AT&T power text scandal: Will there be an 'American Idol' recount?
Did AT&T influence the outcome of this season's "American Idol"?
And should there be a new vote?
The New York Times is reporting an "American Idol" hanging chad: One of the biggest corporate sponsors of "American Idol" might have influenced the outcome of the competition between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.
How? By providing phones for free text-messaging services and lessons in casting 'power text' votes at parties organized by Allen's fans.
AT&T is the only service that can be used to cast "American Idol" votes via text message. And they supplied free power text-messaging at two parties in Arkansas after the final episode of "American Idol" last week.
So far, no reports of similar parties and free texting services to supporters of Adam Lambert.
Since then, angry Lambert supporters have flooded online sites with complaints.
In a statement issued Tuesday, a spokesman for AT&T said, "In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested."
AT&T helped Allen fans on sending 10 or more text messages at the press of a single button.
What do you think? Should there be another finale show and another vote?
Recount, anyone?
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Photo credit: WireImage
This is awful-Adam should have won. There should be a recount. Adam should have had the same advantages. RECOUNT!
YES, Deffo need a new Vote, Adam was the one who TRULY deserved to win!
Absolute disgrace. The entire world knows Adam won. Outside of America it is impossible to find someone who thinks Kris should have won
Seems a bit unfair, i don't use AT&T and tried to phone my votes in and couldn't get through for 2 hours... while kris fans were sending 10 votes every few seconds...
This is a damn shame. Adam Lambert fans are still bitter that some underdog overtook him. Here's a little advice --- Get.the.hell.over.it. There are way more important things to think about than some singing competition that has been always questionable. People voted many times for past AI winners, but you didn't see the fans of the runnerups complaining either. If the Lambert fans cared enough for him to win, they would have done the same damn thing. It's stupid for AI to allow people to vote more than once. But what's knew? Instead of trying to discredit Kris and vent over a show that has been over for a week, try doing something productive this summer. Kris won. Adam didn't. A recount won't even change that. What a waste of time, Lambert fans. bitter. Ugh!
I got so tired of people saying no gay guy was going to win American Idol.
Now we know why: AT&T conspired against Adam Lambert.
Rigged, fraudulent, and homophobic.
American Idol are there "No Boundaries" to your competition?
Yes, there should be a recount. It doesn't have to necessarily be another nationwide vote. The votes can actually be "filtered" using query language etc. For those who cast thousands and thousands of votes, they should only be allowed so many... that goes for both Kris's and Adam's fans alike. As a sponser/partner of American Idol, AT&T should have not have influenced the outcome by providing Power Texting lessons, phones, and free text messaging to mass Kris Allen fan groups. I would like to see a full breakdown of the actual votes. How many votes were there per unique phone number (texting and calls)? That would show you just how much powertexting incidents such as this influenced the final outcome of American Idol.
SHAME on AT&T!!! American Idol can EASILY get more honest and decent sponsors! There needs to be a RECOUNT!
Really?! Don't people have something more important to get worked up about?
Adam will be fine - he's got the world at his feet and consider this: He got all of the exposure by making it to the finals, yet he's not forced to release that horrible "No Boundaries" song, which - let's face it - Adam nor Kris would sing if they had a choice.
Time to move on, people. Look away from the hypnotizing enchantment box in your living room and focus your energies on positive things and helping people in need. While he may appreciate your sentiments, Adam doesn't need or want your help.