Twin "Idol" Hopefuls Face Charges

After just two episodes, the fifth season of American Idol has struck its first sour note.

Some 35.5 million viewers watched Tuesday night as twin brothers Terrell and Derrell Brittenum wowed the judges at Idol's Chicago auditions and earned passes to Hollywood. Now the Brittenums are experiencing the downside of their newfound fame, as their criminal records take a turn in the spotlight.

The 28-year-old Memphis natives are facing charges of forgery, theft by deception and financial identity fraud in Georgia. Terrell has been in jail in Tennessee since Jan. 10 and Derrell is expected to turn himself in soon, a sheriff's spokesman said.

The charges stem from the brothers' purchase of a 2005 Dodge Magnum in June, in Rockdale County, Georgia--an acquisition they made by allegedly supplying the seller with another man's name and financial information.

Derrell was collared by Memphis police Oct. 30 during a routine traffic stop, during which the arresting officers ran the Dodge's tags and discovered that it had been reported as stolen and that both brothers were wanted in Georgia.

The would-be Idol was taken into custody, where he gave a statement admitting that he knew he was driving a stolen car. Terrell was picked up a few days later on a fugitive charge.

According to the Georgia charges, Terrell supplied Derrell with the financial information he used to buy the $23,175 Dodge.

The twins bonded out of the Memphis jail in early November, but refused to be extradited to Georgia. Officials there obtained a governor's warrant to have the brothers re-arrested for an extradition hearing.

The Brittenums' American Idol auditions were taped in mid-September and portions of the show have already been filmed in Hollywood. Fox refused to comment on the brothers' status on the show, or on their arrest records.

When it comes to dealing with controversy, the spin doctors at American Idol headquarters are seasoned pros by now, having faced down negative press of some kind each season since the show began.

Join us, as we take a trip down memory lane to review some of the more memorable Idol scandals of seasons past.

Season One:

Dialing debacle: Idol voters are shocked, shocked to learn that so-called "power dialers" have hacked the Idol phone lines and are capable of casting thousands of votes in an attempt to sway the show's outcome. Winner: Kelly Clarkson. Epilogue: After finishing second behind Clarkson, Justin Guarini is cited in June 2003 for reckless operation of a boat. He then mysteriously disappears off the face of the earth.

Season Two:

Nobody's idol: Corey Clark is booted off the show after producers learn of his undisclosed criminal record, which included charges that he assaulted his teenage sister and resisted arrest during a 2002 scuffle. Overexposed: Frenchie Davis is kicked off the show after it becomes public knowledge that she posed topless for an adult Website. Violent reaction: Jaered Andrews gets the hook after being charged with assault in connection with a bar brawl that ended in the death of another patron. Sticky Fingers: Trenyce's felony theft record is exposed; producers dismiss charge as a "minor matter" and allow her to stay. Winner: Ruben Studdard. Epilogue: Top 10 finalist Julia DeMato is arrested in December 2005 and charged with possessing marijuana and cocaine, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Season Three:

Poor motoring skills: Semifinalist Donnie Williams is yanked from the Idol lineup after getting arrested for drunk driving. Blackout backlash: After Jennifer Hudson is voted off, conspiracy theorists blame her elimination on a power outage in her hometown of Chicago that may have prevented would-be voters from getting through. Bitch is back: Elton John brands Idol voters "incredibly racist" after African-American singers Hudson, LaToya London and Fantasia Barrino wind up in the bottom three. Winner: Fantasia Barrino. Epilogue: Barrino is blasted by a couple in her hometown of High Point, North Carolina who claim the singer dissed the town in interviews in order to sell records.

Season Four:

Affair to remember: Corey Clark (see season two) resurfaces to allege that he carried on a affair with Paula Abdul while he was a contestant; Fox launches an independent investigation and finds "insufficient evidence" to back Clark's claims. Domestic disturbance: Scott Savol's prior arrest record stemming from a dispute with an ex-flame is unearthed; producers claim Savol was forthcoming about his past and allow him to stay. Low blow: Bo Bice's arrest records for felony cocaine possession and marijuana possession surface; producers again claim to have prior knowledge of the arrests and allow Bice to stay. Winner: Carrie Underwood. Epilogue: A Florida man is arrested in January 2006 and accused of stalking finalist Jessica Sierra after leaving her numerous messages and showing up at her grandmother's house.

Season Five:

Twin sin: Terrell and Derrell Brittenum's criminal records for forgery and fraud attract nationwide media attention; Fox stays mum on potential consequences.

Stay tuned for the next installment of American Idol: Criminal Intent.