"American Idol" Finalist David Aurchuleta's Dad Banned From Rehearsals

LOS ANGELES — Backstage meddling has caught up "American Idol" favorite David Archuleta's dad, who's been banned from rehearsals, a person working for the TV talent contest said Friday. Jeff Archuleta was told this week by producers that he can no longer join 17-year-old son as David as he prepares for the show, the person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person wasn't authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The show's action was first reported Friday by the online Web site TMZ. David Archuleta of Murray, Utah, is one of three contestants left as the top-rated Fox show heads toward the Jan. 20-21 finale. The fresh-faced teenager with the big voice has consistently been deemed a front-runner by the judges and been a consistent fan favorite. Jeff Archuleta's intense backstage involvement had become a source of concern for the series, the person connected with "American Idol" said _ but it was a lyric change on Tuesday's ... [link]