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"A violent American Idol finalist?"

Posted by badger on 03-31-05 at 07:27 PM
LAST EDITED ON 03-31-05 AT 07:32 PM (EST)

LAST EDITED ON 03-31-05 AT 07:28 PM (EST)

what? you mean producers didn't do adequate background checks on their contestants?

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LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) Scott Savol, the 28-year-old Ohio native who made his way into the "American Idol" Top Nine on Wednesday (March 30), was arrested in 2001 after an alleged domestic assault the mother of his son Brandon.

The good people at TheSmokingGun.com have obtained the incident report and mug shot from the confrontation, which took place on Valentine's Day.

Apparently Savol and girlfriend Michele Martin had been living at her parents' house in Shaker Heights for roughly a year-and-a-half when they decided to part ways. Savol and his brother returned on his appointed move-out day and a fracas broke out. During the fight, Savol reportedly grabbed his ex's left hand, pulled off her engagement ring and then grabbed at his son.
According to the police report, Martin's mother threatened to call 911, which caused Savol shove her and take the phone out of her hand. Before leaving the house, he threw the phone at Martin's mother, breaking the phone.

The victim told the police that day that Savol had made threats in the past, though no reports had previously filed. Initially, she just wanted Savol out of the house and declined to file charges in favor of a restraining order, but the next day she signed an arrest warrant.

The always vigilant website says that Savol accepted a disorderly conduct misdemeanor plea and was fined $500, placed on a year's probation, ordered to take anger management classes and given a 20-day prison sentence, which was suspended.

Savol's previous arrest record included a "no contest" plea to a 1995 misdemeanor charge stemming from a trespassing incident at his high school.

After several seasons of somewhat shoddy background checking, "Idol" has had a smooth ride in its fourth go-round. Several past seasons were marred by uncovered information regarding various contestants. The most damaging allegations came in 2003's second season when Corey Clark left the show in the final round amidst the news that he was facing trial on charges of resisting arrest, physical battery and criminal restraint.

As of late afternoon on Thursday (March 31), FOX offered no statement on the Savol revelations.

ETA: picture and take out messed-up link


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Messages in this discussion
"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by okaychatt on 03-31-05 at 07:44 PM
I think the guy is just plain creepy. Those shots of him muttering to himself before his fate is decided are eerily intense - almost as if he'll erupt if he's in the bottom three.

His voice is ok, but his behavior during the try outs turned me off. I don't find him personable at all - he seems to be way too much of a brooding loner to merit star status. Has he ever looked at the others, let alone held someone's hand while waiting for the verdict? He seems very distant to me.

If this report is true, and it seems that it is, then I'll continue to not vote for him.

He must have fans out there, but I don't think there are enough to vote him into the final four. Can't wait for the week he's dumped. I betcha not one of the contestants sheds a tear for him.


To quote Monk, "I could be wrong..........but I don't think so."


Everyone is entitled to my opinion.


"He's still on the show - right ?"
Posted by Ricky on 04-01-05 at 09:59 AM
He may get voted off soon. but the producers won't make him leave the show because of the past arrest - will they ?


In the end, those of us that walk away winning, win more than just a loss - Audrey, Apprentice loser


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by grit on 03-31-05 at 07:55 PM
You beat me to it - I was just about to start a thread on this. Here's the story on The Smoking Gun.


Handcrafted by RollDdice


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by opinionated on 03-31-05 at 11:02 PM
Hmmm...so if this is Corey all over again, I wonder if Jessica will get a second chance?

Scott just went from underdog to just plain DOG.


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by uberspoon on 03-31-05 at 11:42 PM
LAST EDITED ON 03-31-05 AT 11:48 PM (EST)

I was so whole-heartedly against Nikko's re-instatement that I'll stay consistant and say it wouldn't be fair to bring back someone who'd been voted off. But I *do* believe that while she was pretty wretched this past week and she never would have won the whole thing, there were a couple of others who deserved to go before Jess did.

But yeah, we know how badly outcast twists can turn out on reality shows.

If I were to make a guess, I'd say if Scott gets Corey'd...it will lead to a stay for whomever gets the lowest vote total the week they dump him (which they won't say on-air until the night of the results show). I can't imagine he'll be allowed to continue now, physically assaulting the mother of your child is every bit as horrible as what Corey did. Everybody makes mistakes in their lives and I am all about forgiveness, but what Scott did is pretty darn repugnant.

ETA: This whole scandalous past thing on AI is getting really tired...can they start doing background checks on these people pre-top 24, already? Please, if the smoking gun can find it.. I know the idol machine can too.


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by archon on 04-01-05 at 07:58 AM
"if the smoking gun can find it.. I know the idol machine can too"

I can't argue that... How does this not show up on a simple criminal history check? I do wonder how AI is going to handle this. This is a HUGE image issue. Can't have known wife-beaters (sorry, mother-of-your-child-beaters) as your next pop-star.

But I will be fair and say that perhaps he has had a change of heart and repented for this behavior.

In any event, lying on his application should be reason enough to toss him to the curb. Sad, I actually liked his voice...

Archon

"You can get more with a 2x4 and a kind word than with just a kind word." (Marcus, B5)


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by badger on 04-01-05 at 09:40 AM
can't have known wife-beaters (sorry, mother-of-your-child-beaters) as your next pop-star.

what, like tommy lee (motley crue), axl rose, james brown, rick allen (def leppard), bobby brown, ozzy osbourne...


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by kathliam on 04-01-05 at 09:50 AM
Nah, America wants its pop stars to be sweet and innocent -- Justin Timberlake, early Brittany Spears, Hillary Duff, Annette Funicello. Keep it clean for the tweeners. Rock stars can get away with murder.

"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by archon on 04-01-05 at 10:05 AM
"what, like tommy lee (motley crue), axl rose, james brown, rick allen (def leppard), bobby brown, ozzy osbourne..."

hehehehehehehe... yep... just like that....

Archon

"You can get more with a 2x4 and a kind word than with just a kind word." (Marcus, B5)


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by sharonk52 on 04-01-05 at 02:10 PM
or Eminem?? The smokinggun report also states that Scott told the producers all this and was honest about it. Thats why they haven't made him leave. However, I feel with this news release that Scott will probably be next to go.

"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by ginger on 04-01-05 at 10:35 AM
And he's always looked like such a nice young man!




"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by okaychatt on 04-02-05 at 06:47 PM
<he's always looked like such a nice young man!

Yeah, and so clean cut, too. Your every day boy-next-door.


Everyone is entitled to my opinion.


"Devil's Advocate"
Posted by Devious Weasel on 04-01-05 at 11:42 AM
A huge difference between this and Corey Clark is that Clark was facing charges even as the show was going on. This is over and settled and has been for almost four years. For all we know, he did put this on his application for the show.



"RE: Devil's Advocate"
Posted by ginger on 04-01-05 at 11:48 AM
True dat.



I was wondering what took Smoking Gun so long to find it.


"RE: Devil's Advocate"
Posted by Lisapooh on 04-01-05 at 12:34 PM
it could hinge on whether or not he disclosed it to the producers. Trenyce disclosed her shoplifting conviction upfront and was allowed to continue.

I'd like to see him booted, but I think that's just my personal distaste for him showing through. I was upset at Frenchie's dismissal (there wasn't even a crime there) but didn't care about Corey going.

I think there is (or should be) a distinction between violent and nonviolent acts. Is domestic battery worst than shoplifting? To me, it is.


"Scott won't be kicked off the show - USA Today"
Posted by Ricky on 04-01-05 at 12:46 PM
USA Today is reporting that Scott had told producers about this previously and he won't be kicked off the show.

Savol, 28, one of nine remaining Idol finalists, had previously told Idol producers of the misdemeanor disorderly conduct conviction that resulted from the incident.

According to a statement issued by Fox and Idol producers Thursday night: "Scott Savol was forthcoming to the American Idol producers and the network regarding his misdemeanor.

After reviewing the facts, in which the charges were reduced to disorderly conduct, we felt that considering Scott's honesty and his remorse, the situation did not warrant his disqualification."

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-03-31-idol-arrest_x.htm



In the end, those of us that walk away winning, win more than just a loss - Audrey, Apprentice loser


"RE: Scott won't be kicked off the show - USA Today"
Posted by Tahj on 04-01-05 at 01:14 PM
Good, I don't think he should be. The charge is four years old.


Moves courtesy of Syren


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by sapphirechick on 04-01-05 at 01:39 PM
There are a number of reasons that Scott may not be "Idol" material, and it's easy to find all kinds of fault with the guy if you're looking for it. It's been painfully obvious that overweight men are more accepted by the judges and America than overweight or even pudgy women. But, I have seen several posts referring to him being rather dark, creepy, stand-offish, self-absorbed, etc. And all of them are truly turn-offs, for sure.

That being said, I've tried to not judge any of the contestants this year by looks or by apparent popularity. Yet, Scott has stuck out in my mind as the one guy up there who could come back with a vengeance if he's let go. Not once in the other 3 seasons did I think of someone going whacko and shooting up the set. Not that Simon's sarcasm hasn't driven anyone to think of it themselves, I bet.

Anyway, I have said from the beginning that he reminds me of the character in the film, FULL METAL JACKET. You know, the one who eventually blows away the Sargeant when he's driven over the edge. Maybe that's why I've been wondering what could happen on a live show if he is as troubled as he appears to be. But, that's not fair to him. I don't know who he is, and just how troubled he might be. Still, it's eerie enough for me to find out I wasn't too far off. With the world being what it is these days, it might be smart for them to get him out of the running now, before the pressure of the top 5 or less(not that I expect he'll even get that far) drives him over the edge, too?

Even if he has learned from his mistake, if someone else was ousted for similar behavior, the precedent's been set. It should be interesting to see how it is handled.


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by opinionated on 04-01-05 at 02:27 PM
LAST EDITED ON 04-01-05 AT 02:28 PM (EST)

I'm betting that not another word will be mentioned by Fox. I actually give them credit--he was up-front about the whole thing and they made a choice. In the past, the contestants who were booted were not up-front about it. I guess that's the big difference.

Nevertheless, I agree with everything else you said. It's very eerie that so many people categorized him as "creepy" and now have a tangible reason for it. I'd love to know the story behind his breaking into his high school in 1995. What the heck was going on there?

He's always praying during the eliminations--maybe he's "found God" and will surprise us by being very gracious when he finally leaves. He takes Simon's critiques fairly well, other than some distasteful looks and eye rolling. (He's certainly not the first contestant to do either of those things.)

I don't know--gonna be interesting to see how it all pans out. He had to know that this stuff would get drudged up eventually--I'm surprised it took this long.


"Some questions I have..."
Posted by Flairmarq on 04-01-05 at 03:36 PM
I did have a few questions...

1) Why was it leaked now?

2) Why did Idol take him if they knew about the physical violence--considering this would be a P.R. nightmare, plus a lot of other singers could have taken his spot?

3) Knowing that the info was leaked, why doesn't Scott bow out gracefully rather than be voted off next week?

"The Simon of the Wabash Valley"


"RE: Some questions I have..."
Posted by ginger on 04-01-05 at 03:45 PM
It ain't gonna help him, that's for sure. Although Trenyce was up front about her situation and therefore was not kicked off, either, I think the Smoking Gun revelation of her arrest had an impact on voters.




"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by bostonrobfan on 04-01-05 at 04:06 PM
I agree. It's unfair to others who got booted to not boot Scott now.

"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by aquariaqueen on 04-03-05 at 03:31 PM
Could you imagine the damage he could do to the judges or the audience if he had too many Twinkies that day???????


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by Fishercat on 04-02-05 at 06:59 PM
Two things to say

A) He shouldn't be kicked off the show since he admitted it and AI let him go through. If fans want him off that bad, don't vote for him.

B) I'm disappointed as there is little excuse for such a crime. I still think he has a great voice and judging that his looks were a clear determinant of him as the type that would do this is asinine, but I am not going to root for the guy any more.


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by seahorse on 04-02-05 at 11:26 PM
>A) He shouldn't be kicked off
>the show since he admitted
>it and AI let him
>go through. If fans want
>him off that bad, don't
>vote for him.

I totally agree. He is not going to win or be around too much longer anyway.



Handcrafted by RollDdice


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by badger on 04-02-05 at 11:41 PM
i can be a pretty kind and compassionate person *cough,cough* but domestic violence, i just can't get over. pretending to be a bad boy is one thing; beating on women, another.

i'm sure he'll go soon too.

i hope he'll go soon.

and i'll puke if he sings a love ballad this week.


"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by cjrooney on 04-13-05 at 10:19 PM
It amazes me that we now allow anyone to become idol. Frenchie was disqualified because she did modeling that was not the imagine the brass at idol wanted to portray. Yet now they are allowing someone with an arrest record continue. All Simon ever says is that Idol is an image. What image will be portrayed by someone like Scott? I have enjoyed watching Idol but if Scott is allowed to continue then I will probably not watch any other Idol seasons. I am really disappointed.

"RE: A violent American Idol finalist?"
Posted by nailbone on 04-14-05 at 10:19 AM
Because no other recording act in America has any kind of violent criminal past, right?


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