Inside an ‘American Idol’ elimination show

"American Idol" is watched by over 30 million television viewers, but just about 300 actually fill the studio seats to watch the show in person each week. Tickets are free, but they’re extremely hard to get. Many viewers score free tickets from someone associated with the show’s network and producer, others are friends or family of any of the Idols. Fans who don't fall into those categories must line up on Los Angeles' Beverly Boulevard and hope an extra ticket falls their way.

While "Idol" is a FOX show, it's filmed at CBS Studios, where fans start gathering in the early morning the day of a show. On this Wednesday night, taping begins at 6 p.m., aired live on the East Coast. By 4:30 in the afternoon, both ticket holders and the first group of line dwellers, are moved to a holding area in back of the stage.

Sitting patiently is Sharon Pickler with her niece and two other girls. Pickler’s dressed in a “Pickler for mayor/council” T-shirt but, surprisingly, she’s not related to dopey but adorable Kellie — they just happen to share the surname. Her shirt is left over from the days when her father was an Anaheim councilman. Pickler’s rooting for Kellie, of course, and offers some motherly advice: “I think she’s darling but I hope she doesn’t overdo the makeup.”

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Doors open at 5:20. The cameras have a way of making the "Idol" stage set seem like a mini Madison Square Garden but, in reality, capacity is only 300. The crowd looks to be a majority of 12- to 14-year-old girls, with moms and big sisters in tow. After the initial rush of being there slowly wears off, the fans look for any whiff of celebrity. The Idols are tucked away backstage and won’t make an appearance until just before the show starts so contestants’ families, now mini-celebrities in their own right, will have to suffice.

Families are all seated in the first five rows. Sharp-eyed fans can spot Katharine McPhee’s mom and sister chatting with well-wishers and, just to their right, Ace Young’s hunky brother —easy to identify as they’re practically twins. A batch of girls catch sight of him and shriek as only 12-year-old girls can do. He waves to his adoring female fans, who shriek again and wave back.

Gumming up the works
The CBS pages hurry up and down the aisles holding Styrofoam cups, asking anyone with gum to toss it in. Young adults working at the studio, hoping this is their way into a showbiz career, are gum collectors. “Yeah, it’s kind of gross,” says one woman. “I don’t look in the cup.”

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Fifteen minutes before showtime, an MC named Cory bounds on stage to warm up the crowd. He yells into the microphone, picks a couple of unsuspecting fools to join in a few dance moves and the energy of the place rises considerably.

Cory coaches, “When the bottom three are announced, make sure you go ‘Oooh,’ ‘Aww,’ gasp out loud in shock and act surprised. All of this will help the ratings.” I really don’t think my vocal amazement that Bucky might be booted is gonna kick up the ratings from a staggering 30 to 31 million, but hey, if that’s what it takes.

In almost rock-star fashion, Cory announces the arrival of Randy, Paula and Simon. “Stand up and put your hands together for Ran-dy, Ran-dy, Ran-dy,” he howls. The biggest round of applause, by a slight margin, is for Paula. When Simon’s name is called, there’s a very small smattering of boos but, mostly, it's raise-the-roof adulation.

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