Last night was the second holiest night on the American Idol calendar; the declaration of the Top 12 and, perhaps, more importantly, the Top 12 party.

Top 12 night is as previously mentioned, that magic threshold from where humble dreamers emerge as titans, warriors of song whose names will resound through our annals forevermore.

The party, for its part, has traditionally been one of the better buffets in entertainment. And last night was no exception. Coming in late as I am, I will skip the complete report other than to say, the short ribs were not the very best I’ve ever had but far above the Hollywood event Short Rib Median, and that the salted butterscotch parfait was magnificent.

Both of which auger very well for a perfectly workable season ahead.

Other random thoughts from the evening:

• Siobhan is clearly the coolest person who has ever lived. She has a tattoo of an Edward Gorey cartoon. (seen above). Her favorite past Idol is Elliot Yamin. Her uncle is the bassist for Styper. She used to have a mohawk. These are far too many blessings for us ever to have wished for on the Idol. What god have we pleased? Check here frequently for all news and information critical to the Magnus Militia.

• The big news of the night was of course, the historic vindication of the Team Katie movement. In person, not being subjected to the firehouse treatment from our off-the-rails judging panel, she was sweet, charming and fun, as we knew she’d be. She touchingly recorded this greeting to my co-chair of Team Katie, rickey of rickey.org. A staffer on the show who has worked with her and many Idols before her agreed that she has the potential to be another Diana Degarmo or Katharine McPhee. So there.

• Crystal Bowersox and indeed, many of them, looked much better in person than on TV.

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• Fantastic to see Scott and Matt back. The flame of Season 8 still burns strong and I’m still heartbroken that it had to end.

• There was no one star everyone was fighting to see in the way they clustered around Adam Lambert last year, David Archuleta the year before and Melinda Doolittle the year before that.

• Then again, the three above all went on to just miss the crown. Historically, front runnership at this point has proved a great indicator of who will not win. The last exception to that rule being Carrie Underwood, lo many seasons ago.

• That said, the Idol’s that seemed most sought after in the pack seemed to be, to my unscientific eye, Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dwyze.

• Big Mike was so nice and good natured it made me want to cry. I don’t know why I appear to be taller than him in this picture.

• Big Mike would be the first African-American man to make the Top 6 since George Huff in Season 3, if he makes it.

• There was much mourning for those who were dismissed on this evening, which I share. Historically, the final night of the semi-finals is the night when America makes some really retarded choices. As a monarchist, I do not support Americans having the vote either in politics or American Idol and think these matters would be better left to the authorities. No moment in our culture makes my point for me better than the semi-finals.

• That said, much as I supported Lilly – and Alex, Todrick and Katelynn – none of them were going to win, or even come close. Lilly’s statement the following day that her fanbase “is more of the underground scene, who don’t even own a TV. They were probably all out riding their bikes and or doing something more productive than watching TV, let alone American Idol” proves that my early comparison of her to Amanda Obermyer – a contestant who would just not be able to bring themselves to compromise their coolness to the competition, was right on the money. Every year, people who are too good for American Idol somehow find themselves auditioning for it. A terrible tragic thing to happen to a hipster, to find yourself against your will forced to be on American Idol. But they can find relief in knowing that the public will solve that problem for them soon enough, even if sometimes it takes a little longer than others.

Magnus Militia! It is time to report for duty!

Team Katie! We’ve had a rocky few weeks, but now we’ve been giving a new lease on life and it will be our moment to storm the gates! This is our now people!

And for all those who say I can’t be supporting two, I say, just try and stop me.