A frenzy befitting U-2 or the Dalai Lama perhaps? Heck no, the spiritual leader didn't even sell out during his appearance at Utah Valley State College.

In Orem this election season, the hot ticket is Michael Moore.

"It's wild," said Brian Miles, ticket manager for the McKay Events Center. "We've had some big concerts, but this is a little bit different."

Since news of the controversial filmmaker's Oct. 20 appearance spread this week, UVSC's public-relations staff has been put through the wringer.

To say nothing of the pressure on the student government, whose representatives tendered the invite - and $40,000 payday - to Moore.

"It's a work in progress for them and for all of us," said UVSC spokesman Derek Hall. "To have something as polarizing on this magnitude is new to our campus."

Polarizing and political is proving to be irresistible.

According to ticket agents, nearly 1,000 seats sold in the first few hours Friday. Phones rang nonstop, and Internet orders poured in.

But, as expected, not all of the buyers are from Utah County.

"There is definitely a strong response north of Point of the Mountain," Miles said.

The trick for organizers is how to provide enough ($10) tickets for the general public, while accommodating UVSC students, who get into the 8,000-seat arena for free.

School officials hope a wrist-band system for students will help curb the temptation to scalp. But even that's not foolproof, said spokeswoman Heather Barnum.

"I guess we just hope that they will be honest," she said. 3

Another challenge for the college is to sell enough public tickets to help replenish its suddenly depleted guest-speaker budget.

To help, Miles said the ticket office will cap the number of student tickets. "It's a fairly small portion," he said.

UVSC administrators also want to fill the coffers in order to draw what they call "an appropriate conservative viewpoint" - perhaps Fox Network commentator Sean Hannity - to balance Moore the week before the election.

"We'll have to worry about a sellout first," Hall said.

Unlike the Dalai Lama, it shouldn't be a problem.