After three weeks of intense multiple eliminations, American Idol has whittled down the field to only twelve. Now, we can get to the serious business of advertising and group singing - something has to pad the endless hours Idol is on the air. But before we can move forward, let’s take a quick look back t four contestants we definitely won’t see singing on the Idol stage this week - the four who almost made it to the Top 12.

Kady Malloy and Danny Noriega spoke together in their exit interviews. Neither seemed surprised by their eliminations, and Kady said she could tell just from the way Ryan Seacrest said her name that she’d be sent home. Danny admitted to being very emotional during his own elimination, saying it was hard for him to look to see Ramiele’s reaction to the news. What’s next for these two? Laughingly, they said perhaps they could do another reality TV project together, a la The Simple Life. If you were on it, Danny, I would watch every episode.

Asia’h Epperson and Luke Menard also shared similar life goals in their exit interview, each saying they would like to pursue TV and perhaps acting, though music will always be in the picture for them both.

Asia’h said she knew she would be going home when she was picked to sing first for the ladies last Wednesday, neatly putting the blame on show arrangement and not her own singing. I’m completely dumbfounded by her elimination, too.

In American Idol, sometimes almost does count. Did any of these four make a big enough impression to keep their stars of fame blazing?