Lucky two dozen

They organize this final non-live segment of American Idol oddly, and poorly. Starts with all of them in a room, waiting for the results. Each one takes an elevator up to another room, where the three judges tell them yes or no. They cut five people right away in like a minute, people we know nothing about and have barely seen.

Seacrest says everyone else is in a state of shock with so many 'nos' right away. Shock? They should be happy, their odds get better with every no. Then another person's cut too, apparently not unanimously. Then another; seven down, so from here on out it should be 50-50 yes/no.

Odd, wonder what they do between Hollywood and Pasadena--how do they cut from 32 to 12? They don't tell us, or show us--all the tape's from Hollywood.

First yes is Katherine McPhee, the daughter of a music teacher. Judges indeed pick her; I've never thought she was great though. She kisses them all, and acts all flighty afterwards, and in the elevator going down. She's quite the drama queen.

Next is Ace Young, he'll make it. And he does. He's a good-looking solid guy, a bit like Constantine. Another guy is cut; another woman who says she can't believe she's been told no, at 26 she says it's over--she has a complete meltdown, making the judges think they were probably right. She's mad in the elevator down as well.

Next, Robert Bennett, who I've never seen before. I think he'll make it; and he does. So far I'm 3 for 3.... He shows some personality in the elevator on the way down, but also acts weirdly, so I don't think he'll last. He's like a comic.

Mandisa Hundley is next, I think she goes on, even though she's fat. And even though she gives Simon a piece of her mind before it all--he smiles and takes it; then she talks about if Jesus could die.... Ugh. She makes it; has a good attitude, although one would never call her jolly.

Next, Melissa McGhee, cut. Oops, judges disagree; I'd never seen her, made my decision based on her look. Mark Locklear; no idea, never seen him. But he's cut. 4 for 5. Next, Lisa Tucker; makes it. Simon talks about her being 16; Ryan talks to her mom, who looks well-put together and could be in the competition herself. And they show her making it via the reaciton on her mom's face.

David Radford, he'll make it. He says he doesn't know what he did right--well, he's good-looking, has a good attitude, and an old-fashioned crooner's voice. And he makes it.

Next, Jose 'Sway' Galang--I hope he makes it, think he will, too, on his birthday no less. He has an interesting voice, and isn't your standard white boy. He makes it. Nexxt Elliott Yamin makes it; I didn't think he would based on his look. Brenna Gethers, who was hoarse in Hollywood and then nuts, won't make it. Well, Simon agrees that she could be a nightmare, but they put her in. Gosh, she's annoying.

Next, Marci Smith, who hates Brenna. I think she'll be cut. They cut four in a row, none of whom they're shown at all. Oh well. Gedeon McKinney is good, he'll make it. Makes a I'm ready for America to see what God has done; you have to have it. He makes it. Simons says after if he'd heard the speech, he'd have said no.

Next, Stevie Scott--hmm, very interesting, likes opera and a lot of other things, she'll make it, has a good voice and a good look, something different. Yo, any Asian Americans so far? Just Sway... who I guess fills both Asian American and Hispanic.

Next, basketball star Ayla Brown--she's attractive, has a decent voice, just as importantly good personality and the right look. Paula says nothing difficult for you, Simon make a joke about giving the underdogs a shot.

Chris Daughtery, who gets stuck in the elevator, will make it of course. He's only stuck for six minutes; and is through. He calls his wife afterwards, everyone claps for that. Paris Bennett is so cute, she's making a list of who's left and who's in.

So's Rebecca O'Donohue, she'll make it, has the look, and can sing. Yup, she's in. Two people roll their eyes. April Walsh will be cut. She immediately says that's allright. Heather Cox will make it, has the look. And she does. Hmm, which one's fat and red-headed, which one's blonde and attractive?

William "Bucky" Covington--never seen, looks country. Think no, but judges say yes. Patrick Hall, same deal except looks nerdy, same result. Next, youngish Kevin Covais, his parents agree he's a good kid. God, he can sing--I say yes. Simon says it was a really tough decision, can't tell from his reaction in the elevator--but he's through! Wow, this is gonna be interesting.

Paris Bennett next, she of course makes it, despite Randy's try at a fake-out. She's so cute, a good person. Yaaay! It makes me happy just to see her. Four places left, eight people in contention.

Back from break, they reveal the truth with the Brittenum twins, forgery charges for both. So out they go. Next, Kellie Pickler, easily in. She breaks down; Paula shows emotion too, Simon isn't gushing over her like he once was. As usual, she talks it out; even makes a joke with Ryan pretending she's going home. Next, Taylor Hicks; through, I'd say. He comes up playing on a harmonica, well too. Panel responds well; he's in. Starts singing. Cool guy, I really like him.

Next, Kinnik Sky and Megan Bobo, neither one of whom they've really shown. Megan's out, Kinnik's got the last spot. Kind of a bad way to do it, with them there together.

Finally, last two guys. Wow, Syd Harcourt has quite a voice; William Makar is his competition. I'd say Syd myself, but think they'll go with the budding teen idol Makar. And they do.

Of my eight favorites coming out of the first audition round, two are gone--Mecca was ousted before Hollywood, and Garet cut after the first Hollywood round. The other five are still in it: Paris, Kellie, Taylor, Chris, Patrick, and Lisa.

Totally looking forward to seeing everyone's makeovers next week.