American Idol Ð The Judges' Mansion

It's the last day. The final 54 contestants have been invited to the judges' mansion. There is one last cut to 36; the final one where you can cut the tension with a knife.

7 a.m. – The 54 contestants arrive in the mansion. The contestants think that they have the elevator that has been around for several seasons. They are wrong. Not only is there no elevator, many have to sing for their lives. Ryan explains that the contestants have to walk from the holding room, past the gardens and hallways to the chair.

Our first contestant is Anoop Desai. Kara was pleasantly surprised by his early performance. Anoop has gained confidence as he progressed through the rounds. There were issues in Hollywood, but there was a unanimous decision from the judges: He's in.

Von Smith anxiously waits. He is expecting a no. As he walks into the chair he explains to Paula about his nerves. He wants to clarify something: Simon called him "indulgent." He wanted to stand up for himself by singing something up-tempo (Stevie Wonder) for his final performance. Simon actually thought the final performance was the deal breaker: He was in. He runs out of the room and hugs his mother.

Cody Sheldon is probably remembered as the amateur horror film producer as he walks in to the chair. Simon asks him to sing. After a few minutes of thinking, Alex Wagner-Trugman walks to the waiting room. Cody sings Gavin Rossdale and he nervously shakes as he performs. Cody is dismissed and Alex walks in and realizes that one of the two is going home. He nervously walks in and gets the explanation by Randy. Alex sings, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me." Simon looks at the other judges stare intently. They dismiss him as they decide. Ryan interviews the two on the couch. The judges start picking apart singing and visual appeal. Truthfully? Neither are visually appealing. They call the two in. Randy announces that it's the end for Cody. Alex is in the Top 36. The two go arm in arm out of the judging room. Alex realized how awkward it was. The two walk in and have to explain it to the rest of the contestants.

Adam Lambert is next. He realized that Hollywood was hard. The judges still thought that it was a little too musical theater. His choice of "Believe" was a risk, but he did his best. He arrives into judging and comments on the nice chairs. They explain that he was good in Hollywood, but on the whole it was questionable for Simon. Simon breaks the news that he is in.

Taylor Vaifenua was an early favorite in Salt Lake City. She struggled with the group sing, but she felt positive about her last performance (Alicia Keys). She arrives on the chair and explains how she's happy that she challenged herself during Hollywood. Randy gives her some silence, but she's in. Along with Taylor, Jasmine Murray, Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Megan Corkrey, Mishovanna Henson, and Stevie Wright all make it through.

Joanna Pacitti is next. She's nervous because she forgot the words in almost all of the Hollywood rounds. She sits down. Paula points out how tough the competition is. The judges don't know how exactly she would fit. Even with the problems Paula welcomes her to Season 8 and reminds her that it's her time.

The tension is mounting. Several men go to face the judges. Chris Chatman, Reggie Beasley, and others get cut.

Kendal Beard is worried. She impressed in Puerto Rico, but failed in Hollywood. She was visually dapper and her pitch was off. She sits in front of the contestants and Paula explains how she loved the visual package but the singing was a little off. Paula fakes her out and introduces her into the top 36.

Kristen McNamara, and Jenn Korbee are up next. Jenn was with her husband up until the group round when her husband, Tom, was cut. Paula explains to her that she needs to sing for her life. She quickly sings the Dixie Chicks. Kristen sits outside and realizes that she has to sing. They make her wait outside. On the other hand, Kristen suffered from group drama. She got cursed out by Nancy. She nervously walks in. Simon makes her sing again; she decides to sing "I Will Always Love You." They let her leave and she waddles away. Paula bashes Kristen's clothing choices. Paula would pick the one that could sing. Simon kind of wants the hot blonde. There are arguments between the judges and the girls could hear some of the shouting in the background. The two girls walk in to the decision. The judges explain the situation. Jenn is beautiful, but lacks emotional connection. Paula explains that Kristen has a good voice, but an identity problem; her clothing choices were horrible. The girls are polar opposites. Simon cuts the situation that Kristen is through, but is very disappointed with the situation. It was probably a 3-1 for Kristen.

Alexis Grace has her little girl and she won't have her around if she makes it. Hollywood was strong for her in Round 1 and Randy keeps it short: She's in. She instantly hugs her daughter.

Scott Macintyre is walked in and Kara explains to him that it was a little hard for him without an instrument in the beginning. He stood out with the piano. He's in. He awkwardly celebrates as he hugs his family.

Lil Rounds is next. The mother of three hopes that this could get her out of difficult situations. Her earrings clank against her necklace as she walks in. Kara liked her in Kansas City. Hollywood was up and down for Randy. Simon points out that it was a tough decision, but Kara tells her that she's through.

4 p.m. – There are 30 contestants waiting. Felicia Barton, Ashley Hollister, and Devon Baldwin are next. Randy explains that Felicia got a split decision, but it's a no. Ashley got a unanimous no. Devon worked hard, but it's a no. She walks in tears and explains that it's horrible.

Frankie Jordan starts to freak out. She stood out in early auditions, but fizzled in Hollywood. Her competition, Jessie Langseth, stood out in Kansas City and in Hollywood. Jessie is expecting a sing off, Frankie thinks it's a double no. Frankie walks in and Kara points out the ups and downs. She is given the task to sing. She paces and sings Belinda Carlile's "The Story." She's dismissed and the judges talk about the song choice from Frankie. Jessie walks in and sings for the judges. Frankie is nervous because Jessie sounds good. Simon called the song horrible and walks in. As she walks out, Simon votes no for both. The two girls are walked in and Paula explains that both songs were horrible. Paula congratulates Jessie for making it through. Simon tells her that Frankie wouldn't have won anyway. Simon thinks that Jessie has no chance. Frankie was upset and wondered if there were 8 girls better than her. Where did she get this number from? In the waiting room Frankie is upset that she picked the wrong song. There's always this outlying chance that she could make the wild card.

Ryan reminds us that there's no elevator but there's still drama. Shera Lawrence and Derik Lavers both got no's. There's even more tears and sadness in the holding room.

5 p.m. – Allison Iraheta was a 6 out of 10 in the auditions. She tried to rock out some Kelly Clarkson in the final round of Hollywood. She talks about how she gave it her all in Hollywood. She makes it through. As she cheers, Paula calls her the dark horse.

Danny and Jamar wait in the garden. They have been friends for the whole experience. Jamar has been Danny's rock. Jamar is worried that one is going home, but they will support each other either way. Danny is first and Randy wonders how he did. Danny thinks that he sang well under pressure. He thinks that there is always room for improvement. He knows that he's different. The judges love his confidence. He's in and runs to Jamar. He's in.

Jamar is next. Kara points out his risk in Hollywood. His version of "Hey There Delilah" was different. Kara didn't think the risks paid off. He's out. Paula suggests he come back. He takes the long walk to Danny. It's a no. Tatiana claps in confusion in the background. Danny is floored. He hopes that Danny does well. Jamar seemingly hugs everyone and finally lets go of Danny.

5:20 p.m. – A string of winners: Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud, Ju'Not Joiner, Jorge Nunez, and Brent Keith all make it in.

Stephen Fowler walks in. He's upset about his last round when he forgot the words. Simon pointed out that the pressure got to him. Stephen regrets walking away upset. Simon tells him that he's through anyway. He runs back in happiness.

The judges' mansion is refined. Even Nick Mitchell came in normally. Glitter-shirted Norman Gentle emerged as a character to watch. Nick hopes that he'd put a good show; he'd do anything. Nick walks in and the judges are a little confused. The judges explain how hard it is to judge him. It's confusing when he changed it up between Nick/Norman. Simon knows his position. Nick wanted to sing and make people laugh. Paula congratulates him. I think the judges think Norman will be the one we see. Either way he's in.

It's near the end of the day. Jackie Tohn's heart beats as she walks. She nervously sits down. Randy loved the fun energy. She nervously explained that she thought she did well in Hollywood. She fumbles a little bit in words in the last round. Randy gives the unanimous decision of yes. She takes off her shoes and runs in happiness. She hugs Tatiana.

Tatiana gets a clip show of how overdramatic she is. She thanks everyone. She hugs a sound guy. Surprisingly her last round was good. She brings her good luck star (created by Paula Abdul). She walks in and squeals. Simon tries to tell her not to be annoying. Paula instantly notices the star bracelet. Tatiana was upset that there was no ring and Paula got up and gave her own ring to her. Simon explains that the vote was not unanimous. Randy explains that she made it. She puts her head between her knees and displays her leopard-print shoes. Simon hugs her and Paula hugs her as well. She squeals and squeals, "Oh my god." She makes it into the waiting room and hugs Ryan.

It's late and Jackie Midkiff and Nathaniel are up next. The two have become friends. Jackie was strong in Hollywood. He sings "When a Man Loves a Woman" but is a little scratchy. Kara has second thoughts. She's blown away. Simon and Randy are not impressed. Nathaniel explained that he lived with every family member. His mother was in prison and had problems with drugs. He nervously walks in. Simon bashes his clothing options. Nathaniel stands up for his look. Simon tells him to sing and he gets up and performs "I'm Already There." It's good although a little dramatic. They thank him and he walks out. Simon liked Nathaniel's performance. While waiting he cries about the whole situation. The two walk in nervously. Randy explains that Nathaniel is in. Jackie is thanked and asked to come back.

Some dreams are shattered, others are elated. Jeanine Vailes had a split decision, Kai Kalama got a unanimous decision, they are both in. Also in are Anne Marie Boskovich and Kris Allen.

There are two hard working contestants left. Matt Breskie is a welder, but Randy didn't think he was that good in his initial audition. He made it through anyway. Michael Sarver is the oil rigger. In the Phoenix auditions, he impressed them. He stood out in Hollywood.

Matt walks in first. He feels a little nervous, he thinks he's grown into. Simon wasn't sure and even now he makes him sing. He squeaks through a song and it wavers. Simon asks why he picked the song and Matt loved it.

Michael is second in and Kara tells him to sing. He gets up and sings; it's stronger and more solid than Matt's choice. They let him step out. Simon looks like he wants to shoot himself. He explains that both of them are nice, but thinks neither can win. Randy and Kara instantly think Michael. Paula doesn't want Matt out of the picture.

The two are brought in and both get the same verdict. Paula explains that both of them are in. They cheer and Matt lifts Ryan. The 36 are now completed and they cheer in the holding room.

There is a montage of all 36 that made it through. Ryan announces the first group to perform next week: Casey, Stephen, Jackie, Ricky, Anne Marie, Brent, Alexis, Michael, Stevie, Danny, Tatiana, and Anoop are the first group to perform.