Auto-tune has made a huge impact on the face of modern music. Now, thanks to 'The 83rd Annual Academy Awards' (Sun., 8:30PM on ABC), we can see how that technology that can turn anyone into a "singer" could have an impact on the movie industry.

Just as studios are going back and turning all their favorite films into 3-D films by adding that technology to them, we now have the ability to turn them into musicals as well. To showcase this new technology, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, James Franco introduced the year in movie "musicals."

We got feature songs from 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I' and 'Toy Story 3,' but the most memorable for many fans is probably the feature about Taylor Lautner not owning a shirt from 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.' Don't worry, Bella doesn't seem to mind.

It seems when Randy Jackson says, "It was a little pitchy, dawg," he's telling the truth -- 'American Idol' producers have gone on record saying they do not use Auto-Tune on contestants.

Simon Cowell, former 'American Idol' judge and a fixture of reality competitions in the UK, has come under fire recently for the use of Auto-Tune on 'X-Factor' and allegations that Susan Boyle received some enhancement on 'Britain's Got Talent.' However, according to the Associated Press, 'Idol' producers are denying any Auto-Tune use.

"We have never, nor would we ever, use Auto-Tuning during the 'American Idol' competition," 'Idol' producers said in a statement.

Susan Boyle might have become the world's sweetheart last year when she stunned audiences during her run on 'Britain's Got Talent,' but if new reports are to be believed, she had a little help getting there.

According to Deadline, a Scottish newspaper is reporting that a "show insider" admitted Boyle's voice was "smoothed out" in post-production using Auto-Tune software. A 'BGT' co-producer told Deadline that the software had been used on the show, but refused to admit if it had been used on Boyle.

A producer on Simon Cowell's 'X-Factor' has admitted to using Auto-Tune, the pitch-correction software that has become a household name thanks to pop stars and most recently Antoine Dodson and Auto-Tune the News, to improve the sound of auditioning contestants. Well, it sounds like cheating to us.

In response, Cowell has banned the software from 'X-Factor' -- both on the British version and the upcoming American one.

"The integrity of the show is very important to him and so he told production that Auto-Tune cannot be used again. Simon has banned producers from ever using this software again," a source told the Daily Mirror.

Here's what happened on the British show: Contestant Gamu Nhengu sang "Walking on Sunshine" to rave reviews and made it on to the next round, but according to Deadline Hollywood, fans got suspicious and took to Facebook to complain.

I don't know what the heck this video below is all about, but I whole-heartedly approve.

It's from Auto-Tuning The News, and it features the words of news people from CNN, FOX News, and CBS News (along with Hillary Clinton) put to a song. Not just their words, but they actually sing the song themselves through some neat electronic trickery. It doesn't really get going until the section with Katie Couric, which is really well done. I can't wait for the extended mix on that part.

[via Kottke]