THE FIX IS IN? "American Idol" Results May Have Been Swayed By AT&T

[babylonsister]

If you don't care, that's okay. I thought something was screwy about the results of this competition. This might explain it.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

AT&T May Have Swayed ‘Idol’ Results
By EDWARD WYATT
Published: May 26, 2009


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 phones for free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was 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.

Officials of Fox Broadcasting declined to discuss the situation. In a statement issued Tuesday, a spokesman for AT&T said, “In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.”

Details of the voting support were first reported last week in an article in The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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.

[Howardx]

1. boycotting idol is the obvious solution

its a rigged game.

[slackmaster]

2. Can anyone say for sure that Kris Allen is not himself gay?

I don't watch the show and don't care for it, so please help me out.

[babylonsister]

4. His wife was there so I don't know. And it's too bad that's the

all important question instead of who is more talented. That is my gripe.

[slackmaster]

8. Someone finally gave a meaningful answer

Thanks, 'sis.

[Bonhomme Richard]

7. Not sure but he is married. n/t

[slackmaster]

11. Thanks, I agree you can't be sure but that makes it likely he's straight

:hi:

[Sequoia]

3. Bloody hick !!!

Mr. Boring good ole boy !! But, but we have to preserve christian values of the south doncha know.

[slackmaster]

5. Does being a "hick" make him definitely not gay?

I've met several gay men who I would characterize as hicks.

[Sequoia]

12. I never wrote anything about him being gay.

I don't care if he is or isn't. Adam should've won.

[CrispyQ]

6. More Americans will be more outraged about this than being Diebolded.

x(

[HamdenRice]

10. You beat me to it! Has the NY Times reported on Diebold yet?

but they're going to do a story on voting irregularities viz American Idol?

This country is unbelievable.

[omega minimo]

14. or wiretapped.... isn't At&T ..........................?

[CrispyQ]

16. That aspect hadn't crossed my mind - but so true! --nt

[aquamarina]

9. What a shock and how pathetic

Golly, a corporation manipulating a contest - who would have thunk it.

Just one more reason I happily turned in my cable box.

[Perky]

13. Oh PLEASE. Folks it was nothing but the combination of Demographics and multivoting.

Which demoigraphic group watches idol the mosr? Girls 12-18
WHich group knows texts the most: Teenagers
Which performer is going to appeal more to youg girls? Kris Allen.


I suspect More people voted for Adam becuse he was a far superior talent, but Kris appeals to teenage girls more and they vote in much larger numbers and more often

I thought Adam was the best talent ever on Idol, but I did not vote for him. I am just not motivated to do so. THose who love Adam are problably less motivated to vote because he appeals to a demographic that is less inclined to bote multiple times for anything.


THat is the reality of how Idol works. Does it suck? Yeah DOes it matter? no?

Besides He apparently is going to make far more money and be far more popular than Kriss ever will. THe buzz is that he may well be tapped as the new front man for Queen.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

15. Adam Won By Losing

This way he won't have to record that godawful "song" that Kara co-wrote. I'm glad he lost. He's too good for that stupid show anyway. Let Kris have it.

I have never understood why they allow multiple votes anyway. Oh wait, that's right... more votes, more money, right? Stupid show. Why on earth do I watch it?