Cut to 24

Well, here we go--American Idol goes from 40 to 12 guys, 12 women tonight. Sitting inside Pasadena's civic auditorium; this is definitely the most staged of the AI shows, but also one of the more fun.

They waste no time, start with Sanjaya Malakar, who's my favorite. Great voice, great guy--he talks about his sister not making it, they show him crying! Big smile, same great hair. The judges like him, it's pretty clear--no surprise as he makes it. He's kindof gawky about how he celebrates, sister is there to hug him.

Anna Kearns, the really tall one; she tells Simon she heard his giraffe comment. Randy tells her you didn't make it--she thinks that he's kidding her, can't believe it; apparently she thinks she's unique enough to make it without a great voice. Oh well.

Bernard Williams also doesn't make it; people are surprised. Eric Davis--who we've never seen--is out; wow, and Tami Gasnell, the cabbie who I liked, is out too. Now, Melinda Doolittle, the background singer who everyone likes. Simon fakes her out, tells her she's good enough and makes it through. Unanimous he says; big cheer for her.

Brandon Rogers, who I liked as well, the 'Alvin from Cosby Show' guy. Just a big smile, nice aura. And he's through too, cool. Wow, action-packed first segment, glad for the commercial break.

Gina Glocksen, who I don't think I liked in Hollywood week, I think she was mean to the Colombian chick. Hard to tell though, some of these people look different every time. She makes it, I think; Paula tells her, she's totally surprised. Good for her, she's genuinely happy and surprised, takes off her shoes and sobs down the elevator. Hmm, wearing a lock on her belt loop?

Jimmy McNeal (little fun Ruben) is out, I liked him; Errick Johnson too, who I don't remember seeing. Both guys are pretty stoic about it. Halely Scarnardo, who we're seeing for the first time. Her clip from Hollywood week doesn't seem that great to me, but the judges seemed to like her. And she's through. Hmm, seems odd pick to me.

Philip Stacy, whose wife gave birth and who I had a good feeling about even if I didn't think his voice was great, makes it through. He's totally relieved; SImon's been giving these funny grins, he really enjoys this part.

28 left to find out their fate; including a glimpse of an attractive Asian American woman I don't think we've seen. They flashback to what the guys did on their off day in Hollywood, apparently they got a sneak peek of the Simpsons film, they got to go to the studio.

Chris Sligh next, he'll definitely make it--makes a lame joke as he shows up. He does have a nice voice, I didn't pick him before but may start rooting for him. Simon tells him you're through, even if you're not one of the better singers.

Blake Lewis, beat box boy from Seattle, another person who I didn't necessarily like the first time around but who's grown on me. Simon puts him through, he tries to mess with him but it's obvious. Thomas Lowe is out, never really saw him. Rudy Cardenas, who along with the other three were in that good group in Hollywood, makes it too. His peeps are there to see him make it; interesting, the guys are definitely weaker than the women, once again. Wonder if their little threesome will last.

Paul Kim, who apparently is always barefoot--that's his thing, he says; along with a pair of underwear he always wears on cut day. He's got a good voice, from the Hollywood clip, and a soulful look. I like him; he's very nervous, split decision Paula says--and he's in! They show him and Rudy palling around.

Jordin Sparks, who I like, the daughter of a former NFL player. Not the best voice, but great personality. And she's in, too. Is totally freaking out in the elevator. Olivia Quiba-Hurst (the asian american girl), Tatiana McConnico, Monique Vieras--all three are cut quickly.

A.J. Tabaldo, who we haven't seen before, and was apparently auditioning for the fifth time. Not an impressive Hollywood clip; but he's in. Big smile, seems like a cool guy. I gotta tell you, so far it seems like a pretty diverse group of guys at least, it's like what California looks like.

Stephanie Edwards makes it next, I don't remember her--not sure she'll be around. Leslie Hunt, who I also don't remember is next; she seems older, pretty nervous, makes it; kindof an odd, pale look to her. Man, I had forgotten how many of the top 24 we meet for the first time on this night.

Nicolas Pedro, who quit last year and who I like--seems very sincere. And he makes it this time; maybe he shouldn't have quit last year! Back from break with Pedro calling his sis, she freaks out. Man, he's definitely gonna build a following.

Alaina Alexander, who I remember liking from Birmingham although I didn't put her on my list of likes. She's really nervous, I think she made it based on how the judges are treating her. Hmmm, I feel like she could be a wildcard; not the greatest voice, but a good voice, and I remember she's very polite. Seems to give it her all. Randy messes with her a bit; waits forever; but she's in. She tells them I'll work so hard; asks for advice, Simon says blow your nose.

Chris Richardson, who they're selling as a Justin Timberlake-like. He's in; I thought he was okay. Sabrina Sloan, who we've never seen before; kindof an interesting look, really frizzy hair. And she's in, Paula shoots Simon a look for messing with her a bit.

Jerome Chism is out, we've never seen him before. Joelle James is out, we've never seen her either. Matthew Buckstein, from last year, is out. Princess Johnson is out too, again--never seen.

Room is dwindling; Lakisha Jones, who I liked. I predict she'll make it, based on the pacing and timing of her appearance tonight--not surprisingly, she nailed it in Hollywood, had people on their feet. She's very proper with the judges, a good person who does her best. Back to working at the bank if she doesn't make it, she says; starts crying while she's waiting. Simon uses the standard I'm sorry to tell you you're going to be seeing a lot of us. Shakes hands with the judges, big smiles form all of them--Simon tells her at the end you're a great singer, they're really trying to help her build a fan base.

Down to seven--first is Nicole Tranquillo, who we haven't seen before, but I immediately like based on the way she sings. And she's through, seems like a cool person. Next is Jared Cotter, who I don't think we've seen. Clean-cut guy; kindof a fun look on his face; and he makes it. Big tall guy, nice presence.

Amy Krebs, who we haven't seen; has a good voice. Makes it. I really do think FOX holds back on showing some of the stronger singers, to let the weakers ones build a fan base so it's a closer contest.

Marissa Rhodes, who we haven't seen before. Four people left--for two spots. They send up Marissa Rhodes--who we haven't seen--and Antonella Barba, people are supposed to either root for Antonella or against her, my guess is she'll make it. They hug on the way up. Wow, Marissa has a good, strong voice though. They show Antonella messing up; which makes me think actually she'll definitely make it. And she does. Seems less jerky without her sidekick, although she gives the camera a kindof snarky smile. Marissa is just sobbing in the elevator, this is so hard to watch, Antonella is trying to cheer her up, but Marissa isn't having any of it--afterwards she's really upset. Boy, they're really setting Antonella up as the villian this year.

Sundance Head against Thomas Daniels, I think Sundance makes it--although I do remember liking Tommy's tone. Tommy is smug, Sundance is a nice guy. And Sundance makes it; Tommy is surprised. He takes it hard, but shakes Sundance's hand, swears a couple times for how they set it up, flicks off the cameras. Awkward moment afterwards with Tommy and Sundance and Ryan.

And now--the top 12 women; doing that dance thing, which is always fun to watch--Jordin looks good, Melinda not so much, nor Gina, or Amy--and Leslie looks totally nutso. Top 12 guys; Jared smooth, Chris too; Rudy kindof weird, and Chris definitely odd. Blake's got something extra; as does Sanjaya, for sure.

From my list last night of who I liked, I only lost Jimmy and Tami (Henry and Sarah already having been cut).

So--this is who I like for the final 12, in order of who I liked best.

-Sanjaya Malakar, Indian American brother
-Lakisha Jones, Mandisa-like
-Jordin Sparks, daughter of ex-Giants player
-Nicolas Pedro, who quit last year
-Alaina Alexander, polite girl
-Paul Kim, tunnel-voice guy
-Sundance Head, beard guy
-Melinda Doolittle, professional backup singer
-Brandon Rogers, 'Elvin from the Cosby Show'
-Nicole Tranquillo, cool vibe
-Blake Lewis, beat box boy
-Chris Sligh, curly comedian

Chris Richardson, aka Justin Timberlake, and Jared Cotter, tall clean-cut guy, may also make it in for the guys--I like both of them, so that would be cool. For the women, Amy Krebs, who had a good voice and I liked, and Antonella Barba may make it--which actually I'd be cool with, I like underdogs and FOX is definitely setting her up as the bad girl.