Ryan tells us that the final 71 contestants performed with a full band.  After they finished singing, there was no feedback from the judges.  Once all the contestants performed the judges picked who would stay and who would go.  In traditional American Idol style, the contestants are divided into three rooms.  Now here’s the thing.  Three favorites that American Idol has been highlighting are in three separate rooms.   Angela Martin, the young bluesy girl is in room three.  Casey James, the long-haired blond guy is in room one.  Jermaine Purifoy, Casey’s buddy, is in room two.  This should mean that one of the three will be gone soon, but which one?  I can’t guess because they all sounded good to me.

After the commercial, Ryan starts highlighting individual singers in room one:

Jermaine Sellers sings Man in the Mirror.  He does a good job, but then he does a really stupid things and says that the band didn’t play the way they practiced.  As Kara says, “he threw the band under the bus”.

Siobhan Magnus is the 19 year-old that Ellen said seemed old.  She seems to have taken Ellen’s words to heart and does a peppy, young-style song.

Crystal Bowersox sings with her guitar and harmonica.

Alex Lambert does Jason Mraz, as does Michael Lynche and Todrick Hall.  Todrick Hall is one of my favorites, I like his singing as well as his amazing eyes!

Thaddeus Johnson is the big momma’s boy.  He sings Man in the Mirror and wins me over again.  He’s just so lovable.

After the break, we move on to Room Two:

In this room is the seventeen-year-old Charity Vance, the pastor Tasha Leighton, rocker mom Mary Powers, Lloyd Thomas, police officer Brian Walker and Hope Johnson.  Uh-oh, it doesn’t look good for this room!  They don’t even show Brian Walker’s final performance.

Room Three is loaded with talent:

Shelby Dressel panics prior to her performance because she doesn’t know the words, but she does really well when it counts.

Aaron Kelly, our PA favorite, freezes at the beginning of his song, but then does a really charming version of In the Arms of the Angels (is that the name?) and still gets my vote!

Ashley Rodriguez is definitely a contender.  She has the looks, the confidence and is a natural performer.  It seems like she already is a star.

Lee Dewyze the cutie with the beanie plays the guitar and sings.

Joe Munoz sounds good.

Haeley Vaughn, another natural, sails through her performance.

Janell Wheeler is having voice problems  but not during her audition.  She doesn’t think she did well, but I can tell she did.

It’s time for the judges to reveal which rooms will stay and which room will go.  Ellen talks in room one and of course teases them, but then finally tells them that they are moving on.  Simon, not surprisingly, is the one to speak in room two.  He doesn’t fool around.  He tells them they were good, but not good enough.  I feel bad for a number of them, but somebody has to go I guess!   Of course, this means that room three is staying which is not surprising because that room is filled with talent.  Randy and Kara break the news.

We are now down to 48 contestants.  The judges will watch the tapes of all the prior auditions and pick the final 24–12 guys and 12 gals.  The judges are set up on the stage of the Kodak Theatre.  Each contestant will go up on the stage and sit before the four judges and hear the final decision.

First up is Michael Lynche.  He’s the guy whose wife just had the baby and…well you know, don’t you?  He makes it to the top 24.  <sigh>

Didi Benami is the girl whose best friend died.  It’s easy to want to see her succeed and she does.  She’s the first girl to make it through.

Katelyn Epperly is the curly haired blond whose mother and father are getting divorced.   Ellen puts her through the wringer, but it’s obvious she’s going through.  She’s the second girl.

Shelby Dressel auditioned in Orlando and she has a slight facial deformity.  She doesn’t make it through but Randy tells her to try again.  I am disappointed, I liked her and wanted to see her succeed.  I thought she had a great voice, but I think her lack of experience and confidence kept her out of the top 24 this year.  I hope we see her again next year.

Casey James  the blond cutie is next. Kara has a crush on him and I bet she’s not alone!  He’s in the top 24.

Aaron Kelly, my PA boy is next!!!  He’s had both ups and downs so I’m not sure if he’s going through.  But he does and I’m thrilled!!!!  He’s young and inexperienced, it will be fun to see how far he goes in this competition.

Kara tells Lee Dewyze he lacks confidence.  When they play back his last audition, I don’t think he sounds that good so I’m surprised that he makes it through.  Kara says it was a last minute decision.

Toddrick Hall sits down and the judges are looking at him and then Kara says “yes” to which he replies “that’s it?”  Oh thank goodness, he’s one of mine!

Jessica Furney, rejected in Hollywood during season 8 is again rejected.  She begs and begs and begs but it’s way too late for that now.

That’s it for tonight.  Tomorrow we will see the remainder of the top 24.  So, stay tuned…Bloggergal1