'Idol' Talk Reaches Local Line
Dale Huffman Dayton Daily News
The Dayton Daily News, July 20, 2002

This is a question for those of you who live in the Miamisburg area south of Dayton and your phone number begins with the numbers 866.

Did any of you get some wrong numbers meant for the American Idol television show this week?

At least one woman says she did.

This is the deal:

American Idol: The Search for a Superstar is on the Fox television network, WRGT-TV, Channel 45, in Dayton, and is one of the hottest national television shows this summer.

The show spotlights young singing talent and is involved in a national search to find a star who will be declared an "American Idol" and will be given a recording contract and a bunch of gifts.

Along the way, the performers have been facing other talent - 10,000 competitors to start with - and also the acerbic tongue of Simon Cowell, an Englishman who is one of the judges on the program.

The young contestants are down to eight now, with two eliminated after Tuesday night's program when the public was asked to phone and cast votes for favorite performers.

According to a network spokesman, about 8 million people called to cast a vote on the posted toll-free phone number which began with the digits 1-866.

A voice-mail caller who identified herself as Jenny in Miamisburg whose phone number resembles the one used by the network program said she got "several dozen weird calls" last Tuesday night, which was voting night. Just wonder if it became a problem for you, too.

We are also curious and would like to know who you predict will be the big winner.

I must admit I have watched the program a few times, and at the moment, my money is on Justin and Tamyra.

Tamyra Gray, a former Miss Atlanta, is 22, is from Lawrenceville, Ga., is charismatic, a good dancer, a great singer, and is a crowd-pleaser.

Justin Guarini is 23, was born in Columbus, Ga., but lives in Doylestown, Pa. His father is a former police commissioner in Atlanta and his mother a television news anchor.

Justin has a head full of curly hair, an infectious smile, some Michael Jackson moves, and just an incredible voice. Many are predicting he'll be a star even if he doesn't win this contest.

Have you been watching the show this summer? If so, who do you think will become the new American Idol? I'll make an effort to print your name if you correctly predict the winner and get the information to me prior to Sept. 4, the night of the big finale.