The American Idol 9 tour isn’t as popular as producers might have hoped.

The news is not surprising, since ratings for the 500-pound reality gorilla have been slipping and the show lost its most popular cast member at the end of the season. Seven cities (Buffalo, Cleveland, Kansas City,  Omaha, Portland, Toronto and Winnipeg) have been stricken from the tour entirely, while another eight shows have been rescheduled in an effort to gain more ticket sales.

American Idol crowned its ninth winner in May (Lee DeWyze), the first season in which Paula Abdul was absent from the show.