50-year old professor sues 'American Idol'

[Jules]

Florida man sues 'American Idol'
College professor, 50, alleges age discrimination

Sunday, January 19, 2003 Posted: 11:04 PM EST (0404 GMT)

MIAMI BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- They're twentysomethings looking to become a star.

But what's wrong with a fiftysomething seeking stardom?

A 50-year-old college professor is suing producers of the TV show "American Idol" and the Fox Network, alleging age discrimination after he says he was denied the chance to audition to compete on the show.

Drew Cummings, a professor of film and television at Miami-Dade Community College's School of Entertainment Technologies, filed the suit based on federal and state laws barring age discrimination. He said he attended the open audition in Miami Beach in November, waited in line several hours, and was ultimately turned away and told he was too old to be considered for the show.

"I find it hard to believe that age plays a part in determining the next 'American Idol,'" Cummings said in a news release. "According to record industry statistics, 55 percent of all record sales and 65 percent of all concert tour revenues were dominated by artists over the age of 40."

According to eligibility rules for the program, people must be between 16 and 24 to audition. The rules also say producers may disqualify anyone from the auditions for any reason.

Representatives of Fox and FremantleMedia, which produces the program, could not be reached for comment Sunday night.

News of Cummings' lawsuit came two days before the premiere of the second season of "American Idol."

Cummings said he is filing the suit to fight what he called "rampant" age discrimination in the entertainment industry and corporate America.

"If by filing these charges I become the poster child for baby boomers' and age discrimination rights, that's fine with me," he said.

His lawyer, Frederick Kramer, said he is also considering legal action against the Federal Communications Commission.

"Mr. Cummings was summarily denied the right to compete, and he was discriminated against solely because of his age, not his ability as a singer," Kramer said.

In addition to teaching at the college, Cummings is president of the Alternative Entertainment Network, which produces original streaming video content. He has been a producer, writer and director of TV programs including "Bill Nye the Science Guy," "Entertainment Tonight" and "That's Incredible."

More than 10,000 people nationwide vied last year for a chance to compete on "Idol," a judged singing competition that pared down contestants each week. Viewers watched as the singers were eliminated; judges picked a winner from the remaining three singers in the season finale.

So is this age discrimination, or does Fox have the right to set its own rules in the American Idol competition? Since I detest this whole genre called Reality TV, I find this whole episode rather amusing.

Discuss.

[Boris Godunov]

They have a right to set whatever age limits they want, duhhhhh. Stupid lawsuit.

[David Floyd]

Absolutely moronic. If they put a 50 year old on the show, I'll sue American Idol, because any female on that show should be young and hot, and putting a 50 year old on there clearly violates my rights

[Worthingtons]

Aye, he probably wanted to fiddle with the young girls....

[Dis]

who doesn't?

It depends if they had the rules of the contest written down somewhere. If there were no rules for the contest he may have a case.

[monkspider]

I think having a 50 year old professor for an American Idol might just be cool enough of a concept to convince me to tune in.

[red_jon]

If they didn't put an age limit on, we would get millions of wrinkly, saggy old men and women cavorting around a stage!

And lord knows there are enough...

[DRoseDARs]

Originally posted by Dissident
It depends if they had the rules of the contest written down somewhere. If there were no rules for the contest he may have a case.

"According to eligibility rules for the program, people must be between 16 and 24 to audition. The rules also say producers may disqualify anyone from the auditions for any reason."

Nope, he doesn't have a case. This is why you should ALWAYS read the fine print of ANY legal document. What a dumbass.

And for a college (well, COMMUNITY college) professor, you'd think he'd realize teaching is a better, more worthwhile, more stable and dependable career choice than "American Idol" can provide. Again I say...what a dumbass.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
And for a college (well, COMMUNITY college) professor,

Elitism is very unbecoming.

[MRT144]

indeed, without community colleges a lot of under privlidged people wouldnt have an opportunity for higher education.

[Az]

community colledges are higher education?

[Boris Godunov]

[Az]

hey, sorry that not all of us old-worlder know how your glorious education system works. I was under the impression that community colleges don't give BAs.

[MRT144]

but they do provide general college education for at least 1/5 the cost it takes at a normal university. these courses then can be transfered to state colleges and universities that offer BAs and BSs.

In states like california its actually easier to go to community college and transfer to a university than it is to apply directly from high school.

[Az]

But they don't give a real degree, right?