[swany]

We hate em too, but they draw more people, a few things I have run into. The host said the judging for the finals would be DJs from a local radio station. Did not show on finals night, one of the judges son won the top prize. Contest rule, can't sing the same song in finals as you qualified with. The blond with the nice butt took home $350 and she sang the same song. Her boyfriend did not place ( he was not off key she was and he was a better singer )
Now for the good one I was at, can't sing the same song as you qualify with, finals there is no monitor. The respected music company puts on the show pays for the prizes and judges the show. Rules no relatives or employees of the show can enter. Former contest winners may judge as a guest on qualifing nights (not finals), but can be disqualified for bias judging (leans way to one person that the other judges have not even considered.