AT&T May Have Swayed ‘Idol’ Results

[BlueJessamine]

Source: New York Times

LOS ANGELES — AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of “American Idol,” might have influenced the outcome of this year’s competition by providing free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was named the winner of the show last week.

Representatives of AT&T, whose mobile phone network is the only one that can be used to cast “American Idol” votes via text message, provided the free text-messaging services at two parties in Arkansas after the final performance episode of “American Idol” last week, according to the company and people at the events.

There appear to have been no similar efforts to provide free texting services to supporters of Adam Lambert, who finished as the runner-up to Mr. Allen.

Since then, angry supporters of Mr. Lambert have flooded online chat boards with messages claiming irregularities in the competition’s voting procedures.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?_r=1&hp

---

snip

In addition to the free texting services, representatives of AT&T also helped fans of Mr. Allen at the two Arkansas events with instructions on how to send multiple, simultaneous “power text” messages into the “American Idol” voting lines.

[cosmicone]

1. Who cares? Really! n/t

[Skittles]

2. people who watch that garbage care

apparently

[OhioChick]

5. No shit.....Hard to believe that more people vote for contestants than for presidents. n/t

[Skittles]

6. it's really not that hard to believe

unfortunately

[Mike Daniels]

72. Wow. That canard just won't die.

The last I checked, each person gets to "legally" vote once in a political election.

American Idol lets you vote as many times as you can text or dial into the show. So, if someone can manage to call into the show 50 times during the allotted time then they'll have 50 votes (not to menation the need to reevalutate their priorities) .

When the actual number of viewers exceeds the number of people who voted in the presidential election then maybe then those who get their undergarments in a knot over the AI "votes" will have a case.

[Chovexani]

50. Skittles, hon, I love you

But this year American Idol was about more than just a stupid karaoke show. The fundies turned it into another front for the culture wars and organized a "Beat the Fag" campaign that was sadly successful.

Pop culture influences hearts and minds far more than what goes on in state capitols and DC. A big chunk of why equal rights is more accepted now is because there is a cuddly gay woman beamed into Middle American living rooms every morning.

And now every fabulous gay kid with stars in hir eyes has those stars dimmed a little bit more because of what was done to Adam.

A hugely talented guy was conspired against because he was just too gay for primetime, that's what matters.

[Horse with no Name]

56. Spot on. Those fuckers politicize EVERYTHING

there is NOTHING that is off-limits.

[Journeyman]

3. Adam Lambert, I imagine. . .

[Mermaid7]

13. I'd say so, and all of his fans. Thank you! NM

[LakeSamish706]

4. Allot of people do actually.... Many feel that the vote was bullshit...

And it would seem that this may bare that out...

[truedelphi]

7. While channel surfing I saw that CNN

Was discussing the race between Adam and Chris. And only showing the number to which you could vote for Chris.

[chalky]

9. It's been bullshit every year. Why should this year be any different?

n/t

[Sherman A1]

52. Agreed

To think that these shows are in fact "reality" and not preordained in their outcome in my opinion is similar to believing that Pro Wrestling is unscripted.

[No Elephants]

58. Please see Reply #50.

[Freddie Stubbs]

63. A voting system which allows people to vote multiple time is inherently bullshit

It seems that one side just has sour grapes because the other side was better at gaming an inherently flawed system.

[Skip Intro]

12. Lambert is an amazing talent. Clearly superior. Also rumored to be gay.

Now, I will say I've avoided shows like Idol and the dance shows and the survival shows - I totally agree with the who gives a f**k attitude - except this time.

I happened to catch an Idol show a few weeks ago. I was absolutely blown away by this guy - he has a voice, and a vocal range, and a presence that just come together in an amazing way. Blown away.

But he wasn't conventional. He wore eyeliner. There were pics of him kissing other guys on the intertubes. You know, I don't know if that had anything to do with this apparent effort by ATT to sway the vote, but Adam was obviously the most talented, obviously the most deserving, hell, even Kris, when announced the winner, said it belonged to Adam.

At any rate, yeah, it's just a tv show and in the grand scheme of things matters about as much as what what color underwear you might choose to wear on any given day. But for those who saw and heard the competition, even just the last three shows like me, you know something just wasn't right about that final vote. And to those people, and me, as much as I can't believe I'm even typing this, it does matter.

[keepCAblue]

18. Adam is openly gay....not "rumored"...geesh

[Skip Intro]

24. Oh, excuse me. I have only read that he is vague about it. Please, enlighten me. geesh.

[Skip Intro]

27. Not according to this:

----------------------------------
http://www.examiner.com/x-6788-TV-Trends-Examiner~y2009m5d25-American-Idol-Adam-Lambert-admits-gay-speculation-hurt-him

American Idol runner-up (and still-constant point of discussion) Adam Lambert told Rolling Stone he'd like to have his first album out by the end of the year. What that album will sound like is still anyone's guess, however. He says it'll be a solo album, and not a Broadway album.

When Rolling Stone asked him about whether the speculation surrounding his sexual orientation, including basically being outed by Entertainment Weekly the week before the finals might have made a difference in the final vote, Lambert laughed and said "Probably."

, but you still have to wonder how much it might have affected the final vote. During the year, his talent overwhelmed the judges and voters, but during the final two weeks of American Idol you get a lot more casual viewers tuning in for the big announcement.
---------------------------------------------------

or this:

----------------------------------------------------
Adam Won't Say—So Who Is Gay in Hollywood?

Adam Lambert is driving me crazy. Why can't he just say whether he's gay or not? Aren't there a ton of other celebs who are out?
—AdamForever, Oahu

Yes, yes, there are celebs who have come barreling out of the closet. But most of them, including Rosie O'Donnell, Cynthia Nixon, Wanda Sykes and Lance Bass, came out way too late in their careers to be considered brave or heroic.

Conversely, there are (a) photos of Lambert making out with a dude and (b) this Lambert statement: "I have nothing to hide. I am who I am." I'm gonna go way, way out on a limb here and say I think Lambert is not straight. Sue me.

I'll also say that if Lambert actually confirms that (and soon), he'll be much more of a man than Clay Aiken—who came out after denying his sexuality for years—ever was.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/ask_the_answer_bitch/b125009_adam_wont_saymdashso_who_gay_in.html
------------------------------------------------

are you sure you meant to geesh me?

[truedelphi]

78. Go Adam Go!

I never watch American Idol, but channel surfing in hopes that "House" had not really finished its season, I caught Adam singing "Mad World" and was hooked.

Then later in the show, the other contestant sang his grand finale. It was off key, it was clearly garbled.

I watched in amazement as the judges gave the dude a full pass - the same judges that would normally shred a person for not hitting one small mark! I mean, he blew the entire song - but none of the three cared a whit. I thought back to how it seemed that Lambert was given less time on stage - fewer sweeps over the audience after his performances etc.

Soemthing was clearly wrong in Denmark.

But now it makes sense. THE USA cannot have a non Fundie non totally heterosexual receiving an award!

[No Elephants]

59. The guy who "won" was openly religious and inferior in talent to the "loser."

The guy who lost was openly gay and perhaps THE most talented contestant the show has ever had in its nine years.

Voting is exclusively by text message and then there's this story of ATT working for the religious guy who won.

Sound like a coincidence?

[Beartracks]

77. Did someone say Lambert wasn't religious?

I mean... I don't know anything about him.

[wisteria]

17. This AT&T action may well dwell in the realm of discrimination and unfair business practices.n/t

The idea that a large corporation could manipulate a vote so that it worked against a person who they deemed undesirable and was rumored to be gay and sway the vote towards a more desirable- Christian contestant should be investigated. A lot of money is involved in this show and if the final outcome had its basis in prejudice-the corporation-in this case AT&T needs to be investigated.

[keepCAblue]

19. Bingo. And it suggests AT&T has an anti-gay policy.

[BlueJessamine]

22. Alas, a voice of reason...

:thumbsup:

[CLANG]

23. I'd be interested in knowing how many people were at these parties

If it's only a few hundred people it probably wouldn't make much difference. I think "teh gay" prompted lots of christo-fascists to vote and lots of Lambert fans may not have bothered because he was such a shoe-in.

On edit: I missed the "power texting" part. If they were shown how to rig the vote by AT&T, this will be a major issue.

[corpseratemedia]

64. Yup

"hey, nudge nudge wink wink, we're your Xian anti-gay phone company, use us!"

[AllyCat]

70. If this is the case, AT&T should be prosecuted. As for American Idol

I don't give a flying fart.

[Thor_MN]

42. That what i say each time I see a promo. I do usually add a few choice adjectives...

The ONLY possible thing I can see good about it is that it is a show that a family can watch and discuss. Since I have no children, I'm free to loathe "reality" shows.

I just wish they'd get rid of the pseudo science, ghost, monster and ufo hunting crap on TLC, Discovery, History, etc.

[IndianaGreen]

47. Israel does!

No bullshit, but Israelis were rooting for Adam Lambert who, in addition to being the most talented of the two, was also Jewish. American Idol was shown on Israeli TV.

[Milspec]

66. Well, it a big isue with by sister

[parasim]

8. Seriously? People are actually donning the tinfoil hats over American Idol?

wow...

[Inspired]

11. Well, it was a shocker for those of us who adored Adam Lambert.

It's a long story involving sexuality, Christianity, fairness, a great talent vs. a mediocre talent. It would probably bore you to tears.

[parasim]

15. You know, I was just as surprised.

I thought Adam was gonna win the thing hands down. Not because I think he's a better singer (I liked them both and thought they both are a tremendous talent). But because Lambert seemed much more of a stereotypical "idol" than Allen. But then again, I like both glam-rock, hard rock or whatever you want to call it and "country" music. I liked them both equally. I dig the bombastic light shows, screaming and smashing guitars but I also like a guy at a piano or guitar belting them out.

But actually, I think Lambert will end up with the better deal anyway, because he's free to go on and become a big star, while Allen has to deal with possibly going down the Taylor Hicks route. Daughtry didn't win and he's a fairly big star.

As for the conspiracy stuff, I think it's just silly. A) Allen most likely got the 3rd guy's vote which boosted him temendously. and B) When's the last time the "rocker" of the show won the top prize? I mean, this is American Idol we're talking about...

[Inspired]

16. You could be right.

But maybe not. It's over though and even though Adam Lambert didn't win, he is still the story. I guess I kind of feel sorry for Kris Allen. All the talk is about Adam.

[parasim]

20. Oh, i think they'll both do just fine.

Kris Allen is kind of a Keith Urban type and I wouldn't be surprised if he does well in a CMA awards show a time or two. As for Adam Lambert, he's got nowhere to go but up. Great stage presence, voice and range... if he doesn't do well solo or with his own band, I could see him fronting for Queen (really the first time I saw somebody who could fill Freddie Mercury's shoes) and doing quite well for himself.


on edit... changed "old" to "own"

[Kahuna]

40. Adam will fill stadiums with his flamboyant showmanship. Can't wait. nt

[blogabout]

76. Taylor is doing fine thank you

FYI
Taylor is doing just fine.
just to set the record straight
Taylor has been a musician since age 17-
he's 32 now and has Never stopped performing, entertaining or touring.
He had two self released albums out before he ever hit American Idol
"Under the Radar"and "In your Time" excellent bodies of work,both of them.
Pick them up-Take a listen.
His first CD after AI went platinum.
His next album "The Distance"was released March 09
(That's 4 albums)
Taylor parted ways with Arista records amicably so
could start his own record label called "Whomp Records."
I'd say that's Taylor Smart.
http://www.truveo.com/distributor/Modern%20Whomp%20Records

GREASE-He is enjoying the roll as he gets familiar with acting.
He does an encore of his first single release from the CD
"What's Right is Right" on the Grease stage to rave reviews every night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVzFT2XNTsI

His second single from his new release is called"Seven Mile breakdown"
and is now climbing the country charts
check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJuKAFeAncI


Taylor is frequently in the press and on talk shows.
example:Young Hollywood Video -Grease
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWOwwRlaeKo
add to that,he is touring his new album "The Distance"
in clubs at most cities the Grease Show performs.

If you really want to see Taylor in his element
here he is at one of those after show tours
The Roxy California March 09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5hvPrrrA6s
and April 09
Cafe du Nord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhkch8CXDEs
next stop?
The Triple Door Seattle.

You can follow Taylor's success here:
http://www.taylorhicks.com/

enjoy

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

21. Why? They did it to Clay, too

[jmondine]

10. If this turns out to be true...

... I still don't care!

[Mermaid7]

14. I don't care if you don't care, Adam Lambart deserved it!

So there!

[Bluebear]

25. Then why bother commenting?

[Mermaid7]

32. You got me all wrong

I didn't say I don't care and you don't care.

I said, I don't care if you don't care.

I don't care what this person thinks.

I care, regardless, got it?

Alrighty then!

[CLANG]

35. He was responding to jmondine, not you.

[CLANG]

26. Noted.

This stuff may not rise to the level of importance that some of the political stuff does, but I can actually multitask. I have several interests besides politics, and I can work in a little pop culture too!

[azmouse]

28. I saw that Queen is interested in Adam Lambert.

Rogers has left the group and they need a new singer. It could be good news for Adam that he didn't win AI.

[corpseratemedia]

65. that would be a very nice slap-in-the-face to AT&T if that happened

[AllyCat]

71. I love Queen. Don't know Lambert, but it would be great to have someone

in that position if he fits the bill.

[CLANG]

29. Here is AT&T's real problem

Representatives of AT&T helped fans of Mr. Allen at the two Arkansas events by providing instructions on how to send 10 or more text messages at the press of a single button, known as power texts. Power texts have an exponentially greater effect on voting than do single text messages or calls to the show’s toll-free phone lines. The efforts appear to run afoul of “American Idol” voting rules in two ways. The show broadcasts an on-screen statement at the end of each episode warning that blocks of votes cast using “technical enhancements” that unfairly influence the outcome of voting can be thrown out.

And the show regularly states that text voting is open only to AT&T subscribers and is subject to normal rates.

[Mermaid7]

34. Hey they signed up for the 'program and wiretapped U.S. Citizens. Remember? N.M.

[CLANG]

36. Right, what the hell was I thinking? AT&T is above the law.

[Kahuna]

41. Adam fans were power texting too. I was hanging out on the AI forum

that last performance night, and they had a post about power texting.

[McCamy Taylor]

30. Could this be a case of gambling fraud? Did AT&T execs and employees bet on the outcome?

If so, it is a felony.

[Dappleganger]

31. Oh noes, it's the Quiz Show!

BTW, a number of us pointed out last week that AT&T was helping to game the system. I'm not positive that it would have made a difference for Adam at all, but the fact that they so blatantly helped one side over the other reeks.

[BlueJessamine]

33. FOX and Idol deny manipulating the vote :

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/05/american-idol-was-there-a-backlash-against-the-judges.html

Fox told The Times that it had not manipulated the vote and that America had spoken. But Fox and "Idol" weren't offering details about how the vote broke down, so those conspiracy theories will proliferate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/arts/television/25idol.html

Mr. Darnell said that the results were not manipulated, and that Fox and the producers had no preferences regarding the winner. “There are no conspiracies, and there is no plot,” he said. “We’re happy to have America tell us who the winner is. And they have always gotten it right.”

Also from the NYT's link above:

38 million votes?

The Fox affiliate in Little Rock, Ark., reported on Wednesday that “an extraordinary number of votes” — 38 million in some reports — came from Arkansas, a state with a population of less than 3 million. That detail quickly made its way around the Internet. The station later retracted that news, saying that it was “based on incorrect information provided to one of our reporters.”

[CLANG]

37. 38 million votes from Arkansas? Hmmmmmmmm.....

[Mermaid7]

38. yeah they must be profilerating like....

the dickens.

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

39. Sleazy AT&T breaks the rules

So what else is new?

[scentopine]

43. Why you might want to care...

This is an extremely interesting story for anyone keeping an eye on net neutrality. The story is less about a vapid reality show, and more about how easily AT&T can influence reality.

So, why do we care? After cheating and payola scandals in 1950's, the communications act of 1934 was amended to criminalize cheating and payola.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/47/usc_sec_47_00000317----000-.html

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/47/usc_sec_47_00000509----000-.html

A strict reading of the section 317 limits enforcement to "quiz shows".

Advanced technology is enabling new ways to cheat. AT&T has everything to win by filtering what we see, what we say and in turn what we think. Perhaps they don't want a winner who is gay, no problem - they can easily cook the books. Or perhaps AT&T doesn't agree with a contestant's political views? No problem. They've got it fixed. What is important here is how internet telephony can be used to help circumvent and broadcast laws. It also shows how in the current era of free market a-go-go, how impotent the government is at regulating the collusion of wireless/internet service providers and broadcast television.

It seems relatively easy for AT&T to create their version of reality and offers a new twist on "pay for play". Remember how eagerly AT&T handed over your emails and phone records to CIA, FBI and NSA? Nobody works for free. There was a quid pro quo reached between the government and AT&T. AT&T hands over your messages to the government, and in return, the government lets AT&T chip away at net neutrality. There has never been a clearer case of conflict of interest nor more potential for serious misconduct. AT&T is watching us, but who is watching AT&T?

I just don't see this as a "don't care". There are some serious and complex implications beneath the surface that merit investigation.

[BlueJessamine]

45. ...

:thumbsup:


:fistbump:

[wisteria]

49. Thank you for the history lesson and some wise thoughts. n/t

[corpseratemedia]

67. BINGO!!!

they'll be back-dooring a tiered internet service and our reps will be too powder-dry weak and/or bought to do anything about it

remember a whole lot of "free" market mega-corporations are working very hard to achieve this

[Doctor_J]

44. Yeesh. This is a friggin' TV show, folks.

Not too much different than WWF. Don't you think the entire thing was rigged?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

57. Then hide the thread -- and, AI is not WWF

:eyes:

[mnhtnbb]

46. Adam Lambert's career is not going to be hurt by not winning AI.

The guy is loaded with talent, charismatic, and has millions of fans. In the music business,
it's all about the money. Do producers believe that Adam will make them bundles of bucks?
Of course. And they believe that will happen without the title.

Take the long view. Adam Lambert is well on his way to a very high powered career.

[Endangered Specie]

48. If only people cared about *REAL ELECTIONS*...

sigh I can hope can't I...

[Chovexani]

51. Contrary to popular belief

One can care about both.

[Norrin Radd]

53. Not surprised. AT&T are fascist, illegal-surveillance, bully boys.

[miyazaki]

54. Screw them. Anoop Dog should have won! haha ;) n/t

[happygoluckytoyou]

55. hmmmm AT&T cheat at elections.... I'LL GO ALERT THE MEDIA ! ! !

[Cass]

60. If the show or sponsor is manipulating the outcome of the contest it is fraud.

Remember Quiz Show? There are rules about these kind of contests.

[Vinca]

61. If they manipulated the vote, they did Adam a favor.

The "No Boundaries" song they cooked up for the winner's first record is horrible. Adam is now free to do as he pleases and he'll be a huge star.

[Butch350]

62. W.G.A.R.A. !

[AllyCat]

68. God, I am so glad I don't give a rat's ass about this show. AT&T cheating again is news

[PassingFair]

69. The Britain's Got Talent Show charges to vote.

About a dollar or so, and the money
goes to charity.

I imagine there are less spam type
calls under that system.

[BlueJessamine]

73. Time for Fox to come clean about AT&T, final vote

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/05/american-idol-its-time-for-fox-to-come-clean-about-att-final-vote-.html

AT&T, a show sponsor, provided free text-messaging services at two Arkansas parties for eventual winner Kris Allen, The New York Times reports.

AT&T did not provide the same services for runner-up Adam Lambert.

During voting for the winner, AT&T reps helped Allen party goers in the art of power texts -- the sending of 10 or more text messages. The Times noted such an effort would violate "Idol" voting rules in a couple of ways: Text voting is available only to AT&T subscribers at normal rates, and the show warns that such block voting with "technical enhancements" can be thrown out.

Were they thrown out last week?

The Times tried unsuccessfully to get a comment from Fox Broadcasting.

But this report is mighty damaging to America's most popular series. Why can't we know the details, Fox?

One report, later said to be incorrect, put the Arkansas voting at 38 million. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest said that nearly 100 million voters were cast, but he offered no details on how many each man received.

Something sounds fishy with this story. What do you think?

An AT&T spokesman said the company was invited to attend the Arkansas parties and several employees brought demo phones to explain texting.

Wouldn't you like to know more details about that, too? Maybe Allen won by a wide margin. But the appearance of favoritism, either way, damages the show. Why is it so difficult for companies to recognize this wasn't right? Will there be apologies?

[marshall]

74. The runners-up usually do better than the winners

AT&T actually did Lambert a favor.

[David__77]

75. I don't think this made the difference.

The "traditionalists" are vociferous about making sure the "winner" is a down home character, and certainly not someone who challenges gender roles. It would be nice if we saw a breakdown of votes, including source.

[newinnm]

79. Arent ther more important things?