Is American Idol voting fair?
Filed under: Technology, Media
Well, I'm glad that's settled. We can all relax now, because American Idol's producers assure us that the voting last week was fair. This despite yesterday's news that AT&T (T) employees provided power-voting lessons and free phones to a party in Arkansas last week for home-state favorite Kris Allen -- while neglecting to do so for Allen's rival, Adam Lambert. If the program's producers wanted to settle the matter, they could release the total number of votes from those Kris party power-voters, and the total number of votes counted.
But Idol did not do that. Instead, Fox and the two production companies, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, issued a statement: "Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol." But not only did Idol's triumvirate decline to release the vote count, it also did not detail whether such power-voting lessons were provided at Idol-viewing parties in previous seasons.
But just in case there was any concern about corrupt elections, Idol wants the world to know that is has independent election monitors -- sort of like former President Jimmy Carter monitoring an election in the Dominican Republic. "We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process," an Idol statement said. "In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition."
Meanwhile, AT&T promises not to favor one contestant over another in the future.
I don't know whether Idol voting is fair or not. I do know that the lines are often busy, which can mean that an intended vote might not actually be cast or counted. But is it fair for Idol judges to announce their preferences for one candidate over another? Who counts the votes each week, and how do they know the count is accurate? Why does Idol allow individuals to cast multiple votes? Why doesn't it simply release the actual vote totals each week?
Perhaps the most important question of all is this: Why does it matter?
Peter Cohan is president of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College. His eighth book is You Can't Order Change: Lessons from Jim McNerney's Turnaround at Boeing. He has no financial interest in AT&T securities.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-28-2009 @ 4:12PM
Harold said...
I wonder why the results for both were not released by American Idol.
If I were involved in the competition I would like to know how many voted for me and how many voted for my opponent.
I really feel that Adam and Kris are fantastic singers, but Adam had the advantage overall.
It is my feeling that because some of the bigwigs with fox there was no way Adam could ever have won.
They like the majority of the nation, unfortunately, are not ready to crown a "GAY AMERICAN IDOL''.
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5-28-2009 @ 4:36PM
linda said...
What irony! Idol is based on viewers' voting; so multiple voting is bias. Think about the people who stand in line or hog all the entry blanks in the store to get -- I don't know -- take your pick -- Wii, gas, etc. Another step towards FARCE. If the show isn't what is expected we could all go back to watching Ed Sullivan or Lawrence Welk or Andy Griffin. Let's move on!
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5-28-2009 @ 4:58PM
Jean said...
If their proclaimed sentiments are true, neither Kris nor Adam are concerned with the outcome. Each has the opportunity to have a brilliant career in the entertainment industry regardless of who was crowned 'Idol.' But for the future, those in power of AI may want to fine tune the voting process if it makes a difference in viewership.
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5-28-2009 @ 5:00PM
hip167 said...
NOPE we are now nor will ever be ready for the complete wrongness of gays in any part of life .the longer they are out of the picture the longer the nation will last as a whole.go back in the closets and stay there forever,noone wants to hear from you or about you on anything
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5-28-2009 @ 6:22PM
nofaux said...
'Scuse me "Hip," just popping out of the closet long enough to suggest you may want to use a spell and grammar checker next time you attempt a coherent statement. Okay, back into the closet with a big smirk on my face.
5-28-2009 @ 5:54PM
Do The Right Thing said...
Idol may be over on TV, but it continues as a bad taste in the mouths of a great number of Idol viewers across America. It definitely speaks volumes and raises doubts and questions when the numbers are withheld – in previous seasons, the margin of victory (in number or percentage) for the winner was announced. Given the latest fiasco, in fairness to Adam and Kris, they both should share the title as “Co-Idol.” Is there anyone big enough to make this happen?
If not, the real question then becomes, “What determines the true “American Idol”? Based on Idol history, the answer is: "$$$" – the one who sells the most albums – that’s the tried and true gold standard! Remember what happened with Clay and Ruben – post-Idol, whom did America support the most in $$$?
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5-28-2009 @ 6:31PM
Max n NC said...
With all the things going on in the world, who gives a crap about American Idol!!
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5-28-2009 @ 6:50PM
Be Real said...
Many people tuned into AI weekly to be entertained, to try to forget "all the things going on in the world" even for an hour. So one can understand how such a questionable final outcome would affect viewers.
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5-28-2009 @ 11:34PM
Salene said...
So many people I know on numerous boards are boycotting American Idol next year and AT&T as well.
1. So many people attempted to vote for Adam .... couldn't get through for some STRANGE reason. Hmmmm
2. People spend a lot of money voting ... but yup the outcome is rigged in advance! AT&T should reimburse all the people who spent money on voting. In fact the public should demand it!
3. DISHONESTY AND LACK OF INTEGRITY IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE!
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5-31-2009 @ 12:08AM
Consumer please complain said...
Basically, people have to stop making it an “Adam” issue, and start making it a consumer rip off issue. The vote was essentially rigged … I mean that’s obvious. AT&T admitted to improprieties in the voting process in Arkansas. This means that there was fraudulent behavior on their part and possibly AI, and consumers may be entitled to get their money back for being falsely enticed into voting (in order for AI and AT&T to suck money out of them of course) with the promise that their votes would count during the AI season and especially the finale. Some people spend a lot of money voting, and for what? IT’S RIGGED FOLKS.
Fraud By Wire is a federal crime, therefore applicable in every state simply by filing a complaint. You can file a complaint on line with the FCC or by submitting a complaint in writing by US Mail to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division 445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
www.fcc.gov.cqb
Complain, as a matter of principle. Why should AI and AT&T not be held accountable?
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6-01-2009 @ 3:56PM
lindsey vansyckle said...
I have to agree with you on this one...after reading this article it kind of made me think outside of the box...maybe they did rig the votes because they didn't want a gay idol....which the very thought of them doing that for that reason really grinds my gears! ugh. That or they just WANTED an upset for rating purposes, in order to keep things unpredictable. Even though Adam isn't the idol i know he'll do fine...i'll be first in line to buy his album when it comes out :)
6-01-2009 @ 12:52PM
RON said...
given all the problems the country is facing. the 2 wars. the economy. why should anyone care about ameican idol?
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6-01-2009 @ 2:39PM
JaX! said...
I think something was definitely NOT right with the voting slate for Adam. I spent 3 hours straight trying to cast my numerous votes for Adam, but never got through. I kept getting a weird (fast) busy signal, a recorded error message, and a very odd (blank-sound) recording, never allowing me to cast any votes for him. I seriously think something was not right. I only wonder how many other people did this happened to, who were not able to cast their votes for Adam?? And was it indeed a set-up?? Either way, I dont think a lot of people got through to cast their votes for Adam Lambert, leaving him to lose the competition. I DEMAND A RE-COUNT OR RE-VOTE!!! Adam was ROBBED!!!! =(
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6-01-2009 @ 6:20PM
Apryl said...
I totally agree with you.Adam had what ,maybe two negative things said about his performances?He was always coming through each week.Some of my friends stopped watching last year due to who won.not that there was anything wrong with Cook,but he wasn't our first choice.I of course came back for more and Adam got burned.Adam will be a star no matter what,but he so deserved that title.
6-01-2009 @ 3:14PM
Blanca Ortiz said...
I don't like kris Allen, to me ADAM LAMBERT should be the American Idol ...if this show is all about talent ADAM got it He is a lot better ...so I hope de best for ADAM LAMBERT
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6-01-2009 @ 3:01PM
DJ Jayito NYC said...
This is just one of those "WHO CARES" stories. When their respective careers pan out the way we all KNOW they will, the true idol will present himself. Popularity contest votes are seldom fair.
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6-01-2009 @ 3:50PM
lindsey vansyckle said...
Whether he was crowned American Idol or not...we all know Adam will do well after all of this no matter what his title may be. I honestly think that the voting should be based on 1 vote per person, maybe they could set up some kind of system so that only one vote per person can be counted. I know that would make things a bit complicated but atleast maybe then things would be more fair. If that didn't work all votiing should be online and then ONE vote per screen name lol..i dont know...but things need to be changed somehow to make it more fair.
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6-01-2009 @ 4:56PM
Jerry6 said...
The "Voting" for the winners and losers on the showsmeans virtually nothing. The only "Voting" that means anything is that of the people that vote with their Dollars, Pounds, Frances, etc when they buy Records, Tapes, and Videos.Heck, I've watched all of the shows and decided myself who the winners are; and I never wasted time trying to telephone in a vote.
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6-01-2009 @ 5:59PM
Marie said...
What does being gay have to do with being talented?....although I felt Danny should have won...Adam's voice was incredible...gay or not...that is none of our business.
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6-01-2009 @ 11:37PM
Do The Right Thing said...
Good point -- American Idol is simply a singing talent competition and Adam was clearly the BEST singer for the entire season! Adam should not be denied the 'Idol,' or at the very least, 'Co-Idol' title!