'Idol' unveils Top 24 with a twist

After the "Hollywood Week" and Las Vegas performance rounds, "Idol" judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler narrowed the field from 42 contestants to 24 semifinalists on Wednesday's installment of the Fox singing competition, but they apparently cut too many.

At the end of the episode, "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest revealed in a voiceover that "the judges felt compelled to reinstate another guy." He teased that either Jermaine Jones, Johnny Keyser, Richie Law or Fayetteville's David Leathers Jr. would be among the male semifinalists next week.

"You did a great job, and you got so far," Lopez told a weeping Jones after he was dismissed on a stage surrounded by bubbling water at the Wynn Las Vegas resort.

The semifinalists unveiled Wednesday were: Deandre Brackensick, Adam Brock, Hollie Cavanaugh, Hallie Day, Eben Franckewitz, Skylar Laine, Chase Likens, Shannon Magrane, Aaron Marcellus and Jeremy Rosado.

The semifinalists announced Tuesday were: Baylie Brown, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Reed Grimm, Heejun Han, Jen Hirsh, Haley Johnsen, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, Chelsea Sorrell, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt and Brielle Von Hugel.

The top 13 men will perform live next Tuesday, with the top 12 women taking the stage live Wednesday. Viewer votes will determine which singers will be eliminated Thursday.

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Online:

http://www.americanidol.com