WASHINGTON It's not clear if President Bush has ever actually watched "American Idol," but the TV show's finalists got to hang out with him Friday at the White House.

The American Idol tour rolls into the Queen City Tuesday. Three North Carolinians are on board.

"American Idol" finalist Katharine McPhee misses the first show on the tour with her fellow singers.

Producers from American Idol don't want you to read this review. Critics were not provided the usual credentials to cover the tour, including Saturday's BankAtlantic Center concert featuring nine stars of this season's American Idol Top 10, the most popular American Idols Live Tour yet.

"American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks attends a club opening and benefit in Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 27, 2006. Hicks is at home on the tour bus of the "American Idols Live" cross-country tour, which k...

AP - Some pop stars want fame and money. "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks just wants to ride the tour bus. Hicks gets to do just that on the "American Idols Live" cross-country tour, which kicked off Wednesday in Manchester, N.H. The tour, which reunites Hicks with castmates from the fifth edition of the hit Fox show, ends Sept. 24 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- As the young finalists from "American Idols Live" kicked off their U.S. tour Wednesday, word that runner-up Katharine McPhee was sidelined with severe bronchitis and laryngitis disappointed fans.