Newsflash to critics: 'American Idol' is still the hottest thing on TV!

There are hit TV shows. Then there is "American Idol," a ratings-spewing behemoth the likes of which North Americans have never before seen.

Sure, the show has had its problems over seven seasons – the most recent gaffe being Paula Abdul's loopy (some say booze-tinged) judgment of a phantom performance that left everyone wondering if "American Idol" is, indeed, rigged.

But no amount of naysaying can alter the fact "Idol" is the reason why Fox, for the first time in history, will end the TV season later this month as the most-watched network in the U.S.

Critics, of course, are harping these days about the show's ratings. Taking a seven per cent dip in its audience figures, "Idol" dropped from 31 million viewers in 2007 to 28.7 million this season. That's better than expected given the writers strike. Look at "Survivor" (down nine per cent) and "Grey's Anatomy" (down 20 per cent). They experienced far bigger loses.

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