American Idol’s Thursday elimination round opened with an expectant promise: by the end of the show, we would know which contestants will make up the Top 12. Heady stuff, and the show gave the moment the appropriate drama.

The Top 16 performed “Haven’t Met You Yet” to kick off the show. Alex Lambert and Casey James sounded terrible together, but the other pairs of males were pretty good. The women eventually joined in, but the easy-listening vibe really wasn’t so hot. The group performances this year have been absolutely horrible.

According to Ryan Seacrest’s announcement, music from The Rolling Stones will be featured on the show this year. This news was quickly followed by results, with Didi Benami being called forth to stand front and center with the host. She was then granted the honor of being the first into the Top 12.

Siobhan Magnus took Didi’s place in spotlight as she waited to hear her own results. Siobhan breathed a sigh of relief when Ryan offered her the good news, and already two females were ready to move forward in the contest.

Paige Miles and Katelyn Epperly stood up together - a sure sign that one would be eliminated. The host asked Simon Cowell which one had the most potential. After some discussion, he answered “Paige,” only to be proved right. Katelyn Epperly then performed her horrible song choice for a second time. If she’d chosen almost any other song, she probably would have been moving on. Lilly Scott was noticeably upset at the news of Epperly’s elimination.

Tim Urban, Todrick Hall, Lee DeWyze and Casey James were brought to the stage in long line. Casey James was the first to hear his verdict, and thereby became the first of the men into the Top 12. Tim Urban was very quickly told to go join his peers in their coveted stools, leaving Lee and Todrick alone with Ryan under the spotlight.

Ryan Seacrest asked Randy Jackson if both men deserved a spot in the Top 12. “Yeah…Lee definitely deserves a spot though,” Jackson answered. It seemed the judging table was at the top of its game when Lee was given the green light to take a stool.

Todrick Hall said that being an Idol has been “an awesome experience.” He then took up the mic to sing his final song on the show. Hall has been something of a controversial contestant due to his past business dealings in the music industry, but he’s handled himself fairly well on the competition. Hall is a true performer, and even under the gun he managed to deliver. Randy Jackson proclaimed the performance to be “fantastic!”

Four women and four men remained, with only six seats still left for the rest of the Top 12. Before we could get to the results, however, we were treated to a performance from season 8’s Scott McIntyre and Matt Giraud, both on the piano. They belted out “Tell Her About It,” though there are about seventy Billy Joel songs that would have been a better choice. Dual piano solos livened up the performance considerably. Actually, this was one of the better stage shows of the season…and that’s something of a surprise. Good call on Matt’s plastic surgery.

If you’re interested, McIntyre has an album out; Giraud has a new single (it’s number one on the iTunes jazz charts, evidently, which I didn’t know existed).

Crystal Bowersox was asked to stand first of the remaining contestants. She showed very little reaction when she was asked to join the rest of the Top 12. Michael Lynche was the next to be called forward. “Do you think you could fit on one stool?” Seacrest asked. “Yeah, man!” “Go check it out!” Ryan delivered the good news, and Lynche joined the Top 12.

Lacey Brown was the next to stand. After some conversation, she was asked to stand in the spotlight. Ryan delivered his congratulations, and suddenly there was a shake-up in the Top 12. Aaron Kelly was the next to stand next to the host on the stage, and the next to take a stool.

Andrew Garcia, Alex Lambert, Katie Stevens and Lilly Scott remained. “This is when it gets really tough,” Ryan Seacrest intoned.

The two remaining guys stood on the stage with their arms around each other to hear the news. Seacrest asked Simon Cowell “do you think Andrew peaked too soon?” “Arguably, yes,” Cowell replied, adding “you’re still a very talented singer.”

The last spot for a male in the Top 12 went to Andrew Garcia, and Alex Lambert was forced to remain standing. This could be considered iffy by some. Lambert has massive amounts of singing talent, and it might even be said that his performance earlier in the week was the stronger of the two. However, there is the mullet to consider. “Don’t ever stop believing in yourself,” Ellen DeGeneres advised Alex, who lamented his nervousness on stage throughout the contest.

He has an amazing voice, and could surely have an amazing career in the industry. Let’s just get him an image consultant, et. al, and he’ll be in business. Heck, if he goes on Ellen’s talk show he’s likely to get a recording contract tomorrow. There were lots of tears as Alex sang his way off the stage.

You might have caught the Haiti commercial in-between eliminations. Unicef is currently taking donations to help the devastated population. Haiti will be the main focus of this year’s Idol Gives Back telethon, wherein funds will be raised in order to help restore the country.

Alex Lambert was teary-eyed when the show came back from break. Katie Stevens and Lilly Scott stepped forward to hear their good news/bad news. Katie looked like a replica of Kara DioGuardi - from the hair to the outfit to the make-up to the accessories, her fashion choices seemed to reek of the two-year AI judge. “I just find it very interesting that it’s the two of them up there,” Kara told Ryan Seacrest. “It’s funny that their up there together, you know.”

Lilly Scott wore a devastated expression when Ryan Seacrest delivered the announcement - Katie Stevens made it into the Top 12. This was a bit of a surprise. Scott closed the show, and Stevens opened; generally, this would translate into more votes for Lilly. She admitted she was surprised at the results, but delivered her tune in her usual entertaining fashion just the same.

The Top 12 is now locked in. For the next several weeks, we’ll watch them be eliminated one by one. The full list is as follows:

Crystal Bowersox, Lacey Brown, Didi Benami, Siobhan Magnus, Paige Miles, Katie Stevens, Michael Lynche, Andrew Garcia, Tim Urban, Lee DeWyze, Casey James and Aaron Kelly.