'American Idol' Season 12 Ratings Drop: Will Show Be Canceled?

Sheldon Cooper will have 17 million reasons to knock repeatedly on Penny's apartment door this week.

The CBS sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory," in which Jim Parsons plays the main protagonist beat former ratings powerhouse "American Idol" this week by almost five million viewers, coming in the top spot overall on network television. "Idol" came in second to the show, which begs the question: How long can "American Idol" survive as FOX's top program on Thursday nights?

Similar long-term reality programs like "Survivor" and the "Amazing Race" have enjoyed steady audiences over the past decade, but many people thought the musical audition program would have lasted much longer at number one. Some say the departure of the character forces of outspoken Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul as judges has caused the show's popularity to wane. "Idol" reached its peak in 2007, with a record 37 million viewers.

Even a Charlie Sheen-less "Two And A Half Men" edged out "American Idol" this week by less than a million viewers.

Since "Idol" and "Survivor" started however, cable television has since gotten into the game and produced some high-performing programs including truTV whose top programming includes "Hardcore Pawn" and "Lizard Lick Towing." The latter, which follows the unusually exciting day-to-day operations of a repossession company in central North Carolina is in its third season and "Pawn" recently recorded the network's highest ratings to date, with its sixth season finale bringing in 3.4 million viewers.