U.S.  |  Entertainment  |  Television  |  Music  |  People  |  MediaPreliminary figures from News Corp’s Fox network on Thursday showed an estimated 28.8 million people watched the two-hour finale of the popular TV singing contest on Wednesday, down from 32 million last year.While still America’s most watched TV show, “American Idol” audiences have slipped to an average 26.3 million per twice weekly episode over the five-month broadcast, compared to a 2006 high of about 30.8 million.The slide came despite producers adding a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, to keep the show fresh. DioGuardi, a songwriter who helped pen the poorly received first single “No Boundaries” for Kris Allen, now must wait to hear whether her one-year contract will be renewed.Panelist Paula Abdul’s contract expires with the end of the current season and often-acerbic British judge Simon Cowell — arguably the show’s biggest asset — has discussed leaving when his contract is up in May 2010.Cowell commutes weekly across the Atlantic to run his British-based shows “The X Factor” and “Britain’s Got Talent” and has said he would want to leave if “Idol” was toppled from its six-year reign at the top on U.S. television.An AOL Television poll this week found that 49 percent of “Idol” fans questioned would no longer watch if Cowell leaves.’LOST THE CHEMISTRY’Contract talks are expected before nationwide summer auditions begin for the next season of “American Idol,” which will be broadcast in early 2010.Fox executives have said they hope all the judges will stay but negotiations will be primarily in the hands of joint producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia.DioGuardi looks to be most at risk, despite a bikini-strip singing stunt on Wednesday regarded as a finale highlight.Nigel Lythgoe, a former executive producer with “Idol,” said he would never have agreed to four judges.”Yesterday showed me that they had lost the chemistry,” Lythgoe told Reuters. Almost 100 million votes were cast by text and telephone this year — a record — by fans choosing between Allen and Lambert in the finale.The show’s viewer-driven format has produced stars such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood and is broadcast live or tape-delayed in more than 100 nations including Pakistan, Israel and South Africa.(Additional reporting by Nichola Groom and Alex Dobuzinskis; editing by Dan Whitcomb and Bill Trott) U.S. Entertainment Television Music People Media. WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — While the nation pauses thisMemorial Day to remember its fallen soldiers, at least one group remains onactive duty to help our veterans find work during these tough economic times.High unemployment rates have made it harder for recently discharged servicemenand women to transition into civilian careers.

And with homebuilding down, theconstruction industry would seem to offer slim opportunities for our returningheroes. Yet despite these challenges, Helmets to Hardhats has been able tolaunch nearly 2,000 veterans into careers in the building and constructiontrades last year alone.Helmets to Hardhats is a program that connects former military personnel,Reserves and National Guard with quality career opportunities in the USconstruction industry. Administered by the Center for Military Recruitment,Assessment and Veterans Employment, a non-profit labor-managementorganization, Helmets to Hardhats deploys 13 Regional Directors strategicallyplaced around the country to work with military veterans, trade organizationsand construction industry employers.Veterans are urged to register with the program online at, where they can find detailed information about morethan 80 different apprenticeable crafts and how to contact their area’sRegional Director The program is working. Helmets to Hardhats helped place 1,739 veterans inconstruction industry careers last year, 79 of which were Wounded Warriors.The majority of these placements utilized federally-approved jointapprenticeship training programs, which are collaborations betweenconstruction industry employers and trade unions to offer entry-levelemployees a combination of classroom instruction and paid on-the-job trainingas they learn their craft.The building trades and their employers spent more than $8 million last yearon training programs for apprentices and journeypersons. Such a substantialinvestment translates into considerable savings for taxpayers by reducing theneed for government subsidies in support of unemployed or underemployedveterans who utilize the Helmets to Hardhats program.In addition to the training they receive, veterans who participate infederally-approved joint apprenticeship programs receive an hourly wage andcan collect their Montgomery GI Bill entitlements to help supplement theirincome. The apprentice’s on-the-job-training hourly wage increases over thecourse of their apprenticeship until they graduate from the program as afull-fledged journeyperson with the professional skills he or she needs tosecure a long, successful career.”Although times are tough, with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ineffect, construction jobs will be mounting,” says Mark Ayers, the President ofthe Building and Construction Trades Department. “Skilled craftsmen areneeded, and veterans have many qualities that employers are looking for:dedication, maturity, and discipline.” His comments are echoed by JasonKetterman, one of Helmets to Hardhats’ success stories Jason transitionedfrom the U.S.

Army into the Ironworkers’ apprenticeship program for Local 207in Boardman, Ohio, via Helmets to Hardhats. Jason says he feels a sense ofbrotherhood and camaraderie with his fellow veterans who are now hisco-workers as well. “America is growing each day and we are helping to buildher future.By joining a skilled trade, I have a true sense of fellowship,just like in the military, and I feel proud each day as I go to work. Helmetsto Hardhats and the Ironworkers’ union have really fulfilled my wish list formy new career. I love the challenges that the work presents and I feeltremendous relief knowing that I can support my family in the way I want to,while still having time to be with them.”This Memorial Day, please remember that many of our brave militaryservicemembers are returning home to a shrinking work force and challengingeconomic conditions.