Controversy in the American Idol camp this week, after suggestions that someone was deliberately putting the wrong voting information on screen. Incorrect call-in numbers were quoted for three contestants,
Mikalah Gordon, Anwar Robinson and Jessica Sierra. A series producer dismissed the allegations of conspiracy. "Why would we contaminate the honesty of one of the top-rated shows in America by fiddling with it?" Ken Warwick asked Wednesday in a telephone news conference.
The mistake was chalked up to human error, and, wouldn't you know it, an independent contracter was responsible for the on-screen display. The original votes were cancelled and new voting conducting in an expanded one hour show on Wednesday night, in which the original performances were repeated.
Executive
Producer Warwick conceded that the program has been dogged by accusations of everything from racism to an anti-overweight bias. but said he feels the contest's honesty has been proven.