(All photos, credit: Tricia Romano)

While we were busy interviewing Solange and stealthily sneaking shots of Metro Station and Lil Wayne down at TRL this week, FOB — Friend of Buzzworthy — Tricia Romano did some guerrilla style reporting out in L.A. at the FNMTV rehearsal. She got some time with host Pete Wentz and peeped Panic At the Disco’s rehearsal and more for-your-eyes only stuff that we probably shouldn’t even be blogging about, but we are. Here’s what she sent us:

I’m on the set of FNMTV in L.A., and Pete Wentz is sitting, like, three feet from me, and I want nothing more than to take a pic of him in his cute winter hat, but we’re under strict orders from the production powers-that-be to wait until he’s in full dress. That’s OK. I don’t want anyone to see me without my makeup on, either. Later, he’s riding around the set on his BMX bike, which would be an awesome shot, too. Maybe next time. Le sigh.

Right now, Pete’s watching Panic at the Disco’s very long sound check. They’re running through “That Green Gentleman” for the second time. And then a third. Then a fourth. Then they will do it again to get it perfect for tomorrow night’s premiere of FNMTV, which is a show that’s actually about VIDEOS on MTV! (Videos, remember them?)

Outside, it’s sunny and shiny, but inside, it’s dark, and the stage gives off an unnatural fuchsia glow. We’re sitting through the run-through, minus most of the talent, which means that stage managers and P.A.s fill in for the stars. Five ladies from the set stand in for the Pussycat Dolls. Less glam but determined nonetheless.

Another stage manager fills in for Snoop Dogg — issuing high fives — and giving fabricated answers to Pete’s questions. (Hmm… sounds familiar…) The fake Fall Out Boy seems a little nervous, but does pretty well overall. He only flubs one line.

From where I’m sitting, the best part of the show (besides Pete… and videos — VIDEOS!!!…) is the special effects. Before each video, they let rip a huge sonic boom, with enough flashing lights to put Kanye to shame, and then there’s a rumble. It’s like Smackdown, minus the ‘roids. I half expected Janet Jackson to emerge from a hovering space craft. (Or Daft Punk.)

Lots more after the jump…

I headed outside and found a few members of Panic taking a well-deserved break. (More on Panic in a bit.) Mary Louise Parker of Weeds saunters by looking ultra hot in a purple satiny snug dress. Mee-yow. It turns out Weeds is filmed on the same lot.

We also ran into itchy but patient Pete. I noticed some new ink on his arm, of a Japanese samurai. “It’s itching a lot.”

In between the videos, live performances, and sketches (One of the highlights is a video clip that features Snoop Dogg giving Pete and Ashlee child-rearing advice. There’s a breast-feeding joke. I will tell you no more.) Pete does a quickie interview with each artist. I asked him what it’s like to be on the other side of the mic.

“I’ve done it a couple of times,” he says. “I’m not really particularly fond of it. I feel like when you get asked a question you can answer it with anything. But when someone gives you an answer, your follow-up question has to be reacting to what they say. It’s kind of frustrating. They give you a list of questions and then the person kind of goes left field.” (Yeah, we know what you mean, Pete.)

See how he does this Friday, and check back here later to see photos of Pete Wentz’s personal possessions and some of the Pussycat Dolls’ stuff that I almost eBayed!

+ Get more FNMTV here and here, and stay tuned for more Buzzworthy coverage later today.