I will readily admit: it's a slow news day.

So I'm reporting what TMZ is reporting (via the Albany Herald) that 'American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips' mom was arrested for a DUI.

Cheryl Jean Phillips was seen swerving through several lanes of traffic in Albany, the story said, and couldn't finish a sobriety test. She landed in a Dougherty County jail.

Maj. Bill Berry told the Herald:

"They didn't smell or detect any alcohol on her person, but she couldn't complete the field sobriety test so our guys charged her with less safe since she was under the influence of something."

No comment from the "Idol' singer just yet.

TMZ, based on an unnamed family source, said Cheryl and Phillips' husband had split up recently.

***

And somehow "Idol" thought this was a good idea: a microphone will cross the country like an Olympic "torch" (sorta) and hit several cities, including Atlanta March 5.

Here's the gist:

Local “Idols” – fans, inspirational heroes, local officials and former Idols– will walk, run, bike, row, drive, skateboard, line-dance, roller-skate, skip, scooter and fly the “mic,” among other means of travel, from state to state with their friends and family cheering them along the way. One lucky relay team member will win tickets to the IDOL finale.

***

"Idol" ratings keep on falling, not helped by the arrival of "Survivor," the 26th cycle, which had its lowest debut numbers ever. The Wednesday episode drew 13.4 million viewers and a 4.3 18-49 rating. In comparison, "Walking Dead" last Sunday brought in a series record 12.3 million viewers plus a 6.1 18-49 rating in their first viewing. With the 11 p.m. repeat, it certainly drew more overall viewers.

A year ago, the fifth week Wednesday show drew 18.9 million viewers and a 6.1 18-49 rating. So in effect, the show is down nearly 30 percent year over year. Two years ago, the comparable episode drew 23.7 million viewers and an 8.3 18-49 rating. So it has lost 40% of its total viewers and almost half of its younger audience in a mere two years.

With the SCAD aTVfest in town, I met with Fremantle North American president Thom Beers (creator of "Deadliest Catch" and "Ice Road Truckers," to name a couple) at the Four Seasons for coffee. We spent an hour talking about a wide-ranging number of TV topics. I'll post more tomorrow. We only talked briefly about "Idol." He clearly leaves the running of that show to Nigel Lythgoe & Co. He says he focuses on finding new shows.  He didn't say anything I hadn't already heard from other executives: "Idol" still produces stars. "The Voice" hasn't. And he didn't seem too concerned about the sinking ratings. Then again, maybe he is but didn't care to delve into it and I didn't push him on it.  He does love going to tapings, a perk that he enjoys taking advantage of.