Wanted To Be At American Idol Last Night? - Read This

Last week I slammed American Idol for sending two CDAN readers home because they wanted to admit VIP's who are only VIP's in their own mind. Although I still think American Idol is in the wrong, because some people have their vacations ruined by this policy, they did do the CDAN readers right. This is a report from one of them. I can't remember if she wanted to be identified or not, so if she does she can say it in the comments.

Let's just say I love a live show and it was worth the wait. Even my friend who was all pissed off ended up having the best time and got to hug Randy and shake Simon's hand.

So let's recap:

About a year ago I put my name on the wait list thinking I might at least get a shot at the finals, but instead waited a year before bona fide notifications started to come in by e-mail. The audience ticket service works with many different shows and had sent e-mail offers for other shows, notably to American Band (or whatever it was produced by the AI team) that was suffering so badly that I got offers of AI tickets if I went to a taping of that show.

So, the real offers started to come, first for rehearsal tickets that were already booked by the time I got home, and the one day I happened to be home early, I caught the e-mail right as it came in, clicked, and behold I had a voucher for 4 for last week's taping.

The secret to getting in is to get in line before 3 pm with your entire party. Emily and I got in line last week around 3:30, standing near the approximate cutoff point, and ended up standing on Beverly Blvd until nearly 4:30. That's when we were told that we would have priority vouchers for the next week and sent home.

I called the ticket office on Thursday, was treated very nicely and got the voucher faxed over immediately.

By the way, if two of the members of your party decided to go to Yang Chow in Chinatown instead of joining you in line (they were running late and chickened out when they drove past the line), and instead your party was checked in for only 2, the new voucher ended up being for 2.

So Yesterday, we were at the top of the line and the first to go into the holding area for the AI audience. We were also the group that got interviewed for "Idol Extra" by Constantine Maroulis and Nic (?), both of whom were very gracious to autograph requests, etc.

Keep in mind that there are two parts to the audience, the VIPS that come in though a different entrance with big "hard card" tickets with seat numbers, and the standing room/mosh pit crowd that is right up next to the stage where we were. As it turned out, we were right in the back near the judges, right where they walk in and out during breaks, good view of everything, and very involved with everything going around.

The judges are a class act, not afraid to be up close, and gracious to the fans who have supported them through the years. That's why my friend got her hug from Randy and a hand shake from Simon. I know you're going to want me to report the snarky remarks she made about Paula, but Paula is a very special little lady that spent plenty of time after the show in the mosh pit, holding things up for those trying to clear the stage, but making fans very happy. There was no "Don't touch the hosts" -- just a request to keep the path clear for technicians and body guards!

The VIPS were a mix of family and industry sorts, like the cast of ""Til Death" sitting right behind us in the first row, assorted AI alums like Chris Daughtry who seemed to be escorting a certain latina from Grey's Anatomy (and yes, Sara Ramirez did stop by to say hello on the way out.)

Sanjaya (or some guy with the name Danny on his tag) was giving autographs before the show started, and the line of young girls wanting a ticket signed was not so long that it held up taping. To all the others who I may not have named, it's only because you held back from meeting the unwashed masses in the mosh pit.

By the way, would someone please tell Brad Garrett that it's o.k. to smile??? He had a very sour look on his face for most of the show.

The "mosh pit" experience was probably more fun than sitting in the hard stackable chairs that they have for the seated VIPS. We're on camera. and even if you can't see our faces, we're there waving our arms, clapping, booing, shouting, and generally having as much fun as you would have at any concert (but cleaner and alcohol free.)

It did get warm, enough so that Simon came back on set after a commercial break with a drink. Because it was a Coke, and Coca Cola is the sponsor, it got the o.k. to be seen on camera.

There is a large teleprompter for Ryan in the middle of the house, so signs in that section have to be held at chin level. You can also watch the play back monitor right next to it that has the count to air time -- amazing how the judges know exactly how long 4 minutes is! Quick rush for a drink, a call, a fix of make-up....

If you watched the show last night, you know that it was a good one. I have no idea of who will be eliminated, but it was fun watching the judges, especially Simon when what looks like a toothache turns out to be high prise for a risky song choice. Paula gets up and dances around during a song with a strong beat, and gives the sweetest, most heartfelt encouragement for each performance. I couldn't see Randy as much from where I was standing, and Emily kept saying how she thought she could do Ryan's job.

I could keep on, but I do have a day job that I need to get back to.

Since I couldn't take pictures of the show, here's a picture of Mark Rodgers with my friend Suzie who watched every show he was on and voted for him as many times as possible (along with everyone in Covina!)