You wrote “Did AT&T Really Influence The Vote”.
The answer is yes. But you asked the wrong question….
Why would AT&T influence the vote? The answer is…so they could wait a week after Kris got “elected” to pull a “Bush/Gore hanging chad scandal.

MonaLisa1985 – honestly, what motivation on earth would AT&T have to knowingly influence the vote and end up with egg on their face? Come on, it would be a public relations nightmare for them. There’s no way AT&T could come out looking good or benefit in any way from a deliberate attempt to sway the vote.
What I think happened is some folks in the small town of Conway did what small town folks do: they got together and did something they thought was a good thing. It might have turned out to be a kind of stupid thing in hindsight. Besides, I don’t think it influenced the outcome either way. However, like I said, conspiracy theorists will forever claim foul.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

I am a Christian, conservative, soccer mom as described in your article. And I am an Adam Lambert fan. I have neither been a spoil sport or a sore loser. NOR do I agree that America is homophobic and therefore didn’t vote for Lambert. The fact is – he received MILLIONS of votes. MILLIONS. I have congratulated Kris fans and I have not talked any “smack” about Kris Allen, a very talented young man. But please, if we’re being honest the facts can speak for themselves. #1 iTunes downloads, Adam’s been the clear front runner all season. #2 voting polls results from throughout the season can still be looked up online. The ones that have Kris leading are rare – Adam almost always in front. #3 Fan websites, Adams fan sites and subscribed fans outnumber Kris by HUGE numbers. #4 Youtube – there is absoutely no question who has been the man WAY in front. Check out the YouTube hits. So, factually – it makes TONS of sense that something was askew. TWO Arkansas fan parties – with hundreds of guests at each sending power texts??? According to dialidol.com Kris Allen won by the most miniscule of vote leads. These parties very well could have been – and probably were – what put Kris Allen ahead. Isn’t it time for a retraction now that you have the facts????

As an international fan who has not spoken to one single person who did not think Adam should or would win, his fans have a right to know if one of the sponsors AT & T have helped another party win by teaching them how to multiple text.

I second Kim Lilley in my demographic and I am glambert #2104. It is our policy to conduct ourselves as respectful, positive, and supportive Adam Lambert fans without tearing anyone else down. You can imagine how disappointed we were with the results, and many of us seek to know and understand the truth. We all love Kris, but just thought Adam deserved to win.
We are following Adam’s lead in moving on and looking to the future. However, if there were irregular or inappropriate voting practices it should be revealed, for Idol’s sake, in order to keep viewer who trust that the system is fair.
Love and Light to all
Marcia Wright
Fort Wayne, Indiana

I agree with you on the importance of those who certify the voting numbers/results of American Idol.
To those who believe that this is NOT valid news content..and that the American Public should just “move on”…here are some very salient points to be considered:
1. To this date, the final voting tally numbers, between the First & Second Place finishers, have NOT been revealed or made public. This has never been the case, in the history of American Idol (one of the most potent star-making pop-culture machines in the world).
Who is to say how many votes by which the talented Kris Allen won (over the equallyly talented Adam Lambert)? Could it have been the a margin was close to the number of these “special Power Text Votes” from Arkansas added to the national voting aggregate?
2) Truth in Advertising laws go hand in hand with the venerable U.S. federal laws which oversee the running of both Contests (& Sweepstakes) in which the American Public have a monetary/emotional stake. Should any of the 3 delineated segments of a “Contest” be compromised – it can be labeled as legally “fraudulent” (“Consideration”, being one of these 3 segments – includes such as the nominal cost of a stamp or the cost of a text message)
Historically, the game show legal scandal of the 1950′s brought the interference of sponsor-favoritism into the courts. It forever changed the way ALL national & local media contests were run.
Millions of votes were, reportedly, cast – but the possiblity of that aggregate number being skewed (even in the smallest number) legally negates the outcome – by way of its tampering with the official (and legal) Contest rules.
This total number of these “corrupted” sample of illegal text votes, from these special phones, should be made public – as should the apportioning of TOTAL number of votes cast to each of the finalists.
Only then will we know how this sponsor’s (possibly innocent, possibly not) tampering–by-technical-advantage can be examined against those federally-protected Contest Rules.

The report is rubbish. Power texting is not new. It’s been done since Season 5 or 6. Check out the link http://idolator.com/5235722/idol-nontroversy-makes-front-page-of-the-new-york-times
Even Adam’s fans had a website with instructions on how to power text. So does that mean that he should be disqualified as well?

Wrong Lady, there were two parties in Arkansas and there were thousands present. If you see this as fair you had best re-examine your value system, this was wrong. ATT should have to pay a hefty fine for racketeering and pay Lambert for his loss. Dial Idol had the difference as tiny, Lambert probably lost to a corrupt company that should have kept their noses out of the game. American Idol and FOX network owe American’s an explanation and and apology.

I would like to ask ATT why I could not get through in Mississippi when voting for Adam, I tried for 2 hours could never get through. I believe the whole show is rigged and this is not the first time it’s been rigged. Take it off the air, I hate frauds.

Ms. Brokaw, after reading your article, I feel compelled to respond. I, too, am a Christian, married, conservative mother of two daughters, and am happy to say we are all Adam Lambert fans. I am Glambert #1400. I feel that your categorizing all of Adam’s fans as “sore losers” and “rude and nasty” is not only very unprofessional, but is uncalled for. We, as Adam’s fans, believe we should conduct ourselves as Adam has, to be courteous and respectful. No disrespect of any kind is intended for Kris or his fans. But, if there was undue influence exerted over the outcome of the American Idol competition, then the details must come to light. I also feel that your mention that “If Idol overturns the decision and crowns Lambert, he’ll be the winner via a scandal, and who wants to win that way?” is in very poor taste. Once the actual voting results are determined, whichever contestant actually received the highest number of votes should be acknowledged as the rightful winner of the competition. There is no scandal in that.

Gee….an anti-Adam article that claims Christians aren’t anti-Adam, all on a Christian site.
What a bunch of sheep….Baaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I AGREE WITH MS. SNOW. THE STATEMENT REGARDING LAMBERT WINNING BEING A RESULT OF SCANDAL IS A FARCE. IF ANYTHING KRIS ALLEN KEEPING THE TITLE WITHOUT A TRUE COUNT IS WINNING VIA SCANDAL. I THINK ALL INVOLVED WOULDWANT TO KNOW WHO THE TRUE WINNER IS. IF AMERICAN IDOL WISHES TO MAINTAIN THAT THEY ARE LEGIT AND THE SHOW IS NOT FIXED, A TRUE COUNT SHOULD BE MADE AND ANY QUESTION IN THE COUNT RESOLVED. THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. THE FIRST IN MY MIND RECENTLY WAS CHRIS DAUGHTRY. IF THE SHOW IS GOING TO CONTINUE BEING AN AUDIENCE VOTING SHOW, THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE RESOLVED. IS THERE ANY WAY TO ACTUALLY DO THAT THOUGH? ADAM WILL GO FAR EVEN WITHOUT THE TITLE AND HE HAS THE STAYING POWER AND WILL BE LONG REMEMBERED EVEN AFTER PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT KRIS.

Mrs Brokow, thousands gathered in Conway when Kris came home. Those same thousands gathered to text 10 votes at a time for Kris, don’t tell me about influence. This was wrong and should not have happened, this is not insignificant, it was big business swaying American Idol. This is crooked and ATT should pay the price, this will finish off American Idol as nothing more than a joke.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Give it up people. You will never convince them. They’ve already proven themselves brainwashable and brainwashed. Their pastors/priests/reverends all told them to vote for Kris and that Adam is the AntiChrist.
You will not get a discussion based on rational thinking here.

I would be willing to bet there was a conspiracy against Adam. The Power votes were probably counted. I would expect American Idol to really investigate this matter. The Anti Adam votes and Evangelical votes piled up also against Adam. As far as Kris being tainted, his Talent, ( or none there of) was already Tainted. The Kris Mid West and Religious voters are probably as boring as their choice.
Kris’s 15 minutes of Idol Fame will expire in to ambiguity.

As usual, everything fits into a little stereotypical box doesn’t it? Soccer moms who sway toward soft rock (don’t know any like that, most 30-year-old moms are into pop and hip-hop) and country and nonChristians who are mean to believers. Kris is a charming boy with an average talent that would impress people who are used to second rate “worship” music and live in an irrelevant subculture. He is certainly not without talent. Neither is he the stuff of music legends. I think the real question here is whether or not the Christian subculture has anything to say to a world that increasingly considers it out of touch, isolationist and irrelevant.

The key here is “or more”. The Go Phones from AT&T have new technology to text “10 or more” times at a time. What is “more”? 100? 1000? 10000? Just how many votes can one person make in four hours if you have a phone that can text thousands of votes with one key stroke?
The truth needs to come out!!!

Kim, as for Adam being the clear frontrunner – he was the front runner only after the judges stopped complaining about him being theatrical, but let’s not forget that he was in the bottom three once.
The only fact that counts is how many votes were cast. When you have that number, let me know.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

Fix. It happens in boxing, in horseracing, in wrestling, in gaming. Why shouldn’t it happen in American Idol. Unfortunately, AI needs to clear this up conclusively and immediately otherwise, all future Idol voting will be suspect. AI is already losing audience share–this will only hasten the loss.

Marcia, I would agree with you 100% that if there was a voting irregularity, it needs to be cleared up and corrected. And if that changes the outcome, so be it.
I’ve never wanted Kris to win over Adam, or Adam to win over Kris. I would have been thrilled with either one. But I had a hunch about how the votes were going to go, and have had a pretty good feeling about what kinds of music lovers were voting for Allison, Danny, Adam and Kris. As they went home, it was clearer and clearer who was picking up whose votes. So if it ends up Kris’s win is on the up and up, I won’t be surprised at all.
And thanks for being perhaps the first rational, polite Adam Lambert fan I’ve encountered, LOL.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

“Last, I wasn’t surprised by the Kris Allen win. If you read this blog regularly, I’ve been saying it’s the only logical win possible. Despite Adam’s talent, despite what anyone wants to believe about radio, the two most popular music radio formats in American are Country and Contemporary Christian. Neither necessarily have to do with religion, but the style of music is very soccer mom, adult contemporary, soft rock. It only makes sense.”
Come on. the entire time of this years American Idol, where ever I went on line, there were posts and comments from lots of people who made despicable, derogatory comments about Adams sexuality, his makeup, and his outfits. It wasn’t just a few rouge bigoted losers. The hate was all over the place.
Evangelicals take there religion seriously. That is what matters to them above almost anything else. They are against the “gay life style”, whatever the heck that is. The fact that both Danny and Kris are known evangelicals only highlights how many people voted based on Kris’s religious beliefs and not what is important in a singing completion, his singing.
If you really think that this voter block (Christian, evengelical, anti gay) had little to do with the outcome of the show all I have to do is look at what your blog is all about. You are bias cause you are heavily influenced by your religion. That mam has absolutely nothing to do with a singing competition.
One last thing. Kris has made it clear on several occasion after he won. He hoped that the religious and christian vote “had nothing” to do with him winning. I could not agree more.

OK, can I just say that I’m am in NO WAY anti-Adam. Like I said in an earlier comment, I would have been thrilled with either Kris or Adam, or Allison or Danny. My prediction of Kris as winner was based completely and totally on some hunches I had about they type of music lover voting for Danny and Allison, and who they would vote for if their contestants were voted off.
Just to be clear: When iTunes leaked that news weeks ago that of the top 10 downloads Adam had 6, Kris had 3 and Danny had 1, that’s when I predicted Kris would be the winner this season. It had nothing to do with homophobia or Christophobia (is that the right word for people who are afraid of Christians?) but a hunch about who would vote for who.
To the normal Adam fans who’ve recently commented: thank you for being polite and reasonable, despite the fact that it’s obviously a huge disappointment to not only come in runner up (I’ve yet to call Adam the “loser” because he’s anything but that) but to now have the entire voting results put into question. But trust me, I’ve been innundated with ridiculous – and quite frankly, ignorant – people who want nothing more than to start a gay/Christian argument. Forgive me if my opinion has been skewed.
As for 30-something soccer moms listening to pop and hip hop: sure, they do. But since we’re talking facts, the facts are that country and Contemporary Christian are the two most popular music formats in the country. I don’t know the typical country music fan, but the typical CCM fan is a soccer mom. In Christian music, that demo is called “Becky” and they target almost all of their radio programming to the 30-something soccer mom. So it would make perfect sense that in the end, despite the number of hip hop crap guest appearances the show aired, that the voting would mirror radio popularity.
As for the texting, if you actually read this entire post, you would have read that I agreed that it should be investigated. But whatever happens, it’s going to haunt both Kris and Adam. Kris will always have Adam fans crying foul, and Adam will always be known as the contestant who won the year there was cheating. What kind of win is that for either of them, to have that scandal tied to your win, even if it is a legit overturning of the results?
So I suggest – again – that everyone sit tight and wait to see what the outcome is. Clearly it’s in the best interests of the show to figure it out. But I predict that no matter what happens, it’ll be an ongoing complaining session until next season – and beyond.
Maybe … find something else to do? It is, after all, a TV show.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

ASAP – GO TO THE ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL ONLINE AT: ag.arkansas.gov AND FILE AN ONLINE CONSUMER COMPLAINT IMMEDIATELY! THIS IS A CRIME BY AT&T AND THEY SHOULD BE PROSECUTED.

Tom, my job is to cover Christian music, so obviously that’s the angle I’m working with here. I am an evangelical Christian who believes that Christ is the Son of God, Saviour, Redeemer and yes, I take my religion seriously.
I’ll forgive you for not knowing where I stand on that issue, since you probably don’t read this blog regularly, but not one time – EVER – have you or will you hear me speak in a derogatory manner to or about homosexuals.
I speak – quite frequently, as a matter of fact – about the fact that I’m disgusted by the gay/Christian debate, regardless of which side is doing the shouting. If you go and read my posts about Ray Boltz, I’ve tried to bring up issues in Christian music – again, Christian music is what this blog is about – to engage readers in discussion. But I have never acted in a hateful manner to homosexuals. Quite the opposite.
And I’ve said in almost every interview that I’ve done that if Christians were voting for contestants based on faith, they should not vote at all. And I meant that. I also have said repeatedly that this is a singing competition, not a forum to debate faith or homosexuality. So we agree on that.
I understand that there are other Christians who use homosexuality to blast their personal religious agenda, and who may have pointed that finger at Adam. But you will not find that here. It really saddens me that fans – at this point, from every corner of the voting base – are acting so ridiculously. Let’s let Idol go and verify the voting. Until then, we really can’t do anything, can we? This back and forth is getting destructive.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

Ellie, IF it happened the way the NY Times is reporting, and IF those votes indeed were counted, then YES, there should be repercussions.
Let’s wait and see if we can get answers to those questions first.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

first of all, who are you, man who wrote the article to tell anyone to get over it. just who do you think you are. A “christian”, that gives you the right to be rude. Some day you are going to be really shocked to find out, oops Christians really were the ones who were loving and kind , non violent and caring not the overbearing condescending hateful people that claim to be now. I will not get over it, i will feel and think and express what I believe about this all. so shut up,

After 81 failed attempts to call in my vote I decided to text my vote in between more calls. I never did get a response from ATT that indicated they had received my initial text so did any of them count? I even tried to text after the 4 hours were over and I got a text response straight away saying the voting was over! WHAT DO YOU THINK? I think they did block the calls and why no response to the text!! If iphone adds on another carrier I will change without hestitation. I liked Kris but I wanted to vote for Adam and I never could. I would like an explanation!

“Adam Lambert fans have been, if I can be honest, acting like very sore losers” . . .
You open your article with that line and then have the gall to come back and take the “I’m just trying to get along” approach when people push back?
Honestly, I’m confused.

I know what I am going to say has nothing to do with this voting issue.
But how can say that a particular singer wont win just b/c of a couple songs he sang? That my friend is being “Tone Deaf”!
Adam sang several different type of songs. He can sign Rock, Metal, Country, Christian, Folk, etc. I agree with Randy, that boy can sign the phonebook front to back!!!!
That is American Idol talent! Thats what they are looking for!
Not someone who can sing just one type of music.
As Simon said, Adam is International Star quality!
So was Alison!
Now don’t get me wrong Kris was amazing! I loved his music and yes I did vote for him.
But who are you to sit here and deny a hidden gem’s right to shine?
And who are you to sit here and call Adam Lambert fans sore losers when you’ve said what you did?

You didn’t sign your name, confused, but I’m happy to address your question about my alleged “trying to get along” approach.
My comment about the sore losers stemmed from the tidal wave of comments I”ve gotten over the last month from Adam Lambert fans who cannot conceive that someone doesn’t like his music. Or that someone likes his music, but liked someone else better. It’s a very narcissistic attitude about a contestant who, from all accounts, is not just talented but a heck of a nice guy. Then it was the gay/Christian argument, and now it’s “unfair” voting. I agree that any voting irregularities need to be checked out – and that includes power texting on both sides, if those votes actually made it into the count. But the accusations that people who didn’t vote for Adam are homophobic is asinine and it’s getting old.
As for my apparent “trying to get along” approach? I don’t think I ever said I’m trying to get along. In fact, I’m sure my attitude ticks people off, but I don’t care. I’m sick and tired of the rampant, narrow-minded – and let’s face it, anti-gay AND anti-Christian – attitudes that permeate our culture, from people who use any opportunity to start a debate. If you’re referring to my comments to another reader addressing his accusation that because of my faith I’m homophobic, that’s not a “trying to get along” approach. That’s letting someone who doesn’t know me know where I stand on the issue. Trust me, I get blasted from Christians because I don’t condemn all homosexuals to hell, and from homosexuals because I’m a Christian. I’m used to people misinterpreting me, ignoring what I say to follow their own preconceived notions, and generally arguing for the sake of arguing.
Both sides need to chill out and recognize that everything doesn’t need to be turned into a fight about being gay and Christian. And everyone who is worked up about this voting issue needs to step back into reality and recognize that American Idol is a TV show. Singers sang, people voted, someone won. Since Idol has rules, I’m assuming they enforced those rules, and if they didn’t I’m assuming they’re looking into the issue. Unless I hear otherwise, it’s over.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

38 million votes from a state with a total population of 3 million? Ya no voter fraud there. Oh wait…the station retracted that report without providing the supposed additional information and that’s just fine with everyone.
How was the report in error? was it only 37 million or 36 million or was the reporting wrong because there were actually 47 million votes from a state of 3 million people? who knows ?
Did AT&T violate the rules and did voter fraud occur ? yes without question.
Now, exactly how many votes came out of Arkansas ?

Update: Here’s the official statement, released Wednesday, from FremantleMedia North America, 19 Entertainment and FOX Broadcasting Company:
“FOX and the producers of AMERICAN IDOL are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate and verified. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol. We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition.”
http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/

Once Danny Gokey was eliminated I expected Kris Allen to win really. The votes of Gokey supporters had to go somewhere, right? So where did anyone think they would end up? Surely not to Adam Lambert. The win was a sad moment for me as well. For I am a die hard Lambert fan. But I have to admit that Allen did grow on me a little week, by week as he steadily got better & better. Whatever, in a way it’s better Lambert didn’t win. Now he is able to branch out on his own & won’t forever be owned by A.I. They are both amazing, & I hope that Kris Allen will just be able to enjoy his moment.

Thanks for that statement from Idol. The reason we see that guy come out during the show and verify the results is because there’s an auditing company who verifies the votes. I had a feeling if they have rules in place about a certain # of votes from a phone line allowed, they have a way to monitor that.
Thanks!!!
Joanne
host of the GS blog

I was a Lambert fan, but was happy when Kris won. Adam is going to be a star, with or without an AI win. The publicity American Idol generates for its contestants provided a big boost for his career and for Kris’.
Kris didn’t make much of an impression on me at first, but he always turned in solid performances, even if they weren’t as attention-getting as Adam’s, and I noticed a very steady improvement week by week in his craftsmanship. Kris obviously paid attention to the advice he was receiving and worked hard to better his singing. That’s the mark of a true professional. Maybe he’ll get as much attention as Adam in the coming years, maybe not, but he will have a long and successful career. You can’t beat making a living doing what you love. Kris Allen is a great artist and a lovely young man, and I wish him all the best. Go, Kris!

How silly! Adam & Kris have maintained that they are friends and don’t feel that there was any real competition with each other.
This is American Idol NOT Survivor. As has been said both will have great careers.
I am an openly gay man (much older than Adam or Kris). Is Adam gay? I don’t know..it would be nice but I don’t really care. I figure he’s a California metrosexual.
Is any other old fart interested in going to an American Idol concert?

Most American Idol’s first albums sell very well, the problem is after one or two album’s their sales start a downward spiral. Probably due to a new season of AI the old contestants are soon forgotten.
Clay Aiken
1st album 2,783,000
2nd…….1,370,000
3rd………529,000
4th………160,000
5th………..3,400
Josh Gracin
1st album 701,000
2nd……..78,000
Taylor Hicks
1st album 703,000
2nd………4,400
Bo Bice
1st album 672,000
2nd……..62,000
Kellie Pickler
1st album 802,000
2nd…….221,898
Kelly Clarkson
1st 2,720,000
2nd 6,070,000
3rd…791,000
4th…581,018

Greenman, I think you’d be surprised how many “old farts” will be at the concerts, LOL! Great analogy about Idol NOT being Survivor. That sums it up very well.
Thanks!
Joanne
host of the GS blog

Fox 16 did not retract anything.
They issued a correction stating that incorrect information was given to them. They did not retract that the incorrect information came from ATT nor did they retract that the initial number given to them (Fox16) was 38 million votes.
It sounds like ATT made the retraction and told Fox 16 to correct.
People need to learn to read and to characterize statements correctly.
There was NO retraction.

I just have to say: Adam DID get ROBBED. And I CANNOT STAND when the individuals supporting the opposition of Lambert – has to just stamp the ole “we’re sore losers” cliche on us…When in fact…it goes deeper than that…LET’S FACE IT: ADAM LOST CUZ HE IS GAY. Up until is admission of his homosexuality–he was brining in the votes…But when the pics were found online of him kissing a man, he then admitted he’s gay–for which he then LOST votes…So you don’t have to be a bloody rocket scientist to figure out that the voting schema for American Idol is biased…Cuz C’MON…THAT STATE REELED IN KRIS’S VOTES CUZ OF THE POWER TEXTS…THEY’RE A BUNCH OF BIBLE THUMPERS THAT due to their rigid beliefs, they are willing to let someone’s sexual orientation override the man’s ability to perform/sing…They INTEREFERED WITH THE TRUE RESULTS…It almost makes me SICK. So OF COURSE KRIS FANS flip the script, by saying we’re just SORE losers…However, in addition–I thought that Kris got many votes for having a cute baby face, that all the 11-15yr. olds swoon over…Therefore, kiddies will sit on their phone for 2 hours ringing A.I. in favor to vote for Kris…And not for nuthin…but Kris has a generic voice. GEEZUS, IF IT WERE LEFT TO THE PROFESSIONAL PANEL—> ADAM WOULDDA WON. SO THERE YA HAVE IT…KRIS WON BY THE FEAR & IGNORANCE OF VOTERS IN THE BIBLE STATES…NOT BY HIS(lack thereof) talent.

Adam IS the American Idol!!!!!
Kris is the Arkansas Idol

If this is the case then David ARchuleta should have been given the
title for season 7. Clearly everyone knows that his popularity through out the world confirms he is the true American idol. It was
transparent that during season 7 that the votes were rigged. Many
fans could attest to their own experience when voting for David their
votes went to cook. Idol people are very crooked straight from England and have been fooling the American people with their shenanigans. It won’t be too long now before they are literally found out. Why do you think that Simon and Paula want out. They don’t want
to be caught in the middle of this. They just want to take their money and run. They both knew what was going on with the votes regarding Archuleta and now Lambert. This show should be fined and taken off. Yes, If Lambert is given the title so should David Archuleta. Fair is fair.

AMERICAN IDOL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DUMBASSIFICATION OF AMERICA