ABC takes aim at 'Idol'

Sex, conspiracy theories and a one-time Utahn have roles in one of TV's most interesting current dramas — albeit one that's not completely playing out on television.

Shortly after Fox airs another edition of "American Idol" (8 p.m., Ch. 13), ABC is set to air some "explosive claims" about the show in a special edition of "PrimeTime Live" (9 p.m., Ch. 4). The alphabet network isn't releasing a whole lot of details about the hour — titled "Fallen Idol" — but there have been leaks indicating that it will center on charges by former Utahn Corey Clark that he was involved in a sexual relationship with "Idol" judge Paula Abdul before he was ousted from the second season of the show.

Clark was born in San Bernardino, Calif., and was living in Nashville, Tenn., when he auditioned for "Idol," but he did live in Utah for a while and attended Bonneville High School. The 24-year-old is reportedly pitching a tell-all book in which he claims he had an affair with Abdul, 42, while he was a contestant.

Which, if nothing else, will make a whole lot of people think . . . ick.

Clark was one of the finalists on "American Idol" two years ago, but the producers essentially fired him from the show when it was revealed he was facing assault charges for an altercation involving his then-15-year-old sister.

(The producers have allowed current contestant Bo Bice to remain on the show despite entering into a diversion program after being charged with felony cocaine possession because he fessed up before he got on the show; Clark didn't mention his arrest to the producers.)

Abdul, at least, is under the impression that the ABC report includes Clark's charges. She released a statement last week calling Clark "an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activity." That was, of course, after she said she "will not dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response."

Furthermore, her attorney has threatened to sue ABC if the network airs the special. Which hasn't deterred ABC.

This really gets much more interesting when you look at it as a battle of media titans. In the highly competitive world of network television, is ABC trying to ride on Fox's coattails by exploiting the interest in "American Idol"? Or is the Disney-owned network actively trying to undermine a rival's hit show?