[Palladin]

OK--so the producers knew. Guess thay thought it didn't matter. What is this show...America's Favorite Punk?

From mtv.com:

Twenty-nine-year-old Bice, widely considered a favorite to win the fourth season of "American Idol" (see " 'American Idol' Recap: Anthony Tugs Heartstrings, Pulls Off Celine Dion"), will continue to compete.

"The information disclosed on various salacious gossip Web sites regarding Bo Bice's past was already well-known to FOX and the producers of 'American Idol,' " a show spokesperson said in a statement. "From the beginning, Bo was honest and forthcoming in revealing his previous indiscretions and their outcome."
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Hah! Are we a "salacious gossip website?"

[Netizen]

I'm not sure just how much we should be willing to accept regarding arrests. Do we also accept rapists, murders, as long as they have good voices? I just don't know where the line should be drawn.

Maybe the producers of AI should highlight these arrests and the changes these people have made in their lives, to show that people can change and overcome adversity, rather than trying to pull a fast one on the public by hiding the arrests.