operators are standing by...

Looks as though Idol producers are giving already-taxed graphics people double duty tonight as the final three performers hit the big stage, pandering for votes.

Rather than wait until next Tuesday's finale, like they did last year, additional phone lines will be available this evening to accommodate the flood of votes producers expect as we narrow the field to the last two.

Each contestant will be given two separate numbers, presumably to put to rest the annual complaints of busy signals and unavailable circuits.

Now if the little guy in the graphics booth just remembers whose numbers are which.