Below is a link to an article that ran in my local fish wrap that confirmed what I believed I was seeing. Too much "hand waving" during slow songs, too many "shrieking groupies" and too many "standing ovations".

It appears that there is very little spontaneity on the show, the producers leaving very little to chance. Ever wonder how the audience could cheer so enthusiastically for a completely wasted performance? Why are there so many young women sitting so close to the stage? Is seating random in the studio or is everything a setup?

Read the article if you want the real skinny...