View Full Version : Did AT&T Help Kris Allen win American Idol?
What do you think ... enough controversy for a rematch? :p
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette -- a Little Rock, Arkansas newspaper -- reported that local AT&T representatives helped Allen fans each cast 10 or more text-message votes at one time through "power texts."
"American Idol" (http://topics.cnn.com/topics/american_idol) rules say votes made through "technical enhancements" could be thrown out, if detected.
CNN Articles:
- http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/27/ent.american.idol.voting/index.html
- http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/27/did-idol-winner-have-unfair-advantage/
say-what
05-27-09, 12:43 PM
I can't imagine that out of the millions of votes cast, that this had any effect.
say-what
05-27-09, 12:46 PM
Oh, it's not like Adam's fans didn't know how to power text either: http://adam-lambert.org/power-texting-with-att/
:)
Fontano
05-27-09, 12:49 PM
Exactly:
Both sides, had the same efforts and information out to their fan-bases.
Has anyone seen a # associated with the difference between the two?
phrelin
05-27-09, 01:19 PM
"American Idol" rules say votes made through "technical enhancements" could be thrown out, if detected.Apparently they weren't "detected", but hey I'm a Verizon customer so I feel cheated. And if I feel cheated, then the whole season is hereby canceled.:D
Oh, I don't think this will go anywhere, but it's definitely amusing. It's a show, folks! It's over! :p
Ron Barry
05-27-09, 02:25 PM
Agree with Drew, but also find it very amusing that a sponsor of the show actions violated the rules of the show they are sponsoring. Why even create a multi-voting capability? What is the purpose if not to try and sway the result. I think those are the questions AI should be asking of AT&T.
I really think AI needs to limit the votes (no multi-vote texting period) to a small number per source, but that would reduce the overall number and thus not allow them to brag so I doubt it will happen. For the sake of the show, I think it needs to happen.
I really think AI needs to limit the votes (no multi-vote texting period) to a small number per source, but that would reduce the overall number and thus not allow them to brag so I doubt it will happen. For the sake of the show, I think it needs to happen.I agree on this wholeheartedly, and think the voting model used by ABC's Dancing with the Stars is one American Idol would do well to adopt... In that model, viewers are only allowed to cast as many votes per phone line as their are contestants. I'm not sure about limitations on the text votes, but I think the phone limitations really serve to force voters to choose carefully and not waste "votes".
phrelin
05-27-09, 03:25 PM
But in reality, you can vote on line (without restriction if you're clever), on the land line phone, on all of your family's many cell phones. If someone wants to game the system, they can. And I'm ticked that our Verizon and Jitterbug phones are discriminated against by an FCC licensed TV station. Aren't our phones entitled to equal protection under the Constitution????:( :rolleyes:
mreposter
05-27-09, 05:17 PM
the word you're looking for is "disenfranchised."
phrelin
05-27-09, 05:20 PM
the word you're looking for is "disenfranchised."Right! I mean its bad enough that Paula and Simon have more influence than me....:grin:
I read somewhere that more people voted for these two guys than those that voted in the entire 2008 Presidential election!:eek2:
I read somewhere that more people voted for these two guys than those that voted in the entire 2008 Presidential election!:eek2:There were 100 million votes, but that doesn't necessarily translate to 100 million people. Individuals may have voted by phone and text numerous times, which thankfully, our Federal and State election laws do not allow. :)
Could you image if they did:eek2::nono2::eek2::lol::eek2:
txtommy
05-27-09, 05:42 PM
There were 100,000 million votes, but that doesn't necessarily translate to 100,000 million people. Individuals may have voted by phone and text numerous times, which thankfully, our Federal and State election laws do not allow. :)
100,000 million? That's a trillion votes! Wow. For a mediocre TV contest?
D'oh! Fat fingers disconnected from brain!
:p
davemayo
05-27-09, 07:13 PM
100,000 million? That's a trillion votes! Wow. For a mediocre TV contest?
That's some serious power texting!!
Clark143
05-27-09, 07:24 PM
There were 100 million votes, but that doesn't necessarily translate to 100 million people. Individuals may have voted by phone and text numerous times, which thankfully, our Federal and State election laws do not allow. :)
You must not live in NC where you don't have to show any ID or paperwork to vote in public elections. Just state your name and address and your good.
I pulled out my voters registration card when I first moved there and they refused to even look at it. Told me to put it up and just give them my name and address.
You must not live in NC where you don't have to show any ID or paperwork to vote in public elections. Just state your name and address and your good.
I pulled out my voters registration card when I first moved there and they refused to even look at it. Told me to put it up and just give them my name and address.Don't they even note in the voter registration book for your district that you voted? In NY, I have to sign next to my name in that book, so no one else can vote in that election in my place...
machavez00
05-28-09, 05:28 AM
Meh, this is a manufactured controversy. It will die once enough people learn that Adam's fan site instructed people on power texting since the start of the season. Who knows, it could be that Adam could have gone earlier in the show if not for the power texting!:grin:
Don't they even note in the voter registration book for your district that you voted? In NY, I have to sign next to my name in that book, so no one else can vote in that election in my place...
Yes, they do look in the book, then they remove the sticker beside your name and stick it on a card, that you then take over to get an actual ballot, so, you can;t vote more than once as yourself. However, if you know that your neighbor never votes and you know their name and address, you could probably game the system by using their info a second time, assuming the reps did not recognize you.
I think the Idol thing is pretty funny. Any time they put some technical limitation on something, it will always be worked around. THey do it for DWTS too.
There were 100 million votes
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/austin-powers-mike-myers-as-dr-evil4.jpg
QuickDrop
05-28-09, 05:27 PM
This seems like a "non-story." Kris probably got more votes from the VFTW crowd using the same methods than they did by the people who attended the AT&T event. The story is slightly embarrassing for AT&T, but avid A.I. voters surely knew all their tricks and more for getting their favorite contestant the most voters.
On the politics front, I've never had to provide an ID to vote. Just gave my name and signed next to it.
konfusion
05-29-09, 08:31 AM
i only watched the final
hdtvfan0001
05-30-09, 06:44 PM
The latest word is that some AT&T folks (in Arkansas) did indeed hand out pre-programmed (speed dial) to aid votes for Kris...but the gap in votes was substantial enough in his favor as not to cause any change in the final result.
Um, I hope people realize that this is what has been going on in American Idol from the start, certain singers at each end are picked to win, and they put the voting in their favor.
I won't name names, but I know somebody who is familiar with American Idol and is in the music industry...
hdtvfan0001
05-31-09, 06:38 AM
Um, I hope people realize that this is what has been going on in American Idol from the start, certain singers at each end are picked to win, and they put the voting in their favor.
I won't name names, but I know somebody who is familiar with American Idol and is in the music industry...
Likewise "connections" here...and the fact is that the producers of the show do have "influence" into the finalalist decision, especially when the voting is close.
machavez00
05-31-09, 09:48 AM
Um, I hope people realize that this is what has been going on in American Idol from the start, certain singers at each end are picked to win, and they put the voting in their favor.
I won't name names, but I know somebody who is familiar with American Idol and is in the music industry...
Is it the same person that said the final four would be: Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Adam Lambert, and Alexis Grace?
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/03/17/2009-03-17_american_idol_chatter_foursees_finalists.html#i xzz0H6EA6bQ9&B
The female “AI” worker told a “group of people that the last four are going to be Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Adam Lambert and Alexis Grace,” said our insider. Asked if this was opinion or actual fact, the staffer vehemently retorted, “Those ARE the people,” saying it wasn’t mere speculation.
Just for the record, the top four was: Adam, Allison, Kris, and Danny. Alexis was sent home after "Grand Ole Opry" week (Top 11). Lil Rounds went home with Anoop after Top 7.2 week
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