1/7: My first poll! And an Idol scam alert
Loading ...Kara Dioguardi is doing a phone conference with reporters Thursday. Any questions you’d like me to ask?
-American Idol is alerting folks of a mail scam that purports to be connected with “Idol.”
FOX and the producers of “American Idol” have received information about a mail fraud scam using sweepstakes award letters printed on what appears to be “American Idol” letterhead and allegedly signed by creator and executive producer, Simon Fuller. The letter notifies recipients that they have been selected as a winner of a sum of money and contains fraudulent checks and a phone number to call to claim the fake “prize” checks.
FOX, the producers of “American Idol,” and their subsidiary companies, do not sponsor or support any lottery, sweepstakes or prize contest that resembles the letter referred to above. The producers of “American Idol” are investigating this mail fraud in conjunction with local and national law enforcement agencies. If you receive a letter like this, please report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service at:
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx
.
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88 comments Add your comment
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 7th, 2009
9:34 am
Morning Rodney! Leave it to the sleezebags to figure out a way to use the AI popularity to dupe folks. **head shaking** hopefully most folks will realize it for what it is and burn it!! (or, more correctly, burn the perps and turn the letter in to the postal authorities, LOL)
looking good here, RH!!!! weeeee another new toy! Polls!!!
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 7th, 2009
9:38 am
Kira: Simon’s basis for being able to judge contestants is that he’s ‘discovered’ artists and promotes careers. What in your background gives you an “edge” in judging, and how will it help the show?
how’s that, Rodney?
JTesla
January 7th, 2009
9:49 am
No questions, but Linny’s is good. The poll function looks good. I have an idea for a poll, but it probably isn’t appropriate
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 7th, 2009
9:53 am
err except i mean “kara” not “kira” — “blushing”
Mike S
January 7th, 2009
9:55 am
I LIVE!!!!!!!
Like the new format, and I am ready for the new season.
As for me, the last few months have been spent playing with my new grand-daughter and remodeling the house. yeeha.
Today will be spent holding my breath waiting for Stafford and Moreno to announce thier NFL intentions this afternoon. My gut says they are both going to the NFL, but my heart is hoping the fact they are holding a Press Conference together with Coach RIcht at the Bulldog complex is a sign they will stay.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 7th, 2009
10:10 am
Mike!!!!!!! OMG, man it is SO good to “see” your smiling face!!!! You have been sooooooo missed!!!! How “new” is the grand-daughter?!!! You must be so proud!!! I’m beginning to wonder if my 21, 23, and 38 y/o sons will EVER find someone to settle down with and have children! i man never get to BE a grandma!!! actually, right now, that’s ok, i can’t AFFORD grands!!! But truly, it is great to see you!!! I’m definitely looking forward to your investigative reports!!!
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
10:19 am
I’m back…covered with little burned spots from the liquid nitrogen. I’m gonna scare some people at the movie!
More stuff to play with!!!! How often can we vote on the poll? I ask because I’m in favor of 2 of the answers.
Nana
January 7th, 2009
10:21 am
Good Morning to All!!!!!!!!!
There is going to scams in everything, no matter what it is. The AI scam is no suprise to me. People are just plain smart (or dumb) to be able to create scams. The bad and sad part, is that people actually fall for them. So many, especially seniors, are taken the scams seriously and are getting ripped off big time. But then again, that’s what the scammers hope for. I’m glad to know that Idol is acting on it immediately and hopefully, they can find the ones responsible.
Rodney – You can ask Kara what she hopes to accomplish and where she sees Idol in the future, and what her expertise will be and if she thinks it will help with the ratings that have slightly fallen.
Good luck at the doc today Deirdre.
Willie – good to see you again.
Lara – Memory is precious and a joy to have. She has brought me many hours of laughter in the three weeks that I’ve had her. And Harm – Yes to your question on spoiling her. I have indeed.
Here I am posting and I really have a mountain of work sitting on my desk. Remind never again to take vaction at the end of the year!!!!!
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
10:21 am
And Mike…welcome back! I know we’ve kinda been keeping in touch but, as linny said, it’s great to ’see’ your smiling face back where it belongs!
harrietth
January 7th, 2009
10:24 am
Hey, MikeS! Welcome back. I have been keeping up with you through others, but echo linny’s welcoming remarks, too.
FLATS
January 7th, 2009
10:29 am
Mike….ted roof went to auburn man.they’re building something special down they’re.
JTesla
January 7th, 2009
10:34 am
Mike S, welcome back. I’m looking forward to your performance show insight.
kelly&carriefan
January 7th, 2009
10:49 am
I too await the Stafford/Moreno press conference. It’s interesting that they’re doing it together. I’m guessing either both stay or both leave? They sure are a dynamic duo. I’d love to see Moreno do another “leap” in Athens. I reeeeeally want them to come back next year, but we shall see.
Nana
January 7th, 2009
10:58 am
Welcome back MikeS. It’s good to have you back again.
JTesla
January 7th, 2009
11:57 am
6 days left! Phoenix give us your best and your worst.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 7th, 2009
12:14 pm
I’ve mentioned to you guys how much i have to DVR during the week, LOL… with Lost, 24 and AI starting up, along with the Dance competition…. and me taking on home-typing work, i don’t know how i’ll find time to sleep!!! ah well … life is good, and is going to get better!!! I’m looking forward to AI, because it’s fun for me to watch. I’ve been around musicians/singers/bands all my life — i really enjoy seeing new talent! 6 days seems like an eternity at this point, LOL!!!
lunch! later!
Justin
January 7th, 2009
12:16 pm
So, I selected yes to that poll, that the show needs new blood, because she looks interesting and seems to have good taste (likes kelly, chris, katharine- my fav.!), only thing is… she seems like she will be the female version of simon. and i can’t say i like that. we only need one simon. and if she’s not that, she’s at least a female randy. she always is talking about how she wants the contestants to really FEEL their songs etc. etc. but i mean come on… so if someone sings something realyl well but doesn’t show enough emotions she’s not gonna give it the credit it deserves? she’ll be tough?
i remember watching her judge syesha’s performances on The One, and she was tough there because syesha did show herself or didn’t show enough feeling or emotion…like when she sang chain of fools… lol and that one confused me cuz that’s an upbeat song, not something you get emotion with..
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 7th, 2009
12:23 pm
Hey Justin!!! welcome back! haven’t seen much of you this off-season– hope you’ll be sticking around and inputting like this every week!
War Eagle
January 7th, 2009
12:50 pm
Justin, shouldn’t you be in school?
Woodpappy
January 7th, 2009
1:19 pm
Like I said earlier….Can’t wait for this season to start and read the insight that SOME of the bloggers offer.
Nana
January 7th, 2009
1:44 pm
Welcome back Justin. Your comments are always in good taste and hope you stick around this season.
Nana
January 7th, 2009
1:48 pm
Instead of a joke, I will start posting a wisdom quote daily. So, here is my first of the new year:
“The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain.”
Nana
January 7th, 2009
1:49 pm
Oh gosh, I forgot to welcome WE back to the foe, so welcome back WE. How is the new grandbaby?
Harmony
January 7th, 2009
1:57 pm
War Eagle, we still don’t know your grandson’s name.
War Eagle
January 7th, 2009
2:19 pm
His name is Braydon and he is doing great.
Harm
January 7th, 2009
2:23 pm
My latest phishing scam occured yesterday, and it wasn’t the idol one. Mine was from the world famous Nigerians, posing as a FBI agent, I was instructed only to deal with him and to send my money by money order to him. He said I would get my 11 thousand dollar that I inheireted shortly. I said to myself not today sucker , not ever!!! I think he needs to go find someone gullible person, there are plenty out there I suppose!
Harm
January 7th, 2009
2:25 pm
Thanks WE, My grandson is Asa, I like Braydon.
Harm
January 7th, 2009
2:40 pm
Knock Knock , anybody home? I feel like I’m all alone here.
Negativo
January 7th, 2009
2:45 pm
Heads up! Neg drive by coming through…
Mike S
January 7th, 2009
2:54 pm
!0 minutes until the Stafford-Moreno announcement. ESPN says they are leaving, Scout.com blog says they are staying. This is worse than waiting to see who won AI. LOL
Anyway, my 6 month old granddaughter is named Elizabeth, and she already has PawPaw rapped around her finger. Also, my oldest granddaughter, Gabi, has started singing (she is 6) and while I may be biased, I am going to predict her as the 2020 American Idol.
hehehe
Harm
January 7th, 2009
2:56 pm
HEY NEG !!!
Harm
January 7th, 2009
3:01 pm
Congratulations Mike S. We have tons of new grand-babies on this blog this year! Brag away, I’m sure all of us blog grand-parents will be doing our share of bragging, afterall it is a grand-parents right, it is in the Constitution!
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
4:02 pm
War Eagle, congrats on Braydon. Harm…maybe Asa and Braydon will play football together at some great GA school!
And Mike, I already sent you congrats on little Elizabeth…and if Gabi isn’t the next American Idol, I’ll eat my hat.
Justin…welcome back…your comments are always interesting.
I LOVED Ben Button…more on that later.
Connie D.
January 7th, 2009
6:25 pm
I wonder if Kara Dioguardi has any plans to perform on the finale this season.
Willie the One Eyed Wonder Worm
January 7th, 2009
6:35 pm
only 3 yellow faces on here today. thanks!
JTesla
January 7th, 2009
6:47 pm
Connie D.: I hope not. If for no other reason then because they would then have to allow Paula and Randy to perform again. Nothing against Kara, but please keep Paula and Randy behind the judges table.
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
7:48 pm
Nana
January 7th, 2009
8:06 pm
I may have y’all beat on grandchildren. Grandchildren are wonderful and I wouldn’t trade my six for anything but great grands are even better. In February, I will have my 5th great grandchild. Yep, you read correctly. McCayla Renee will be my 2nd great grandaugher and I have 3 great grandsons. I told my grandson that just because he and his wife are having their 2nd child that he needn’t think I’m getting old. My grandkids are getting old, but not me. They range in age 12 to 28. With my dad still living, my family has 5 living generations. To all you new grandparents, spoil the daylights out of them. I know I did. I let my grands and greats do things that I never allowed my children to do, for example, I would have never let my kids jump on the beds, but the grands and greats did and still do. You spoil them and then send them home. Oh, its great being grandparents.
On to some Idol news. I heard today that Carrie has broken up with her doctor b/f and has been dating a pro hockey player named Mike Fisher. Its said they are really serious about each other and spend all their free time together. I wish them the very best in their relationship. Still wish we could have an idol party. That would be so much fun.
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
8:10 pm
I typed all this over on the wrong thread so I’m copying it to over here.
OK harrietth, here’s my Ben Button review…I’ll do it in a number of parts so as not to annoy Willie too much.
I LOVED it. That being said, I think to fully appreciate the themes, you have to have lived longer than say 45 years.
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
8:12 pm
As far as Mr Pitt’s performance goes…I thought he was perfect for the role…and here’s why. His 7 year old geezer was both afflicted with the miseries of old age and still entraced with the wonders of life the way a 7 year old would be. His slow de-aging was done very well and believably for me. And that moment when we see him in his full youthful gorgeousness might not have worked with another actor.
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
8:12 pm
Why, you ask? Because Brad Pitt looking his best is like the epitome of the beauty of the young. We should nearly gasp when we first see him youthful and energetic. Well, I did, at least.
I must say that I am not a huge Brad Pitt fan. As an actor, he usually falls short of my expectations. But he’s good in this movie, especially when he’s old.
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
8:14 pm
But that begs the question; how can we watch a movie with a superstar and not see the star. Doesn’t the character being portrayed get lost behind the glow of the superstar? Julia Roberts, for example, is hard to see as anybody but Julia Roberts. ANY character she plays will be overshadowed by her Julia Roberts-tude.
I think the best example of this is Tom Cruise. The minute he fired his original manager(who kept him quiet and out of the public eye) and started jumping on Oprah’s sofa, he lost his ability to be anybody other than Tom Cruise.
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
8:15 pm
There are exceptions. Jack Nicholson has been nobody but Jack Nicholson for YEARS until The Departed. Then he became as scary a mob boss as I’ve ever seen.
*Harrietth now regrets EVER asking me what I thought of Benjamin Button*
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
8:18 pm
Sorry…I used to be a teacher…sometimes it comes back to haunt me.
Nana
January 7th, 2009
8:34 pm
Deirdre, how in heavens name do you get your hubby to go to the movies with you? The last time mine went with me to see a movie was about 20 years ago and we went to see Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder. The only reason he went was b/c it had Nascar in it. If a movie is not western or nascar, hubby will not go. So when I go, I go with my daughters or friends.
Harm
January 7th, 2009
9:18 pm
Nana, I believe that I will spoil Asa totally rotten. Isn’t that what you are supposed to do with grand children? I like that you get to send them back to their parents when you are done spoiling them.
Harm
January 7th, 2009
9:21 pm
I almost forgot
smiley face just for Willie!
War Eagle
January 7th, 2009
9:34 pm
Hey folks, anyone going to be around in the evenings when AI starts back up?
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
9:40 pm
Hey Harm, Nana and WE I’m planning on hanging out here after the show. It’s always fun to hear everyone’s opinions.
Nana, LOL!!! Hubby gets to have all his hobbies as long as he takes me to a movie at least once a month. But we’ll be going to another movie this week because he wants to see Gran Torino.
Harm…we’re just about killing Willie with kindness!
Harm
January 7th, 2009
9:41 pm
WE , we are hoping to revise the nightshift, alot more of us have popped back in the last week.
Harm
January 7th, 2009
9:43 pm
Willie-
You know you love 
faces!
Deirdre
January 7th, 2009
9:46 pm
I have to put my dogs to bed. Sleep well everyone…g’night.
Harm
January 7th, 2009
9:46 pm
Deirdre, Do you have to hit refresh to see the latest post or do they show up automatically?
Harm
January 7th, 2009
9:56 pm
I will enter my comments here-it’s annoying having to delete that every time you want to post!
Harm
January 7th, 2009
9:59 pm
Enter your comments here. I did!
War Eagle
January 7th, 2009
10:01 pm
It’s still better than what we had Harm.
Harm
January 7th, 2009
10:02 pm
Enter your comments here- I’m protesting against Enter your comments here. Good night everyone!
Harm
January 7th, 2009
10:04 pm
Enter your comments here True War Eagle, Good night War, I have to rest up for next weeks nightshift!
Harm
January 7th, 2009
10:08 pm
Enter your comments here- I’ll co-operate tomorrow with Enter your comments here, I’m just tired and I’m being lazy tonight! I’ll be better after I’ve slept. GOOD NIGHT
Nana
January 8th, 2009
6:51 am
Good Morning! It’s time to rise and shine and enjoy this wonderful day.
Quote for the day: “Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it’s not going away.”
WE: To answer your question from last night, you know that some of us will be around next Tuesday. I for one will for certain be here. I’m anxious to see what kind of comments will be posted, by the regulars, newbies, and lurkers. Should be an interesting night, and hopefully season.
Harm: Yes, you are most definitely supposed to spoil Asa. That is one of the privileges of being a grandparent.
Deirdre
January 8th, 2009
7:50 am
Morning!
I just looked at pictures of Carrie Underwood at the People’s Choice Awards over at mj’s. Could that girl BE more beautiful? Wow!
Nana
January 8th, 2009
8:00 am
D: Carrie is one of the most beautiful people in the entertainment field. IMHO, she beats Martina McBride, Faith Hill and others. She is definitely eye candy.
kelly&carriefan
January 8th, 2009
8:31 am
Yes, she is…why do y’all think I’m such a fan?
Well, that and she definitely can sing! 
All this talk of grandkids makes me think that I’m the baby of the board, btw. It’s nice. And yay for y’all! I only got to meet one of my Nanas and she left me with some great memories.
harrietth
January 8th, 2009
8:33 am
Hey, D, thanks for the analysis of Ben Button. You actually echoed my thoughts, albeit mine were more concise! LOL!
What I meant when I said I would have enjoyed it more with another actor playing the lead role was more or less what you concluded when you said it was hard to get past Brad Pitt being Brad Pitt. I couldn’t do it–even in the scenes where he was very old. I kept thinking he was a kid playing with makeup. I thought the movie on the whole was very well done, but I think someone of lesser reknown and sex appeal would have worked better. The other thing is that I do not think his acting was Oscar-worthy. The special effects/makeup folks certainly deserve one, however. Thanks for your great insights on the movie, D!
And, good morning to everyone else, too!
kelly&carriefan
January 8th, 2009
8:38 am
Oooooh…rumor now is that My Life Would Suck Without You will be heard on radio next Wednesday!
Lara
January 8th, 2009
8:47 am
You know, I am not sure I like the “description” that the AJC has put on the american Idol Blog – an “obsessive’s guide to the show….” Are we obsessive? ok, maybe a tad – but come on….
Deirdre
January 8th, 2009
8:50 am
harrietth
Every now and then people have to kick me out of “lecture” mode. I miss standing in front of a classroom and sharing my wealth of knowledge……..:-p~~~~~ 
Looking forward to hearing Kelly’s new one, k&cf. I hear it is similar in tone and rhythm to Since You Been Gone.
harrietth
January 8th, 2009
8:56 am
I don’t mind, D! I love hearing reasonable and intelligent opinions, and I certainly was looking forward to hearing yours, since we both saw and liked the movie. From what I have discerned here about Seven Pounds, I may skip it now. I do want to see Revolutionary Road. And, as for Kelly, I do wish her well with the new release. I hope it does really well; especially after her struggles to overcome the “Clive” thing.
Mike S
January 8th, 2009
9:00 am
Well, it is a sad day for Braves fans. Or should I say a really MAD!!! day. GRRRRRR
How in the hell could the Braves be so stupid as to let John Smoltz sign with the Red Sox. I know his arm is a crapshoot, and any contract might be a waste, but it is JOHN FRIGGIN SMOLTZ!!!!! You do not let the face of the franchise for the last 20 years walk because you don’t have the balls to offer him a decent contract.
Oh well, I should look at the bright side, I will save a lot of money by not coming to Atlanta 3-5 times this season for Braves games. Hope you enjoy the empty friggin stadium Frank Wren. I know that tons of fans are planning on sitting out the season now.
Deirdre
January 8th, 2009
9:04 am
Sorry to hear that, Mike. John Smoltz is the face of the Braves, IMO. I agree that it’s a big mistake.
I also want to add my condolences for Stafford and Moreno walking out the door on the Bulldogs.
harrietth
January 8th, 2009
9:17 am
Me, too, Mike! It is like they should have a funeral now for the Braves’ season. Hope I am wrong. They should have honored all of the contributions Smoltz has made and just given him whatever it took to keep him. That said, he will go into the Hall of Fame in a Braves cap. So will Glavine and Maddox, no matter where else they played, they had their best years as a Brave.
And, as a college football fan, I was sad to see the two UGA studs leave. We here at SC are losing three key players, not that we were anywhere in the same conversation with the UGA two.
JTesla
January 8th, 2009
9:22 am
Morning all,
Lara: maybe they were talking about Rodney
kelly&carriefan: thanks for the info on when Kelly’s song will hit the radio.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 8th, 2009
9:42 am
Mike, I’m with you. Hubby has been “boycotting” the Braves for a couple of years now, but Smoltzie? Now **I** am boycotting the Bravos. Sad. Maybe I’ll try to catch a couple of the games in Gwinnett for the farm team but…. at least that will free up my TV time during the baseball season!!!
Woodpappy
January 8th, 2009
9:46 am
Yes Harrieth and Mike S, the Dawgs are sure gonna miss those two ! Hope that some superstars will develop out of the new ones coming on board.
Deirdre
January 8th, 2009
9:50 am
Lara…I noticed that, too and just decided that they must be talking about somebody else.
Mike S
January 8th, 2009
10:11 am
Woodpappy, I am definately excited about the players the Dawgs have coming in. Both Josh Mettenberger and Aaron Murray have already enrolled and will be at Spring Practice. I am sure they will elevate Cox play to a new level just by being there.
Cox may not have the “package” that Stafford has, but he does have one thing you cannot sneeze at — he has never lost a football game where he was the starting QB in his life. He was undefeated in 8th grade and 9th grade JV ball, and then won 3 straight undefeated state championships in High School.
RB will be a fun battle between King, Samuel, Jackson and Washaun Ealey.
Add to that the entire OL returning, all WR except MoMass returning, and the entire Defense returning, and the Dawgs should be ok.
GAgirl
January 8th, 2009
10:25 am
Morning All…Did anyone notice that DWTS won over AI for the People’s Choice Award last night?
Deirdre
January 8th, 2009
10:40 am
GAgirl…for those of us on this blog…that’s just SHOCKING!!!!! :-0
harrietth
January 8th, 2009
11:16 am
I don’t remember seeing any invitation to vote for those awards, so I’d say we didn’t have a chance to vote for Idol.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 8th, 2009
11:32 am
Re the so-called People’s Choice Awards — hubby observed the same thing … OK, so maybe they have to pick the narrowed-down field for a category, whoever “they” are — but … how do the People get to vote? When? Where? Now, don’t get me wrong, i like DWTS but… i’d like a chance to vote, too, LOL!!!
kelly&carriefan
January 8th, 2009
11:43 am
I believe people voted online at pcavote.com.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 8th, 2009
12:28 pm
ah. well. unless you pay attention to something they announced, the average viewer would probably never catch that, LOL!!! thanks k&cf!!!
and by the way, yes, Carrie is absolutely stunningly beautiful, and not in a plastic kind of way at all — i really admire her!!!
Lara
January 8th, 2009
12:49 pm
Ok, I am gonna go with the idea that the description was written for Rodney!
My mom just called to tell me we are no longer going to Braves games! The idea of losing a player like that….come on now. First, the organization really needs to focus on obtaining good players in all positions. Second, they really need to make going to a game a little easier – Marta is really a pain and the parking situation is a joke. Third – the concessions? Are you kidding me? This has become a big gripe for me when I heard about the cool stuff they have at other stadiums around the US. Freakin’ lobster rolls? And we have hotdogs or hamburgers and they are not that great either.
Sorry, I will step down from my soapbox….for now.
Nana
January 8th, 2009
12:53 pm
Trying to get caught up at work and just have a few seconds here. I agree wholeheartly that the Braves management made a HUGE mistake in letting John go. One can’t blame him for leaving when he was offered 2.5 million more for one year. Atlanta offered him 3 mil and he ended up with 5.5 mil. He sure will be missed by the Braves fans.
Okay, my few seconds are up, so I better get back to work on the 1099 tax forms and all the W-2’s. Ain’t work fun?
Woodpappy
January 8th, 2009
12:53 pm
Mike S, I don’t feel so bad now about the dawgs, since you put the newbies in perspective for me. Thanks
Harm
January 8th, 2009
1:50 pm
I wish it was next week already as far as TV shows goes. I can take some comfort in getting to watch a new Grey’s tonight!
harrietth
January 8th, 2009
3:00 pm
I’m only watching the football game tonight. Nothing else better interfere!
rho
January 8th, 2009
3:30 pm
New blog entry up!