Top 24 – The Final Judgment (aired 2-13-08)

Bunny: Ryan starts the show from Egypt with Hayden Christensen in a cheesy “Jumper”-inspired intro.

It’s the big day, and the top 50 are having breakfast, those whose nervous stomachs will allow them to eat, that is. The judges are still debating the merits of various contestants. Ryan reminds us that the talent is so strong this year, each judge will have to sacrifice some of their personal favorites. By 9:00 a.m., final decisions are made, and Simon is not happy with some of them. If he were, I would be worried. Simon is my favorite judge, mind you, but he’s a little cantankerous for my taste sometimes.

Anyway, Ryan explains the agonizing trip the singers have to take up the elevator and across the endless room to the judges. Ryan is starting to talk like Tyra Banks, emphasizing EVry OTHer SYLLable.

We start with Ronald Hodge, Nina Shaw, Mycale Guyton, and Lisa Aukerman, all of whom are going home.

We’re then strung along on a thread of artificial suspense when Carly Smithson steps up. She doesn’t know if she will continue pursuing a singing career if it doesn’t go well today. Paula drags out delivery of the answer with lots of jabber, which Simon says is “torcha” to the contestants. It certainly appears to be hard on Carly. Finally she is given the good news; she has made it to the top 24.

David Cook is glad he doesn’t have to go get a job—he’s moving on, as is Amanda Overmyer, although I think he’s more versatile than she is.

There is a trio of Nos: Brandon Green, Amanda Hawkins, and Buck Smith.

David Archuleta is up next. In the interest of squelching the aforementioned artificial suspense, I’ll tell you now it’s a Yes. Simon explains that the judges scrutinize those under 18 to make sure they have the confidence to handle rigors of the American Idol machine. He does a little “torcha”-ing of his own before giving the news to a grateful David.

Next to secure a top spot is Kristy Lee Cook, not a big surprise. They do warn her she needs to be more consistent.

Brooke White really wants this, but she’s another one who’s not sure about her future in music if it’s bad news today. Fortunately, she won’t have to make that decision just yet. She’s in.

Danny Noriega, Jason Castro, Luke Menard, and Alexandrea Lushington, most of whom got very little if any screen time so far, are all Yeses.

By the time we get to Ramiele Malubay, I wonder if it’s time for someone to get shot down. I’m so glad she isn’t. She’s obviously one of Simon’s favorites, too. He was actually tapping his foot in time to the music in the clip they show of one of her Hollywood performances. Yay for Ramiele!

Now we come to another string of disappointed singers: Shaun Barrowes, Lorena Pinot, Drew Poppelreiter, and Natashia Blach. Natashia has a baby to go home to, and although I like her, it’s hard to be sad that she’ll be there for her child over the next few months instead of competing on Idol. Drew takes it well—he doesn’t want to miss turkey season, after all. Sorry to see you go, Drew.

Michael Johns says he wouldn’t have done anything differently; still, his confidence is slightly shaken as the day wears on. However, he gets the nod from the judges.

Next to take the elevator ride is Syesha Mercado, whose voice almost failed her during Hollywood week. I appreciate the fact that she says she is happy, even before she hears whether it’s yea or nay. Paula points out that the answer is within the spelling of her name.

Robbie Carrico is in. (Whew—so far so good with my early prediction!)

More happy faces return from the judges’ room: Garrett Haley, Kady Malloy, Chikezie Eze (Chikezie Eze, Chikezie Eze!), Amy Davis, Alaina Whitaker, Jason Yeager, and Asia’h Epperson.

The judges tell David Hernandez that he was one of the tough ones to make a decision on. Simon says he’ll have to work hard to have the faintest chance of winning, but he will get the opportunity to try.

Okay, we’re down to Josiah Leming. I’m holding my breath. He thinks it will be good news. He admits to the panel that their compliments had gone to his head, leading to overconfidence. I think it’s a good sign that Randy asks him how he thinks he’s done, but it’s not. Bye, young Josiah. The judges think he should stick with it, though. I think it would have been an even more interesting competition with him in the mix, but that’s the way it goes. I hope he can patch things up with his family and get some support; he seems to need it, poor guy.

It’s the end of the day and we’re down to two guys and two girls in the holding room. Colton Berry and Kyle Ensley see the judges together, as has been the custom in this phase of the selection process. They seem to be good friends. In a split decision, Kyle is going home and Colton is going on. This appears to be the verdict that caused the most disagreement among the judges. Surprisingly, Simon tells Kyle he thinks the other judges are completely and utterly wrong and that the American public would have enjoyed seeing him. Kyle accepts the news with his own sort of aplomb. Colton is sad to see his friend go home.

Last up are Joanne Borgella and Cardin McKinney. Either one would be a good choice, in my opinion. Cardin doesn’t think she did herself justice in Hollywood, whereas Joanne says she fell in love with singing again and is grateful to be here. In a unanimous decision, Joanne is in, Cardin out. As they leave the room, Simon admits this is the point where he changes his mind.

When all is said and done, in alphabetical order, here are the top 24!

GUYS:
David Archuleta
Colton Berry
Robbie Carrico
Jason Castro
David Cook
Chikezie Eze
Garrett Haley
David Hernandez
Michael Johns
Luke Menard
Danny Noriega
Jason Yeager

GIRLS:
Joanne Borgella
Kristy Lee Cook
Amy Davis
Asia’h Epperson
Alexandrea Lushington
Kady Malloy
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Amanda Overmyer
Carly Smithson
Alaina Whitaker
Brooke White

PREDICTION STATUS SO FAR:

There was definitely some early-round talent who didn't make the cut. We would have liked to see Angela Martin, Josiah Leming, Rachael Wicker, Suzanne Toon, and Drew Poppelreiter get through, but it was not to be. There are also a few we were watching with interest who disappeared without a trace during Hollywood week: Alesha Stelzl, Samantha Sidley, Samantha Musa, and Beth Stalker.

However, Bunny’s early-audition prediction, Robbie Carrico, is in the top 24, as is Brooke White, Burke’s pick. Sadly, the Prognosticats’ choice of Natashia Blach didn’t make it. However, visit us again for more reviews and predictions as the competition heats up!