Did 'Idol' Use Pia and Mark to Mess With 'The Voice'? If So, It Didn't Work

By Rob Shuter Posted Apr 27th 2011 02:15PM

Head-scratching TV insiders are wondering today, did 'American Idol,' which controls every appearance of every finalist with an iron fist, deliberately allow kicked-off Pia Toscano to appear on 'Dancing With the Stars' last night to mess with a competing talent show? We're of course talking about NBC's 'The Voice,' which debuted the same hour as 'Dancing' on ABC.

"Of course they did," one NBC producer not directly tied to 'The Voice' tells me. "'Idol' has not allowed any of its talent from the present season appear on 'Dancing,' and all of a sudden they book Pia!"

My industry source believes FOX may have been worried about another singing competition "stealing their thunder, so they did everything they could to sabotage it."

Well, if it's true then mission not accomplished. Via the Hollywood Reporter: "With a 5.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 11.8 million viewers overall, it is the top-rated series premiere on a major network since CBS' Undercover Boss debut following the 2010 Super Bowl."

More importantly, 'The Voice' bested 'Dancing' -- which saw the departure of Chris Jericho -- in the 9-10 p.m. time-slot. Ouch!

Sabotage theories aside, Pia's performance was also great due to the rumors that she is dating professional dancer Mark Ballas, who performed while she sang. At the end of her number, host Tom Bergeron slighly asked Pia about her status with Mark. "He's a wonderful person," she replied.

"This was too good an opportunity to miss," a past 'Idol' winner who asked to remain anonymous tells me. "The connection between Mark and Pia was perfect to ensure great ratings for 'Dancing With the Stars' at the expense of the new show."

The former 'Idol' likens the show's efforts to take on its competition as a war game, adding, "If you think for one minute that the producers of 'Idol' are not thinking everything through like a chess game, then you don't understand why this show is such a monster success."

We only wish Simon Cowell's new competition, 'The X-Factor,' was debuting during an 'Idol' season. Now THAT would be war!

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Tags: American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Mark Ballas, Pia Toscano, The Voice

Comments

(174)

Wednesday 27 April

By Linda

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Go away Pia......you were voted off for a reason. We don't like you!!!!!

By dickjohn

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Liar.

By mm

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maybe they r together cuz these narcissistic jerks love to get all the attention

By jd41248

The Voice is being repeated several times this week so if anyone wanted to postpone seeing it they could. I love Dancing with the Stars. I caught the end of The Voice and really didn't like it - so far. I may try to watch again.

By busymissnanci

I did watch "The Voice", and was bored silly. I don't know where they are going, but I was not impressed, and do not plan to watch again. No one was trying to sabotage them with Pia's appearance on DWTS, Idol just indulged her because she was voted off, and they had pre-determined that she was the winner. A sop, if you will. The people voted correctly. SHe's no better now, and we are no more impressed with her from last night than we were when she was voted off Idol. A little humility would have helped her immensely.

By kma

Why are they being coy whether they are dating or not? Pia dumped her long time boyfriend for the Dancing with the Stars dancer but saying they are "just friends" doesn't fool anyone. Does anyone know if they actually slept with one another yet? If so then their "just friends, wonderful person" remarks are total BS.

Thursday 28 April

By pattuzi

Where have you guys been? If you'd have kept a close watch you'd know that when Pia found out that the DWTS studio was next to AI she went there and asked to be introduced to Mark, anything to get a leg up! And just for the record, I don't think she'd have made it on the voice either. It's an interesting show, we'll have to wait and see how it turns out. They're in it for a record contract, nothing more.

By Francis

Why are they always pushing Pia.....Ok voice that was voted off....AI just doesnt get it!!

By Katen

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Slighly is spelled wrong! She has a great voice, but NO personality

By lindau

VOICE is the werst show I have ever seen. Only one person who sang last night had any talent at all.

By Camille

mm, are you crazy? Mark was around way before Pia and he'll be around long after her 15 minutes of fame is up. SHE went after him. Not the other way around.

By Mark

There is a reason why nobody voted for her on Idol. She got the least votes of any contestant. That's the way the show works. She's not very good. Don't get your panties in a bunch, just telling it like it is.

By mixnmatch4

Votes mean NOTHING! The producers of the show say who stays and goes. Votes mean NOTHING! Just like the scales on the biggest loser are fake. Producers rule. Go back to Neverland.

I knew some Pia lover would get their panties in a bunch. LOL. I'm sure the producers would like to make the decisions but you're wrong, one mistake, one leak of information and the show is off the air. Now, I think its time for your various medications and a nice nappy, go get your binkie and your blanky.

By MAS

PIA.....FLOOZIE POOOHAAAA

By BBB

Ya Know..........Pia isn't the 'beautiful and her voice is average. Her real trait is the she seems like a spoiled, self-centered BIT_ _!!!! Her attitude is "I'm better than you". Giver her time and she will ruin her own career. CAN"T STAND HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a voice coach...I watched Pia. The Voice is a stupid concept. Did anyone recognize the fat beared guy from other TV shows? Too much thought, stars are not stars, talents looks pre-planned...just all around bad plan.

By Tiffany

lol "I'll Stand by You"- until I find someone I can get more publicity with :)

By Kim

Another reason I will not be watching ABC anymore. First they drop the soaps, then they put an Idol cast off on Dancin, just becauce she's hooked up with Ballas??? Give be a break. She's a nobody! Don't they pay their performers. There are a ton of other singers that have paid their dues and deserve to perform on Dancin. NOT PIA!!!!!!! Another dumb decision by ABC. You'll soon be off the air at this rate.

By Vickie Wilkerson

No, they did not use Pia on Dancing just to keep her from Voice. That makes no sense. I believe they simply used Pia on Dancing since she is dating Mark and it would make for interesting watching. The girl can sing but no better than most other ones on the show or shows before her. Big tado about nothing.

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