Randy Remains Top-Ranked Idol Judge; Viewers Pick Lil Rounds, Von Smith and Scott MacIntyre to Advance

Randy Remains Top-Ranked Idol Judge; Viewers Pick Lil Rounds, Von Smith and Scott MacIntyre to Advance

- Simon Cowell's likeability increases yet again after this week's show -

FLEMINGTON, N.J., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study conducted among 985 American Idol viewers revealed that Randy Jackson remains on top among judges. Viewers also reported that contestants Lil Rounds, Von Smith and Scott MacIntyre should advance to the next round of the competition.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO)

The study was conducted by HCD Research last night to obtain American Idol viewers' perceptions of the judges and contestants. HCD Research will conduct a weekly study during the airing of American Idol Season 8 to measure how the judges' rankings change over time. To view agreement curves and detailed results visit: www.mediacurves.com.

Respondents were asked to select their top three contestants that they feel should advance to the next round. The viewers chose Lil Rounds (44%), Von Smith (38%) and Scott MacIntyre (37%) to move on to the next round. The predictions will be compared to the actual results which will be announced on tonight's show.

After viewing clips of each performance and the judges' critiques, study participants were asked to evaluate the judges based on scales of likeability, believability, sincerity and fairness. Simon Cowell's overall rating remained the same, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi's overall ratings increased slightly, and Paula Abdul's ratings decreased slightly.

Among the findings:

Simon Cowell Average
Likeability 66
Believability 76
Sincerity 75
Fairness 73 73

Paula Abdul Average
Likeability 74
Believability 68
Sincerity 73
Fairness 73 72

Randy Jackson Average
Likeability 78
Believability 78
Sincerity 79
Fairness 79 79

Kara DioGuardi Average
Likeability 71
Believability 72
Sincerity 73
Fairness 74 72

While viewing the video clip, participants indicated their perceptions of the contestant's performance as well as their agreement of the judges' critiques by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves.

The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

HCD Research specializes in conducting communications research for the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, financial and entertainment industries, among others.

Headquartered in Flemington, NJ, the company's services include traditional and web-based communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net or 908-788-9393.

EDITORS' NOTE: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn
Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD
Research, at
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: HCD Research

CONTACT: Vince McGourty, HCD Research, +1-908-483-9121,
vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net

Web Site: http://www.hcdi.net/
http://www.mediacurves.com/

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