Idols Reconvene in Vegas: Where Else?

American Idol special taped in Las Vegas:

For a group of teenagers and twentysomethings no one had heard of before June, the “American Idol” contestants acted like seasoned pop stars at the taping of their reunion special.

Thirty “idols” from the hit Fox TV talent show – which ended only two weeks ago – worked the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as if they’d done it for years. They strutted up and down stairs, nailed their songs and touched the hands of screaming fans.

Teenagers held up signs saying “R.J. You’re My Sugar Pie” and “Justin, Will You Marry Me?”

After a video clip showing two idols riding down the Las Vegas Strip on motorcycles, the singers danced down the aisles to “I’m So Excited.”

The two-hour show, filmed Wednesday, will be broadcast Monday night on Fox. Initially, Fox had planned to let viewers vote on which song Clarkson would record next, but had to cut that segment because of time constraints.

“American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson, a 20-year-old cocktail waitress from Burleson, Texas, sang her new song “Before Your Love” as fans cheered.

“Cool beans!” Clarkson yelled in her Texas twang.

Cool indeed for the finalists, who hope the summer’s most popular show will lead them to record deals and fame. The competition started with 10,000 aspiring pop stars. Once the talent was whittled to 30, TV viewers got to vote on their favorites.

“I was very surprised,” finalist A.J. Gil, 18, of Tacoma, Wash., said of the show’s popularity. “I never expected it.”

Clarkson beat out big-haired heartthrob Justin Guarini, 23, of Doylestown, Pa., on Sept. 4 to win a recording contract.

The top 10 finalists begin a 28-city tour on Oct. 8. A Christmas TV special is in the works along with an “American Idol Greatest Moments” CD. A new “American Idol” TV contest begins next year.

At the reunion special, the idols shimmied across the stage, belting out songs like “Joy to the World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog)” and “California Dreamin.'” The top 10 finalists sang solos….