Tears and smiles

The show that separates the men from the boys... and women from the girls, of course. I think Will and Bucky are leaving for the guys, Kinnik and Melissa for the women. As Ryan notes, after this the survivors will have stylists.... Watching it a few days after it aired.

46 million votes cast, Ryan says--amazing at this stage. The standard recap at the top, reminds me of how silly Kevin's song was. They welcome back Bo Bice, gets a mandatory standing O from the crowd, not really that enthusiastic actually. He sings, looks very comfortable up there, Real Thing. An okay performance, if he were in the competition this year, not that melodic but good energy. Sounds actually like he's a bit off-key, flat; am sure every competitor thinks his level is totally attainable, and Ryan says his album is about to go platinum. He does make the guys all look a bit like boys compared to him, has a real self-assurance and grown-up vibe that only Chris shares.

Women, again, up first. Lisa; obviously staying, and she is. Melissa next, oddly not lowest. Ayla, she's staying, looks very calm, and is indeed staying. Oh-oh, Kinnik, I think she's gone. Wow, Ryan just says you have the lowest number of votes, no stringing it out. She's fine though, happy to have made it this far. Oh well. Looks adult, and is. Randy and Paula give her some advice, Ryan won't let Simon speak. He's beginning to play too big a role in the show. Hmm, she sings pretty well in her farewell, for her it was more about personality and standing out than voice. Gives a good little speech at the end.

Next, guys. God bless everybody, says Gedeon, as Ryan asks a few how they feel. Kevin first, he should be fine, and is. Gedeon next, he's fine, and indeed he is. Bucky... oh-oh. Well, he's safe for now. Elliot, he's good and stays. Hmmm, Will--bye, short and sweet and he's outof there. He thanks everyone, seems fine with things, gives a nice good-bye about how he's grown, Paula says she's proud of the gentleman he is and has become. Randy tells him to do some discovery work; Simon says you're very mature, you'll be successful no matter what you do.

Back with the women, Paris first--obviously she's staying. She's the first to officially make the top 12, dances across to the seats. Katharine next, makes it too. Ah, I see how they're doing it, will leave it to Ayla and Melissa alone on the wrong side. Kelie goes across after that, gets a big hug. Mandisa next, will go; Melissa looking downcast. And Mandisa makes her way across, like the mom with this group. Lisa next, and off she goes to the top 12. Yay, what a diversely talented group. Odd, Ayla and Melissa aren't really talking over there, Ayla's very competitive and I think she hates being lumped with the loser....

Back to see who's left out in the cold. Randy asked who'll go on, he says Ayla, but that it's a tough decision. Ayla not looking pleased at all; and indeed Melissa goes on, which is insane, Ayla is better. And she's not happy at all, looks upset--is tearing up. And mad. Aww, poor Ayla, her spot's taken by someone else. The first person who I've liked who's been cut. Awww, she breaks down, says she never cries. Little Ryan tries to make her feel better, wow, it's the first person to leave who's really made people sad, and even surprised. Judges tell her she's great. Now she's gotta sing. Hopefully people come out to support her, it's amazing but she's pulling it together for the performance. I think she lost because her voice isn't as good as most of the others, but really wished people had seen how cool she is, she's different.

Taylor up first, he's in. And is. And his friend Paris comes over to give him a big hug. Ace and Chris next, both will get in, and are. Hmm, Chris hugs Kellie. Kevin is in, the other guys are like awesome, little guy. Crazy Brittenum twins are in the audience, odd. Elliot gets in, of course. Hmm, Gedeon and Bucky left, Gedeon with his huge grin, it's like he's on another planet.

Back, and in another surprise, Bucky gets on and Gedeon doesn't. Wow. Big smile though. He says he's surprised. Simon had predicted Bucky gone. Man, him and Ayla--he's got a great voice, she's so likeable, and Paris is in tears about Gedeon leaving, Ace has his arms around her to comfort her. It really is ridiculous, he gives a really good performance.

Hmmm, they introduce the top twelve, and then I think as they play them out Paris is off with Gedeon and the other non-winners. She's really good.

So... top 12. I'll tell you right now, at the end you're going to see Paris and Chris. Not as sure about the third person.... If you look on the official Idol message board, Taylor has 85,118 posts about him; second, with a big gap, is Ace at 21,520, followed by Bucky ?! at 14,707 (Paris has just 799, Chris 9,010). So maybe one of those three--but then again, Constantine last year always had the most postings, but he didn't make final three. To the extent the people from the South generally do well, I'd say Taylor, unless he totally screws up. And as wildcards, throw in Kellie and Elliot.

Photo of Ayla Brown from FOX via MSNBC.com

Photo of Gedeon McKinney from Fox via MTV.com