Thousands of auditions... Many were called... over 160 answered. Now we're down to the final 50. In one hour, we'll have our final 24, 12 guys... 12 girls.
 
First, a cheap plug for "Jumper".
 
Now to business. We had the auditions. We had the Hollywood Round. Now it's time to take the longest walk... to the Final Judgment. The three judges are about to meet the final 50 and announce to each one whether or not they are on the show. What they don't know is that last minute decisions are still being made. Each judge is going to have to sacrifice their favorites in order to produce quality product.
 
9a... the final decisions have been made. Cowell's not that pleased over some of the choices. But the tension-filled moment is upon us.
 
First is Ronald Hodge... He had some issues in Hollywood Week... and it cost them.
 
One down, 49 to go. Ronald's not taking it too well. Following him, Nina Shaw, Mycale Guyton, and Lisa Aukerman. That leaves 46... Make it 45, because here comes Carly Smithson. Will this two-time auditioner take the stage at CBS next week? She was always a crowd favorite... but was she a favorite of the judges? ... YES! A very teary-eyed Carly prepares for her next challenge.
 
David Cook didn't electrify with his guitar in Hollywood. But he'll get another shot on the show. He's in. Following him, fellow rocker Amanda Overmyer. What about Brandon Green, Amanda Hawkins, and Buck Smith? No, no, and no.
 
What about David Archuleta? He's been just so darn sensitive through this whole process... It was a unanimous decision... It's good news.
 
Break in the action... Over. Now comes Kristy Lee Cook's moment of truth... Another show, I know. She feels pretty good, but she wants to do better. It only gets harder from here on out. But she's going to get a shot at it. She's IN. Brooke White's the first to congratulate her. She's also the next up to see the judges. She says she's doing great.. but she's a total basket case. She's going to have to man up, because she's IN. Down she goes. Up goes Danny Noriega (aka the guy with the scarf). He's IN, as is Jason Castro, Luke Menard, and Alexandrea Lushington. They couldn't stop exciting.
 
Judges were on a roll. Ramiele Malubay... wants another couple of moments. She had a couple of moments in Hollywood. And she'll have another opprotunity for a moment on the Idol. She's IN.
 
OUT: Shawn Barrowes, Lorena Pinot, Drew Poppelreiter, and Natashia Bloch. How about Michael Johns, who had an incredible run in Hollywood? Another unanimous decision. He's... IN.
 
Syesha Mercado lost her voice in the Hollywood Round. Did that cost her? She has her voice back, but she's about to stroke. Hopefully she won't stroke on stage, because SYESha is in. Robbie Carrico... 2-1 decision... Randy and Simon said yes.
 
Waiting room is thinning out. Garrett Haley, Kady Malloy, Chiekezie Eze, Amy Davis, Alaina Whitaker, and Jason Yeager. That leaves five spots unanswered. Will one of them go to Asia'h Epperson, whose father passed away the day before her audition? Oh yeah. David Hernandez? 2-1 saying yes, Simon dissenting.
 
Josiah Leming is next, and his time in Hollywood was not up to par. He does think they're going to put them through. Unforutnately, he's thinking wrong. Nice kid, though. Unfortunately, overconfidence got the better of him.
 
Two spots remaining. Four hopefuls in the holding room. First, Colton Berry and Kyle Ensley. Colton was polish in the Hollywood Round. Kyle was uplifting. It was not unanimous... but Colton... you're in. Simon disagreed with this decision wholeheartedly. He's got something that the people would've loved. And Paula hugs it out.
 
That leaves just two ladies and one spot, Joanne Borgella and Cardin McKinney, a plus-size model and a professional singer. Randy likes Cardin. Simon likes Joanne. Cardin didn't think she was ready for Hollywood. Joanne thought she did her best. Through to the public vote... Joanne.
 
So here you have it, America, the American Idol Class of 2007:
David Archuleta
Colton Berry
Robbie Carrico
Jason Castro
David Cook
Kristy Lee Cook
Amy Davis
Asia'h Epperson
Chikezie Eze
Garrett Haley
David Hernandez
Michael Johns
Kady Malloy
Syesha Mercado
Alexandrea Lushington
Ramiele Malubay
Luke Menard
Danny Noriega
Carly Smithson
Alaina Whitaker
Brooke White
Jason Yeager
 
One of these 24 people is this year's American Idol. Who? That's for you to decide. Big pressure, eh? Just remember to keep pulling for your favorites, vote for quality, and don't lose it if your favorites pass by the wayside. After all, there can only be one American Idol. And America... it's all you now.
 
The Semis begin next week. See you then.