Posted on 03/13/2007 5:46:36 AM PDT by silent_jonny
I don't remember who Mario Vasquez was..... Is he the one that Nikko replaced 2 yrs. ago?
I'm still hoping that Simon wasn't kidding about an ABBA week...just got tickets to go see Mamma Mia in Birmingham on April 14....can't wait. saw it on Broadway last year and it was FANTASTIC....I play the soundtrack constantly and now understand they're getting ready to make a movie of it....hope they don't screw it up!
Yes.
It will be interesting to see if AI tries to settle this one out of court.
Yes, he dropped out really early in the top 40 and was supposed to be one of the frontrunner's that season.
Yeah, I think he was kidding. :-(
ABBA week would be fun! It would be perfect for the cheesy group song.
I heard the names of some of the celebs this year and one was Martina McBride - my guess is for country night - but hey, she ain't county! I'm going to see Travis Tritt Saturday at the Saenger Theater - now he's pure country-rock! love him! Sunday night on GAC Top 20 videos they had Josh Gracin, Carrie, the Pickle and Bucky Covington - talk about AI alumni doing well!
It may have been filed a wile back. Sometimes when both parties are told to not talk about a case, it takes a while before it becomes public. This happens sometimes when a business is involved. For those that haven't seen the articles at the end of the other thread:
Former 'American Idol' employee sues for sexual harassment Alleges misconduct by one of the show's ex-contestants.From City News Service
March 12, 2007A former assistant production accountant for the company behind "American Idol" is suing his ex-employer and a former contestant on the Fox series' fourth season, alleging he was fired for complaining of sexual harassment by the male contestant.
Magdaleno Olmos filed his suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging wrongful termination and violation of the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act. He is asking for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Along with American Idol Productions Inc. and former contestant Mario Vasquez, named defendants are Fremantle Media North America Inc., Fox Entertainment Group Inc. and Fox Broadcasting Co., all listed in the lawsuit as co-owners of the popular show.
Spokesmen for Fremantle and Fox Entertainment, as well as Vasquez's personal lawyer, Jess L. Rosen, were not immediately available for comment on the complaint filed last Friday.
All of the defendants "knew or should have known that Vasquez was gay or was widely rumored to be so," the lawsuit states.
Vasquez dropped out of the top 12 talent search competition during the fourth season of "American Idol" in March 2005, saying he wanted to focus on personal aspects of his life.
The lawsuit alleges that Vasquez withdrew from the show after Olmos came forward with his complaints and discussed them with executives and attorneys for American Idol Productions and the other defendants.
Olmos claims the sexual harassment began in February 2005.
On one occasion, Vasquez followed Olmos into a restroom at CBS Studios, where "American Idol" is taped, and knocked on the door of a stall Olmos had entered, according to his lawsuit.
When Olmos opened the door, Vasquez, who had lowered his pants, pushed him further into the stall, touched him in a sexual way and tried to unzip his pants while asking "if he wanted oral sex," according to the lawsuit.
Olmos claims he was able to get out of the restroom, though Vasquez grabbed his arm to try to stop him from leaving.
Olmos chose the restroom over one that was closer to the "American Idol' stage because he wanted to avoid running into the show's participants, according to his lawsuit.
Due to Vasquez's celebrity status, Olmos "was afraid to defend himself physically against Vasquez's sexual harassment and battery for fear of losing his job," the lawsuit states.
When Olmos complained to a supervisor, the latter questioned whether he initiated the incident, according to his court papers. He also claims the supervisor told him nothing could be done and that he would probably be fired for reporting the alleged harassment.
On numerous other occasions, Vasquez stared and smiled at Olmos. But when he complained to a supervisor, he was told "that he was crazy, was imagining this and should keep this information to himself because no one would believe his account," according to his lawsuit.
Olmos alleges he was fired in May 2005 in retaliation for his complaints against Vasquez.
Olmos began working for American Idol Productions in October 2002, and his contract was renewed each of the next two years, according to his lawsuit.
and a link to the TMZ article, which is a little different than the above article.
Yeah, his story at the time for dropping out wasa that he just wanted the exposure *cough, cough* that AI afforded and that now that he had it he dropped out to put out a cd with a private label. Which flopped tremendously. Making the top 24 and then dropping out doesn't exactly give you tons of exposure! Something always seemed odd about his story.
Ahh, that's a double edged sword. There's a certain tone to that says gay=predator. I don't think that will win in a courtroom.
Afew days back I gave the link to your page to a friend, he wanted to know what medium you use.
I think it just means that you need to be cautious. Some of them are predator and some are predator pedophiles, or at lest they would like to be. The fact that he says the superior asked Olmos if he initiated it, makes me think that he might be gay as well. Even if he is, doesn't mean that he has to put up with advances made on him either. That's why I say it will be interesting to see how this one unfolds.
Woo Hoo! On to thread 2 and the top 12!
Beautiful artwork jonny, as always!
can't start a new thread without saying Me Lovey the jonny!
It does often end up being the seemingly "normal" ones that are flat out crazy. Who knows if it's actually true, but this might get interesting.
ooo...I'm jealous! We have some friends who go to alot of events at the Saenger and they'll be there as well. I saw Travis Tritt at the Fair a few years ago and he put on a great show! Have fun!! and Roll TIDE ROLL !
ps..A Day coming up in about a month! :)
jonny... You are a great artist! Thank you for sharing your talents with us. :)
From an article that started out talking about the upcoming Idolthon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/arts/television/12cowe.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Mr. Cowell’s side business, producing other reality shows, is also tracking well. His British series, “The X Factor,” just finished another season as a No. 1 rated show. Mr. Cowell said he has sold that format in 20 countries. (He agreed not to sell it in the U.S. because of its similarities to “Idol.”)
His two American reality shows will return this summer. “American Inventor” will resume on ABC with a yet-to-be-named new host, Mr. Cowell said. “America’s Got Talent” will be back on NBC with Jerry Springer as the new host. “Inventor” has sold in 15 countries and “Talent” in 25, leading Mr. Cowell to say he is well on his way toward “having all the shows in 30, 40 countries in the next five years.” If that’s not quite enough, Mr. Cowell is creating a drama series for British television, something he summarized as “ ‘American Idol’ meets ‘Dallas.’ ”
Meanwhile, back at the root of all this lucrative activity, Mr. Cowell was willing to stick his judge’s neck out on this year’s “Idol” contest. “I think the favorites are Melinda and Lakisha,” he said, referring to Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones. “But I think this guy Blake Lewis could be a dark horse.”
I love Travis - saw him years ago when he first came on the scene - sang "Here's a Quarter" and it hadn't even been released yet so you know how looooong ago that was. The Saenger is a great venue for shows. So far since I've been back to Mobile I've seen Pat Green, Lyle Lovette (double yuck), George Jones, Vince Gill....what a great place to watch a concert....Can't wait for football season - though I'm anxiously awaiting opening day of baseball too....Roll Tide!
Is it just me or are the singers on that Grease Show, make the Idol singers sound like chimps?
Yo! LOL! I see we're on thread II now. So let me pack my travelin' bags. Gotta bring along: Mario and his sexual gay harassment lawsuit. Chris R. and the bust he had commissioned of himself. Chris S. and his I-don't-wannabe-Justin-Guarini hair. The Navy guy and his supply of blood. The assorted black divas. The white hip-hop crowd. And Sanjaya, the Indian Michael Jackson wannabe. Oh, and Gina, this year's rocker hopeful. See ya later. Headin' down to the basement to see where I put that trunk.
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