Free Republic

The losers on “American Idol” have been real winners for Fox. The show continues to earn its highest ratings in its fifth season. The early rounds of the reality singing competition, which feature competitors who can’t hit a note, last night averaged an impressive 15.0 rating among viewers 18-49 for a two-hour episode. That’s a 25 percent increase over the 12.0 last season’s second Tuesday episode earned, and that show was only one hour long. Last night’s episode basically even to the 15.2 overnight rating last week’s season premiere earned, meaning viewers are sticking around. In terms of total viewers,...

His brother is on the loose; wanted in Ga. If Terrell Brittenum watched his performance on television's "American Idol" Tuesday night, he did so from the Shelby County Jail. Brittenum and his twin brother, Derrell Brittenum, both of southeast Memphis, appeared on the show. And both had outstanding criminal warrants when their performances aired. They're charged in Rockdale County, Ga., with forgery, theft by deception and financial identity fraud. The case involves the purchase of a 2005 Dodge Magnum in June -- allegedly by using another man's identity. Terrell Brittenum has been in jail here since Jan. 10. His brother...