Watch American Idol Season 8 Top 3 Finalists

Watch American Idol Season 8 Top 3 Finalists. All three Season 8 finalists happily plop down before a catered lunch during a break in filming Sunday at the Ford music video shoot, which airs during tonight's results show (Fox, 9 ET/PT).

Danny Gokey looks over at Kris Allen, then affects a Ryan Seacrest tone: "And tonight, live from the hospital, we have Adam Lambert."

The group laughter is genuine and welcome. For the three remaining contestants, Idol is all work and little play. Regardless of who wins, they all eagerly spy the finish line.

"What do I want after Idol? Well, I certainly don't want to go back to driving semis, so I guess I'd like to help people better themselves," says Wisconsin native Gokey, 29.

Allen, 23, shakes his head. "I wasn't doing anything before I auditioned, which really was my brother's idea, just going to the University of Central Arkansas. But I've now found what I'm supposed to do with my life. I want to take this ball and run with it."

If Gokey and Allen come across as mellow Midwesterners, San Diego native Lambert, 27, seems carved from the gritty asphalt at Hollywood and Vine. "I want to do the pop-star thing," says Lambert, who's difficult to overlook with his dyed black-and-blue locks and Cleopatra eyeliner. "I want to open people's minds. I want to push buttons."

Just then, a production assistant pushes the switch on his walkie-talkie and barks: "We need the three guys back on set. And get ready to release the dogs."

A nearby handler motions toward three menacing German shepherds that will stalk the Idols on the next shot.

"The dogs seem nice," says Lambert, flashing a wary I-hope-they-don't-bite smile. "Here we go again."

What's it like to be an Idol in the final throes of competition?

A three-day tag-along reveals that an Idol finalist's constant companions include physical fatigue, mental exhaustion and a constant stream of choices: What song? What note? What outfit? What take?

One thing is clear: Television's top-rated series is less reality show than boot camp for wannabe stars. Survive incessant tasks — song and wardrobe selections, rehearsals, music-video recordings and shoots, iTunes recording sessions — and there won't be a Hollywood pitch you can't hit.