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By Rose Wade

Tonight's episode was much faster, so less painful than last night's. There is an unusual air of happy-happy, joy-joy this season, I think. The first 30 minutes of the program was spent focusing on yeses and smiles and hugs and sunshine and rainbows. OK, maybe no rainbows, but you get my drift. That is a new direction for the producers, who usually opt for the crying, stomping of the feet, bleeping out and fuzzing out reactions of the hopefuls who didn't make it through. It has always been about ratings afterall. Perhaps their research this year shows that smiles and hugs will make more people tune in and stay tuned in?

(Photo: Haeley Vaughn gets the last spot for te final 12 girls on American Idol. Click here to watch.)

There were a few surprises in the eliminations, most notably Angela Martin. On this, her third attempt to become America's next Idol; her father died shortly after her first audition and acceptance, she was pulled out of the competition to serve jail time for a traffic violation that she couldn't afford to pay during her second time being accepted to go to Hollywood by the judges, it seemed like this would finally be her shining moment. Her life in order, an evident positive attitude and some really great song choices just weren't quite good enough to compete with some of the other outstanding talent in the line-up this season. She was emotional walking in to the interview with the judges, so Kara went to sit with her on the same chair and gave her the 'bad news' as gently as she could. I felt for Angela, she is good afterall.

Crystal Bowersox may have picked up a new nickname for the rest of the season, 'Mamasox.' This after sharing her little boy, Tony's photo to the judges after she was told she was going through. I liked her comment about mainstream music needing a little pick-me-up. Of everyone in the final 24, she has that potential.

At 8:30pm the remaining contestants are understandably rattled as they've endured the rollercoaster of emotions of so many of their fellow contenders throughout the day and the spots remaining are dwindling.

Lilly Scott, who was a little worried that her troubles during her solo performance might have hurt her chances, got good news very early into her interview. This girl seems like she's trying incredibly hard, without being over-the-top or annoying and she seems so genuine. I don't have a good handle on her talent yet, but I think she'll be around for a while.

We see Siobhan Magnus, John Park, and Michelle Delamor scooted through, as well as Paige Miles who Simon told had more talent than she even thought. Much to my personal dismay, Jermaine Sellars was also granted a coveted spot in the final 24. Jermaine completely turned me off with his first solo audition in Hollywood, and his performances will be my excuses to refill my drink or let the dog out during the finals.

9:00pm finds Haeley Vaughn and Tor Kelly as the last two girls to get the news. They're not taken in together, also something new this season and I like it. Haeley looked like a star, she was one of the few that dressed for success tonight. The judges really dragged out her interview and just when I felt an Angela Martin shocker coming on, they told her she got the last spot. That was closer than I thought it would be, especially for my top 5 picks.

The last two boys were young Thaddeus Johnson and devoted father Andrew Garcia. This was a no-brainer from the moment they paired these guys up. Ellen got to give Andrew the good news, and was uncharacteristically quick and succinct about it. Maybe she's been told to quit with the yawn-attracting theatrics. One can only hope. Andrew impressed me with his interview after the good news, whole heartedly thanking the judges for their votes. I don't recall seeing anyone do that previously. A class act with talent, there is no question he is here for the long haul.

Oh, I guess you could say that Thaddeus did not take the news well. Some might go so far as to call his reaction a hissy fit. His scene ends with his mother following him into a bathroom stall in his attempts to duck the cameras. Fade to stainless steel door with sobbing and blubbering in the background. Suck it up, Thaddeus, they told you that you were good. You should have thanked them and told them you'd see them again next season. Oh well, you've got a year to mature.

The final 24 then, are:

Aaron Kelly
Alex Lambert
Andrew Garcia
Ashley Rodriguez
Casey James
Crystal Bowersox
Didi Benami
Haeley Vaughn
Janell Wheeler
Jermaine Sellars
John Park
Jose Munoz
Katelyn Epperly
Katie Stevens
Lacey Brown
Lee DeWyze
Lilly Scott
Michael Lynche
Michelle Delamor
Paige Miles
Siobhan Magnus
Tim Urban
Todrick Hall
Tyler Grady

Of course, this is subject to change like the direction of the wind, but the ones in blue are my top picks, the ones in red are the ones that if you blink, you might miss their exit.

Next week the final kick off with an all-girls round.