October 22, 2003
St. Louis-Post-Dispatch

WAKE-UP CALL: Ryan Rothe of Piasa, Ill., opened his door this morning to find Kim Hibbs, KSDK (Channel 5) anchor/reporter, and an NBC camera crew staring at him. They were there to tell the 24-year-old pop singer that he is one of eight finalists for Today's Superstar, the Today Show's version of "American Idol." Host Matt Lauer spoke directly to Rothe, who will fly to New York on Thursday to compete for the title. Rothe will sing on air next Monday and Thursday. Viewers can vote online after the finalists have performed on the air.