**Due to flooding at Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center, the auditions have been rescheduled for Jan. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wheeling Island Race Track and Gaming Center.**WPXI-TV and WTOV-TV
"GIMME THE MIKE!" ContestOFFICIAL RULES1.NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
2.Eligibility. Subject to the additional restrictions below, the WPXI-TV and WTOV-TV “GIMME THE MIKE!” Contest (the “Contest”) is open to residents of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia who are 18 years or older at the time of entry, have never been convicted of a crime and have never had a recording contract. Employees of WPXI, Inc. and WTOV, Inc.(together, “Sponsors”), Cox Broadcasting, Inc., Post-Newsweek Productions, Wheeling Island Race Track and Gaming Center, The Mall at Robinson, Bouchat Cadillac and each of their respective affiliated companies, and advertising and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with, any such employees, are not eligible to enter or to win. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren. Only individual singers are allowed to compete in the Contest – no groups or instrumentalists will be allowed to audition. Persons belonging to a professional acting, theater or musical organization, such as SAG and AFTRA, are not allowed to compete in the Contest. Persons who entertain, whether it be their whole or part time income, are allowed to compete so long as they do not belong to any professional organization connected with the entertainment industry that would cause Sponsors to pay such contestant a fee or any other benefit for taking part in any Contest event. Any person who appeared on a Gimme the Mike! television show in the past is not eligible to enter.
3.How To Enter and Win.
(A)Entry: To enter the Contest, you must register in person with a Contest Official at one of the following Audition Events:
(1)In Robinson Township, Pennsylvania: On January 8 from 10:00 a.m. (EST) to 4:00 p.m. (EST) and January 9, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. (EST) to 2:00 p.m. (EST) at the Mall at Robinson, 100 Robinson Center Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
(2)In Wheeling, West Virginia: On January 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and January 16, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. (EST) to 3:00 p.m. (EST) at Wheeling Island Race track and Gaming Center, 1 South Stone Street, Wheeling, W.Va. 26003.
Camping out at Audition Events will not be permitted. The line will form and Sponsors will begin registering contestants and assigning Official Audition Numbers at 10:00 a.m. each day at the Mall at Robinson. The line will form and Sponsors will begin registering contestants and assigning Official Audition Numbers at 9:00 a.m. on January 8th and 11:00 a.m. on January 9th at Wheeling Island Race Track and Gaming Center. Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these official rules, the first 250 people to register at each Audition Event will receive an Official Audition Number allowing them to compete in the Contest. Auditions will be conducted according to Official Audition Numbers and contestants will be called to audition according to the order in which they registered or as otherwise directed by Sponsors. The entry and registration process is first come, first served. Every contestant must complete an Audition Request and Entry Form and an Appearance Release Form, which can be obtained in the following three ways: (1) Audition Request and Entry Forms and Appearance Release Forms will be available at the Audition Event; (2) they also can be accessed online at www.wpxi.com or www.wtov9.com from January 3 , 2005 to January 8, 2005 (click on the GIMME THE MIKE! link and print out the form); and (3) they can be obtained at Sponsors’ studios during regular business hours from January 3, 2005 to January 7, 2005 (WPXI’s studios are located at 11 Television Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, WTOV’s studios are located at 9 Red Donley Plaza, Mingo Junction, Ohio). All Audition Request and Entry Forms and Appearance Release Forms must be completed and presented along with a valid government-issued photo identification to a Contest Official at the Audition Events. NO AUDITION REQUEST AND ENTRY FORMS OR APPEARANCE RELEASE FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE AUDITION EVENT. NO PRIOR REGISTRATION IS PERMITTED. You may enter the Contest only once. Any questions regarding the number of entries submitted shall be determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, and Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any entries by persons determined to be tampering with or abusing any aspect of the Contest. Sponsors will not be responsible for incomplete, lost, late, or illegible entries, or for any transmission failures or technical failures of any kind, including, without limitation, malfunctioning of any network, hardware or software, whether originating with sender or Sponsors, which may limit the ability of a contestant to enter or participate in the Contest. All entries become property of Sponsors and none will be returned.
(B)Initial Audition Process/Judging Criteria: Each contestant who receives an Official Audition Number at an Audition Event will be given the opportunity to audition before a panel of qualified judges at that Audition Event. Contestants who are not present when an Event Official calls their Official Audition Number will be disqualified. When a contestant's Official Audition Number is called, he or she will be asked to sing a song of his or her choosing for the judges. All performances must be sung a cappella (without accompaniment) and must be no more than 90 seconds in length and contestants may be asked to discontinue their audition performances at any time in the sole discretion of the judges. Each contestant may audition only one time. All forms and styles of music are permitted. Panels of qualified judges selected by Sponsors will judge performances and score them using a 100 point system based on the following criteria: (i) vocal ability (range, quality and strength of voice) (1-80 points); (ii) stage presence and entertainment quality of performance (manner, posture, facial expression, style) (1-15points); (iii) image (dress, attractiveness, overall appearance) (1-5 points). Judging will conclude within four (4) weeks after the Audition Events, and the fifty (50) contestants with the highest cumulative scores will have their audition tapes reviewed and judged by a smaller panel of judges consisting of WPXI-TV employees experienced in television production. In the event of a tie, tied contestants will be re-judged using audition tapes and based on the same criteria listed above. The WPXI-TV judges will review the audition tapes of the top 50 contestants and will select the thirty (30) contestants that they feel have the most musical ability/vocal talent and are most likely to appeal to a television audience. The thirty (30) contestants selected by the WPXI-TV judges will be designated as Provisional Semi-Finalists. The judges also will select eight (8) Alternate Provisional Semi-Finalists who will compete only if a Provisional Semi-Finalist is disqualified. Provisional Semi-Finalists and Alternate Provisional Semi-Finalists will be notified on or about January 31, 2005 by telephone at the telephone number provided on the Audition Request and Entry Form. Sponsors’ inability to reach a Provisional Semi-Finalist or an Alternate Provisional Semi-Finalist may result in that contestant’s disqualification. Decisions of judges and Sponsors shall be final and binding in all respects. BY PARTICIPATING, EACH CONTESTANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT AUDITIONS MAY BE VIDEOTAPED AND THAT WPXI AND WTOV AND OTHER CONTEST SPONSORS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BROADCAST, EDIT, DISPLAY, OR OTHERWISE USE AUDITION FOOTAGE IN ANY WAY THEY SEE FIT WITHOUT LIMITATION OR COMPENSATION TO CONTESTANTS.
(C)Selection of Semi-Finalists: Thirty (30) Provisional Semi-Finalists and eight (8) Alternate Provisional Semi-Finalists will be selected in the initial audition process as set forth in Section 3(B), above. Each Provisional Semi-Finalist will be required to submit to a background check, as indicated on the Appearance Release Form, in order to become a Semi-Finalist. Each Provisional Semi-Finalist also must agree to be available on February 7, 8, 9, 10 and/or 11, 2005 for a show dress rehearsal, and must agree to be available from February 23 through February 25, 2005, for one or more days, as determined by Sponsors, from 9:00 a.m. (EST) to 11:00 p.m. (EST), to compete against other Semi-Finalists in a videotaped television show that will be broadcast on WPXI-TV and WTOV. Provisional Semi-Finalists must also agree to be available on one or more of the following dates: April 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and/or 23, 2005, as determined by Sponsors, from 3:00 p.m. (EST) to 11:00 p.m. (EST), for the live broadcast of the final competition if selected as a Finalist in the Contest, and must agree to attend promotional appearances as described in Section 4, below. Subject to a background check, verification of eligibility, verification that an Appearance Release Form has been completed, availability on the required dates, and compliance with these official rules, each Provisional Semi-Finalist will be declared a Semi-Finalist in the Contest. If a Provisional Semi-Finalist is unwilling or unable to submit to a background check or participate in show taping and/or broadcast on the dates set forth above, or is otherwise determined to be ineligible under these official rules, he or she will be disqualified and an Alternate Provisional Semi-Finalist will take his or her place.
(D)Selection of Finalists: On February 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2005, Sponsors will conduct and videotape five (5) GIMME THE MIKE! Semi-Final Shows which will be broadcast on WPXI-TV and WTOV-TV during March and April of 2005 (specific dates have not been determined). Dress rehearsals will be conducted on February 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. On each show, six (6) different Semi-Finalists will perform a song before a panel of qualified judges. Songs must be 90 seconds to 2:15 minutes in length at the discretion of the show’s musical director. Contestants will be singing with accompaniment. All songs must be submitted for clearance in advance and Sponsors reserve the right to prohibit the performance of any song for which Sponsors have not obtained the necessary music rights clearances and/or any song that Sponsors deem inappropriate or otherwise objectionable or undesirable. The style of music is subject to Executive Producer approval. In the event that two Semi-Finalists wish to perform the same song, the Semi-Finalist who earlier requested the song will be given priority. No two Semi-Finalists may sing the same song. Performance attire is subject to Sponsors’ approval and must be worn to the dress rehearsal(s) on February 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Semi-Finalists will be randomly grouped by Sponsors and will not be able to select their co-competitors. Each Semi-Finalist will have one opportunity to perform their song before the judges. Individual performances will not be interrupted unless problems of a technical nature develop that would be detrimental to a Semi-Finalist’s performance, in which case the producer may, in his or her sole discretion, stop the performance and allow the Semi-Finalist to begin again. It is the sole responsibility of each Semi-Finalist to continue his or her performance on the show, regardless of circumstances, unless notified by the producer otherwise. During each show, the judges will score the Semi-Finalists on a scale of 1 to 10 based on an overall assessment of each Semi-Finalist’s vocal ability and stage presence. The one (1) Semi-Finalist from each Show who has the highest score for that Show will be declared the winner of that Show and a Finalist in the Contest. Five (5) Finalists will be selected in this manner. In the event of a tie, tied contestants will be re-judged based on the same criteria listed above. Decisions of judges and Sponsors shall be final and binding in all respects. For two (2) hours immediately following the airing of each GIMME THE MIKE! Semi-Final Show, viewers will be asked to log on to www.wpxi.com or www.wtov9.com and vote for one of the five (5) Semi-Finalists from that Show who were not selected as the winner/Finalist. Votes will only be accepted during the two (2) hour period immediately following the airing of each show. The non-winning Semi-Finalist from each Show who receives the most viewer votes will be entered into a final Wild Card selection process. The Wild Card selection process will consist of online viewer voting at the websites listed above that will take place two (2) days after the last semi-final telecast on WPXI-TV and WTOV-TV and last for 30 hours. The one (1) Wild Card Semi-Finalist who receives the most viewer votes in the final Wild Card voting process will be declared the sixth (6th) Finalist in the Contest. Finalists must be available to perform live in the GIMME THE MIKE! Final Competition which will be held during the week of April 17 - 23, 2005 at Wheeling Island in Wheeling, West Virginia and must be willing to attend promotional appearances as described in Section 4, below. Any Finalist who is unable or unwilling to be available for the Final Competition or to participate in promotional appearances will be disqualified and an alternate Finalist may be selected by Sponsors in Sponsors’ sole discretion.
(E)Final Competition and Selection of a Winner: The six (6) Finalists will be given the opportunity to compete in the GIMME THE MIKE! Final Competition which will be held during the week of April 17 - 23, 2005 at Wheeling Island in Wheeling, West Virginia. The Final Competition will be broadcast live on WPXI-TV and WTOV-TV and each of the six (6) Finalists will be allowed to perform one song for a panel of qualified judges. The Final Competition will be operated and judged in accordance with the same rules and conditions described above for the Semi-Final Shows, except that, because this will be a live broadcast, individual performances will not be interrupted and it is the sole responsibility of each Finalist to continue his or her performance on the show, regardless of circumstances. The one (1) Finalist with the highest score will be declared the Contest Winner. In the event of a tie, tied contestants will be re-judged based on the same judging criteria described above for the Semi-Final Shows. Decisions of judges and Sponsors shall be final and binding in all respects. The Winner will be required to attend promotional appearances as described in Section 4, below.
4.Promotional Appearances. The Contest Winner and all contestants selected as Semi-Finalists or Finalists will each be required to make up to (8) weekday and weekend advertising and promotional appearances organized by the Sponsors between February 25th and May 6th. The appearances will include television, radio and print interviews. The Sponsors will provide Semi-Finalists, Finalists and the Contest Winner with reasonable notice of any such required appearances.
5.Participation. By participating, contestants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsors and the Contest judges. Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify persons found tampering with or otherwise abusing any aspect of this Contest as solely determined by Sponsors. In the event the Contest is compromised by tampering or other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsors which corrupts or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper operation of the Contest, Sponsors reserve the right in their sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Contest. Should the Contest be terminated prior to the stated expiration date, Sponsors reserve the right to declare a winner based on the entries received before the termination date. EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED, PARTICIPATION IN THIS CONTEST CONSTITUTES WINNER’S CONSENT TO THE PUBLICATION, BROADCAST OR DISPLAY OF HIS OR HER NAME, BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, VOICE AND LIKENESS IN ANY MEDIA, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, FOR ANY COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSE, WITHOUT LIMITATION OR FURTHER COMPENSATION.
6.Construction. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein.
7.Sponsors. GIMME THE MIKE! is sponsored by WPXI-TV and WTOV-TV. The decisions of Sponsors and the Contest judges regarding the selection of winners and all other aspects of the Contest shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsors will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Contest. For a list of winners after May 6, 2005 or a copy of these Official Rules, visit www.wpxi.com or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to “Winners List/Official Rules” (as applicable), GIMME THE MIKE! WPXI-TV, 11 Television Hill, Pittsburgh, PA 15214. If you have any questions regarding this Contest, please contact Brian Leopold, Executive Producer, WPXI-TV, 11 Television Hill, Pittsburgh, PA 15214.
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