Lisa Ann Walter to become Next Best Thing

You spot a queue of familiar characters outside a soundstage here. Jennifer Aniston leans against Frank Sinatra while Lieutenant Columbo, Superman and Stevie Wonder bring up the rear.

ItÕs all in a dayÕs work for Hollywood. This is an audition for ABCÕs ÒThe Next Best Thing: Who Is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?Ó premiering tonight.

Auditions were held across the U.S. to search out these famous clones. Contestants will compete in a series of eliminations, until the grand finale, which will be filmed live from Las Vegas. The winner gets $100,000.

Comedians Jeffrey Ross, Lisa Ann Walter and Elon Gold will be the judges.

Seated at a rectangular table on a darkened soundstage here, they say itÕs not easy to judge such talent. ÒYesterday, Lisa danced with Clark Gable, Elon did a bit with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. I had Marilyn Monroe sing me a song,Ó says Ross.

ÒShe practically lap-danced him,Ó adds Walter, who has four children and says sheÕs used to making final judgments.

The competitors have to look, talk, sing and dance like their subjects. Some are dead ringers for the original.