Is American Idol Rigged?

I've been getting emails from supposed insiders at American Idol for the past year or so claiming that there's a tell-all book in the works. They say the book will blow the lid on AI - that the show is rigged, winners are chosen early on and bad songs given to certain contestants that will get them the boot.

The New York Daily News today is reporting that an AI staffer has leaked that the final four has already been chosen by producers and they are - Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Danny Gokey and Alexis Grace.

Asked if this was opinion or actual fact, the staffer vehemently retorted, “Those ARE the people,” saying it wasn’t mere speculation.

But the lass took it a step further, claiming that higher-ups at the hit Fox show were taking an issue with two of the top contenders.

“Adam Lambert and Lil Rounds are better singers and musicians than Gokey and Grace, but they’re too much like past winners and ‘A’ successes,” the woman said. “Adam’s too close in style and sound to Chris Daughtry, while Lil Rounds is a dead ringer for Fantasia. Even their background stories are similar!

“The producers really want it to be Danny or Alexis. They think they’re very commercially viable, have a good image and a great story.”

What do you guys think? Do you think the show is rigged? Do you think producers try to influence who the winner will be? Do you think this will be The Final Four?

Be sure to tune in for tonight's 2-hour show. It's Grand Ol' Opry Night so it should be....painful with lots of bitching from Simon.