This is it, American Idol fans. The final 24. An hour from now, the competition will be in our hands. Let's get right to it ...

9:02 p.m. - Ryan Seacrest calls tonight "the ultimate cut." John Wayne Bobbitt may disagree with that.

9:04 p.m. - Sanjaya Malaker is first in the Chair of Decision (CoD). His sister was told to go home last night. But our shy, slightly feminite man is through to the final 24.

9:06 p.m. - Everyone is shocked when Tami Gosnell and Bernard Williams are sent packing. Frankly, so are we.

9:08 p.m. - My beautiful American Idol co-watcher says Melinda Doolittle "needs some plastic surgery" and "needs wider eyes." Simon says she's on to the next round. Probably more for her singing than that need for wider eyes thing.

9:09 p.m. - Damn right Brandon Rogers has earned his spot as a lead singer, Randy. We like the fake happiness other contestants show when fellow hopefuls are approved. We almost buy it.

9:14 p.m. - Gina Glocksen is nervous, but has high hopes. That can be a dangerous combination. Fortunately for G-squared, she's on to the last 24.

9:17 p.m. - But is Haley Scarnato (pictured)? She certainly has the look, as Simon mentioned once his jaw was finally off the floor last week. She also has a good enough voice, apparently, to make the final 12 women.

9:19 p.m. - Okay, Phil Stacy. You have a good story. But enough talent to move on? The judges seem to think so. Congrats. Go callthe family.

9:24 p.m. - The Simpsons Movie, huh? Not at all a plug, huh, FOX?

9:25 p.m. - Chris Sligh is really funny. Like, maybe funnier than that Simpsons Movie coming out (July 27!!! Watch FOX to learn more!). And we'll be seeing more of him, thank goodness.

9:28 p.m. - Simon is trying to scare Blake Lewis a lot. But we can see through you, mean judge! The beat box master is through. So is Rudy Cardenas, Blake's co-singer from the group round last night.

9:29 p.m. - And we return from commercial to the approval of Jordin Sparks. Good. She seems nice. Sadly, Tatiana McConnico is going home. Not that she isn't nice.

9:31 p.m. - AJ Tabaldo makes it to the final 24. After FIVE previous tries. Gotta admire that persistance Wow. Stephanie Edwards just needed one, though. But Simon had us with that, "You haven't ... failed." He's a tricky one.

9:33 p.m. - The YES's keep on comin! Leslie Hunt made it. So did Nick Pedro. They're not wasting any time, are they?

9:40 p.m. - We feel good about Alaina Alexander. Looks like the judges do, too, despite her initial standing freaking them out.

9:42 p.m. - Chris Richardson is in. Hasn't made much noise in the competition so far - but enough of an impression to be in final male 12.

9:43: p.m. - And Sabrina Sloan is the next to get the nod. She's been a quiet one so far, huh?

9:44 p.m. - Darn, the singing cowboy, Matthew Buckstein, was turned away again. No country this year, he says. That's ok. Carrie Underwood has us covered.

9:45: p.m. Laskisha Jones is tugging on our heart strings with that single mother story. Fortunately, she can sing, too. And we'll be seeing more of her.

9:50 p.m. - Nicole Tranquillo is also gonna be seeing more of the judges. They really love using that line, huh? But what about Sundance, guys?!? Before we can get to that, Amy Krebs gets the nod.

9:53 p.m. - Marissa and Antonella Barba share a fake hug in the elevator. But Antonella gets the final female spot. And Marissa is "bewildered," according to Ryan. She definitely sounds that way.

9:56p.m. - Yippee, Sundance Head does make it through! We were afraid there for a minute.

Now, fans, the votes will be ours. Let's not waste them.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.