Almost all of America’s news coverage was short-circuited by the bombshell of bombshells back in the Spring of 2005 when Corey Clark, an ousted contestant on Fox Network’s smash-hit singing contest show, American Idol, told a national television audience on ABC’s Primetime Live that he had engaged in a sexual affair with Idol judge and former pop star Paula Abdul. MTV reports:
[Clark alleged that] during that affair, not only did Abdul help Clark with his look, she helped him pick a song she knew would appeal to fellow judge Randy Jackson, seemingly clearing Clark’s path to becoming a finalist on the 2003 edition of the talent show. These are among the allegations made by Clark in Wednesday night’s sweeps-timed special edition of “Primetime Live” entitled “Fallen Idol.”
After making it to the “Idol” round of 32, Clark — wearing the designer clothes he claims Abdul bought for him and sporting the haircut he contends she paid for — performed the Steve Perry song “Foolish Heart” at Abdul’s alleged urging, trying to secure a spot in the final 12. In archival tape, Jackson was seen boasting of having worked with Journey singer Perry on the song and footage was shown of Jackson onstage performing with Journey. When Jackson brought up the Perry connection following Clark’s performance, the singer responded, “I didn’t know that.”
In search of the ‘Straight Up’ truth
The scandal — probably the biggest one in this country since Teapot Dome — prompted the formation of an independent commission to investigate:
According to FOX, former federal prosecutor Marcell McRae and attorney Ivy Kagan Bierman spent three and a half months reviewing materials provided by Clark and Abdul and interviewing 43 people.
A former U.S. Attorney was called in for three and a half months of work to look into the sex life of the judge of a television show?! I suppose that Idol wants to avoid a Quiz Show situation, though it seems like a scandal of this nature probably only helps add intrigue to the program, and the Primetime special most likely exposed the show to the nine Americans who hadn’t already heard of it. The simple fact is that there have been rumors of hi-jinks on this show since host Ryan Seacrest allegedly incorrectly read the vote totals in the Clay Aiken-Ruben Studdard season to make the final vote seem to be close — like, 2000 Florida close. The show is such a phenomenon that it seems nothing could bring it down.
Clark a ‘Cold Hearted Snake’?
Clark’s claims, which he made in a highly publicized edition of ABC News’ “Primetime Live”, “have not been substantiated by any corroborating evidence or witnesses, including those provided by Mr. Clark,” the statement from FOX read, according to AP. “Ms. Abdul acknowledges that she had telephone conversations with Mr. Clark while he was a contestant. Their accounts of those conversations, however, differ greatly, and no evidence was uncovered to resolve the conflicts in their accounts.”
Abdul was vindicated by the commission’s findings, though unfortunately she did not hold a press conference like the Robert Blake Post-acquittal Shamstravaganza. She did, however, release a statement:
“I’m grateful this ordeal is over, and I’m so looking forward to getting back to the job I love,” Abdul said in a statement, according to The Associated Press.
In other words, she’s once again emboldened by the Promise of a New Day.
America can breathe again.
Nathan Novak at 1:56 pm
Who really cares.American Idol has my wife and kids hooked.They don’t believe anything happened.Only that a “wannabe” wanted to sell a book and make some quick money from a popular show that he couldn’t make it on.He started a loser and now has sunk below that.
Comment by Ted Smth III — August 14, 2005 @ 2:37 am
I love the show, it is the only show on TV that I watch. Everything else stinks on TV. I believed from the beginning that the whole story was untrue. Ms. Abdul seems very dedicated to making this show work and I don’t think she would have jeapordized the show or her position for a fling with someone who looked like him. I think she has way more class than that.
Comment by Jan Wells — August 15, 2005 @ 5:35 am
Paula Abdul is an awesome person. I am so glad that everything is ok,if she wasn’t on Amercan Idol the show would never be the same.I look up to Paula so much.Anyone who doesn’t like her is messed up.
Comment by Cassie Wilson — August 15, 2005 @ 5:59 pm