'American Idol' Fixed? 'Elimination Night' Book Parallels Hit Reality Competition Show

Posted on Dec 17th 2012 6:15PM by Contessa Gayles

As "American Idol" gears up for its twelfth season, a new novel with striking similarities to the hit reality singing competition show is making headlines.

"Elimination Night" is a work of fiction by an anonymous author, but is rumored to have been penned by someone with "firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of a top TV talent show," according to the New York Post. The book's most brow-raising insinuation -- the competition is fixed!

The novel follows Sasha King, an aspiring novelist, as she struggles through her day job as an assistant producer on a shoe called "Project Icon."

According to the Amazon.com description for the book, Sasha's "got her hands full with the show's two new celebrity judges, entrepreneur-actress-singer Bibi Vasquez ('Crew to be forbidden to make eye contact with Artist AT ALL TIMES,' reads her contract) and rock legend Joey Lovecraft, a priapic wild man who doesn't even own a TV (it goes against the teachings of his guru, Tibetan high lama Yutog Gonpo)."

The perpetually feuding Vasquez and Lovecraft apparently have a few things in common with former real-life judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. For example, Vasquez is described as a Queens-born (Bronx) singer, who has dated a gun-toting rapper (Diddy), and was engaged to her "Jinky" ("Gigli") film co-star (Ben Affleck). Coincidence?

There's even mention of departed show producer "Mr. Horrible," who leaves "Project Icon." to launch the rival "The Talent Machine" on the same network. Simon Cowell and "The X Factor," anyone?

In the book, contestants and judges alike are manipulated by the show's producers to up the drama for the sake of TV ratings. Producers also cheat by hiring talent scouts to bring in established singers and sabotage the contestants they want out of the running. Scandal!

"Elimination Night" hits shelves on January 8, 2013.

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Filed under: Rumor Mill, Hot Off the Press

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Vicki

We quit watching the minute Chris Daughtry lost as the 4th place contestant! Are you kidding me? Knew right then and there the whole mess was rigged! Never watched it since that evening. It was the only "reality"- type show we have ever watched. Yes, its true, I have never seen a moment of Survivor or any other reality show! No loss!

December 24 2012 at 6:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Danielle

Of course it's rigged. The last 7 seasons WGWG won? Can anyone even remember the name of the winner who went up against Adam Lambert? Let's see if another WGWG win this season. If so, then we'll know.....yes it is.

December 24 2012 at 4:51 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

The Canoli King

Rigged or not,you gotta love Underwood,and Hudson.

December 24 2012 at 3:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

BettyV

Aren't all of this type shows riggeed?????

December 23 2012 at 11:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kay

You mean that there are actually people out there who believe that it and all of the other "reality shows" are NOT rigged? Grow up people, or wake up and quit smoking those funny cigarettes or what ever else you are using!

December 23 2012 at 9:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

rufus

it is obviously rigged, notice i didn't say maybe. it IS and has been rigged.

December 23 2012 at 8:15 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

omensofaries

Of course it could be rigged, that is, in the number of votes that they claim are casted. It just entertaiment, folks, so don't get all riled over it.

December 23 2012 at 6:12 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

gymbo bogymm

As "American Idol" gears up for its twelfth season, a new novel with striking similarities to the hit reality singing competition show is making headlines,,,,,,this is an attack BY AOL on FOX..American Idol is just a diversion...Rigged??? Fantasia...Studdard.Taylor hicks..just to name four who won...IT IS NOT RIGGED as they imply...to many people involved to rig it...The ony way ou can ''rig'' these shows is by judges attacking a contestant...psychology is used...example..the Voice...Tate was middle aged hhaving to do road work..pavement jobs...he played on the SYMPATHY of people....OBVIOUSLY he was told to KEEP ON pressing his wihes to STOP that hard work for his dream...The girl...great voice...BUT NO ONE WAS GOING to hand her over 5 million bucks because she sang good...someone had to win.DAD,,,this is a cheap article to saell a book and attack FOX>>>OBVIOUSLY

December 23 2012 at 6:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

lthrnck68

In the end, it is just another reality show. Could it be rigged is not the question. The real question is how badly is it rigged. At least this show does produce some legit entertainers.

December 23 2012 at 5:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kent

First, you notice that Fox never posts the vote totals. Second, many polls conducted by people calling or using the Internet limit each phone number of IP address to one vote. Idol has always allowed people to call over and over. Third, if Idol is rigged, then the show's production company and Fox are in trouble. Any sort of show that is based on answering questions or allowing viewers to pick a winner is supposed to be fair. This goes back to the show "21", when the sponser, Revlon Cosmetics, pushed for a contestant to win or lose based on how likeable and telegenic he or she was.

But, if Idol is rigged, then how come Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry lost so early? They have had careers far mor successful than winners such as Taylor Hicks.

December 23 2012 at 4:47 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Kent's comment

hattie54

Jennifer H is way more famous than Chris D is.Chris D has his house on the market and facing a lawsuit by his old bandmates.

December 26 2012 at 4:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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