Hayden Christensen and Ryan Seacrest take their concept bromance to international levels with an ancient Egyptian, jet-set, pyramid piece aimed to promote HC's new film, Jumper.  The awkward intro lasted just long enough for me to torch my hair in protest.  THIS… is American Idol.

The top 50 stress-cases chowed on a breakfast buffet of fried meats and powdered eggs while the judges continued to deliberate.  Paula sported a side bun and bangs to help her through this tough time.

One by one, the remaining hopefuls were called to appear before the panel.  Each crying contestant took their waiting room jitters into the elevator confessional for our peep-show pleasure.  Then a long walk (off a short pier) through an empty room led them to a lone chair, waiting expectantly for their nervous ass.

Some contestants like Ronald Hodge were let down easy with kind words such as, "So, this time, dude, it's a NO for you, man.  You ain't gonna make it, dawg.  Good lookin out."  And then a whole bunch of people I’d never seen before were also dismissed.

But somehow in the dust of the melee, audition favorites Josiah Leming & Kyle Ensley were also relieved of duty.  Here's hoping the producers pull a wild card during game play, or that a contestant drops out per a porn scandal so our boys can get another shake.

And now, the Top 24.  Read em and weep.

Birds

JoAnne Borgella
Kristy Lee Cook
Amy Davis
Asia’h Epperson
Alexandréa Lushington
Kady Malloy
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Amanda Overmyer
Carly Smithson
Alaina Whitaker
Brooke White

Blokes

David Archuleta
Colton Berry
Robbie Carrico
Jason Castro
David Cook
Chikezie Eze
Garret Haley
David Hernandez
Michael Johns
Luke Menard
Danny Noriega
Jason Yeager

Next Week: Limber up those texting digits and ready your good ear.  Viewer voting begins!