Fame 'Idol' brings isn't always fun

David Archuleta is getting a taste of fame these days. And the "American Idol" finalist from Utah is learning that fame doesn't always taste so sweet.

It isn't just that the 17-year-old from Murray had a hard time on camera last week, what with forgetting his song lyrics, but tabloid TV is now coming after him.

"Entertainment Tonight" reported that Archuleta's dad is "an evil stage father." The report — from (you guessed it!) unidentified sources — said that Jeff Archuleta yelled at his son and even made him cry during rehearsals on Tuesday. And "ET" intimated that that was the reason for David's poor showing that night.

Again, none of this was substantiated.

It didn't stop there, however. "Entertainment Tonight" went on to make more serious allegations — again, without anyone actually being willing to stand up and admit to being the source — against the elder Archuleta.

Two, um, "reporters" from the gossip site laragmag.com. went on camera and (citing unnamed sources), said that when David Archuleta was on "Star Search" five years ago, his father was banned from the set after he intimidated and harassed a girl who competed against David.

The "reporters" on this story were Lynn Warren and Alex Ali, whose qualifications seem to be that (a) they were contestants on the seventh season of "The Amazing Race," and (b) they sound breathless and shocked when they break their "news."

Fame is just great, isn't it?

THE CW SENT OUT a review copy of the 100th episode of "One Tree Hill" (8 p.m., Ch. 30), which was very brave, given that the show stinks.

But the network included a request that, after we watch the episode, we reveal nothing about six — count 'em, six — plot points.

I generally avoid revealing plot points, but why bother to send a review copy if we can't write about anything in it? I can't tell you that:

• (Censored) returns.

• (Censored) has a fantasy about (censored).

• (Censored) says (censored) and leaves (censored), or any of the fallout from that decision.

• (Censored) wants to have (censored)'s (censored).

• (Censored) is missing, the (censored) or the (censored).

• (Censored) rescues (censored).

Just remember, you didn't hear it here first!

A FATEFUL TRIP: Apparently, you're never too old to get busted for pot. Did you see the story that 69-year-old Dawn Wells — Mary Ann on "Gilligan's Island" — is on probation after being arrested last October in Idaho.

And, apparently, you're never too old to try something along the lines of "The dog ate my homework." Wells told police the marijuana smell and the half-smoked joints were left behind by three hitchhikers she had just dropped off.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale. ...