So much for that plan to boycott American Idol now that Paula Abdul is gone. The show's ninth season premiered to 30 million viewers last night and an 11.8 preliminary rating among the 18-49 age group, meaning that Idol's audience actually increased by 1 percent from last year. Fox chief Mike Darnell celebrated by popping some bubbly into a giant, plastic Coca-Cola mug and commending guest judge Victoria Beckham for performing the "yeoman's job" beautifully. Traitors! [THR]