TORONTO - Hovering parents can be a burden, rather than a help, to "American Idol" contestants, judge Randy Jackson said Monday as rumours flew that the father of frontrunner David Archuleta had been banned from rehearsals.

Jackson said the presence of parents can add to the pressure pop star hopefuls feel while singing live on television, but he dismissed reports that Archuleta's father had infuriated producers by demanding a lyric change on last week's show.

The gregarious record producer said he knew nothing about Jeff Archuleta's supposed reputation for backstage meddling, saying he and the judges generally limit their contact with the Idols.

"We're never backstage and we don't have that interaction with the contestants at all," Jackson said from Los Angeles. "I think there's probably more of a press story there than a reality."

Still, Jackson admitted that parents can make a tough situation tougher by adding to the anxiety of a youngster already shaken by the prospect of singing live on television.

"It's hard on the kids, regardless," he said of the weekly "Idol" broadcast.

"You can put yourself back into high school where your parents are at every show, every stage play, every game, every whatever. I think it's the added pressure - you want to do good in front of them. ... I think the show's tough on these kids when you imagine that 25 or 30 million people could be watching you that night."

Archuleta's father Jeff has been dogged all season by rumours of backstage meddling, with country singer Naomi Judd accusing him of being "the worst stage dad" when she was a judge on "Star Search" the year David won the junior singers competition in 2003.

Over the weekend, several reports emerged that Archuleta had been banned from the set after insisting that a verse from Sean Kingston's hit "Beautiful Girls" be added to his son's rendition of "Stand By Me," resulting in additional licensing costs to the show.

For his part, Jeff Archuleta has denied allegations he is domineering, telling Us magazine several weeks ago that he is merely a "music consultant" to his 17-year-old son. Meanwhile, a vocal coach told People magazine that Archuleta is no longer allowed to attend arranging sessions with David because it could be perceived as giving the teen an unfair advantage.

"Idol" requires a guardian to accompany any contestant below the age of 18.

On "Canadian Idol," parents are not allowed to attend arranging sessions, a spokeswoman said.

Jackson predicted the finale would pit Archuleta against 26-year-old rocker David Cook, with the baby-faced teen ultimately taking the title.

The two Davids, along with Top 3 finalist Syesha Mercado, tackle three songs on Tuesday's show set to feature selections by the judges, producers and the contestants.

Jackson said he's only seen "Canadian Idol" once, but would love the chance to visit the show someday with an on-air appearance.

"C'mon 'Canadian Idol,' invite the dawg, baby!" he said with his typical enthusiasm.

Jackson said he'd also like to bring his other performance contest, "Randy Jackson presents: America's Best Dance Crew," north of the border.

"It's definitely coming because I know there are some hot, dope dance crews up in Canada, dude," he said. "I know Canada can put the dance world on blast."

Offstage, the longtime record producer, musician and A&R executive has been busy setting up his new label, Dream Merchant 21. Its first release is a compilation called "Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1," featuring some of the contestants and guests from "American Idol" including Paula Abdul, Joss Stone and Katharine McPhee.

Jackson said he's in the process of signing the label's first act, a female singer-songwriter who plays piano and sings.

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