Behind The Scenes of “American Idol”

By Shawn in : News, Television, The Rhode Show // Feb 23 2010

BOSTON, MA – After last season’s stunning American Idol defeat against Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo, resulting in a delicious pie in my face, I realized that in order to pick each week’s winners more efficiently, I would need to get inside the beast. And that’s just what I did.

Throughout this summer I was behind the scenes of Idol as they were on the search for the Season 9 champion. Initial Idol auditions took place at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, MA. Thousands lined up in the pouring rain on a Friday just to get a wristband to audition on Sunday. We were there live. When they returned Sunday, we were live again! Meeting dozens of locals, including Amedeo DiRocco from Johnston, RI who we bump into later..

The Rhode Show: “Idol Hopefuls Audition In Foxboro”

After our live hits on Sunday, the media was shuffled into a small 8′ x 11′ room to await a press conference with Ryan Seacrest. The wait…was arduous. I told my photographer Andy Mihail to start rolling. I started to interview others in the media who were, at this point, starting to become antsy after nearly 20 minutes of waiting. The lunacy hit a fever pitch moments later, as I led all of the Boston and Providence media in a stunning rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. The Boston Herald ended up putting the video on their site…I apologize for any shrill high notes in advance.

Leading Boston/Providence Media in “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Hopefully your ear drums have recovered at this point. Got to meet Ryan Seacrest, and as much as I want to hate him for having every job that I would kill for, he was very down to earth and friendly. Damn him, and his charm.

It took a few months, but finally the judges round began in The State Room in Boston, MA. Ryan was back, and this time he brought his friends: Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson, and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who was a part of the “guest judges” that Idol was bringing in while deciding who would take Paula Abdul’s place. Once again spoke with Ryan who, somehow, remembered speaking with me in Foxboro. Argh. So charming.

We were allowed to follow three Rhode Island contestants as they made their way through the judges round, and as Simon walked into the venue, I made a bet with him. He was rumored to be signing a new contract soon, and I told him I would add an additional, crisp, American dollar for every Rhode Islander who made it through to the next round. He agreed. And so, a segment was born.

Among the contestants we followed were Danny (who had recently gotten a grill brush bristle stuck in his throat), Ellory, and Amedeo, who we met back in Foxboro. You know him as the passionate Italian guy who nearly slaughtered Ryan Seacrest upon getting his golden ticket. Great guy. All three were excellent actually!

At the end of the two-day judges round, two of our three Rhode Islanders made it through to Hollywood…which is incredible! According to the FOX/Fremantle Media reps (who I love), many stations when given this opportunity don’t get to see one make it through.

So, as Simon made his way up the stairs the next day, I paid up. Simon almost immediately handed my $2 to someone in the crowd, which was funny…until I needed singles for a vending machine later in the day.

The Rhode Show: “American Idol Boston Auditions”

UPDATE! – 2/23/2010

You know, this world is TOO SMALL! I am in Hollywood after some meetings this week in LA and Las Vegas, and while hanging around at The Grove in Hollywood, I was stopped by a guy who asked “Are you from Providence?”

Low and behold, it was the brother of Katie Stevens, one of the Top 12 on American Idol! I had met him, her mother and her best friend while covering the judges round auditions in Boston.

Little did I know, CBS Television City, where Idol is taped, is right next to The Grove.

A moment later, her mother and best friend turned the corner. “RHODE SHOW!” said her mother. Absolutely hilarious! Best of luck to Katie…if she is even remotely as sweet as her family, she deserves to win.

About the Author

Shawn has written 15 articles for ShawnTempesta.com.

Shawn is an Emmy award-nominated television & radio personality in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can watch Shawn on "The Morning Blend" weekday mornings at 9am on ABC 13 (KTNV-TV / Las Vegas), and weekends on Mix 94.1 (KMXB-FM / Las Vegas).