California Congresswoman Jackie Speier just released a statement today that supports our friends on the American Idol Truth Tour. In the press release we received, Speier says, "Madam Speaker, I have watched “American Idol” with my teenage daughter on many occasions. I am well aware of its impact on society and the enormous profits it generates for Fox Television and its producers and advertisers. In 2007, the show allegedly generated over $200 million in profits for the Fox network, while FremantleMedia’s worldwide profits exceeded $1.8 billion. Why then, are they unable to pay a fair and equitable wage to its employees who provide the written content or other services that make these shows so successful?" We don't know, but we hope this gets picked up by enough media outlets that Fremantle will have to respond. Thanks for the support, Jackie!

Check out this interview in the San Francisco Sentinel with former Idol worker Justin Buckles. He is part of the American Idol Truth Tour, attempting to make sure Idol workers are paid fair amounts for overtime and breaks, as well as receive healthcare benefits. In the interview, Justin outlines how Idol took advantage of him, prevented him from speaking out by threatening to fire any wayward employees, and tried to tell him that California Labor Laws don't apply to reality show workers. Disgusting. It's a great read, so check it out, and support The American Idol Truth Tour. Someone needs to speak the truth, we might as well make sure you hear it!

American Idol may be auditioning delusional hopefuls tomorrow in San Francisco, but it doesn't mean the city is happy about it. San Fransisco City Hall Supervisor Bevan Dufty is introducing a resolution that basically admonishes the producers of Idol for not paying their workers enough. The San Francisco Chronicle says that "the nonbinding measure calls on FremantleMedia North America, which produces "Idol," "Family Feud," "The Price Is Right" and other shows, to provide its employees with industry standard benefits and comply with state wage and hour laws." Ooh, that's gotta be bad publicity for your money-grubbing show, eh, Nigel? Word gets around fast I guess!

Our friends over at The American Idol Truth Tour have posted this video to inform viewers of Fremantle shows like American Idol and America's Got Talent about the poor working conditions that the writers on these shows face. They routinely work 7 day weeks at 16 hours a day. They aren't paid overtime. And they certainly don't get health benefits. But come on... how could a company like Fremantle, who rakes in gigantic amounts of money each year, afford such unimportant things like health care for its workers? We hope you take the time to watch this video and pass it on to friends and anyone you know in the media. Let's get the word out there that Idol's workers and other Fremantle employees demand fair compensation for the time they put in. And track the American Idol Truth Tour at truthaboutfremantle.com. If you're in the San Francisco area, you can also stop just outside the Idol auditions tomorrow to see the Truth Tour in action. VFTW is the voice of truth, so let's help spread this truth. Let's make this a big story!