The Kelly Clarkson Show

It's 10AM on a Wednesday in April, and TV GUIDE MAGAZINE is among the ranks of buzzing audience members filing into Universal Studios Lot, Stage 1, in Hollywood. (Dress code: "nice casual trendy bright colors.") Crew members hustle as they prep to tape two episodes of Kelly Clarkson's weekday talker.

- Jim Halterman

Monday, May 9, syndicated, check local listings

Excitement is in the air, escalating when upbeat warm-up guy Ruben Ervin announces Clarkson's arrival. The ultra-relatable host (left) has a lot of folks excited, in fact: She scored a pair of Daytime Emmys in her first two seasons, with an Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show twofer on top of that. Being on set for her series' blend of conversation, games, real talk and music makes for a fast-paced, entertaining (if overly air-conditioned) adventure. Read on for a few behind-the-scenes observations: