Shocking: American Idol Ratings Plummet

The Impact on American Idol

Last Sunday’s “American Idol” sent to an all time low in the ratings. The third episode of Season 23 dropped to 4.063 million, or 9.91% from the previous week. That’s a loss of 500,000 viewers in one week. What’s happening? Is Carrie Underwood the cause? Many fans voiced unhappiness with Underwood after she sang at Trump’s inauguration. They swore not to watch the show again. Others say on social media they find her dull. Underwood’s politics are far from dull, however. Not only did she sing for Trump, but a decade ago she mocked Obamacare on the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley. Although this incident was long ago, the video of it has recently resurfaced.

This week’s “American Idol” ratings will be scrutinized, I’m sure, to figure out the trouble. It’s possible that Underwood’s politics are indeed a factor in the show’s decline in viewership. Or perhaps it’s something else entirely. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the show needs to find a way to regain its momentum and bring back the viewers who have drifted away.

A Genteel Alternative: The Penguin Lessons

I reviewed Peter Cattaneo’s “The Penguin Lessons” for Neil Rosen’s PBS show, “Talking Pictures” and raved about it. The extremely charming and well-made film stars Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, and an actual penguin. The latter may actually be up for Best Supporting Actor.

“Penguin Lessons” is released today, and if you’re an adult who’d like to see a real film with great charm, with nothing that will embarrass you or your companion, head to a theater immediately. I’m warning you: this is a genteel film. No one flies around with a cape. There is no violence. Or sex, particularly.

A True Story

Cattaneo based the movie on a memoir by Tom Michell published in 2016. It’s the true story of how Michell, an itinerant English teacher, arrived in politically savage Buenos Aires in 1976 at a posh boy’s school.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Coogan is 59 now, Michell was 24 when this happened to him. No big deal. In the film, Coogan is disillusioned with life. His child has died. The world is at war in many places but he is blissfully ignorant. The class he’s assigned to is a little like the “Dead Poet’s Society.” But Cattaneo downplays that, and focuses on what happened to Michell. He rescues a penguin from an oil slick and brings him back to his apartment. For real. This is not CGI.

The penguin, who plays right to the camera, becomes Michell’s best friend. The movie has overtones of “Babe” and “Born Free.” Don’t call PETA. The penguin – not to be confused with Batman’s Penguin – has a great time. Michell named him Juan Salvador Gaviota and he’s never in danger of any kind. He has a better rider on his contract than John Travolta in his heyday.

Jonathan Pryce is the crusty headmaster who eventually winds up having conversations with Juan Salvador. There’s a subplot about a school maid and her granddaughter. The latter is abducted by the Argentinian police and returns unscathed. That is the movie’s biggest leap. But since a penguin is acting in this movie, already your sense of reality has been stretched.

Coogan is a delight, as always, and the perfect sort of detached personality who gives the film some gravitas. Michell is not keeping the penguin because of some zealotry. He wants to give it to the local zoo, but it’s very rundown and would kill Juan Salvador’s soul. Meantime, the bird eats like crazy and defecates all over the apartment. Several people comment on the smell. No Oscars here, but a real relief from the daily pain of the news. Very recommended.

PS My colleague, Bill McCuddy, jokes: “If the penguin does go to the Oscars, what will he wear?” A ‘penguin suit’ would be redundant!

In Memoriam: Bob Neuwirth

I was lucky enough to know Bob Neuwirth, a legend in folk music who collaborated with Bob Dylan and had his own amazing career. When Dylan was accused of malfeasance last year, Neuwirth was the first person I called. For so many he was a ‘rabbi,’ a touchstone, and influence.

A Legendary Career

Bob Neuwirth, DA Pennebaker on stage at Monterey Pop, photo courtesy of Frazer Pennebaker I knew Bob through DA Pennebaker. They were great friends who worked together on the seminal films, “Don’t Look Back” and “Monterey Pop.”

A Generous Spirit

Paula Batson, Bob’s wife, sent this statement: “On Wednesday evening in Santa Monica, Bob Neuwirth’s big heart gave out. Bob was an artist throughout every cell of his body and he loved to encourage others to make art themselves. He was a painter, songwriter, producer and recording artist whose body of work is loved and respected.”

A Lasting Legacy

For over 60 years, Bob was at the epicentre of cultural moments from Woodstock to Paris, Don’t Look Back to Monterey Pop, Rolling Thunder to Nashville and Havana. He was a generous instigator who often produced and made things happen anonymously. The art is what mattered to him, not the credit.

He really will be, too. It’s especially sad when a really great person leaves us. Among his many accomplishments in music, Bob co-wrote “Mercedes Benz” with Janis Joplin and Michael McClure. It was Bob who played Joplin “Me and Bobby McGee” by Kris Kristofferson. And while all the obits today will include Dylan, Bob Neuwirth had a wide-ranging career that included many acclaimed solo albums and one with John Cale of the Velvet Underground.

Condolences to Bob’s family, his many friends and countless fans. Here’s a link to another obit with even more details.