American Idols Live! Tour Sings the Blues — Cuts 8 Dates
American Idol Top Ten
After sinking to its lowest finale ratings ever, American Idol continues to sing the blues and has scrapped eight dates from its annual American Idols Live! tour.
Organizers offered no explanation for the canceled concerts in cities including Kansas City, Toronto and Cleveland, which were scheduled for September. Two other stops in Bridgeport, Conn. and Pittsburgh were also bumped up, pushing the tour's end date up three weeks from Sept. 16 to Aug. 31.
Ratings: Idol finale hits lowest ratings ever
Sagging viewership aside, American Idol was heavily criticized last season for rounding up what many deemed a less talented group of finalists. The show was also hit with the news that longtime judge Simon Cowell would not be returning to Idol in 2011.
Some are attributing Idol's shortened tour schedule to the economy, which also forced the annual Lilith Fair to cancel 10 dates earlier this month.