For the past week, Adam Lambert fans have been, if I can be honest, acting like very sore losers over last week’s win by Kris Allen on season of American Idol. They’ve been complaining that viewers who cast votes for Kris Allen did so because they’re homophobic, tone deaf, stupid, and possibly cheaters.
As far as the first three go, my response is: get over it. I’m sick and tired of the mentality that is rampant in American that uses any excuse, including a television show, to fuel a gay/Christian debate. It’s asinine. Get over it.
As for cheating? Well, there might be something to that the charges of voting irregularity. Maybe. A BIG maybe.
Adam Lambert fans have been crying “Unfair! Unfair” for days on end. To be honest, they’ve have been generally acting so rude and nasty that I’ve ignored their complaints. (Maybe they’ve never heard the story of the boy who cried wolf?)
But it looks like perhaps there might have been questions about the voting. The NY Times reports that, indeed, reps from AT&T were invited to a party in Kris Allen’s hometown in Conway, Arkansas and spent time showing folks how to power text, something prohibited by the Idol rules. It doesn’t look like the same consideration was given to Lambert fans in San Diego.
Lambert fans have also been citing a report by Arkansas Fox affiliate that claimed 38 million votes came from the state, which only boasts a population of 3 million, as proof of voter fraud. The station has retracted that statement, saying their reporter had incorrect information. The station has posted a correction on their website:
CORRECTION
Based on incorrect information provided to one of our reporters, FOX16 News reported Wednesday night, an extraordinary number of votes came in from Arkansas to American Idol.
AT&T spokesman Ted Wagnon told us today, “AT&T does not divulge or confirm how many votes were cast in any state.”
We apologize for the error.
Here’s the deal, folks.
First of all, let’s dispense with the notion that 38 million votes were cast from Arkansas. Even when the stat was reported initially, people were skeptical that it could be right. That the station retracted it – something that happens every day in the media – should clear that up. If you believe every stat the media reports, you need your head examined. In this media age, incorrect information is reported all the time and then retracted or corrected.
Second, I’m hoping that Idol has policies in place to block or not count power texts. I have no idea how the voting works, but Idol rules are clear those block votes aren’t allowed. We all know that the results are audited by an independent firm, so let’s hope that any power text votes were not counted and the final results were, in fact, correct.
Third, if there’s still any question, let’s hope that Idol has the ability to go back and verify those votes, and thereby clear Kris Allen’s name. The reality is that at this point, Kris Allen’s win has been tarnished. If it turns out Idol stands by the results, Lambert fans will never let the conspiracy theory die. If Idol overturns the decision and crowns Lambert, he’ll be the winner via a scandal, and who wants to win that way?
In the end, whatever happened or happens, let’s remember that neither Kris Allen or Adam Lambert had anything to do with any voting irregularites. Their job was to sing, and both did exceptional jobs on the final performance show.
Here’s to hoping that Idol takes the time to review the votes, throw out anything that’s suspicious, and give fans an official statement on the results. In the meantime, can we just be thrilled for both contestants? From what I’ve seen, the title really doesn’t mean much. Both are getting incredible media attention, both come out of the gate with a huge fanbase, both are signed to record deals, both are on their way to great careers. And they see quite content to support each other.
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