Access Exclusive: What’s Going On With ‘Idol’s’ Phone Lines?

Feeling the burn of the busy signal every time you try to vote for your fave “American Idol?”

Just in time for the big finale, Access has learned exclusively from Fox’s reality guru, Mike Darnell, that the “Idol” phone lines will be open for four hours, instead of a measly two!

So, with all that extra time, which one will it be? Taylor Hicks or Katharine McPhee?

It’s time for the big showdown — “American Idol” style!

Taylor and Katharine will sing three songs each, including their own brand new songs.

Thirty million viewers are expected to watch. More than 50 million votes will be cast. And like any good ol’ competition, there’s an underdog and a favorite.

“He is going to beat her isn’t he?” Access’ Billy Bush asked Paula Abdul.

“I say never count out the power of the teenage girl, who continuously votes and aspires to be like Katharine,” Paula laughed. “McPheever is everywhere.”

But who’s going to win Paula?

“I beleive it’s going to be a great competition, and when it comes right down to it, Taylor is going to win. He has the edge.”

“I guess Taylor’s the one to beat,” Randy told us. “I’ve been saying it’s a boy from Day One, so, we’ll see if I’m right.”

“Hicks has never been in the bottom three,” Billy said.

“This man’s been watching the show,” Randy laughed. “That might mean what, sir?”

“Well, he’s in the bottom two, we know that,” Billy laughed.

“He’s never been in the bottom two or three, what does that mean?” Randy said.

“He’s the most popular guy on the show,” Billy said.

“Hello! This is a smart guy. Look, Access, this guy knows what he’s doing,” Randy exclaimed.

“Now this is so cool, I am standing on the stage where Katharine and Taylor will be singing their final numbers, and tonight, every seat in this theater will be filled,” Access’ Shaun Robinson reported.

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tori Spelling, Shannon Elizabeth and Mandy Moore will add some celebrity pepper to the audience and get to sit near the 12 finalists and the families of Taylor and Katharine.

“And this is the table where the judges sit, Simon Cowell’s throne, I’m going to sit here for just a moment,” Shaun teased. “You know what’s interesting? Simon doesn’t usually watch the performances here on stage. He watches them from a monitor that’s placed right here at the judges table.”

And Simon will see Katharine sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for the second week in a row, along with K.T. Tunstall’s “Black Horse and Cherry Tree.”

Taylor will take on Elton John’s “Levon” and Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City.”

Backstage, we got all Access too!

“Here’s Ryan’s, he’s usually the first person to arrive,” Shaun said. “Right across from Ryan is Paula Abdul’s dressing room.”

And who is right next door to Paula? Simon, of course!

“Lets see if we can figure out the code to Simon’s dressing room,” Shaun laughed. “Let’s see, eh, six, six, six.”

The door let out a loud beep and Shaun jumped. Maybe that was the right code after all?

“One level down from the judges dressing rooms, Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee,” Shaun whispered. “Oh, you can imagine their nerves, they got here at about 9:30 this morning, and ever since, they’ve been rehearsing, probably talking to their families, getting some last minute well wishes before the performance of their life.”