American Idol

The contestants all made their way into the holding room and Anoop Desai was the first person to make the long journey into the judges den. Anoop was the first to make it into the top 36.Von Smith made it through too.

Cody Sheldon the horror movie maker is up next and Simon Cowell asks him to sing again for the judges. Cody sings and as he leaves he met up with Alex Wagner-Trugman who isn't happy about having a sing-off with his friend. The two guys wait outside as the judges decide their fate. They are called back into the room and the judges pick Alex to stay.

Adam Lambert, the guy who sang Cher's hit song "Believe" in the solo round was the next through after being hung on a string by Simon Cowell for a minute or two.

Taylor Vaifanua sat in front of the judges and Randy Jackson welcomed her to American Idol season 8. Then American idol showed a quick list of the following female contestants who made it into the top 36. They were Jasmine Murray, Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson and Stevie Wright.

Joanna Pacitti entered the judges room, hoping to keep the girl's winning streak alive, made it through.

More verdicts were handed out and the tension was mounting inside the holding room. One by one the next group of males left the room with their dreams crushed, but a young lady named Kendal Beard, entered the room and had to hear from Paula Abdul that her song choices were boring. After the judges deliberated they thought that the news wasn't great…it was fantastic. She was in!

Jenn Korbee, the girl who made it to the Hollywood round with her husband (he didn't make it past the group round) had to have a sing-off with Kristen McNamara. Simon was hoping for the very attractive blond to go through…hmmm they both were? After much arguing from Paula Abdul , Kara Dioguardi, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell the final verdict was that Kristen made it through. Simon Cowell told the two girls that it was the wrong decision.

Alexis Grace, the young single mother, also made it into the top 36.

Next Scott Macintrye, who is sight impaired unanomously makes it.

Lil Rounds entered the room and made it into the top 36. Simon Cowell said she was a good old fashioned singer.

At 4:00 PM there were still 30 contestants left waiting to hear the news.

Next the judges went through a number of contestants that didn't make it through.

Frankie Jordan and Jesse Langseth were the next contestants pitted against each other. The judges decided that they were choosing Jesse even though they felt that neither of the girls should go through. Simon Cowell told her not to feel to bad, because she would never have won and neither will Jesse based on her performance.

Next a group of contestants went through and were told no by the judges and by 5:00 PM the mood was very sombre in the holding room.

Allison Iraheta entered the room and told Kara DioGuardi that she gave it her all during Hollywood week and all of the judges agreed with her! They said that she has raw natural talent.

Danny Gokey was asked by Randy Jackson how he dealt with the pressure of Hollywood week and Danny said that he thought that he did well, but knew that there was room for improvement in his performances. Simon Cowell told him that he needed to be different and revelant and Danny said that he could be. He made it through.

His buddy Jamar Rogers was in the hot seat next and Kara DioGuardi told him that the risks he chose in Hollywood didn't pay off, and although he was a good singer, he would not be going to Hollywood. The waiting area was in shock!

At 5:20 PM a string of guys took the long walk upstairs and all were sent through. They are Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud, Junot Joyner, Jorge Nunez, Brent Keith Smith and Stephen Fowler.

The spots in the American Idol top 36 were filling up fast and funny guy Nick Mitchell (Normund Gentle) was offering to clean Simon Cowell's limo and even be a butler to Paula Abdul if he did get through to the top 36. The judges said that they had the hardest time deciding on him and he made it.

As it neared the end of the day and the holding room began to empty, Jackie Tohn wandered into the judges room. She was feeling confident about her performances and she was welcomed to season 8.

Next was Tatiana Deltoro She brought along her lucky charm, a star from Paula Abdul. She was so upset that she couldn't buy a star ring, so Paula Abdul gave her her own! They didn't keep her there for long, cause she made it through.

Next Nathaniel Marshall, the emotional kid who had a hard life and Jackie Midkiff went head to head in the sing-off. The judges called them back in and Nathaniel began to cry as they told him he made it through.

Ryan Seacrest said that today they saw dreams shattered but for some, the dream remained alive especially for Jeanine Vailes, Kai Kalama, Ann Marie Boskovich and Kris Allen as they all made it through!

The last two contestants to sing-off tonight were Matt Beritze and Mike Sarver both hard working guys hoping to make it big for their families. After the judges deliberate, both of the guys made it through