American Idol Producer Fires Back At Howard Stern

« Fijian Dance On Survivor Fiji | Home | American Idol Fans Blame Tongue Ring, Sanjaya, and HaleyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Legs For Gina GlocksenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Elimination »

American Idol Producer Fires Back At Howard Stern

April 5, 2007 03:31:00 by Joe Blackmon

In a recent New York Times article, Howard Stern was given much of the
credit for helping to support a vote for the worst campaign that has
allegedly helped to keep Sanjaya Malakar in the American Idol competition. Stern was quoted in the article as saying “All of us are routing ‘American Idol.’ It’s so
great. The No. 1 show in television and it’s getting ruined.”

Now, American Idol producer Ken Warwick has fired back at Howard Stern. In a recent media conference call, Warwick addressed the effect that he thought Howard Stern and websites like Vote For The Worst might be having on keeping Sanjaya in the competition. Warwick said “Very minimal to be truthful. There is very little hype anybody can do that will affect the vast numbers of votes that we get.”

Ken Warwick also went on to take a shot directly at Howard Stern. Warwick said “I think if every single person that listened to Howard Stern voted, the gap above and below Sanjaya is so big, that it swallows that up and it doesn’t affect the outcome at all.” By making this comment, Warwick seemed to be bragging about the size of American Idol’s audience in comparison to the number of Howard Stern’s listeners.

Later in the media call, Warwick made another comment apparently aimed directly at Howard Stern. Warwick said “And as for radio shows getting behind people and saying, “Vote for them and don’t vote for them and let’s spoil the program by not voting for this ,,” whatever, generally speaking, it’s almost impossible. I can’t comprehend the numbers, to comprehend 40 million telephone calls even. If you actually think about it, you think, “My God, it’s huge.” There is very little at this point, thank goodness, that can affect any of the votes that would actually change the actual positions of anybody.”

But is Ken Warwick correct in his assertion that Howard Stern would not be able to affect the vote? What impact Howard Stern might be having could very easily be seen if Fox and American Idol would simply release the exact voting totals each week. However, when asked why American Idol didn’t reveal more details about the vote, Warwick said “Because it can sway people, basically, it’s not necessary and it’s all completely arbitrated. Part in the fact, it’s an independent company. It’s overseen by Fox standards and practices as well. We find out about 2:00 in the morning what the final result is. It’s checked. It’s double-checked and that’s it. It’s not the sort of thing we would allow the media and everybody to be interfered with or lay things open.”

Even more curious, Warwick went on to claim, “I believe Fox makes the actual results week-on-week public knowledge after the end of the series. But it’s not something that we would get into while we’re actually doing the show.” However, Reality TV Magazine as well as likely several others have requested this information in the past after the American Idol finale, and Fox would not release the information.

Reality TV Magazine is
your source for American Idol news. For
other great American Idol news, please also check out SirLinksALot: American Idol.

Topics: American Idol |

« Fijian Dance On Survivor Fiji | Home | American Idol Fans Blame Tongue Ring, Sanjaya, and HaleyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Legs For Gina GlocksenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Elimination »

27 Responses to “American Idol Producer Fires Back At Howard Stern”

Frank the voice Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 5:57 am
Actually, this is completely plausible. I keep hearing how Sirius has 8 million subscribers, but it begs the question of how many of them stick around. How many people are actual subscribers and listen to Howard? I don’t believe for a minute that everyone who has a live Sirius receiver is listening to Stern and following his orders on whom to vote for. I know Howard wants us all to believe that he is controlling the whole Sirius subscriber base, but there is no way he is. Remember this is the King of Hype.

If Fox released the weekly voting numbers we could see how many votes Sanjaya actually gets then subtract the perceived “Howard/VFTW” influence. In the end I don’t think it makes much of a difference. The TV ratings say that millions are watching, and that number is substantially larger than number of Sirius subscribers. So the impact could and probably is marginal.

I really think people are tired of the judges allowing some questionable talent through and now have the perfect poster boy to send that message. Next season I hope they put through the overall best and not the best in the demo we want to pursue and surround them with weaker talent to ensure we get what we want in the end. The other solution is to do what Dancing with the Stars and Rockstar does. Let the judges have some kind of input on the elimination and not just leave it 100% public vote.
Larry Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 6:44 am
AMERICAN IDOL HAS LOST! Ken Warwick is stuck with a monster problem, trying to defend the out of control, and now laughing in our faces, Sanjaya and his arrogant attitude we see each week. They are stuck with this problem, called Sanjaya, the WORST SINGER in AI history, to get throught to the final 12! He wanted ratings from this scandal and he got them.. now it HAS ALREADY cost his show its Credibility, and no matter what he says at this point, keeping the HAIR BOY around has ruined this show, it will never be the same again. THANK YOU Mr Ken Warwick for thinking we were all so stupid! Good luck with you next project AI is over! And should be!! VFTW I support you! Howard.. keep it up, Ken Warwick is scared!
Chris Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 7:06 am
It is so eaasy to get Sanjaya in. Stern has about 6 million fans, but even if 1 million voted, it would still be enough. Without even trying I voted 30+ times in like 30 minutes and I am just one person.
Chris Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 7:08 am
It is so eaasy to get Sanjaya in. Stern has about 6 million fans, but even if 1 million voted, it would still be enough. Without even trying I voted 30+ times in like 30 minutes and I am just one person.
Paul Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 7:24 am
It’s greed that created this problem in the first place. If Fox would just limit the vote to one per phone number (which they could easily do with caller id, etc.) then they would take the power away from the people who vote multiple times. But they love to brag about the 40 million votes they get so that it looks like they have a larger audience than they do. I think Haley will be “Sanjaya’d” off the show next week!
Ella Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 7:29 am
This “Sanjaya Mania” is taking it’s toll. I don’t believe this is actually happening to the show….Are you sooooo deaf America??? Why is Sanjaya still around? He is just annoying!!! This is insane!
Mad at America Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Sanjaya is a mess. He works the crowd mainly heartbroken young girls. They run their cell phone bills up by texting over & over again.
Roseanne Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 8:16 am
This is a real shame what is happening on American Idol, there were so many good idols that went home while that idiot Sanjaya is still around. And to watch his family act so happy as if they don’t know what is happening. Come on America let’s fight back and get this show back on track or we may not see this show again next year. Start voting your butts off for the good idols.
Unbelievable Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Warwick should have blamed Stern. It would be good to shift the blame, because AI has lost its credibility with this viewer. I no longer watch Tuesday performances…just try to catch the Wednesday results. If Stern isn’t the cause of Sanjaya’s longevity, it is difficult to take comfort in AI’s ability to produce a reality talent search. Viewers came to love the unexpected disappointments (persons voted off) of previous seasons, but Sanjaya’s continued appearances has taken away the very thing that has sustained the popularity of the show. Warwick shouldn’t boast about Stern not affecting the show voting results, because the growing discontent among some viewers regarding the worst performer to make the top 10 may be the demise of his show.
Mudshark Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Sorry Roseanne, but NONE of the final 12 contestants are, or were any good. After sifting thru America for anyone who was wiling to take this ‘final shot’ at fame using only their voice and looks for what…5 years now? this crop of ‘talent’ is the worst. If the show were to take a country music turn, then MAYBE it would last, since my cat has enough talent to be a country music singer. But, alas, this show is over. The ratings they are getting can be compared to the way the corpse of a squirrel thrashes around after it is hit by a car…it’s dead, but it dosen’t know it yet. Chris is also correct…in a recent poll on Howard Stern’s website, 46% of the respondants said they would vote for Sanjaya multiple times. While this is not scientific, if we assume that out of over 6 million Sirius subscribers, 1 million listen to Howard, and 46% of them vote 30 times, that is 13.8 million votes! Even the talentless puppet Seacrest claimed 33 million votes this week, making Howard’s influence almost 42% of the total vote!! Not to mention the influence of VFTW dot com and the people who actually LIKE Sanjaya!! Keep claiming it’s irrelavent….you may even believe it yourself someday!
Kayla Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 8:58 am
the whole thing is set up anyway. they could kick him off even without the votes. and i think people are stupid enough to “vote for the worst” get real people, why would you vote for somebody that you dont like anyway–to see the “noneating girl” get sick, or to see if he wins, he wont win, simply because the show picks the people anyway when it gets down to it AND if he does win, its simply because they want the show to be canceled. i havent missed a season yet but i am starting not to care–people have to much time on their hands to “vote for the worst”, create a website, and stop eating…get real people!
Stern iz King Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 9:04 am
if stern has 3.5 million listeners and 500,000 vote 20 times thats 10 million votes for one person
Lynda Whiting Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 9:44 am
It’s the producers who put people like Sanjaya and Antonella on the show. When are THE PRODUCERS going to quit casting like a reality show and just put TALENT forward?
T.F. Otmi Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Mudshark nailed it…even when low-balling the percentages, it is simply naÃ¯ve to think that Howard and VFTW are not having an effect…The Fact of the matter is, Howard DOES have some impact…will it be enough to get Sanjaya to the TOP??? Time will tell…but I still think that Sanjaya WILL be YOUR next American Idol…VOTE SANJAYA!!!!!
thesternshownetwork.com Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Howard has listeners that arent even subscribing to sirius and still voting. On top of that vftw has said they get over a million hits a day. and over 3 or 4 million during vote night. SanJaya is my next american idol.
HOWARD STERN RULEZ!
larr Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
NUDE PHOTOS OF SANJAYA’S SISTER!!! SCANDAL!!! http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272612526.shtml
WhiteOwl Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Oh please!Stern might have a lot of listeners but that doesn’t mean they all vote and even if they did so what.The show has tons of fans and that is justa ss many as Stern fans and VFTW cast.as for VFTW I call bullcrap they don’t have an impact on the votes.The reason that Sanjaya is advancing is because he does have fans-real fans.Don’t sweat it Sanjaya will be gone in a fews weeks.This always happens to the teenieboppers heart throb”.
Jack Meihoffer Says:
April 6th, 2007 at 12:41 am
That American Idol producerâ€™s statements are not credible or believable. His claim that AI releases the vote totals after the season is over is completely untrue, and his claim that Stern’s audience couldn’t have any effect is also not credible. With 40 million total votes spread out between 9 contestants, it would take less than 1 million votes to move a contestant up one place in the rankings and it would take less than 6 million votes to move a contestant from 9th place into the top three so it would only take 250,000 Stern fans (a small fraction of Stern’s millions of listeners on Sirius satellite radio) voting 25 times each to move the last place contestant into the top three.

AIâ€™s producers may be trying to perpetuate the myth that 40 million different people are voting for the AI contestants. In reality it’s somewhere between 1 and 4 million people, most of whom probably vote ten or more times each. With a small voting population like that, a few hundred thousand of Sternâ€™s audience can and does affect the vote results.
skee Says:
April 6th, 2007 at 7:35 am
LOL @ all of the hype over no-talent Michael Jackson wannabe creep “Welcome to the Universe of Sanjaya.” Bottom line is Simon, Paula & Randy are the ones to blame for putting that freak on the show in the first place. This is the least talented group of AI contenders in its history and certainly the most boring. Doubt I’ll stick around to the end.
rox Says:
April 6th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
puhlease. what about the dude who won last year? is there really a significant quality differential between sanjaya and that guy? i can’t believe how prissy people are about the integrity of the vote on american idol. anyone remember the 2000 presidential election?
The Mad Ranter Says:
April 6th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Ken Warwick - what a sniveling, ungrateful jerk. Stern has done nothing but support American Idol during its run. He loves the show and has weekly discussions about the show while it is on. Idol gets free plugs to millions of people every week. The arrogance of Ken Warwick to come out and bash Stern and discredit the votes garnered from his audience is sickening. American Idol is a giant and certainly can’t actually be ruined even if this joke, Sanjaya, did win the whole thing. It’s free publicity and support from the King of all Media. Get over yourself and be glad Howard talks daily about this show to a demographic that American Idol otherwise wouldn’t usually appeal to. I really hope the listening public listens closely and hears what the producer from Idol is saying. If the entire audience from the most successful radio show in history can’t influence the vote by voting…then their single votes certainly don’t mean a thing. I hope everyone gradually quits voting and can see through the BS. I also wish Stern would quit promoting this thankless show. I officially want Idol to die. This kind of thing is just spitting in the face of fans.
Deb Says:
April 6th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
American Idol is finally focusing on AFRICA in their “Idol Gives Back” show on April 24. The irony of it all is that Clay Aiken, a high profile Idol, has already gone over to Africa (N. Uganda) as a UNICEF ambassador. He went on a fact finding mission and has also gone to Banda Aceh and will be going to another country in the upcoming weeks on behalf of UNICEF and helping children. If you want to see Clay and other celebrities who have gone over to Africa to help generate awareness…go to this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElY4jqFabXg

Everyone needs to stop “Waiting On The World To Change” and do something now. Africa really needs your help.
emily Says:
April 7th, 2007 at 1:33 am
I do not care whoever will win but Lakisha is way too fat and ugly! I woudn’t want to watch a fat and ugly woman singing on the stage! I would rather watch sanjay who seemed more entertaining than Lakisha!
Emily Says:
April 7th, 2007 at 1:36 am
Some of you in here would rather watch a fat and ugly woman lika Lakisha singing on the stage? uggh!
sanjaya fan Says:
April 8th, 2007 at 10:42 am
the sanjaya/howard stern movement is picking up full steam hahahahaha
sanjaya fan Says:
April 8th, 2007 at 10:43 am
get sirius !!!!!!!!!!!!!
www.lake-shore.co.uk Says:
October 11th, 2007 at 10:22 am
is so eaasy to get Sanjaya in. Stern has about 6 million fans, but even if 1 million voted,

Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.