TVSquad

It's not the most exciting of American Idol episodes, but it's crucial. The judges make their final picks (12 men and 12 women), which will continue on to the live episodes. The ones where America votes. Contestants don't even perform on this episode. Rather, the judges watch all the footage and make their decisions off-camera, only to deliver the news to the contestants sitting in a chair. This episode is always a tedious one to watch. And I've never understood why they have to sit in that chair; can't they just stand? But enough of this tomfoolery, I'll tell you who made it. 

The Men

• Ace Young- Total hottie. A beautiful face and a beautiful voice. Even the hair is perfect, and he's got a great sense of style. If this American Idol thing doesn't work out, then I think he'd be a perfect addition to The O.C., as anything BUT a love interest of Marissa, because they always end up dead.
• Robert Bennett Jr- Where did this guy come from? They didn't really show him at all during Hollywood Week. He's a big dude with a foul moustache, and that dirt 'stache is gonna have to come off pronto. I WILL vote off a man with a bad moustache. I honestly did not remember this guy at all, but he did show a lot of personality during the elevator ride, and his out-of-breath comment that "this show is not for fat people" was pretty funny. I'll save my judgments on him until later.
• David Radford- Classic crooner who resembles Adam Brody. I really like this guy because I imagine that he'd be very romantic on a date. I don't think he'd take you'd out to the Olive Garden, but to some out-of-the-way local place where he'd slip the maitre d' a $20 to give us a table with a view. I just hope that on our imaginary date that he wouldn't wear that blue-ribbed turtleneck that he had on in this episode.
• Sway- Mr. Baldy. We knew he was going to make it through. Although, he might have violated some rules already. I don't think he'll make it to the final 3, but I'm glad he's going to the live shows. Plus, it was his birthday. So Happy Birthday, buddy. I guess your wish came true.
• Elliot Yamin- What a voice on this guy. I just don't think he's got the look. To be an American Idol you either have to be ridiculously attractive or completely unattractive. You can't be in-between and he's definitely suffering from Jan Brady-syndrome.
• Gedeon McKinney- Another moustache, but I actually liked this one a little bit better. It went with his goofy look. I'm not exactly sure of this guy's ethnic heritage, but I'm gonna guess that he's black. And in saying that, this guy is the dorkiest, most uncool black guy I've ever seen. But there is something adorable about him. I think he came across as too confident in The Chair though. And I really got annoyed with his, "You have to have it...it...it...IT" speech. He needs to check his ego at the door.
• Chris Daughtry- Mr. Rock n' Roller, Out of Controller. I'm glad this guy made it through. He's really great and I think he's going to be a crowd pleaser. Did you see how he called his wife right after he found out? I think America is just going to eat him up. But they really overdramatized the whole "stuck in the elevator" thing. It was only 6 minutes. Albeit, 6 of the most important minutes of your life, but still.
• Bucky Covington- Ugh, another bad moustache. And this one was a moustache/flavor saver/long hair combo. This guy needs a makeover, stat! I'm not exactly sure how I feel about ol' Bucky. I'm not a fan of his look, but they always let a country crooner through and he was it. He is talented though. He just needs a bigger cowboy hat to cover up his poor fashion choices.
• Patrick Hall- I don't remember this guy at all. But he's tall and we have the same last name. Good luck to him...I guess.
• Kevin Covais- Well, at least one Clay Aiken drone made it through. Although, I don't know for how much longer. He's really not the best singer, and the underdog vote will mostly go to this next guy...
• Taylor Hicks- Yup, yup, Mr. Gray Hair. I love this guy! He came in playing a harmonica and went out that way too. He's so awkward when he performs. It's nuts. He seriously looks like a white, gray-haired, visually unimpaired Ray Charles. It's bizarre, and yet, I can't look away.
• William Makar- He's one of the guys that was in the Rat Pack yesterday. I think he sings well and he's not bad looking, but the competition only has enough room for one crooner, and he'll have to battle it out with David Radford.

The Women

• Katharine McPhee- This girl has superstar written all over her. She's pretty, but not too pretty. And her mom is a voice coach, so she'll probably make sure she's a star no matter what. I was a little creeped out by her excitement about getting to kiss all three of the judges. I mean, she actually announced it to the room. Trading spit with Randy would not be on my all-time greatest moments' list.
• Mandissa Hundley- She's the girl that Simon made the comment about that "they'd need to get a bigger stage this year" a.k.a. she's fat. Mandissa actually confronted Simon about it when she first took The Chair and it came across as sincere and not "snap your fingers, I'm not gonna take that crap, Simon." It actually came across as honest and that she was just telling him that those sort of comments do hurt real people and not just as an attention-grabber. They even hugged and sorta made up. But I noticed that during the hug, she kept her crotch far away from him.
• Melissa McGhee- She was wearing a green top, but I don't remember this girl during Hollywood Week. At all. Not a good sign for her future in this competition.
• Lisa Tucker- She's the 16-year-old who has the pretty look and the pretty voice. And she's already been in the Lion King. Simon expressed his concern over her age, but she still made it through. I figure that if she can handle the rigors of Broadway, then she should be able to brave this out too. At least, I hope she can.
• Brenna Gethers- I absolutely hate this girl. She is an evil witch! I can't believe that she has made it this far. First, she blames a double-decker bus for her scratchy voice, then she starts a fight with her group, and now she makes it through. I hope she's eliminated first and she cries on nationally TV. I'm really waiting for that moment.
• Stephanie Scott- I don't really remember this girl from before. She was wearing this stupid hippie shirt and she had far too much red lipstick on. And from what I can tell from the post-interview her personality sorta sucks. I don't really think I'm going to have to watch her for much longer.
• Ayla Brown- Of course, this girl was going to make it through, her life is perfect. Her dad is a politician, she's tall, beautiful and a star basketball player. I keep waiting for a reason to hate her, but she hasn't given me one yet. So until then, I'm a fan.
• Paris Bennett- She was an early favorite, but she had a really rough Hollywood Week. The judges gave this tiny girl with a big voice another shot, and rightfully so.
• Rebecca O'Donohue- Another looker. Absolutely gorgeous. Her voice is good, but not the best. Her looks make up for it though. And she's a twin that isn't evil 'ala the Brittenum Boys. That makes me root for her, at least temporarily.
• Heather Coy- What a pretty blonde girl. I don't remember her at all.
• Kellie Pickler- She's the pretty girl from North Carolina with the bad life. Totally using the Fantasia ticket to American Idol stardom and it's working. When the judges sent her through, Kellie started crying and they told her that she deserved it. And she does. I'm rooting for her.
• Kinnick Sky- The last girl that made it through. She's tall and beautiful, but I can't remember much about her. She'll really have to show a lot of personality next week to be able to stick around.

Notice that I didn't mention the Brittenum Twins. Well, they finally got kicked off when their criminal pasts caught up with them. So goodbye, let's not spend another wasted word on them.

On Tuesday, America will get a chance to see what the girls can do, followed by the men on Wednesday.