American Idol

Is Simon Cowell’s missing mean factor rearing its ugly head? Ratings for the second episode of American Idol’s new incarnation with Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler dropped once again Thursday night. The show averaged 22.9 million viewers with a 7.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic, down 9 percent among total viewers and 15 percent in the demo, compared to Wednesday’s Season 10 premiere. Last season’s second episode averaged 26.4 million viewers and a 10 rating in the 18-49 demographic. On the upside, by moving Idol to Thursday and stacking its schedule, Fox had its highest-rated Thursday of regular programming since 1995.