So, what about the guy who picked the American Idol?

[valkyrie]

First, let me say that I am blissfully ignorant with respect to the phenomenon of American Idol. I never watched the show, and have no clue about any of it. However, on the radio this morning, I heard something interesting. Apparently, there was an article in the Globe (I know) about a guy in Texas who single-handedly picked off contestants one by one and determined the outcome of the whole show. So these guys from the radio station called this guy, Roy McCoy, who is in his 70s if I recall correctly. He explained that with the help of telemarketing equipment capable of making hundreds of thousands of calls per minute, he basically determined who would be the winner. He even acknowledged that some woman (Tamira or something like that -- like I said, I have no idea) was much better than the woman who won, but he picked the woman who won because she was from Texas. He even said that he called the show or the station or somewhere and told them what he was doing, but nobody believed him and they all called him stupid and/or crazy.

Has anyone else heard about this? Fans of the show, what do you think? If it's true, do you feel cheated? Duped? Pissed off that you watched when all along Roy McCoy from Texas was running the show?

[AlphaSigLana]

The girl's name is Tamyra. There was a thing on the news that people could determine who won based on the calling system that you mentioned. But that guy alone didn't do it there were many people that did it. I called many times on my cell phone and no I don't feel duped bc some people could call more. I felt all a long (at least for the finals) that Tamrya or Kelly shoudl win. Also the contestants signed a contract with Fox that whomever is in charge is allowed to cast the final vote in case of an emergency-- such as the phones go out. there is a tie etc.
I mainly watched the show bc I liked how Simon was so honest and then I really got into it bc I wanted ot iknow who was cut, but the last few weeks weren't as fun-- not enough drama I guess.

[Rudey]

I didn't really watch the show but I read an article on this. They said that in the end no matter how many people called with these machines they couldn't affect or sway the vote much so it was never an issue.

-Rudey

[Kevin]

I always had a conspiracy theory that that Nicki chick had hired a telemarketing company to get her through the contest.... It's a POP star contest folks... It's not real anyhow!

Pop stars don't write their own music -- they're just overpaid broadway singers.