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XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU MAY 22, 2003 10:04:25 ET XXXXX CALLS FOR AUDIT HIT 'IDOL' Producers of FOX's AMERICAN IDOL last night claimed only 1,335 out of 24 million phone-votes separated the two finalists, resulting in a dramatic Florida election-style ending to the series. One out of three televisions in the nation tuned in to the broadcast, which originated live from Universal City. But now serious questions are being raised about the integrity of the IDOL vote. "Listen, I've been around Hollywood for a long, long time, and this reeks of a contrived, phony ending," a top executive from a rival network charged Thursday morning. "No one here believes for one second the votes landed just 1,300 apart. It's a disgrace... in fact, I think we are looking at a modern day version of the $64,000 question!" MORE The network president, who demanded anonymity, suggests an outside audit be performed on the IDOL showdown, but he stopped short of calling for an official state or federal criminal probe. "Listen, we all get hurt when the viewer is misled, or tricked, I really think FOX, [the show's producers] 19 TV and even AT&T should open up the process, not hide behind secrecy or the complexity of counting so many votes over different time zones. How did this come down to just 1,300 phone calls, out of tens of millions? Who or what told them this? A computer? Was there any human review? I know how this works, and I just do not think the truth is being told here." MORE IDOL host Ryan Seacrest added to the confusion of the night by announcing conflicting margins and votes. At one point Seacrest announced how 13,000 votes separated the two contenders. "If this show is going to return next season with any integrity, whatsoever, I think there needs to be a top to bottom review of the [voting] process," the rival network executive said. But what a night it was for FOX, according to NIELSEN overnights. IDOL turned in a 24.3 rating/33 share in its final 30 minutes, in 55 metered markets: maxing with a 30 share in New York City; 33 share Los Angeles; 4 Philly; 38 San Fran; 37 Miami; 41 D.C.; 49 Atlanta. Developing... ----------------------------------------------------------- Reports are moved when circumstances warrant http://www.drudgereportArchives.com for updates (c)DRUDGE REPORT 2003 Not for reproduction without permission of the author |
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