Ameican Idol 5 - 44 AI hopefuls become 24

(Thanks Joey)
Tonight, there are no dreary time-killers, no stretched-out comic skits, no cheesy narrations. (Well, there are some of those. After all, we are talking about Ryan Seacrest.)

American Idol is unveling its top 24, and it's all business from the beginning.

We get a quick look at the Pasadena Civic Center in Calfornia, where the 44 remaining contestants are huddled together in a holding room. After a final review from the judges, they are sent up, one by one, to hear their fate.

Yes or no. It's just a matter of time. In minutes, a barrage of "no's" are handed out to Jessica Santos, Nick Whitten and Crystal Stark. Even Brooke Barrettsmith, the remaining of two talented sisters, gets the axe. One true talent is gone.

Katharine McPhee (21-years-old) is like a younger, vocally stronger Norah Jones and one of this season's most talented contestants. I have high hopes for her.

Big duh -- she gets a yes after a bit of a fake-out from the judges. She also plants a kiss on each of the three judges. Um, eww. Eww? She can kiss me.


Future heartthrob Ace Young (25-years-old), with his messy mop of hair, has gotten lots of screen time thus far. We see a snippet of his final audition song, Michael Jackson's tender She's Out Of My Life. Young's voice is bland, thin and unspectacular, but -- big surprise -- he makes it. Teenage girls across the country breathe a sigh of relief.





On the other end of the spectrum is Robert Bennett, Jr. (19-years-old), who has gotten little screen time. Nevertheless, he also makes it through. "This is not for fat people," he jokes. I wonder what his voice sounds like.





Diva extraordinaire Mandisa Hundley (29-tears-old), one of my personal favorites, is up next. Simon made rude comments about her weight during the first auditions, and she calls him on it.

"You hurt me, and I cried, and it was painful," she tells the caustic judge. In a rare moment, Simon seems sincerely humbled, and he also tells Mandisa that she makes it through. Good for her! She's likable and talented and sassy. I hope she goes far.

Lisa Tucker has been polished and professional from the beginning. The immensely talented 16-year-old, who we find out performed in The Lion King, gets a yes. Not a big surprise, but well-deserved nonetheless.





Crooner David Radford (17-years-old) is also on to the top 24. Get ready for the next John Stevens. Imagine Radford -- with his weird arm swing -- on a disco tune. Or a country tune. Or anything from this era. Yikes!






Jose "Sway" Penala is celebrating his birthday, and his only wish is a ticket through to the next round. He gets his wish.






Elliott Yamin (27-years-old), who was part of the same group performance, also gets a yes. Both guys have strong, distinct voices.






The demure Stephanie Scott is sweet and endearing. She is safe for now, and I get a little misty-eyed. Shut up.






On the other hand, senator's daughter and basketball star Ayla Brown (17-years-old) is a bit cocky for my taste. She doesn't seem to have to struggle for much, which the judges have noticed. She gets a yes. Mmmm.






Bald-headed rocker Chris Daughtry is, of course, put through to the top 24. He's practically guaranteed a top-five slot, with all the coverage he's received.





But, April Walsh, the red-headed throwback who reminds me of Bette Midler, gets a no. She's colorful and cute -- maybe a little too much so.

Another 16-year-old, Kevin Covay, heads upstairs. This is a guy in need of a serious makeover, but he makes it. His parents are thrilled. It's a sweet moment.





The awfully cute and majorly talented Paris Bennett (17-years-old) is sent up, and she has been keeping track of the score so far. Another big surprise -- she makes it. "I gotta go tell my mommy," she says.





Terrible Twosome update: Seacrest tells us that the duo has been disqualified because of criminal charges. Old news. We've known this for weeks. YES!!!!

Back to the show. Kellie Pickler (19-years-old) is saved for near the end, but it's hardly a surprise. She makes it through, amid endless tears. Enough already! This girl has milked more emotion that Jasmine Trias and Vonzell Solomon combined. MmmmMMMMmm






Gray-haired soul singer Taylor Hicks' fate is next revealed. He makes it, and celerates by playing his harmonica. What a goofball. I like this guy maybe because I am a goofball too.





Woodlands teen William Makar is one of the final four left wondering about his fate. He is sent up alongside Syd Harcourt, with only one male slot remaning. Oh, the drama!

Makar is given the go-ahead. H-town, representing! (Sort of.)




Now, it's up to you, us, me. You can see the top 24 here. Voting for the top 12 starts next week! Get your dialing fingers ready.
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