American Idol Voting Was Fixed

[+ Lucky]

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.

[Guest TexHunk69]

B*stards!

 

Wouldn't you know that a right-wing company like AT&T would figure out a way to steal an election! My sister works for AT&T and ever since SBC Global bought them out, their more progressive and employee-friendly policies have gone out the window. It would serve the CEO right if they got embroiled in a scandal related to fixing an election, even an AI one. LOL

 

Of course, it seems the conventional wisdom that Adam is much better off having come in second, and Kris' popularity was demonstrated over IMO more talented artists weeks before the Finale. And don't get me started on Gilles Marini losing out on DWTS! I was so hoping he'd win and rip his shirt off in celebration! Values voters strike again! LOL

 

I know there are more important things going on in the world (like Susan Boyle, for instance...), but hey! We all deserve whatever diversions give us pleasure, right?

[BewareofNick]

Huh. I guess we know where Katherine Harris is working now.

[Boomer]

Fixed

 

This confirms my albeit cynical belief that something was wrong.

[Guest zipperzone]

This confirms my albeit cynical belief that something was wrong.

 

It will be interesting to watch this one unfold - cause it sure as hell isn't going away quietly.

[Bart]

A few reality points, a Californian has yet to win the competition, why well the time zone issue continues to play against the "laid back" state. While most of California is their daily commute people are voting.

 

Kris and Adam were only a million votes apart the week before when Adam clearly had the most consistent night. Those other votes went to 100% Kris 0% to Adam.

 

Kris is from the Ozark state for god sakes. If Californians cant figure out how to block vote better than the Ozarks what does that have to say for the people in California. There were over a 100 million votes, if you are trying to tell me over 50 mil are coming out of Arkansas, then why didn't Hillary beat Obama

 

Maybe most important event of this show was clearly evident closeness of the contestants. Despite what media and blogs wish to portray about individuals, what other reality show has shown a true togetherness amongst the top 13. Kris is defenitely and extremely talented guy who has been brilliant on the show. Adam is hands down the best entertainer the show has ever had.

[Guest alanm]

Adam lost. Is there really anything we can do to change that?

 

There are positive things we can do in response: buy his songs on iTunes, buy his album when it is released, attend his concert after he finishes the "American Idil" tour.

 

As many others have said, losing may be the best thing that ever happened to him.

 

He can do what he wants professionally and personally, without being expected to live up to some phony ideal.

[Guest EuropTravl]

I've seen two or three American Idol final results readings and if there is any "closeness" in the results Seacrest usually has something to say. He said nothing this season which led people to believe that the margin (of 100 million supposed votes cast) was very lopsided, something later confirmed by Seacrest on his radio show.

I read on Dlisted Adam gave a funny interview today. A host asked him about "the elephant in the room" and Adam said "well, it's pink." He seems a funny easy going guy - these conspiracy theorists should follow his lead and move on.