Decadence Delayed

How will Anna Quindlen take the news that reality TV, in addition to presaging the end of the United States, isn't even a reliable ratings attaction? Drudge has The Bachelorette's finale significantly trailing an episode of Law and Order—a clear sign of decadence, since L&O debuted during the reign of Emperor Pertinax. Also of note: American Idol punished for conspicuous failure to provide entertainment. Other details:

FLASH: ABC'S 'BACHELORETTE' FINALE RUNNER UP FOR NIGHT: BACH'S 14.0 RATING/20 SHARE TRAILS NBC'S LAW & ORDER [15.3/23]… FOX 'IDOL' FADES [10.4/15] TO LOWEST OUTING… NBC'S 'WEST WING' [10.7/15]…FOX'S 3-NIGHT WINNING STREAK BROKEN… WED'S PRELIM RESULTS: ABC 11.9/17, NBC 11.0/16, FOX 10.8/15 CBS 6.7/10… DEVELOPING…

What happens when a sign of the decline of western civilization goes into decline itself, while the civilization remains standing?

Comments

[Barney Gumble]

Taking a page from the freeper play book, Drudge would "Admit nothing. Deny Everything. Make Counter Accusations."

He'll lie.

[Joe Bloginnaire]

Reason for Law and Order supremacy:

Fred Thompson = sex god

[RR Ryan]

Don't worry about Anna Quindlen. She's probably has several fret-worthy items in the pipeline. If only we could persuade her to focus on the dearth of smug superiority on the upper west side. As for Law and Order's ascendance, I'm not surprised. Fred Thompson may or may not be a sex god, but he's certainly more interesting than the broadcast alternatives.