Idol Me Blog

Even though the panel and the Fox Network have closed the case against Paula Abdul, will the viewers still believe that American Idol has credibility?

Corey Clark’s allegations against Paula Abdul were dismissed and Fox Network has decided to have Paula Abdul still be a reigning judge on American Idol, but now everyone must wait and see if the viewing population will still tune in and be on the edge of their seats to vote for the next American Idol.

The allegations, hit the American Idol show hard and the entire incident was investigated. Fox is not going to release all the findings and they will also not discuss all the findings. But, the law firms of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Morrison & Foerster did all the investigating which took over 600 legal hours and 3 months of hard work. They interviewed 43 witnesses and lawyers Marcellus McRae and Ivy Kagan Bierman, came to the conclusion that “There was no evidence to corroborate Clark’s claim of an affair with the “American Idol” judge and no evidence that she tried to give him an advantage when he competed unsuccessfully in 2003.”

Many Paula Abdul fans are glad about this decision and as stated by John Forrest Ales, “I’m happy to see her coming back,” and “She’s what the whole show should be about, giving people a chance and watching what happens when young people explore their talent and try to follow their dream.”

Another fan, Janina Perez said “If there’s not proof, then that’s it. If there was proof they could show favoritism and she did help him, I would have an issue with that,” but when asked about watching “American Idol” she stated “In regard to watching the show, I wouldn’t stop.”

There will be a new “enhanced non-fraternization policy” placed on all judges and contestants so this type of incident will not happen again.

We will have to wait and see with the upcoming series if the television audience still believes in American Idol and with the fact that Paula Abdul will be one of the judges.

Yes, the American Army knows they not only have soldiers to be proud of, but they also have many talented faces that can now compete for the Army’s version of “American Idol”, “Military Idol”.

The soldiers will now get a break from their military training and duties while competing for the title of “Military Idol”. Winners from local competitions throughout the United States, Belgium, Germany, Japan and South Korea will all converge on Fort Gordon, Georgia for the grand finale. The competition will be held on October 17th to the 23rd according to the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center.

“Military Idol” will be similar to “American Idol” and the competition will be for singers only. They will not be accepting comedians, musicians and dancers. As of September 30th every base will choose a singer to represent their base in the final competition.

Doriann Fengler stated that some bases are pushing back their application dates because of soldiers that are deployed overseas. Some bases only have three contestants. She also stated that “We would have loved to host the competition in Iraq or Afghanistan, but we do not have the infrastructure,”

The first round of competition each contestant will sing without any type of musical accompaniment and then if they make it to round two will be allowed recorded accompaniment.

The judging will be performed by a panel of three judges and an audience ballot system. The U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center suggest that on the local level that the prize should be $500 while the grand prize winner in October should receive $1,000. The winner of the “Military Idol” will also be the ambassador for Army entertainment.

Longview, Texas will now have two chances, at least to be the proud home town of the next American Idol.

Brandy Irby excited they the age limit has been upped to 28, will be headed to Austin for the tryouts. She stated “I’ve wanted to try out since it started, but I had been too old every time,” and “I was always a day late and a dollar short, but they upped the age to 28 this year, so I’m going for it.”

Brandy who is 28 years old and is employed at Glazers Wholesale Distributors as a data processing specialist is the second contender announced from Longview Texas.

Many of her co-workers believe she can be the next “American Idol”, such as Lori Bess who states “She has an unbelievable voice and a great chance to win” and that “When she sings, it gives you chill bumps and makes you want more. She sang at my best friend’s wedding, and it was incredible.”

Brandy’s loves singing and her favorite types of music include rhythm and blues, alternative and gospel. She has performed locally at funerals, weddings and clubs and states that “When I’m having a bad day, singing makes me feel better. I guess I’m a music nerd.”

As for winning she is prepared for any decision that the judges make and said regarding the competition in Austin. “I’ve learned that you can’t be cocky,” she said. “I’m prepared to stay in Austin for a while if I make it, but I’m also prepared to go home. I consider this to be another adventure.”

On Saturday, August 14th Tim Chiles was announced as the winner of the contest sponsored by Fox 14 KFJX-TV and Missouri Southern State University. There were 40 other contestants besides Chiles. Five finalists were chosen and then Tim Chiles was declared the winner.

He competed with his own renditions of Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” and Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” He is a server at the Olive Garden Restaurant in Joplin, Missouri.

On Sunday, Tim Chiles, received a message from the panel that there was a problem with the judging and that he might not be able to head off to Chicago to audition for “American Idol.” He was even told that he may not be able to perform locally.

Darren Dishman the general manager and program director of Fox 14 disclosed that
“There was a concern that there was a miscalculation by the judges,” and “We went though all of the judge scorecards just to make sure we had it right, and as it turns out we did not have a miscalculation, and the results that were announced were correct.”

Tim Chiles, on Monday, was notified that he was in fact the winner would be able to compete in Chicago and receive the expense paid trip. He stated he would have done whatever it took including a sing off, but he was relieved to hear the news that he was the winner. He commented “Now I can just concentrate on what I am going to do in Chicago.”

Michelle Muckleroy from Longview Texas will be among the contestants in Austin Texas competing to be the next American Idol.

She graduated from Pine Tree High School in 1997 and is now a teller at Telco Plus Credit Union. Her love of singing has prompted her to make the journey to Austin.

As to why she wants to join in the competition to become the next American Idol she stated. “It was just: Hey, what the heck? Go try it out,” “The reason why I’m doing it, it’s something fun to do No. 1, and I would love to sing. I would love to perform. I don’t mind being the center of attention.”

Just another small town girl that has enjoyed singing since the third grade, sings karaoke and is has been asked to perform the National Anthem at events put on by her employer, is now headed to Austin, Texas and the competition.

Among her favorite artists include Faith Hill and Martina McBride. The song that she has chosen for her competition is “Ironic”, by Alanis Morissette. As to how she will be performing the song she replied, “She sings it pretty wild. That’s not me, so I’m going to tame it down,”

Thousands of people will be turning up in Austin, Texas to try out for the popular American Idol show, but as stated by the American Idol website not everyone will get the chance to be seen. Muckleroy agrees with the above and her answer is “The chances of you being seen is slim. I’ve got to do something to make myself stick out,”

All of the Longview, Texas residents will be watching, waiting, and having hopes that Michelle Muckleroy will be the next “American Idol.”

Paula Abdul will remain on American Idol. The independent counsel that was hired by American Idol to investigate the allegations by Corey Clark has stated that there is no proof that there was ever an affair between the two.

Fox Officials will however; place “An enhanced non-fraternization policy” for all judges for next season to prevent any future problems that may occur between the judges and contestants.

Paula stated on Friday after the announcement on Fox that “I’m grateful this ordeal is over, and I’m so looking forward to getting back to the job I love,” and concerning her fans she said “Once again, I thank my fans from throughout the world for their undying love and support.”

The producers have agreed that Paula Abdul can remain as a judge because none of Corey Clark’s allegations could be proven. Corey Clark claimed that while he was a contestant in 2003 that Abdul aided him in preparing his performance on the show. Paula stated that these were lies and now the independent counsel also agrees.

Clark, who was kicked off the show for not revealing a prior arrest, is not talking now. He was also in trouble over a hotel food fight that got out of control but the Sacramento County district attorney’s office decided not to press charges.

His allegations may have put a dark shadow on the competition at one time but the allegations were taken very seriously by President Peter Liguori of Fox Entertainment and he made every effort to get to the bottom of the allegations and safe face for the show. He stated that “Any allegations against this show we take quite seriously,” and Fox has proven that they will not allow such allegations to shadow their popular show, American Idol.

It may have taken 3 ½ months of inquiries and investigations, but the investigators have concluded on the claims of a sexual relationship between Paula Abdul and Cory Clark to “have not been substantiated by any corroborating evidence or witnesses, including those provided by Mr. Clark, and Ms. Abdul expressly denies that any such relationship ever existed.”

So, for all Paula Abdul fans, we will be enjoying her once again on the upcoming season.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Anita Johnston, the newest member of our Idol Me team. Anita will be the Associate Editor of the Idol Me News Blog.

Anita resides in Carrie’s home state of Oklahoma. She has been a freelance writer for over five years. Anita explains “I enjoy writing and researching, therefore; I do not look upon your project as work, but as an extension of my creativity. ”

Welcome aboard Anita!

Carrie Underwood the “American Idol” winner of the contest in May was presented with a replica of highway signs that are posted outside of her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma. The signs are posted with “Checotah, Home of Carrie Underwood, American Idol 2005.”

Brad Henry, Governor of Oklahoma stated “These signs reflect the great pride that we Oklahomans have for Carrie,” and “Carrie is talented, graceful, charming, hardworking and a testament to what can happen when people follow their dreams.”

Carrie will be performing in Norman, Oklahoma on Wednesday night along with some of her former competitors on the Fox Network’s competition. Carrie only stated that “It’s so good to be home,” and “I know I don’t deserve any of this.”

When asked about her best experience as an American Idol winner she said that “I just get to do what I love every single day.” Her only other comment was that she brags about Oklahoma everywhere she goes. “If we ever run into a problem anywhere, I say, ‘This would not happen in Oklahoma.’”

The public wishes to hear all the gossip behind the sexual behavior of Paula Abdul and Corey Clark; but American Idol is more concerned over allegations by Clark that he received “additional coaching and assistance that the other contestants did not receive that season.”

American Idol is taking the whole incident more seriously than some believed. Executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe stated “We have pledged to look into Corey’s allegations in a complete and comprehensive manner, and that is exactly what we are doing,”

The producers of the hit show American Idol have hired “independent counsel” to investigate the allegations concerning Cory Clark’s allegations. Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori stated that “Any allegations against this show we take quite seriously,” and that the credibility of the competition is “extraordinarily important to us.”

Corey Clark in July promised to aid American Idol in any possible way he did add it was “the only way we can be sure there actually will be an investigation.” Not only has Clark been questioned, but Paula Abdul and other witnesses as well. The results are due to be announced soon and will be made public.

At this time, the fate of Paula Abdul has not been decided, but Fox has not in any way left Paula out to dry. Paula will be working on a weekly segment of “So You Think You Can Dance” in which she will show regular folks the art of dancing like the professionals.

These two world music industry giants are battling over the multimillion- pound rights to release albums created from the American Idol television series.

Simon Fuller’s company, 19 Entertainment stated that the deal with Sony BMG has now expired and it was seeking offers for a new multi-year agreement to cover any releases from future American Idol competitors including singles and DVD’s.

The United States show has yielded around 5 million albums during the season that Kelly Clarkson was winner and when the winner was Ruben Studdard sold more than two million albums and then the third season the albums sold went up to 1.5 million.

The winning bidder will have all the rights to release albums by the future American Idol stars including singles and DVD’s. Although, ranked third and fourth in the world, EMI and Warner Music Group are not believed to be the running.

Twenty one other countries have been sold the Pop Idol format and have seen revenues of more than one billion dollars and in Britain the series has seen top stars such as Will Young and Gareth Gates.

Auditions for the fifth season of American Idol will begin in August and will be screened and broadcast on the Fox network which has a deal to broadcast the first six seasons.