Ratings for ‘American Idol’ finale plummet

“American Idol” just ain’t what it used to be.

Thursday’s two-hour finale, which saw Candice Glover anointed the 12th “American Idol,” generated just 14 million viewers, a whopping 7 million fewer than last year. It’s also the first time that the finale has generated an audience of under 20 million.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ‘Idol’ Finale

While ratings for the aging reality franchise have been down all season, “American Idol” also faced some particularly stiff competition Thursday night, facing off against the 75-minute series finale of “The Office” as well as the season-ender of the invincible “The Big Bang Theory.”

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