Finalists performing tonight at MGM

Kirk Baird

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 | 8:19 a.m.

TV's must-see summer event, "American Idol," opens a nationwide two-month tour tonight in Las Vegas.

"American Idol in Vegas" begins at 7 p.m. at MGM Grand Garden Arena. According to an MGM Grand spokesman, all available tickets have been distributed. But more tickets might be made available at the last minute; call 891-1111 for more information.

The concert is being taped for a prime-time broadcast to be aired at 8 p.m. Monday on Fox (seen locally on KVVU Channel 5).

The show will feature all 30 finalists from the series, including the eventual winner, Texan Kelly Clarkson, singing her new single, "A Moment Like This."

"American Idol" the TV show was a revamped take on "Star Search," with approximately 10,000 contestants in their late teens and early 20s across the nation vying for a $1 million recording contract.

When the show first aired on June 11, the batch of contestants had been narrowed to a group of 30 finalists.

Singing each week in front of a panel of three judges -- who sometimes offered blunt critiques after performances -- the winners were ultimately determined by viewers after the field was narrowed down.

During each episode, fans of the show could vote for their favorite performer by calling in on toll-free phone numbers.

When the contestants were narrowed down to the two finalists, 15 million votes were cast and Clarkson won over Justin Guarini, 58 to 42 percent.

Fox has already begun work on another "American Idol" series to air in January.