Musicians sue American Idol in royalties dispute

Musicians sue 'Idol' in royalties dispute (CNN)

A musicians union has filed a federal lawsuit against the producers of "American Idol," claiming musicians were underpaid because the show's live music was re-recorded for reruns.

The American Federation of Musicians filed the suit seeking unspecified damages Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleging that American Idol Productions Inc. and its subsidiary Tick Tock Productions Inc. violated a collective bargaining agreement.

That contract says the show's musicians should be paid royalties for rebroadcasts of the show, the lawsuit said.

Costs have gone up because the show employs live musicians now. Remember when we were satisfied with just having recorded music in the background?

Here's an idea: how about having the contestants back each other up with music and vocals during the show -- they don't get paid a lot anyway. Now we can see sabotage and all those shenanigans at work right in front of us.

Archey: "I need more cowbell!"
Jason: "Okey dokey!"