...Or so they keep telling us.

So here they are, the top 24 contestants that will now sing for their supper and our votes. Do you have any early favorites? Who will you be casting your votes for? Who was robbed? See my thoughts on the contestants below.

(NMA = needs more airtime)

Top 12 men

David Cook - Daughtry wannabe. Let's see how he does if he makes it to the theme nights. 

David Archuleta - Hard not to like this kid (at least now). He's young (16) and adorable and has a great voice.

Danny Noreiga - Is it bad to say that I'm going to be looking forward to his clothing choices as much as his song choices? I think his flamboyance might make things interesting.

Jason Castro - NMA

Luke Menard - NMA

Michael Johns - I loved Mig Ayesa - the Australian contestant on the first season of Rockstar: INXS so I have to admit I'm hoping this Aussie will measure up. I loved his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. I'm "intrigued."

Robbie Carrico - Another rocker. I guess when Chris Daughtry (who is widely believed to have been robbed of the Season 4 title) is racking up the album sales and awards, you give it another go. 

Chikeze Eze - Well the name is something else.

Jason Yaeger - NMA

David Hernandez - I like two of the three Davids right off the bat. I think this guy has a solid voice and can interpret songs well. He may surprise a few people if he can pick some good songs early on.

Colton Berry - I was sorry to see him take the place that could have been Kyle Ensley. I guess they're not looking for a geek to sheik makeover this year. Sorry Clay Aiken/Kevin Covias/Jon Peter Lewis/Taylor Hicks fans. 

Garrett Haley - NMA

Analysis: Three Davids, two Jasons and only one African American man make the cut. Wowza. I was sad to see Josiah Leming get the axe. I liked that kid (living in his car story or not). He did Mika's "Grace Kelly" which I thought was fun. He could have been good for some fun song choices, not to mention a great dramatic rollercoaster ride of emotions. Oh well. 

Top 12 girls 

Carly Smithson - I like this Irish lass. She's got the tattoos, but also a sweet disposition. Good song interpretation as well.

Amanda Overmyer - Reminds me of the B-52s singer. Hope she watched Gina Glocksen's demise last year and took notes.

Kristy Lee Cook - American Idol loves a sweet blonde, don't they? I hope we don't have to hear "Amazing Grace" every time her neck is on the line.

Brooke White - Another blonde, but this one I find far less cloying than Cook. I think she's going to be a work in progress, but she could also be the kind of girl that shows an evolution which voters (and the judges) love.

Alexandrea Lushington - NMA

Ramiele Malubah - NMA

Syesha Mercano - Strong voice, cute girl. She'll have to show great personality and consistency to eclipse the forceful African American trio from last year's show.

Kady Maloy - NMA

Alaina Whitaker - NMA

Amy Davis - NMA

Asia'h Epperson - Same story as Mercano. Great voice and personality. Hopefully they, too, took notes from last year.

Joanne Borgella - Thankfully she took the final spot instead of Cardin McKinney. She definitely had the stronger voice but she'll have her work cut out for her to separate herself from Mercano and Epperson.

Analysis: I've heard Simon say a guy's going to win this one in recent interviews and he might be right. There are certainly some strong females but the men seem to be hoarding the majority of the talent and interesting personas so far. We'll see what happens next week.

Are you as excited as I am?