ABC plans report on ”explosive claims” about ”Idol”

ABC News says it has discovered “startling” things about Fox’s singing competition series “American Idol” – just in time for the May sweeps.

“Fallen Idol,” a special, hourlong “Primetime Live” report next Wednesday, “will explore explosive claims about behind-the-scenes activities at ‘American Idol,’ the hit television show that became a cultural phenomenon,” ABC says.

ABC News had not contacted anyone at Fox with questions about “explosive claims” on “American Idol” as of press time, according to a Fox representative. (However, ABC has contacted the show’s public relations firm, asking to interview the “American Idol” judges and the producers, the agency confirmed.)

There have been news reports lately about a book proposal from Corey Clark, an “American Idol” contestant from a couple of editions back who was booted after the Web site the Smoking Gun posted a report saying he was due in court that month for allegedly assaulting his teenage sister and resisting arrest.

Clark, who is preparing to release his first album, claims in the proposal that he had an affair with show judge Paula Abdul and that she promised to help him pick tunes to sing during the competition and to spend millions promoting his career.

In its report this week, the Globe tabloid quotes TV critic Marc Berman saying: “If the charges are true, then this is a huge scandal that could kill ‘American Idol.’ If a judge and a contestant have an affair, the future of the entire show is in jeopardy.”

A call placed to Abdul’s publicist had not been returned at press time.

“Fallen Idol” is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. next Wednesday. “Primetime Live” normally airs on Thursday, but, Wednesday is results night on “American Idol.”