Little ‘Idol’ worship from the Grammy crowd

The show may be a phenomenon and an effective marketing franchise for Fox, but Grammy voters did not worship at the altar of “American Idol” when it came to handing out the marquee nominations Thursday.

Top “Idols” Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken were passed over in the best new artist category. In addition, “Thankful,” the bestselling debut album by Clarkson, who was crowned last year as the first “American Idol” in the Fox talent show, did not make the cut in the album of the year category.

Singles by Guarini, who finished second to Clarkson; Studdard, who won the “Idol” competition in May; and his runner-up, Aiken, were also left out of the record of the year category. Aiken’s top seller, “Measure of a Man,” was released this year after the close of the eligibility period.

But the “Idols” were not totally shut out. Clarkson was nominated for best female pop vocal performance for “Miss Independent,” and Studdard for best male R&B; vocal performance for “Superstar.”

A representative for 19 Entertainment, which produces “American Idol,” along with FremantleMedia, noted in a statement that their clients were in good company. “We are thrilled that Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard were nominated for Grammy Awards by their peers in the same respective categories as Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Dido, Sarah McLachlan, R. Kelly, Brian McKnight, Tyrese and Luther Vandross.”