American Idol: It's Official - "Porn Idol" Antonella Is Safe
Report and Commentary by Ron Lemon
February 28, 2007
America's newest Porn Idol, Antonella Barba will not be kicked off American Idol. And before you start with the email, I didn't coin the phrase "Porn Idol". The photos that surfaced over the last week have caused a lot of controversy, and they have made the girl popular. You can debate back and forth about whether or not the photos are all really her. In the long run it does not matter.
I knew last night when I watched the show that she was safe. I have written a couple of times in the last few days that I did not think the American Idol producers would kick her off the show. They know a good thing when they see it and the scandal is simply building buzz about the show.
Last night we saw a little proof that they want to keep her on the show as long as they can, regardless of her talent. Did you notice where she was seated last night? In the girls section, front row, center. Where everyone will notice her. They're happy.
Today we know that it is official.
Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe made the announcement when he told Extra's Mark McGrath that "he's not kicking the Jersey girl off, her fate is in the voters' hands." Lythgoe said "Without question, any competition like this is part popularity competition."
And the girl is popular. Her name has quickly become one of the most popular searches hitting Google.
"Antonella" safe for now.
Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson have also had their say.
Simon says "(It should) not affect her standing on the show, and if the public wants to keep her in, they'll keep her in. These people haven't done anything illegal; that's their private life."
I wonder what Frenchie Davis thinks of that.
Seacrest told USA Today he has not seen the photos but is not happy that they were released saying "(it is) just tacky, disgusting. You've got a girl who's trying to make it on a show where she needs a vote, and someone's trying to tear that away from her."
Or build her up.
And Randy Jackson actually said something intelligent without a single "Dawg" around. Jackson says "Nobody's clean in the entertainment business. There are definitely some moral things that go on with this show."
Really? Moral things going on with American Idol? Say it ain't so.
I was bothered when they took Frenchie Davis off the show for posing topless. Now I wondering why they are allowing Antonella to stay after setting that precedent. I can't shake the feeling that it is because they knew Frenchie had a chance to win and Antonella has no chance at all.
Ron Lemon is the very opinionated, but not-always-right, editor of Reality TV Calendar. He is a United States Air Force veteran, a Pennsylvania Army National Guard veteran and retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. He lives on the southern shore of Canada with his wife and business partner Christine and their spoiled dog, Stash. He, Ron - not the dog, does this because he enjoys it, he hates alarm clocks, and it is better than getting up and going to work everyday. Until such time as he wins the lottery he can be reached at: Editor@RealityTVCalendar.com.
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