Revealing the secrets of ‘American Idol’

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Simon says
Sometimes the best part of “American Idol” is the latest sly comment from acerbic judge Simon Cowell. Here are some of our favorites from this season.

‘American Idol’ video

Ellen DeGeneres named new ‘Idol’ judge
Sept. 10: Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is joining “American Idol” as the show’s fourth judge, taking Paula Abdul’s place. TODAY’s Natalie Morales reports.

What kind of ‘Idol’ judge will Ellen be?

Why Paula Abdul left ‘Idol’

Paula Abdul not returning to ‘Idol’

Adam Lambert says he’s gay

Kris, Adam reflect on ‘Idol’

Adam Lambert: ‘There’s not a conspiracy’

Are contestants paid?
Yes. "American Idol" finalists pay to join AFTRA, and as a result, are paid for each appearance on television that's at least the minimum hourly rate for an AFTRA member ($921 per hour in 2007). Those who make the top 10 are paid to be on the tour, where pay is rumored to start at $1,000 per show.

How is the performance order chosen?
Producers select it, arranging the songs in whatever order they think works best. A few years ago, executive producer Ken Warwick told MTV News that they "would never start with someone doing a really slowed-down ballad; I'd start the show with something up(-tempo), if it existed. And I finish with something up, if I can."

How does voting work?
After performance episodes, viewers have two hours to vote via phone by calling a toll-free number assigned to a contestant, or sending a text message (at their own expense) to a specific number. The voting time limit is based upon callers' area codes and time zones. Thus, if you're on vacation in Oregon and you have a Philadelphia cell phone number, you can't vote via cell phone after watching the show on the west coast, though you can pick up a land line and call. In addition, producers and their agents say they monitor calls to make sure no one is unfairly influencing the vote. That and other questions are addressed in the show's detailed list of questions and answers about voting.

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Why doesn't "American Idol" usually reveal vote totals?

While fans would love for the show reveal exact vote counts, "Idol" rarely gives such details.

Revealing actual vote totals might discourage people from watching or voting, because if one contestant is well ahead of the rest, other contestants' fans might think voting is pointless and stop voting or even watching. And it probably doesn't hurt that failing to reveal vote totals generates conspiracy theories and keeps people talking.

Why do the recap clips of performances played at the end of an episode look different from the live performances we just watched?
The show uses footage from the dress rehearsal earlier in the day to create the recap package, which highlights a bit of each contestant's song and reminds viewers of voting phone numbers.

While the performance shows are indeed live, the clips at the end were taped earlier.

Why didn't my favorite contestant win?
It's your fault since you didn't vote enough for them. Seriously: "American Idol" is the number-one TV show in the country, and millions of people vote (or don't vote) for the contestant they like the best. Collectively, voting viewers determine the outcome and make other viewers sad or happy.