PORT ANGELES — After a night devoid of misdialed “American Idol” calls to Gordy’s Pizza & Pasta, owner Randy Sexton said Thursday that he may create an “Idol”-themed pizza based on his customers’ votes.
It might be named “Port Angeles Idol” pizza, Sexton suggested.
“It would take a spin on ‘American Idol.’
“America votes for its favorite artist, so Port Angeles gets to vote for its favorite pizza” is how Sexton envisions it.
Wednesday night, exactly a week after being flooded with a phone-clogging portion of the 71 million votes cast for Fox TV’s “American Idol” contestants, it was business as usual at his 1123 E. First St. restaurant that features other Italian-style food in addition to pizza.
The cause of the snafu, he later learned: two misdialed digits.
Voters were told to call 855-443-6411.
Instead, enough voters called the restaurant’s unused — and now disconnected — line at 855-445-6511 to create a constant “ring, ring, ring, ring, ring,” as he put it last week, of “American Idol” votes.
Sexton said he did not know he had the 855-number and, anyway, has no need for a line for out-of-state callers.
“Obviously, no entity wants this to happen again,” he said.
Since the snafu, Sexton has received out-of-state requests for his menu and said he was hopeful the episode had a positive impact on Port Angeles.
A Peninsula Daily News report on the snafu was shared by The Associated Press with media outlets worldwide.
“I can only imagine that if you wanted to know more, you’re going to pop on the website to find out and in one way or . . . find out more about Port Angeles and Gordy’s Pizza,” Sexton said.
Customers could be asked to submit their favorite ideas for pizzas and then vote on them via email through the restaurant’s “Gordy’s Gang” program, with the top choice put on the menu as a special.
“I’m looking for input on how this can be done to engage Port Angeles in continuation of the phenomenon that happened,” Sexton said.
“We thank the phenomenon for happening,” Sexton said.
The past week or so has been a roller-coaster, he added.
“I’m not saying it should end anytime soon,” he said.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
