How to add another episode of a hit show.

I do not know if the person who did this deserves to get fired or be promoted.

Sorry, wrong number!

That’s what the immensely popular television show “American Idol” announced this morning, after complaints that incorrect phone numbers were displayed last night when directing viewers where to call to vote for their favorite singer. The problem came at the end of the program when the show was recapping the efforts of all the contestants.

The Fox network, which features “American Idol,” said on its Web site that it would not tabulate the phone calls from last night. It also changed its plans for tonight’s show, which was scheduled to announce the latest contestant to be forced off from the program–based on who gets the fewest votes. Instead, the network said, it will broadcast a one-hour show tonight and will then allow viewers to vote again. That episode will have new programming as well as encore performances from the 11 remaining contestants.

Results will be announced on a special show Thursday.

The series, which is in its fourth season, draws nearly 30 million viewers an episode, according to the Associated Press.

Lets see, put up the wrong telephone number for the girl who is about to get kicked off the show. Then have the media report the issue all day long. Then have to run another whole show to correct the error, and boost your ratings.

I could see the person who made the error getting let go, with a 2 year severance.

Update: Go see Paul at Wizbangs take on this. He and I are the same page.