Fox Reality Head Mike Darnell on Joanna Pacitti: “”Unfortunately, it was just a perceptional problem”

Mike Darnell, who oversees alternative programing for FOX, repeats to the LA Times, nearly verbatim what Ryan Seacrest told FOX reporters yesterday regarding Joanna Pacitti’s abrupt disqualification:

“Unfortunately, it was just a perceptional problem, that there [was] just too close a connection between [Pacitti and the employees], we felt, ” Darnell said today in an interview. (Darnell’s job at Fox encompasses network oversight of the “Idol” franchise.) “A replacement was made as a producorial and judge choice. Simple as that.”

He added: “I think it was handled correctly.” (“Idol” host Ryan Seacrest told Fox News that the producers “didn’t want to risk” a conflict of interest problem with Pacitti.)

A perception problem?   So, the conflict of interest was fine…until the public found out about it.   At least Darnell didn’t lay on any horsesh*t, like Seacrest did, about the producers just getting around to figuring out Joanna’s connections…to their own damn company.

Feh.     Kinda sucks for Joanna.   I was no fan of hers, but she was dragged through the mud for nothing.   Maybe they’ll sign her anyway.   In which case, I’ll take back what I said.

For Felicia Barton–hip hip hooray.   She was one of my favorites from back when the spoilers leaked.   To be in the center of a controversy is better than if she were just one of the 36.   We haven’t heard much of her singing, but we sure know who she is now.

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!