Matt Drudge seems to be getting a kick outta this ABC vs. Fox slap-fight over ABC's investigation of American Idol.
The headline in the screenshot above, which will take you to the Drudge Report if clicked, is from his first newsflash yesterday, May 1. This morning, May 2, Matt has a new headline for what appears to be the same article; BATTLE: FOX REFUSES TO ANSWER ABC QUESTIONS ON 'IDOL'.
Don't get me wrong; I like Matt Drudge in spite of himself; he is the 8,000 lb. gorilla of the internet news machine. He has spawned countless imitators who will never come close to his volume of traffic nor his status in pop culture as the man whose name is synonymous with internet news. For a blogger like me, his site is a boon when it comes to researching online sources for entries in my true-crime weblog, The Dark Side of Planet Huff. Love him or hate him, he is a kind of genius. His radio show, broadcast nationwide Sunday nights, is one part Walter Winchell, one part Tokyo Rose for the Republican hegemon, with dashes of Orson Welles from his Martian Invasion radio theater heyday. Matt is universally and sometimes delightfully rude to his callers and never met a stretch of dead air he didn't like — he's in love with that old pregnant pause-for-effect. Somehow, it's still entertaining. Even if I was one of those people who think he's virtually a Joseph Goebbels for the Right, always priming the pump on the hate machine that seeks a solution to the "liberal" question — and I don't really think that's what Drudge is all about — I'd still like him if for no other reason than he will occasionally give big plugs to my favorite radio talker, that bald poster child for the funny side of dissociative identity disorder (multiple personalities), Phil Hendrie.
I like Drudge and respect his monolithic status in the internet news game, but I have to ask — where's the real fire in this story?
A number of people who read blogcritics are American Idol fans in some fashion, including me. The fact that ABC's "Primetime Live" is investigating the machinations that I never doubted go on behind the scenes at AI was surprising, and worth reporting... but how truly important a story is this?
Article comments
1 - KC
So glad to hear that I'm not the only one freaked out by The Burger King. That thing is much scary than Paula Abdul.
2 - Steve
He's a sign of the end, if you ask me. Just click on the image.
3 - NancyGail
Good heavens, did ABC run of stories to tell? Talk about no need for viewers to see. 22 is hardly baby snatching from the cradle.
4 - Steve
That was my question, Nancy. Who got real bored over there and said hey, let's go after, uh, American Idol?
As a good latino friend of mine used to say, intentionally, "bizarred."
5 - Mike
On April 24th Trenyce, a season 2 finalist posted this letter at her Yahoo Groups site for her fans. She is apparently one of the finalists that was interviewed for the May 4th Primetime Live piece. There may be more to the story than just the Corey/Abdul connection.
Here is the whole Trenyce post to her fans:
"Hey all,
I would first like to just say that I really have a huge sense of responsibility to all of my fans, and that is why you all watching the ABC Primetime show is soooo important.
I am in a position at this moment in my career where I realize that I cannot fully move forward until I have said what needs to be said.
This "marriage" between Idol and I has been long overdue for a "divorce", and with all divorces, it is always good for both parties to be able to sensibly walk away with their integrity, dignity, finances, and belongings all in tact. Anything that is owed should be given, and any apologies that should be made, will be. Some divorces of course, are quick and sweet, but some may cause one or the other to feel the need to be dirty and unfair (usually the party in the wrong).
I am by no means trying to "get back at" the show or project any ill will to come to anyone on the show...All I have ever wanted was a fair chance to do what I love, and share the Gift that God has Blessed me with.
I used to be afraid of the Idol machine just like everyone else, but now I see what my purpose is...no matter if I am walking with some or none on my side.
The ABC show, I believe, has been moved to May 5th (next Thurs.)
I have been seeing little things pop up here and there, including a write up in the Globe magazine for the month of May that discloses a very important part of the whole American Idol scandal, but I ask that you all watch with a mindful eye and an open heart.
I appreciate each of you for reading between the lines early on, and I hope that when this is all over that the right people(me, especially) will be vindicated, and those who were hypocrites will have to answer to a bigger audience. Not being mean or crass, but the truth needs to be known and spoken.
It took a long time for me to get to the point where I could feel good carrying the purpose on my back, but I am a stronger person now than I was on that show, and I owe it to myself, my fans and most importantly God, to do what is right, no matter what it looks like to some!
So, with that being said, I ask that you all continue to pray, because I am sure that the retaliation is coming along with a possible lawsuit, but I am willing to fight that battle as well!
I love you all immensely.
MUAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
TRENYCE"
6 - Steve
Fantastic info in this context, Mike. Thanks.
7 - Al Barger
Well yes, as long as there are millions of people eagerly examining any story Matt Drudge points out to them, then in fact the news is whatever Drudge says it is.
No, this story is not particularly "important" nor is anything to do with AI. Consider these tabloid stories as the spoonful of sugar to go along with stuff about Iraq and budget deficits and pestilence and such what.
8 - Mike
This was posted today by Trenyce.
"Everyone,
I am very sorry to report that the interview will not be aired as scheduled.
The negative energy surrounding the whole Paula and Corey scandal has made it a little impossible for me NOT to look like I am reaching for publicity, and even though my fans know me better than that, the media will probably think otherwise. I was hoping that putting our interviews on different nights would help, but there is just too much drama surrounding this, and lets face it...I don't have a book or CD, etc. to push.
The producers of ABC said that they ran into a problem with trying to get a hold of some very VITAL information, and unfortunately, without it, a key part of my interview can not be aired.
Not that I dont have a story to tell, but I have to be careful not to get sued, and so do they...considering the machine.
Maybe it is just not meant for everyone to know what the truth is right now.
You all have no idea how disappointed I am, because I was hoping to shed some light, but who knows what will happen. Since this has started, I have been asking myself the same question: "Do people really want to know the truth?"
There have been some people actually saying that they DON'T CARE if Corey and Paula had an affair, and that it wouldn't affect the show, and to be quite honest with you, hearing that from this end makes me ask: "What kind of response is that? And when is it okay to tamper with the outcome of a show that is based on craft, votes, talent, includes a record deal, changes your life and not to mention the public?" when clearly there could have been plenty of people in Corey's spot if his allegations are true.
A lot of us take our craft very seriously, and it would just really be a blow to my heart. Not that it would be surprising, but to know that people are willing....before they have any proof...dismiss this because they think that "we" the contestants, have something to prove, or we just want publicity...the lines just become very grey, you know?
Since when does the truth come with a price? I thought it was supposed to set you free? (Talking more about telling my truth about me and my experience on the show! To set the record straight)
I know the things that I KNOW would have people in an uproar.
I will wait and see the evidence first, because I have always been a realist, regardless of what it looks like...I need to hear the facts.
I have been contacted by American Idol to defend Paula and call Corey a liar, and I refused. I was offended by their nerve after all of this time, so to me it looks a little like they are scared and have something to hide.
Clearly, Corey's credibility is not up to par and he is trying to sell his book, I have been contacted already to answer questions about things he wrote about me, so the entire book is not "the truth", and unfortunately he does seem bitter and out for revenge, but does that mean that his ENTIRE story about Paula is a lie?
What I do know is that I don't want to be looked at as the Idol that is bitter, "entitled" and can't move on...which are all things that I have read since this whole ordeal. Especially when that is so far from the truth.
I have decided at this moment to just wait, and continue with my life.
This is a little too much for me right now.
I sincerely apologize to you all.
As always, I will keep you all posted!"
9 - Eric Olsen
thanks very much Mike, what is the URL for this? I couldn't readily find it by searching
10 - Mike
http://groups.msn.com/AllAboutTrenyce/_homepage.msnw?&pps=k
You'll have to join to read it, but its not too hard.
11 - Phillip Winn
Lovely.