Summary "American Idol" - "Final Jugdment- Part 1" - Feb. 22, 2012

The show opening reminds us, if we've forgotten, that this is a show that actually gets voted on by the public. But that doesn't happen until next week. Now we see the final auditions and the cut to the top 24.

We see the 42 remaining contestants checking in and hanging out at the Wynn in Las Vegas.They went to a show there called "La Reve" and this is the stage they're singing on. It is a small circle surrounded by water. It will be one voice/one instrument in an effort to showcase their voices.

First up is Jen Hirsh and we get a recap of her journey thus far from auditions to the present. In her final performance she sounded good but seems stranded on the little island stage. She is in the top 24. (Randy makes her wait for it.)

Next up is Creighton Fraker the nasally-but-powerfully guy who the judges like much more than I do. (Turns out his biological father was a singer in a band from the '80s Flotsam and Jetsam.) He sang a very overwrought version of "New York State of Mind" for his final performance. He is in the top 24.

Next up is Lauren Grey the bluesy, raspy girl. She sings "I Would Rather Go Blind" well for her final performance. She didn't make it but they tell her to believe in herself and to come back. She says she'll consider coming back. She's only 23.

Next up is Joshua Ledet a soul singer who has been consistently good. On his final performance he maintained that consistency even if he was a bit overwrought. But that's his shouting/pleading style. He is in the top 24.

We get a double whammy montage of those who didn't make it: Blaire Sieber and Naomi Gillies

Next is Haley Johnsen. A pretty blond with a strong voice. She says she has much more faith in herself as a performer. She is in the top 24.

Next up is Neco Starr the cutie from the Savannah auditions who was very consistent. What we see of his final performance is not his best performance by a long shot. He doesn't make it and is told he needs more time. Also dismissed was Clayton Farhat, River St. James, and Caleb Johnson

Next is Elise Testone who is 28 and therefore it's her last chance. She's another raspy rocker type and she sang "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" for her final song and she sells it. She is through to the top 24.

Next is the offbeat but gifted Reed Grimm who of course is through to the top 24.

Next up is Erika Van Pelt the husky-voiced alto from R.I. She gives an emotional final performance but the judges didn't like the song. She is through to the top 24 but they say she can't let them down again.

Next up are Baylie Brown and Chelsea Sorrell both country girls who were in the same group in Vegas. They are both put through to the top 24.(Baylie had auditioned before but not made it past Hollywood.)

Next up is Richie Law the ambitious "cowboy." He sang "Ring of Fire" for his final performance. It was so-so. He gets praisefrom the judges and is going home. They tell him to come back.

Next up is Heejun Han Richie's nemesis. Before final judgment Ryan asks him what he's sweating and he says "mostly water." He sings a nice "New York State of Mind" for his final song. He is hilarious and talented so, of course he is through to the top 24. Steven even says he's a better star than he is a singer. (We also learn he works with special needs children.) He is very emotional with the news. It is sweet. He gets a big hug from Phil Phillips.

Next up is Jessica Sanchez who impressed in Las Vegas. Her final performance was gentler and more nuanced than the gritty belting she had done before. She is through to the top 24.

Next up is Phil Phillips the very Dave Matthews-esque guy. He gave a very Dave Matthews-esque final performance. He is put through to the top 24.

Next up is Colton Dixon who has made it this far before. He wasn't going to audition this year, instead he was just supporting his sister. She got cut of course before he did. He dedicates his final performance of Coldplay's "Fix You" to his sister. And even though I'm sure she's happy for him, it's got to sting that he made it through the top 24 this time. This does prove that coming back can pay off.

Next up is Brielle Von Hugelthe girl with the stage mom. (She also auditioned last year but was eliminated in Hollywood.) She's in the top 24. (Again it pays to come back.)

Next up is Adam Brock the soul daddy. For his final performance he was very much himself but the judges called it sloppy and loungey, which is interesting. He is very emotional during the final judgment before he gets the news. But we don't get his final verdict. Except that they've loved him so much we know he's through.

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