American Idol
Final Judgment

The contestants are going to the huge "Judges' Mansion" (a so-classy it's tacky joint with ducks in the pond, paintings of cherubs and topiaries), where "final judgment" will take place.  Seacrest explains that they will walk through the holding room to the garden into a Versailles-looking room, adding to the tension and drama of choosing the 36 semi-finalists who will perform for America's votes.

Once they get to the judgment room, the four judges will be waiting for them in red throne-like chairs, letting them know their fate.  This year, we also have a new twist:  sing offs between singers who are on the border of making it.

First up is Anoop Desai, who has impressed the judges since the very beginning.  He tells them that he has gained more confidence in himself throughout Hollywood Week.  The judges tell him that they made the unanimous decision for him to move on!

Von Smith is really nervous and addresses his first performance in Hollywood, which Simon called "indulgent nonsense".  Despite this, the judges saw his talent and he also makes it through!

Now we are onto horror film maker, Cody Sheldon, who is asked to sing again because the judges are on the fence about him.  Unbeknownst to Cory, Alex Wagner-Trugman is walking to the room at that same moment - it's our first sing off!!!  The two guys are friends, so it will be extra hard when the judges have to choose between them.  After Alex sings, the guys wait anxiously as the judges deliberate.  Both guys are finally brought back in, and in the battle of the nerds, it's Alex who makes it through.

Adam Lambert is told that he did really well, and the unanimous decision is that he will make it through.!

Taylor Vaifanua is a 16-year-old who did well the whole way through (waaay beyond her years) and she's the first girl to make it through!!!

We see a string of girls making it, including Jasmine Murray, Stevie Wright and Casey Carlson.

Now we have the controversial Joanna Pacitti, who has been signed (and dropped) from a couple record labels in the past, and who forgot practically all the lyrics in her final Hollywood audition.  Kara says her concern is if/when Joanna will really going to step out and show what she can do.  Joanna makes it and the judges tell her to bring it!

Next we see a bunch of guys getting rejected.

We see cutie Kendall Beard make it through!

In another sing off, we have Jenn Korbee and Kristin McNamara.  Jenn korbee's husband was cut in the first round of Hollywood Week, and she now has to face the judges alone, and sing for the right to stay.  It's the battle of the blondes:  The judges say that Jenn doesn't emotionally connect to songs and Kristin has an identity crisis with her crazy outfits, hair, etc.  Together, they'd be the perfect AI contestant.  In the end, Kristin makes it through, although Simon makes it known that he thinks it was the wrong decision.

Pink-haired mom Alexis Grace makes it through and her baby is outside after she gets the good news.  Awww, baby!

After this string of girls, we have Scott MacIntyre.  He makes it through, absolutely no surprise.

Lil Rounds also makes it through, no surprise.  Simon likes that she is a "good old fashioned singer".  I think she's like Melinda + Fantasia!

We now see a bunch of girls getting rejected.  Thankfully at this stage there aren't too many freakouts since people have already been through the ringer so much.  Getting jaded, people!  That's what show biz is all about!

In the third sing off, we have Frankie Jordan and Jessie Langseth.  They both have a similar husky quality to their voices.  Frankie does a very heartfelt performance and Jessie sings with more energy, but Simon says it's a horrible song.  They both go back in and Paula says that neither of them sang songs that were really good enough to save their lives.  However, Jessie makes it through because she stands out more.  Simon tells Frankie that as a consolation, she wouldn't have stood a chance in winning anyway.  Then he tells Jessie that she probably won't make it anyway.  OWWWW...but probably true.

We see more people getting rejected and crying, although there is no cursing at the camera like in earlier rounds of competition.

Allison Iraheta makes it through despite her self-admitted nerves.

Best friends Jamar and Danny are next.  Obviously Danny makes it because he's awesome.  Jamar goes in next with his skinny tie.  Kara says that she's not sure if the risks he took in Hollywood Week paid off, and although he is a good singer he won't be continuing.  They ask him if he would come back new year, and he says he would.

We see a montage of people making it through, including Matt Giraud, Ju'not Joyner, and Jorge Nunez.

Now we have Stephen Fowler, who wowed the judges but forgot the lyrics during his last audition.  Even though he messed up, his talent is so strong that the judges let him through!

Norman Gentle/Nick Mitchell he comes in as himself in a black suit and is a nervous wreck.  The judges actually miss his craazy character, but they let him through and tell him to be who he is (and Randy calls him Norman, so I have no idea which "him" they want him to be. He's shocked and Simon rolls his eyes and agrees that this is a maajor exception.
 
Rocker Jackie Tohn makes it through and she takes off her shoes off and runs out in sheer exuberance!  I am also a HUGE fan of her outfits, which are a little schizo, but they are all cute.  This day in particular, she is wearing a black tanktop w/ a cameo and guitar necklace.

CRAZYASS Tatiana Del Toro is next.  Simon tells her to try for once not to be annoying.  Tatiana is wearing a bracelet from Paula's jewelry collection, though Tatiana tells everyone that she cried when the ring sold out.  Paula immediately pulls off ring off her own finger and gives it to Tatiana, whose response is "Teeheeteehee shut up.  Shut up."  She FREAKING makes it to Season 8.  Is AI jumping the shark, or what?!  She is shrieking at all new levels and it's the weirdest, most bizarre screaming fit.  Nathaniel "It's On My Skin" Marshall's face when he comes screaming into the room is PRICELESS. 

Now it's the end of the day:  8:30pm and only a few people are left.  It's time for another sing off:  Jackie Midkiff makes it through partially on likeability, but he's in a sing off against Nathaniel Marshall.  Jackie does great, and Kara is surprised about why Jackie is even in this position.  However, Nathaniel goes in and really puts his whole heart into the performance.  It's clear that he smashed Jackie with passion alone.  Nathaniel and his skin make it through, and the judges tell Jackie to come back next year.

We see more people getting through, including Kai Kalama and Anne-Marie Boskovitch.

Now it's the final sing off of the day:  blue collar dad sing off between Matt Breitzke and Michael Sarver.  The two guys do well and they both make it!!!

Finally, we're onto the semi-finals!  The 36 finalists will be performing in groups of 12 over the course of three weeks.  Next week, our first group will be:

Casey Carlson
Stephen Fowler
Jackie Tohn*
Ricky Braddey (sp?)
Anne-Marie Boskovitch
Brett Keith
Alexis Grace
Michael Sarver
Stevie Wright
Danny Gokey*
Tatiana Del Toro
Anoop Desai*

*my favorites!!

The Top 36

Relatered Article: American Idol: Heartbreak and Jubilation

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