American Idol producer denies rigging results

There were rumours doing the rounds that the results of the show were rigged to boost the ratings by creating controversy. The elimination of Pia Toscano, who had been regarded by Las Vegas oddsmakers as this season's favourite, added more fuel to the fire. But producer of the show Nigel Lythgoe rubbished it off by saying that Toscano was no frontrunner.

“There are always conspiracy theories, but you know we are so careful," New York Post quoted him as saying. He said that the vote is tabulated by AT&T. “We get the results. It's done so openly.. Let's take [Season 4,] the Carrie Underwood season. Carrie Underwood won every single week. ... You show the vote, and the show is over. There's no jeopardy if you're watching somebody win every single week," he added.