[cc100]

from pb:

Is Pop Idol rigged? <<
And will anyone still care?

Pop Idol is back for a second series, going
head-to-head with Fame Academy on Saturday
Nights.

Kids are still queuing up to audition for
these shows - despite the lack of success of
recent contestants (talented Fame Academy
runner-up Sinead's album was a new entry at
no 48 last week).

But the odds are stacked against most of
them even more than they realise. Earlier this
week we met a girl who had been confirmed by
Pop Idol bosses as a final 10 contestant -
she's already had to agree to terms.

But the ten finalists are supposedly decided
on a public phone vote, so how can this be?