Taking a page from Washington, the producers of "American Idol" and Fox TV hired an independent counsel to determine whether judge Paula Abdul had an affair with a contestant on the hit talent
show. "Any allegations against this show we take quite seriously," Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori said Thursday, calling the competition's credibility "extraordinarily important to us." The
probe's results are due soon and will be made public, Liguori said in an appearance before the Television Critics Association. Although auditions for the fifth season are looming in August, Liguori
said the investigation would not be rushed despite uncertainty over Abdul's continued participation in the show.
Read the whole story at AP, July 29, 2005 »