I actually don't normally watch the show, but ended up staring at the movie at just the right time tonight to catch it. I wasn't impressed with Josh at all--yeah, he would definitely be better in Nashville, but he was tight and a little typical. Past that, the competition was tight.

Ruben was pretty good, but the lovefest with him is a little overblown. Both of the women were too close for me to call a favorite--and that's a good thing. They were both wonderful.

Clay, though just blew me away. That kid has a voice that amazed me--and good stage presence, too. When Sedaca said that he'd do anything to write and produce Clay's first album, I believed him.

I'm glad I caught the show.

I thought everybody improved their own standard at least a little, even Ruben. Well, except Josh - he just fell apart. The strain of being so clearly out of his league is wearing him down. Did he actually forget the lyrics last night?

I'd pay cash money for a copy of Ruben's performances last night though, I really did think that he took himself to the next level. I was starting to doubt him but when he sang I knew he was done coasting.

Clay's first performance was the most fun of the night, really exciting. I thought he oversang the second a bit (a little too much warbling), though it was a really convincing demonstration that he can do more than just crooning ballads.

Kim was rock-solid, and she looked really great. The first song was beautiful though it didn't give her a chance to showcase the power in her voice, but she really belted out the second.

Trenyce had the standout performance though I think - not necessarily the best but the most unexpected. "Proud Mary" was really awesome (though I kept hoping for her to punch it out even harder), and I NEVER expected to love "Love Will Keep Us Together" so much - she really made it her own. I still don't think she can win but she really deserves a recording contract.

I think all 5 of these kids will get recording contracts. I see it coming down to Rueben and Clay. Neither strikes me as a "pop star" though. They are way too talented to be singing crap aimed at the 14 year old market. I think that may be the source of Simon's constant critism of Clay. He's incredibly talented, but Simon can't fathom how he will package and sell Clay to the teenybopper market.

Yeah Owen, I never would have guessed that you could make an annoyingly bouncy song like that cool, but she pulled it off.

Good old Neil Sedaka. Still looks great, doesn't he?

It's so cool when they bring on guest judges that are obviously fans of the show and have a deeper knowledge of the contestants than just how they performed that night.

Clay really won me over last night. I think he has a future as a Broadway star? Can't you just picture him staring in Oklahoma?

Ruben's star is falling. I think it's going to come down to Kimberly and Clay. Kimberly's second performance last night was amazing.

I'm so pissed I missed it. Gotta make sure I catch it tonight.

For the question of packaging Clay, I think that you might see him as sort of the next Norah Jones. Not teeny-bopper music, but truly pop music. I think the kid has a hell of a career ahead of him.

We already knew Clay would be a broadway star, but last night made him a pop star!

Let's not forget: girls can really go for geeky guys. The voice matters a lot. I don't think Clay's that hard a sell to the teeny bopper market.

I also have to say: pop music isn't all about 14 year olds. Pop music isn't entirely about boy bands. Madonna's career was stellar long after her fan base was in its 20s. And it was more than High Schoolers buying all those Michaal Jackson albums.

no doubt what you are saying is true, but I just don't agree

Hoo great stuff!

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