`Idol' report includes allegations about Abdul

ABC confirmed yesterday that tonight's Primetime Live (airing at 10 on WMAR, Channel 2) will include allegations by a former contestant that Paula Abdul, one of three judges on the hit Fox series American Idol, helped him advance in the talent show competition as a result of a sexual relationship.

According to the network, tonight's report will include an answering machine message with what former contestant Corey Clark identifies as Abdul's voice imploring him not to talk about her to the media.

Clark, one of 12 finalists during the second season of the series, will allege that Abdul initiated a relationship with him and provided him with money to buy clothes and assistance on choosing songs to perform.

While there has been much media speculation about tonight's broadcast, ABC has declined to provide details of what the report would include. And, while a representative for Abdul issued a statement last week calling Clark a liar, American Idol and Fox executives have declined to comment.

Late yesterday, producers for the show issued a statement saying that Clark was disqualified from the show "for failing to disclose his criminal arrest history." (He was charged with the misdemeanor of "obstructing the legal process" after a domestic dispute with his sister and scuffle with police, according to ABC.)

The American Idol producers added they "would look into any evidence of improper conduct."

- David Zurawik