Each of American Idol’s Top 24 had just one chance, over two performance nights, to grab the nation’s attention. Which four out of this group failed at the endeavor? Only Thursday’s elimination round would yield the answer.

Ryan Seacrest started with Simon Cowell, saying that “people were buzzing” about Simon being “harsh” during Wednesday’s performance round. Perhaps if the show hadn’t been so terrible, his comment would have been more enthusiastic. “Some of the performance last night weren’t very good,” he explained to the host.

“There were some surprises,” Ellen DeGeneres said of her first week of truly judging Idol. “They gotta step it up now,” she said of the contestants.

“It’s really make it or break it time,” Randy Jackson explained.

The Top 24 performed “American Boy,” the only group performance they will have to offer. By the time the group performs again, they’ll be minus four contenders. The number started out with the girl contestants, who managed to perform ably (surprisingly so). The men didn’t sound as great, and when all twenty-four began to sing together the number really became horrible. Such is usually the way with Idol’s big group numbers. Once the Idols are narrowed down to twelve, the group numbers become much, much better.

Ryan Seacrest turned first to the female contenders, bidding six to stand up at once. Siobhan Magnus was the first to be addressed - usually a good sign. She was told to sit, the audience applauded, and at least one of them was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Haeley Vaughn, the Vote for the Worst female pick of the week, was the next to hear from Seacrest. She was decreed safe, and Ryan moved on to Michelle Delamor. She, too, was able to sit. The remaining ladies who waited to hear their fate could only become more nervous.

Katelyn Epperly was the next to be declared safe, and only Katie Stevens and Janelle Wheeler remained. Ryan promised that one of them would go.

“Who do you think it’s going to be?” Ryan asked Randy Jackson. “Too tough to call, baby,” Jackson answered.

Janelle Wheeler was then bid good-bye, and Idol had its first casualty of the night. “It’s been amazing,” Janelle said of her experience on the show. She then launched into her final number, holding it together beautifully to get through the performance.

Allison Iraheta, season 8’s fourth-place contender, re-visited the Idol stage to sing her new single. The song’s terrible, Allison’s voice is still wonderful and the overall performance was far too long and boring. This is why Idol keeps their contestants to a specific (short) singing time.

Ryan Seacrest turned his attention to the remaining girls. Paige Miles was the first to hear from the host, and the first to be decreed safe. Lacey Brown also had the chance to sit down. Lilly Scott followed her to safety. Crystal Bowersox was then decreed safe, leaving Ashley Rodriguez and Didi Benami standing on stage. The two held hands as they waited to hear the news.

There was no way the show would let Benami go home, and predictably Ashley Rodriguez was sent on her way. “I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me from day one,” she said, then launched into her song. Rodirguez sounded a hundred times better than she did during her Tuesday performance. Such is often the way with Idol swan songs.

Twelve men then sat on stage next to hear the news of their elimination. Michael Lynche was addressed first, but not for one moment was there any doubt he would be moving on in the contest. John Park was next to hear from the host, and here there was a real chance that he might have to take a bullet - but, oddly, Park was voted through.

Aaron Kelly was also pronounced safe. Todrick Hall followed, leaving Tim Urban and Joe Munoz standing on stage. Tim Urban, who looked amazingly stunned at the announcement, was declared safe. He was the Vote For the Worst pick, so this was no surprise. Munoz remained standing to perform his terrible number yet again. Song choice, song choice, song choice.

Ryan Seacrest took a moment to announce the next date for Idol Gives Back, which is April 21. After spitting out a long list of sponsors, he put the spotlight on reigning Idol champ Kris Allen, and Haiti. Allen then stood on stage to sing “Let It Be,” one of the greatest songs ever written and a huge triumph for The Beatles. Idol has managed to take every possible opportunity to exploit their use of the Beatles’ catalog, and I am not impressed. It was hard to focus on the riveting images from Haiti, or to be inspired to donate, while listening to Allen sing that tune. It wasn’t horrible, but it was mediocre, and in some ways that’s far worse.

Finally, it was time to address the last group of guys. Casey James drew Seacrest’s attention first, and of course he was pronounced safe. Jermaine Sellers wore glasses and a crooked hat while he listened to Ryan’s comments. He sat in safety, and attention turned to Lee DeWyze. As he was Simon Cowell’s favorite performance of the night, DeWyze, too, quickly sat. Andrew Garcia was then decreed safe, not at all surprisingly.

Tyler Grady and Alex Lambert were left standing. They moved to center stage to listen to the news. Simon Cowell predicted “Tyler, it’s over,” before the vote was read. Cowell was correct, and Alex Lambert was declared safe. Really, the mullet? Come on, America.

The good-bye taped rolled, and we were given one last chance to big farewell to Tyler Grady, Janelle Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez and Joe Munoz. The new Idol good-bye song premiered, a sappy tune sung by Will Young.

Tyler Grady closed the show, and I found his elimination somewhat disappointing. Grady could have brought a lot to the show, and his hairstyle is much more tenable than Alex Lambert’s.

We’ll do the whole thing again next week, when four more will be dismissed from the show. Check out all our other American Idol 9 posts.