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American Idol: Top 24 Semifinalists: Hollie Cavanagh, 18. McKinney, TX.

By DARLA ATLAS

Special contributor

Published: 01 March 2012 11:50 PM

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  Before we get to tonight’s dramatic results, can I just put in a motion for bringing Jimmy Iovine on as a fourth judge at the table? Because this guy is tellin’ it like it is. He’s refreshingly brutal. And even though I adore HeeJun Han, I had to reluctantly agree with Jimmy when he said, “This isn’t American Comedian. This is American Idol.”
  

  First, the good news: McKinney resident Hollie Cavanagh sailed quite swiftly into the top 10. And Jimmy’s critique of her was nice: “Little girl, big voice. It could have been a little bit more believable, but give her the right material and she could do some real damage in this game.”
  

  As for our other hometown girl, Baylie Brown, it was the end of the road. But she did herself some good when Ryan Seacrest asked what she would have done differently last night.
  

  “Um, sing on key, I guess?” she replied. Perfect answer. She wasn’t pretending that performance was great; she owned up to it. That makes me a Baylie Brown fan.
  

  The remaining top 13:
  

  - Phil Phillips. My fave from the start. “He breaks my heart with his adorableness,” I said to my 12-year-old daughter, who replied, “Ew.”
  

  - Jessica Sanchez, who came out swinging last night and will be one to really watch;
  

  - Joshua Ledet, who made me cry on Tuesday. I listened to him sing, and I suddenly started bawling. That was weird. But Jimmy’s with me on this; he said of our Louisiana guy, “This Joshua is the real deal.”
  

  - HeeJun Han, the Jimmy Kimmel of the group. No, we’re not looking for the next comedic genius, but he sure is a kick in the pants to have around.
  

  - the immensely likable Shannon Magrane;
  

  - the immensely spirited (and likable) Mississippian, Skylar Laine;
  

  - Elise Testone, whose room-service flowers probably helped her win at least 1,000 votes;
  

  - Colton Dixon, for whom I can’t yet muster a bunch of enthusiasm, but it’s early;
  

  - Jermaine Jones, the gentle giant who probably regrets yawning onstage in front of millions of viewers on a night fraught with tension and excitement;
  

  - Erika Van Pelt, one of the wild-card winners;
  

  - Jeremy Rosado, JLo’s new BFF (which is a cute bond, I have to say); and
  

  - Deandre Brackensick and his costar, All Of That Hair. Imagine if the show’s stylists decide to give him a makeover and cut it all off! No, perish the thought.
  

  Among those leaving us tonight is Reed Grimm, a.k.a. nails on a chalkboard for some of us. No offense. But I was not in tears when Ryan told him, “Thank you very much. You may exit.”