Vote for the Worst was the first source to tell you that Randy Jackson was senior vice president of A&R at MCA Records while Carly Smithson was signed there. Now Star Magazine picks up on it in their latest issue. They even have a quote from Randy, as told by an industry insider. Nice work, Star! Why is this still not a big deal? The producers shrugged off the "plant" story, and now look, 7 of the 8 remaining contestants are plants. If this story is shrugged off, Carly could actually end up with a record deal. We cannot let this happen. Keep spreading the word that the Carly-Randy connection is ridiculous and get as many Carly fans as you can to stop voting for her. Especially since it's hilarious that she tears up with even the mention of the bottom 3. She's nothing like VFTW champ Kristy who makes herself a name tag. Go Kristy! Boo Carly!

As if we don't hear enough diva music on the show, Randy Jackson reveals that Mariah Carey will be a mentor on this year's show. Does this mean a Mariah Carey theme week? That seems unfairly weighted toward David Archuleta and his melismatic, corny diva-isms. Though it would also mean a hilarious performance from Amanda. Or will it just be another "Music that Mariah likes" week like Gwen Stefani's VFTW victory train wreck week last year? Either way, a terrible week of awfulness is on the horizon, so we're happy either way. Randy is also asked about VFTW in the article and he says, "I don't even know what that's about. It's just more haters cashing in." Come on, dawg. Haters? Sounds a bit pitchy to us.

Just when we thought we'd never have to hear from the bumblebee hooker of melisma ever again after she was dropped from her record label, Randy Jackson has decided to resurrect Katharine McPhee's singing career by giving her a track on his upcoming album. The track is a duet with the misguided Elliott Yamin, who should be focusing on releasing another hit song and not doing crap like this. But here is the terrible song "Real Love". After listening to it, what's your comment? Thanks to MJ's Big Blog for the song leak.

Even though Yahoo and Reuters have finally picked up on the Carly Smithson debacle this week (the same story that we posted before Christmas and then again a week later... seriously, you guys should lurk here more often, you're way behind), no one else has picked up on the fact that Randy Jackson worked for MCA Records the same time Carly was there. Randy was the senior vice president of A&R. That's big stuff. Come on guys... we posted about that one back on January 28th. So who will be the first news outlet (besides us) to post about it? Go read up on it, but make sure to give us credit where credit is due. You're welcome. And as always, check back here early and often, as VFTW and the VFTW Forum are your premiere sources for the breaking Idol news that the producers don't want you to know.

The Carly Smithson plant debacle grows stronger by the day. We've done our research to find out something very interesting. Carly was signed to MCA records during the same time period that Randy Jackson was the senior vice president of A&R. Carly was at MCA in 1999. Randy started at MCA in 1998 and was there for 4 years. Should this mean an automatic disqualification for Carly? We think so! An American Idol wikipedia entry says that Thomas Lowe was disqualified last year " because it was publicized that he had been signed to BMG while Cowell was at the label, which is against Idol rules." If it is, we demand that Carly be disqualified. If it isn't against the rules, that's some shady, shady stuff going on. This plant definitely made it to the top 24 based on a prior connection with Randy, which should be completely unfair.

Brenna Gethers, our favorite Idol alum, worked together with VFTW to create this hilarious video titled "Brenna's Revenge". Watch as Brenna takes on Randy, drunken Paula, and Simon in a 3 on 1 wrestling match. Does Brenna have what it takes to beat up the loathsome threesome? Well, watch and find out, and share it with your friends!

The typical compliment to a great singer in this day and age is, "You should go on American Idol!" We all have friends that can sing circles around Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtry, and many of them may have tried out to be on the most popular show in the country. Most of these great singers don't make it anywhere near Simon, Paula, and Randy.