-49 and won the night among all key measures. American Idol also outperformed the combined 5-net competition for the night by a +28% advantage among Adults 18-49, +34% among Adults 18-34, +49% among Teens and +6% in Total Viewers.

Next week, the Top 10 finalists (Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin, Ace Young, Paris Bennett, Mandisa, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler and Lisa Tucker) compete head-to-head again on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 (8 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed). The theme for the performance show will be “songs of the 21st century.” Tune in the following night to find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who must go home on the live results show Wednesday, March 29 (9 p.m.-9:32 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed) on Fox.

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

Go to AmericanIdol.com for all of your American Idol news.