AT&T “American Idol” Voting Scandal — “Kris Allen Is The Winner”
Recount, anyone?
Fox is defending itself against claims that corporate sponsor AT&T unfairly swayed the show’s outcome by providing Kris Allen fans with free “power texts” and taught people how to cast blocks of votes.
On Wednesday, AT&T confirmed the report, first featured in the morning edition of The New York Times, but said their employees handed out the phones after being “swept up in the moment.”
“Last week, countless parties were held in homes, bars, and other public places across America to watch the ‘American Idol’ finale. In Arkansas, a few local AT&T employees were invited to attend two local watch parties organized by the community,” AT&T said in a statement Wednesday. “Caught up in the enthusiasm of rooting for their hometown contestant, they brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.”
According to The New York Times, AT&T provided phones for free text-messaging services at two Kris Allen parties in Arkansas on the night of the finals. Times insiders report seeing AT&T reps showing party-goers how to “power text” — cast 10 votes at the touch of a button — which violates show rules.
No similar efforts appear to have been made to provide free texting services to Adam Lambert fans, who have complained that the competition’s voting was rigged.
On Wednesday, Fox, Idol producers 19 Entertainment, and FremantleMedia issued a statement of their own insisting voting was not swayed in this year’s competition:
“Fox and the producers of American Idol are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate and verified. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol. We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition.”
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On May 28th 2009, teddy wrote:
adam is always at the kress!
On May 28th 2009, Bertha Nelson wrote:
I suspected that something was going on when the morning talk shows started praising Kriss (the View–Ellen) before the last 2 Idol shows. I think that Fox and it’s sponsors put the word out to tell viewers that Kriss was the better one because they were NOT going to allow Adam to win–NO WAY. Adam won, he was fantastic–the most talented and exciting Idol contestant ever. No one can ever believe in American Idol again, Kris was not the people’s choice. I live in a very concervative city, Knoxville, Tennessee, and our local Poll gave Adam 61% of the vote. Shame on Foxx and AT&T for ruining a good show–SHAME ON YOU!!!!!
On May 28th 2009, MImsey wrote:
Adam Lambert is the best of the best of all American Idol contestants ever. He sang songs I had never heard and now I know and love those songs. Kris sang songs I knew and I can’t even remember what he sang and don’t care. Kris is forgetable, Adam is a household word and a super star. They should do a revote.
On June 2nd 2009, Sandra wrote:
In my opinion Kris is the best but to each his own. Adam’s screaching gets on my nerves very quickly. He’ll do well in Las Vegas because he puts on a great show. Hopefully they can both have a great career.