Unpredictable

Two would-be idols with arrest records, one of whom also is guilty of felony cockiness. Allegations of judicial activism – in the bedroom. A phone voting gaffe … or was it a conspiracy?

If “American Idol” had a fourth-season theme song, it might be the long-ago hit “Anything Goes.” As with the best reality shows, Fox’s talent contest has a knack for holding viewer interest by being unpredictable.

As the May 24-25 finale approaches (the field pares down to four finalists tonight), “Idol” is receiving some extra attention. In a special airing tonight at 10, ABC News’ “Prime Time Live” is promising to examine “explosive” allegations about the show.

It’s expected the focus will be on Corey Clark, a contestant who was bounced in 2003 for failing to disclose a past arrest – and who claims he had an affair with “Idol” judge Paula Abdul.

Could the highly lucrative program be veering into crisis? Is “Idol” idolatry in danger?

Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University, doubts it.

“I don’t think most people think it’s the ‘50s quiz show scandals, and I don’t think it’s the ‘50s scandals,” he said.

Even with Clark’s claim, Thompson says, “I don’t think that changes anything. I think in a perverse sort of way it makes it more interesting.”

Jason Rich, author of “American Idol 4: Official Behind-the-Scenes Fan Book,” said he had free access to contestants and the production for the book and for a third-season guide.

“Based on what I’ve seen this season and last, I have not seen any scandal worth an hour of a prime-time television expose,” Rich said. “I haven’t heard of anything, even if they wanted to grasp at straws.”

Dancer-singer Abdul, known for her upbeat critiques of even the most hopeless contestants, has punched back at Clark and ABC. Her lawyer sent a letter to the network threatening legal action if the special airs.

“Mr. Clark is an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities. He is communicating lies about Paula Abdul in order to generate interest in a book deal,” said a statement issued on her behalf.

The drip of bad “Idol” news continued with last week’s report that rocker Bo Bice, a finalist, had been arrested twice in the past four years on drug charges (dismissed after he completed a diversion program).

Fox said it stood by Bice, who was candid about his past. The network also sniped at “various salacious gossip Web sites” that had dished about Bice.

It’s understandable if the network and producers feel beleaguered; any “Idol” event is reason for suspicion.

When incorrect call-in numbers were displayed for three contestants in March, Fox added an episode to repeat the vote – prompting mutterings that it was a nefarious bid for higher ratings. A producer dismissed such speculation as “rubbish.” It recalled controversies from years past in which fans raged about clogged phone lines for voting and angrily speculated about conspiracies that allowed less talented contestants to hang on.

In yet another odd incident this season, finalist Mario Vazquez abruptly quit without explanation. ome viewers, however, revel in the show’s imperfections.

The Web site votefortheworst.com encourages viewers to do exactly as its name says: Vote for the worst “Idol” contestant still standing each week. It has attracted more than 370,000 visitors so far.

“It’s fun to make fun of the people who take it so seriously,” said site founder Dave Della Terza, 22, Los Angeles.

Last year, the site stumped for Sinatra-style crooner John Stevens. This year, Scott Savol is the pick; credit lack of charisma and the kind of arrogance that should belong only to a genuine superstar, not a guy who’s hit enough off-key notes to draw judge Simon Cowell’s wrath.

Savol’s background is another factor, said Della Terza: He was arrested in 2001 on a felony domestic violence charge after a confrontation with his fiancee, ultimately pleading to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

“How do you promote the guy who threw a phone at his child’s mother?” Della Terza said.

All the hot gossip certainly hasn’t cooled the show’s ratings. “Idol” is averaging nearly 28 million weekly viewers for Tuesday’s performance show and more than 25 million for Wednesday’s results half-hour, bettering last season by several million, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Boosted by a group of older, more accomplished contestants, the twice-weekly airings hold the No. 2 and 3 ratings spots for the season so far in households and the No. 1 and 3 spots in total viewers.

Such numbers add up to big rewards. The “American Idol” franchise, including all international versions of the show, record sales and other merchandising, has turned into a billion-dollar baby.

Diana DeGarmo, last season’s runner-up to Fantasia Barrino, advises a little perspective.

“It’s a TV show before it’s anything. I think sometimes people need to remember that,” DeGarmo said. “They have to have something that gets them good ratings.”