EW’s Whitney Pastorek reports from the set of American Idol that rumors of an accident this evening are indeed true. At the start of dress rehearsals, stage manager Debbie Williams fell from the top of a flight of stairs, dangled from a railing, and dropped to the floor. Paramedics were called, and Williams, an integral part of the AI production team, was rushed to the hospital. A crew member says that Williams badly cut her leg and may have injured her hand, although apparently there are no broken bones. Fox, meanwhile, has released an official statement: "During rehearsal today a crew member had a mishap on the set and was immediately taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure." (Reporting by Whitney Pastorek and Michael Ausiello)
May 6
2009
01:37 AM ET
'American Idol' accident: Stage manager injured tonight
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Oh no! Poor Debbie! I hope she gets well soon. We need to make sure she has PLENTY of signs when she comes back to work.
Thanks to Whitney and Adam B., we know how important Debbie is to Idol. Hope she gets better soon !
Oh no!! Hugs to Debbie and hope for a fast recovery for her!
That’s awful. I hope she did not trip on that stupid lighted staircase.
I’d drink too if I worked at AI.
Oh no, not Debbie! Hope she gets well soon. Make Lots of signs for her people!
Get better soon, Debbie!
Get well soon, Debbie! Idol would be lost without you.
Sorry Debbie was hurt and hope she’s back with us tomorrow night, when Gokey will be hopefully voted off for making a fool of himself with that last note that sounded like someone had stepped on a cat ‘s tail.
take care Debbie, I hope you heal soon.
Debbie, I don’t know, I don’t know. For me, for you, that was not your best staircase. You were out of your comfort zone and way over the edge. You should have played it safe. For me, for you, I hope you’re a-ight.
NO NOT DEBBIE!!!! For the love of the children, not Debbie! Take care, Queen D and get well soon.
Not Debbie! OMG EW, you’ve totally gotta arrange for some sort of get well card for us to sign! Debbie – if you’re reading this, get well soon!
Wow that’s scary! Why didn’t they mention her on the show, to wish her well?
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/05/06/tv-tonight-wednesday-may-6th/
I was there when debbie fell and she made a loud thump. it was pretty funny and scary. Ryan rushed over to her aid. Later the spinning AI globe rocked, crashed and sent glass and people running.