There were a few smiles and plenty of heartache as American Idol trimmed the number of contestants down to 24 semi-finalists on last night’s show.  There are now 12 boys and 12 girls vying for the chance to be crowned the 7th American Idol.

There were some changes made to Hollywood week that gave the Idol hopefuls added opportunities to prove their worth, but the one thing that didn’t change was the fact that not everyone could make the list of the Top 24.

Overall, things panned out about how the producers insinuated it would.  Some of the editing made it seem like the producers and/or editors are pulling for a few contestants a bit more than some of the others.  By the end of the show I still had no idea who some of the Top 24 were while I was pulling for a few that didn’t make it.

One of the biggest surprises of the show was the big bounce of Josiah Leming who the judges (and the editors) seemed to be pretty hot for early in the process (despite a faux British accent).  Josiah made a big blunder when he dismissed the band at his last chance audition and sang “Stand By Me” rather underwhelmingly.  The judges kicked him to the curb…literally…he lives in his car.

One of the more pleasant surprises was when the judges decided not to include the Patrick Dempsey/Clay Aiken love child, Kyle Ensley.  This kid should stick to the politics…he might get more votes that way.

The American Idol Top 12 Men

1. David Archuleta, 17, Murray, Utah
2. Colton Berry, 18, Staunton, Va.
3. Robbie Carrico, 26, Melbourne, Fla.
4. Jason Castro, 20, Rockwall, Texas
5. David Cook, 25, Tulsa, Okla.
6. Chikezie Eze, 22, Inglewood, Calif.
7. Garrett Haley, 17, Elida, Ohio
8. David Hernandez, 24, Glendale, Ariz.
9. Luke Menard, 29, Crawfordsville, Ind.
10. Danny Noriega, 18, Azusa, Calif.
11. Jason Yeager, 28, Branson, Mo.
12. Michael Johns, 29, Los Angeles by way of Australia

The American Idol Top 12 Women

1. Amanda Overmyer, 23, Mulberry, Ind.
2. Brooke White, 24, Van Nuys, Calif.
3. Joanne Borgella, 25, Hoboken, N.J.
4. Kristy Lee Cook, 24, Selma, Ore.
5. Amy Davis, 25, Cedar Lake, Ind.
6. Asia’h Epperson, 19, Joplin, Mo.
7. Alexandrea Lushington, 17, Douglasville, Ga.
8. Kady Malloy, 18, Houston
9. Ramiele Malubay, 20, Miramar, Fla.
10. Syesha Mercado, 21, Miami
11. Alaina Whitaker, 16, Tulsa, Okla.
12. Carly Smithson, San Diego by way of Dublin, Ireland

It seems like a talented bunch.  A couple of people stand out in particular.  I’m not going to mention any names just yet.  I think I’ll wait until we narrow it down to the final 10 or 12.  What do you guys think?  Who’s your pick so far?

Music, Television
American Idol, Fox

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