American Idol 4, February 16: Where The Nitty Meets The Gritty!

It all comes down to this. Forty-four finalists, waiting to hear if they made the Top 24. The judges are done seeing performances – live ones, anyway. The decision is being based on video clips of the contestants from start to the last Hollywood song sung. There is nothing they can do about it now.

I think we were promised that we would "find out when they do." Not entirely true. They know now. And, American Idol, in Big Brother fashion, has placed cameras to catch every nervous twitch, every wrung hand, and every tear – be they happy or sad.

Before we get to the results, I consulted my own crystal ball and boldly predicted who I thought was a lock for the Top 24, in an article on Foxes On Idol. (See how I stick my neck out there for you?) Here’s what I predicted:

David Brown
Carrie Underwood
Anthony Federov
Mikalah Gordon
Mario Vasquez
Nadia Turner
Osbourne Smith II
Scott Savol
Constantine Maroulis
Tammy Nash
Amanda Avila
Lindsay Cardinale

A couple of risky guesses in there. We’ll see how I did later! In case you’re wondering, for means of keeping track, I have put the names of the contestants we are being introduced for the first time in boldface. With so many faces, it’s difficult to follow sometimes. I do this gladly.

Matthew Kessler is up first. Yes, he’s nervous, and he sang Simon’s favorite song, "Unchained Melody," but he is gently told, it’s a no. Then, a rapid fire series of “no”s, including Donnie Williams (who made the Top 32 last season, but a drunk driving arrest got him eliminated and replaced with George Huff – Donnie is surely cursing the fates once again), somebody whose name I missed, Ian, Roland, and Natalie (part of the Elizabeth Pha trio) are all also no’s.

David Brown, who I predicted was a sure shot to make the Top 24 as my number one seed, absolutely has! More tears from David, but can you really blame him?

Jessica Sierra is a nervous wreck, and crying Tammy Nash does her best to comfort her. Jessica is going to hear her verdict, while Tammy is left alone with her own nerves. She’s simply coming undone. Meanwhile, Jessica is going forward! Tammy, though, is not. She gets lots of consoling, but she is philosophical. Jessica now consoles Tammy, Tammy says she has no more tears left when Jessica is about to bawl (she couldn’t possibly have any more left!), and promises she’ll be voting for Jessica.

Nikko Smith (who I think was Osbourne Smith II the last time we saw him), is advancing!

Aloha Mischeaux (try forgetting that name!) is also moving forward. She is "so excited, I need a donut!"

Mikalah Gordon is not so cocky at the moment, every squealing girl that comes back down the elevator makes her cry a little more. The judges ask how she thinks she did. Mikalah says she can leave knowing she did her best and the she learned a lot... but she wouldn’t try out again. Paula looks a bit struck by that answer! Mikalah can stop crying, she’s in the Top 24! Her reaction can only be described as an explosion of tears and babble about how she missed exam week and although she’ll get Ds and Fs it’s okay because she made this. Or something like that.

Anthony Fedorov, whose legs are shaking enough to power a small cottage, can stop shaking, he’s in the Top 24!

Nadia Turner seems prepared for whatever she’s going to hear, and the news is good! She’s in the Top 24!

Vonzell Solomon is very nervous, the ensemble is very green, and she’s very happy! She’s in the Top 24!

Carrie Underwood is told she was a unanimous yes to the Top 24!

Judd Harris is asked how he thinks he did, and his answer is unintelligible, but I’m sure he’s as nervous as he’s ever been. He’s in the Top 24!

Erin Furey thinks it’s important to take the news professionally. It’s a no, and she is professional and gracious in her exit.

Ivan Gonschev is told it’s a no, and it seems to take a while to register. But, he grasps it eventually.

Yolanda McIntosh is also a no, she looks surprised.

Faith Gatewood (who asked for mercy in Jaclyn Crum’s trio) is told it’s a no and she’s really having trouble dealing. She asks for clarification three times, and finally leaves. She’s so shattered, she pushes the wrong button on the elevator, and that frustration brings those brimming tears to the surface. Finally, in the lobby, she announces in a "to whom it may concern" sort of way that she didn’t make it. Then throws a little pity party. Ivan says, "come on, Faith!" a bit annoyed. She unleashes a full-on rant on him and then runs outside for more histrionics.

Ryan, being Ryan, chases her down and tries to console her. Out of almost 100,000, she was in the Top 44. She can feel good about that! And she should! It seems to work.

Sarah Mather (I called her a Denim Skirt Girl) does advance to the next round!

Celena Rae, who we hadn’t met, is also advancing!

Three no’s in a row to folks we don’t know leads to Janay Castine. Mom Castine wonders what do you say to your child if it’s a no? What indeed. Janay does a brief bit of acting before that smile breaks free on her pretty face. Mom won’t have to worry about what to say, Janay is in the Top 24!