Replies

It's not looking good for ole Ruben. It's not that I want to see him fail, but I do wonder . . . what were they (producers) thinking when they pushed him so shamelessly as the winner-to-be?

I guess he is what they were looking for!

CLAY VERSUS CLINTON STYLE
By J. Grant Swank, Jr.
May 28, 2003, 00:15

Email this article
Printer friendly page

Granted. There were conflicting reports concerning the votes from American Idol. Ooops.

Ratings flew off the charts. Voters called in till their fingers fell off. Twenty-four million callers couldn’t be wrong. Or could they? Or could those who were doing the tallying be incorrect? In other words, what’s with adding without calculators?

Or could have enthusiasts been dialing the wrong number?

Clay supporters were not happy faced when American Idol host Ryan Seacrest changed figures during the TVcast. Seacrest said that Ruben topped by winning over Clay with a mere 1,335 votes.

Seacrest also announced that the number came to a 50.28 percent pitch.

But after further investigation — with much media attention attending same — the company overseeing the voting glut states that it oversaw more than 240,000 misdialed call-ins. There were those trying to make connection with American Idol who missed the connection.

Marketing manager for the company said that his workers handled 169,382 calls for Clay and 72,114 calls for Ruben. What goes there?

Cinergy Communications has voice-mail support as part of its telecommunications services. CC found out that calls were in fact going to a church in Franklin TN!

But there were not just a few calls going to the House of God, a quarter of a million were flooding the church. Not that the pastor wasn’t pleased with the inquiries; but he would have been happier if they had been desiring spiritual help rather than voting for a star singer.

The church’s phone number was simply one button off from the American Idol toll-free figure. Ooops major.

In the meantime, count on Clay Aiken, the diplomat as well as super vocal chords, to come through on the side of personality and integrity and good sportsmanship.

While Fox spokesman Scott Gorgin told media that "we can’t be responsible for people who dial the wrong number," Clay refused to kick up dust, go for a lawsuit and spoil America’s fun celebration over a Ruben win.

Whew. If only a Clinton could have been molded in the likes of a Clay we could have saved a nation angst in the last presidential election.

Oh well, not all are singers par excellence. Nor individuals of outstanding personal quality.

J inks 'Idol' winner Studdard; Aiken joins RCA
May 23, 2003

"American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard has signed to Clive Davis' J Records, and runner-up Clay Aiken will join the first "Idol" winner, Kelly Clarkson, on RCA Records. The RCA Music Group, which includes J Records and RCA Records, has exclusive rights to sign the stars from the "Idol" franchise. The label's close ties with the show stem from its parent company BMG's long-standing relationship with "Idol" creator Simon Fuller. Additionally, Fremantle Media, the TV production arm of BMG parent Bertelsmann AG, partnered with Fuller's 19 Entertainment Group to create the show. Davis, who founded J Records and is chief of the RCA Music Group, will executive produce Studdard's full-length debut, with Fuller consulting. The release will hit stores in September. Studdard's first single, "Flying Without Wings," will be released June 3. RCA Records will release Aiken's debut single, "This Is the Night," on June 10. About 33.7 million people tuned in Wednesday to watch Fox's "American Idol" finale. About 24 million fans voted for the winner, with about 130,000 votes separating Studdard and Aiken. Studdard joins such artists as Annie Lennox, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, Luther Vandross and Busta Rhymes on the J Records roster. (Tamara Conniff)

What's Next For Clay Aiken? 'Idol' Finalist Makes Return Visit To WRAL
Aiken Set To Start Recording Album In L.A.

POSTED: 2:00 p.m. EDT May 30, 2003
UPDATED: 3:50 p.m. EDT May 30, 2003

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The frenzy over "American Idol" is not about to slow down anytime soon for Raleigh's Clay Aiken.

"I'm perfectly happy with the outcome. I've turned out OK myself," Aiken said of finishing second in the "American Idol" competition.

After making the rounds in New York for a week, Aiken is back in town and stopped by the WRAL Studios to say thanks to his fans and clear up the controversy over the final "American Idol" vote.

"It really hasn't slowed down yet. I think we've been been busier since the show's been over than I think when we were doing it," he said.

Aiken finished second in the television singing competition to Ruben Studdard of Birmingham, Ala.

Since the "American Idol" finale on May 21, Aiken has been in the Big Apple, making appearances on numerous television programs, including the "CBS Early Show," "Regis and Kelly" and "Larry King Live."

So what has Aiken to say about the controversy over phone voting?

"The controversy concerns me, because being part of the show for as long as I was, I'm very aware of how difficult it was for people to get through, but that's because so many people were voting. People were voting for Ruben, too, and I'm 100 percent confident -- 115 percent confident -- that everything was done fairly. Ruben got 130,000 more votes than me and that's perfectly understandable. It was hard to get through in Raleigh because, hopefully, most of Raleigh was voting for me," he said with a big smile.

Hundreds of well wishes sent in to WRAL.com's Clay Aiken Fan Forum were printed and presented to Clay during his visit. He thanked everyone who took time to write and said he and his mother will enjoy reading them.

What he has trouble believing is all the support has -- from the 8,000 fans who watched the final show at the RBC Center -- "I was completely blown away" -- to the hundreds of well-wishes sent in to WRAL.com.

So what is next?

Aiken is headed back to New York City where he and Studdard will perform at Giants Stadium Sunday. Then the duo is off to Toronto to help promote the Canadian version of "Idol." The they head back to Los Angeles to start recording their respsective albums, which are scheduled for release in August or September.

Aiken and Studdard each have a CD single coming out June 10.

"It was going to be "This is the Night," then the response was so good for "Bridge Over Troubled Water" that we decided to change it," he said.

Aiken and Studdard became close friends during the competition and that friendhip continues to strengthen despite their busy schedules.

"I talk to him every day," Aiken said. "I talked to him last night as I was headed to a movie and I said, 'I called you this afternoon and you didn't call me back.'"

Aiken returns to Raleigh August 6 with Studdard and other "Idol" finalists for the sold out "American Idols Live!" tour at the RBC Center.

Not bad for a guy who did not win the title, but ended up with a whole lot more.

"I'm perfectly happy with the outcome. I've turned out OK myself," he said.

Previous Stories:
May 26, 2003: Raleigh's Clay Aiken Taking Bite Out Of Big Apple
May 22, 2003: Clay Fans Wonder If There Is Conspiracy Theory With 'American Idol'
May 22, 2003: Raleigh's Clay Aiken Falls Short Of 'American Idol' Title
May 21, 2003: Clay's Fame Brings Awareness To Autism
May 19, 2003: Clay-Maniacs Get Ready For Wednesday's 'American Idol' Final
May 17, 2003: Clay Aiken CD Single Tops Amazon's Sales List
May 16, 2003: Raleigh Mayor Declares May 16 'Clay Aiken Day'
May 14, 2003: Clay vs. Ruben: Idol Finals Set
May 9, 2003: 'Idol' Finalist Clay Aiken Proves He Is A Winner

Reporter: Laurie Clowers

ping!

Simon Cowell Quits American Idol

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has shocked producers of the hit TV talent show by quitting - because he doesn't want to be famous anymore.

The British music mogul, famed for his cutting criticisms of contestants, has reportedly had many acting and presenting offers after becoming a star on the first two series of American Idol - but he insists he has had enough of appearing on the small screen.

He explains, "I want to produce rather than be on screen."

Photo Copyright Anthony