When he takes his seat beside talk show host Regis Philbin this morning, Andy Beckman will be seen by millions of Americans.
But he's not nervous.
"I probably will be a little nervous before the show," the Ball State senior said in a telephone interview from New York. "It's one of those things where its hard not to be. But I'm definitely a lot calmer than when I first came in. I've been around the environment enough that I've started to loosen up. Things are starting to fall into place."
Beckman was selected in a nationwide search, to sit in for co-host Kelly Ripa (who is currently on maternity leave) on ABC's daytime show "Live with Regis and Kelly." The Angola native initially decided to try out when he went to Los Angeles over spring break and some friends pressured him into auditioning. The telecommunications major beat out 10 other finalists (who appeared with him on a March 27 episode) in an Internet poll and was announced as the winner on April 4.
"There was a little disbelief when we found out he'd made it so far," his father Mike Beckman said. "It's something that hasn't quite sunk in yet; that we've got someone from a small town that was so successful in that contest."
His fellow students also helped out. Friend Jill Siebert distributed flyers in the residence halls and sent out out mass e-mails to drum up support.
"We were in the computer labs really late, trying to vote on as many different computers as possible," she said.
Beckman has spent the past few days running around New York, talking with producers and learning the dos and don'ts of network television to prepare for the gig.
"They've told me things like when to cross my hands, when to lean into the conversation," he said. "There are a lot of idiosyncrasies and little things that most people don't pay attention to."
On the show, Beckman will be speaking with actor Sean William Scott, co-star of "Bulletproof Monk" and the "American Pie" movies, Broadway actress Angie Stone, and a champion bullrider. For the occasion, Beckman will saddle up on a mechanical bull.
"They even have a cowboy outfit picked out," he said.
At Ball State he works as co-executive producer on WIPB's student produced "Connections Live," news show. Colleagues praise his work ethic.
"He must sleep in the building someplace, because he's always here and always doing stuff," said Jim Shasky, "Connections Live," faculty adviser. "He's a tireless focused individual, personable and a really nice. He deserves this chance."
"He's very charismatic," Siebert said. "Very hard working. Likes to help people and learn new things."
Beckman will not paid for his appearance today, but he will receive a one-year contract with television agency NS Beinstock and a $10,000 development deal with Buena Vista Television.
"They (Buena Vista) said they would set up something after the contest, but they haven't told me anything," he said. "I've just gotten a congratulatory call from them. They're taking things one step at a time."
Beckman is scheduled to receive his Bachelor's degree in May, and plans on attending graduate school. He has applied to several universities in California and New York, and eventually hopes to work in the entertainment industry.
"Hopefully this (the co-hosting gig) will springboard my career," he said.
Shasky, who has won several Emmys and worked in New York and Los Angeles, is faithful that he will have a bright future. But he said that he would fit in better in New York than in Hollywood.
"Andy fits in really well as a New Yorker," Shasky said. "He's a natural New Yorker. He's an in-your-face type of guy, and uptempo and honest."
"Live With Regis and Kelly" will air on WRTV Channel 6 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. today.
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