'American Idol' judges due here
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The David L. Lawrence Convention Center has been backdrop to the Ben Roethlisberger wedding reception and "Antiques Roadshow" in recent months, but bigger stars arrive Thursday.
And you can bet security for this will be even tougher.
"American Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler, as well as the show's host, Ryan Seacrest, will be in town for the final preliminary round of auditions.
None of the proceedings, including a media-only press conference with the stars, is open to the public.
More than 12,000 hopefuls showed up in mid-July for the initial round of tryouts, which were held at Heinz Field. A few days later, a select group was invited back to sing for the show's producers.
Although official numbers are not released, generally at least a few hundred singers advance to the third round of auditions in each city.
This segment, which is televised and the only opportunity for contestants to perform for the celebrity judges, is the one viewers most associate with the show. It's the "jump-in-air" or "curse-out-the-judges" round, with the best going through to Hollywood.
The new season of "American Idol" debuts Jan. 22 on Fox.
Traditionally, up to 50 or so performers might advance from each of the audition cities, and live shows air from CBS Television City in Los Angeles. There were eight tryout sites over the summer although one of them, East Rutherford, N.J., was a late addition on Sept. 22.
Other tryouts for Season 11 were St. Louis; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; Charleston, S.C.; Denver; and Houston.
Patrick Lynn, an "Idol" supervising producer, said at the first tryout that Pittsburgh had been on the radar for several years, and that he was impressed with everyone's cooperation, not to mention the scenery.
"Pittsburgh doesn't have to do anything other than be Pittsburgh," he said.
First Published September 27, 2011 12:00 am
