Post by david g. on Jan 30, 2006 10:37:59 GMT -5
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Twin "Idol" Wannabes Booted
Fox has dashed Terrell and Derrell Brittenum's dreams of becoming the next American Idols.
The 28-year-old identical twin brothers were "uninvited" from the competition after their criminal records became public fodder, their lawyer said.
"It was an amicable breakup," attorney Maurice Bennett said on an Atlanta radio station. "The guys understood why. It's amazing how these things work."
The Brittenums made their mark on American Idol during the first episode of the fifth season, when they wowed the judges at the Chicago auditions and earned passes to Hollywood.
But the Tennessee natives' brush with glory turned out to be short-lived, as the brothers soon landed behind bars on charges that they used another man's identity and financial information last June to purchase a 2005 Dodge Magnum in Atlanta. Both Brittenums refused extradition to Georgia, which led to additional charges against them.
Fox has remained mum on whether the brothers would be seen in future episodes of the talent search. However, the New York Post reports that the network put the kibosh on a planned live performance by the Brittenums Wednesday night on MSNBC's Scarborough County, indicating that they are probably still under contract.
According to Bennett, both brothers were released from jail on bond Sunday morning and were preparing to travel to Los Angeles for the next round of eliminations when they received word that their presence was no longer welcome.
Though the twins may have blown their shot at Idol worship, they reportedly have other opportunities to consider. Bennett claims to have been contacted by "several" record labels interested in signing the brothers.
Meanwhile, as the audition segments continued this week, tensions between the judges ran high, culminating in a temper tantrum thrown by none other than Simon Cowell.
After arguing back and forth with his fellow judges, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, the snarky critic stormed out of the San Francisco auditions, leaving the other two to hear the final few contestants on their own.
"He was being obnoxious to the girl who was singing," Abdul told Entertainment Tonight. "He had just had it. Not only did he leave, but he left and took the plane home!"
Cowell admitted that he lost his patience with Abdul and Jackson.
"We had a major row. I got to the point where I said 'I can't sit next to you anymore,' and left," he told Entertainment Tonight. "But to be fair, Randy Jackson was being obnoxious that day as well. Occasionally, they turn into American music critics. I got to the point I couldn't sit with them anymore. There's a point in the day where you just think, 'There's no point in me sitting next to you anymore. Do it yourself.' So that's what I did."
More than 32 million viewers watched Cowell blow his stack on Wednesday, just slightly fewer than the 34.8 million viewers who tuned in for Tuesday's episode. Last week's fifth season premiere set a new record for the talent search, drawing an audience of 35.5 million.
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