Happy Mother's Day from the Stage Dad from Hell

Who knew that the Associated Press would be a source of American Idol gossip? Last week it was news of the ratings decline. This week it's America's favorite Stage Dad Jeff Archuleta.

David Archuleta's dad loses 'American Idol' backstage pass

By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer Sat May 10, 6:45 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Backstage meddling has caught up "American Idol" favorite David Archuleta's dad, who's been banned from rehearsals, a person working for the TV talent contest said Friday.

Jeff Archuleta was told this week by producers that he can no longer join 17-year-old son as David as he prepares for the show, the person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person wasn't authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The show's action was first reported Friday by the online Web site TMZ.

David Archuleta of Murray, Utah, is one of three contestants left as the top-rated Fox show heads toward the Jan. 20-21 finale. The fresh-faced teenager with the big voice has consistently been deemed a front-runner by the judges and been a consistent fan favorite.

Jeff Archuleta's intense backstage involvement had become a source of concern for the series, the person connected with "American Idol" said — but it was a lyric change on Tuesday's show that pushed producers to act.

Despite a warning, Jeff Archuleta insisted on altering "Stand by Me," one of two songs his son sang on the show Tuesday. By adding a verse from Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls," the father incurred additional costs for "American Idol," the person said.

Fox declined comment. Attempts to reach Jeff Archuleta for comment were unsuccessful. A phone number listed under his name in Murray, Utah, was no longer in service, and Fox did not immediately respond to a request Friday evening for help in contacting the family.

Earlier Friday, David Archuleta was honored at a hometown celebration held at his high school in Murray, during which Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman declared "David Archuleta Day."

The singer and his family declined to be interviewed at the event, but David Archuleta did speak with the Salt Lake City Fox affiliate, KSTU-TV. "Wow," he exclaimed as he viewed the cheerleading squad outside his stretch limousine.

The other finalists left in competition for the "Idol" title and a record contract are David Cook and Syesha Mercado. Cook, a native of suburban Blue Springs, Mo., had his own homecoming celebration Friday in Kansas City, while Mercado was feted Bradenton, Fla.

So only when Stage Dad causes the Idol producers to fork over more money in song rights fees do they act, even though by some accounts he's been putting the fear of God into everyone on the show since the beginning. No one Wonder Boy has had looked like a deer staring into headlights every time he takes the stage. If this story is in fact true and Stage Dad is kept away from his son during rehearsals, when as we found out the judges determine their comments, it'll be interesting to see how Wonder Boy does. It'll also be interesting to see how Randy Jackson comments on David's performances.

If you are interested in getting the more juicier aspects of this story check out the TMZ web site here. Among other things it has a very interesting picture of Stage Dad and claims that he has been badgering the other contestants as well as his own son and the Idol staff.

I also didn't know that a recording contract was one of the prizes given to the Idol winner. Nowadays when just about everyone in the Top 12 gets a record deal it doesn't seem to matter as much. Maybe that is why Clive Davis doesn't appear on the show anymore.