The New York Times is stirring up trouble with an article that was published today stating AT&T gave away phones free of charge to two Arkansas-based voting parties that were held in honor of the state's favorite son Kris Allen last Tuesday so that the attendees could vote via texts for free. According to the Times: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.
This is much ado about nothing and is a sorry attempt at creating controversy out of thin air. In the grand scheme of things, the votes from a few free phones in Arkansas were not going to significantly effect the nearly 100 million votes cast last Tuesday, especially considering the fact that it was a landslide victory in favor of Kris.
The competition is over. Kris and Adam will both go on and have their own careers. So why are people (and the Times of all people) trying to discredit the results? People need to move on.
Showing posts with label new york times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new york times. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
NYT says AT&T gave free phones to Kris' supporters
Saturday, January 10, 2009
'Idol' odds 'n ends: Alums get NAACP Awards noms
The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:
>The list of nominees for the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards was made public this week, and Jennifer Hudson leads all nominees with seven nods. Other Idol alums to receive nominations for the show, which will air Thurs., Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. on FOX, were Jordin Sparks, Fantasia and Idol's band leader Rickey Minor. Idol itself also got two noms - one for the seventh season and one for the latest "Idol Gives Back" special.
>Davd Cook posted a "Happy New Year" vlog from his house last night on his official YouTube account in which he mentioned a college tour beginning in mid-February, the availability of merchandise at the shows and online and the introduction of his new puppy, Dublin. Watch the vlog below:
>Jordin also made headlines this week when she taped a congratulatory message to the Jonas Brothers for their Grammy nomination before performing with them at a variety show in Nashville. After being told she had to restart her message, she says something that sounds very much like the F-word, but she claims that she did not say it in a status alert from Jan. 6 on her MySpace:
What the heck!? I didnt say the F* word!!! Can we just make that clear?! Geez.Jordin has spoken so we believe her, but you be the judge.
>TimRyansReelHawaii.com yesterday reported Katharine McPhee has signed on to star as one of the three lead roles in the film Wedlock, which will begin filming on Oahu in mid-February or early March. The $6 million budget film centers around the daughter of a Croation mob boss (Kat) trying to seek citizenship in the U.S.
>New judge Kara DioGuardi gave an interview with The New York Times that was published yesterday about her stint on the upcoming season of Idol. She said that if Simon does not let her speak it will be an issue. She also said the following interesting point:
"If rock was in style, I would do rock songs," she said. "If R&B was kicking, I would do R&B." It was a decision born of creative interest but also personal need. "I wanted to be independent. I didn’t feel it like a girl having pressure. I felt man pressure."Another interesting fact about Kara is that she had a record deal with MCA Records early in her career but nothing ever came of it.
Monday, March 17, 2008
VFTW nets $40K in 2007
Only halfway through the seventh season of American Idol, the infamous Votefortheworst.com (VFTW) has made the headlines for its unconventional approach to the hit FOX show and breaking news many times since the start of 2008. In today's New York Times, however, the site's founder, Dave Della Terza, was profiled. The reason for giving Della Terza a valuable spot on the Times' layout: the revelation that the controversial site netted him roughly $40,000 in revenue in 2007.
Terza said the revenue came mostly from Google Ads, and it has been gaining every year since the site's inception in 2005. Della Terza told the Times the following:
"It didn’t start out as a moneymaking venture; it wasn’t an attempt to leech off the ‘American Idol’ brand."
VFTW's most notable story leaks include the controversial photos of season 6 semifinalist Antonella Barba and news that season 7 finalist David Hernandez had worked as a stripper in the past. The site is currently encouraging members to vote for Amanda Overmyer.
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