Behind the Scenes of American Idol

As always, the People magazine staffers went behind the scenes of last night's edition of American Idol and dug up some great dirt - as well as funny anecdotes and other moments that were great, but you didn't see on TV. Here are some excerpts ...

Screams and Signs

It's pretty apparent that fans are starting to pick their favorite American Idol stars, as definitive favorites can be read in signs across the audience, as in "I [heart] Brooke White," "We [heart] Michael Johns," or "We Love You Carly."

An American Idol Birthday

Debbie the stage manager urgently called over the PA system during the break â€" "Ryan Seacrest, I need you! Ryan Seacrest, I need you!"

Finally, Ryan headed over to see what was so important. Moments later, the host came out carrying a large white and blue frosted cake with burning birthday candles. Next, all the American Idol stars, judges, the entire crew and audience began to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jason Castro, helping him celebrate the big 2-1 - Idol style!

Who Will It Be?

No matter what David Archuleta says or sings (even obscure Australian songs nobody has ever heard of), the female fans in the audience go wild whenever his name is mentioned or even when he steps onto the stage.

But Tuesday, when Ryan Seacrest asked the 17-year-old star if he'll be going to his high school prom and, if so, whom David Archuleta be bringing, all the teenagers in the pit started going wild, yelling, "Take me, David! Take me!"

A usually shy Archuleta wouldn't let anything slip, even when Ryan asked if the mystery girl sitting in the crowd next to his father would be the lucky one.

A Hard Worker

Almost tripping on her way backstage â€" if not for her faithful bodyguard to save her â€" judge Paula Abdul spent most of the commercial breaks greeting the many teenage girls or "the hand-wavers" inside the American Idol mosh-pit.

Faces in the Crowd

Shar Jackson laughed up a storm when the monitor showed David Archuleta and his sister doing a dance as children. Also back, former Idol Danny Noriega, who spent the night close to his pal Ramiele Malubay's family, sitting in the front row.

Randy Saw Red & Simon Was Red

Somebody definitely had a "Case of the Mondays" on this Tuesday, as Randy Jackson was consistently finding fault in some of the better moments.

But even though Jackson was the hot-headed judge, why was it Cowell with the red face literally? Could it be that the judge, who loves summer water sports, forgot to put on sunscreen at the beach? Simon, you may need to find a stronger SPF.