Idol Chatter & Voice Views

David Cook and Olivia Rox perform during the American Idol semifinals. (FOX Photo)

If the return of past American Idol stars pulled back old viewers, it wasn’t reflected in the show’s ratings last week.

In fact, American Idol ratings for Thursday night’s duets package, featuring the return of past winners like Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Scotty McCreery, did worse in the ratings than the Wednesday night show in which they didn’t appear.

According to TV by the Numbers, American Idol’s Wednesday telecast drew approximately 9.16 million viewers, won its time slot and had a 7 percent share of viewers in the 19-48 age group.

On Thursday night, Idol finished third in the ratings behind CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” and ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The show featuring the “star” Idol duets drew about 8.96 million viewers with a 7 percent share of the 19-48 age group.

More past Idols return this week, including Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks and Season 7 winner David Cook.

We also be treated to the return of four contestants who didn’t win the show, but who have done pretty well for themselves post-Idol — Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Constantine Maroulis and Haley Reinhart.

Who’s will they be paired with for Thursday’s duets? Here’s the list:

Chris Daughtry, 4th place Season 5: Dalton Rapattoni and Lee Jean

Constantine Maroulis, 5th place Season 4: Jenn Blosil and Shelbie Z.

David Cook, Season 7 winner: C.J. Johnson and Olivia Rox

Haley Reinhart, 3rd place Season 10: Adam Lasher and Kory Wheeler

Jordin Sparks, Season 6 winner: Manny Torres and Trent Harmon

Kellie Pickler, 6th place Season 5: Amelia Eisenhauer and Tristan McIntosh

Check back Wednesday and Thursday nights for song by song grades as the American Idols perform.

Song by song grades for Week 1 solos
Song by song grades for Week 1 duets