Randy: Yo, Clay Aiken, Baby, you know what, man? I gotta say somethin to you here. You know what? That song... I love that song... I hated this arrangement of it, but it just proves how great of a singer you are, 'cause you made it work, dude, with that arrangement, dude, you sang that, dawg, you sang it, very good!

Paula: Clay, I think, without a doubt, this performance, that song, is the best performance of the entire competition that I even know of. Unbelievable. UNbelievable!

Clay: Thank you, Paula.

Simon: Well, I wouldn't go quite that far... I mean it is the best song of all time... I thought it was a little bit over the top, but I have a suggestion based on *what I've said before*, all three of you being great, why don't we vote off Ryan Seacrest instead?

Randy: Brilliant idea, hey!

Ryan: I don't want to be voted off...

Simon: And then everyone's happy! Very good.

Randy: Ryan wants to be on the Tonight Show.

Simon: Very good, well done.

**what Simon said before after Kimberley's performance: Do you know what's weird... I've been involved in a lot of these competitions... this is the only time ever we've actually had three good people in the top 3 which wasn't the case last year. So I don't know which of you three will make it to the final... because I can honestly say all three of you deserve to make it.

Randy: Clay Aiken, what's up, baby? Clay, how are ya... you know what? You know what's really strange for me tonight? Whereas, I hated that song and I hope they don't make that your first single... dude, you sang your brains out on that, dude, you sang your face off!

Paula: I agree with Randy, but you have the ability to transport us into your world and you find the matrix of a song, and you nail it each week by by making each moment your own... very, very, nice!

Clay: Thank you Paula

Simon: *Thank you Paula* Um, what's astonishing is how handsome this show has made you!

Clay HA HA HA HA HA!

Simon: I mean, seriously, you look back on those early clips, I'm not being rude, but you really were ugly then, and now you're handsome.

Randy: Aw, come on, baby.

Simon: That's a compliment!

Paula: I always thought you were handsome.

Simon: But more inportantly, I thought that song, but what I didn't like about it was it was like American Idol the musical.

Randy: Yeah, the song stunk.

Simon: I think you're capable of better.

Randy: You know, a very safe song, but you're still da bomb, ya know.

Paula: I think this is one of your most haunting and vulnerable performances yet in the competiton. Beautiful.

Simon: Very pretty, I'm not blown away. I think both of you are saving the best for last. At least I hope so, anyway.

Paula: We're lookin' forward to it.

Randy: Yo, Clay, me and Paula, dude... heel, dawg! What are you doin'! I didn't even know you could hit that note, dawg! What are you doin'! Come on, baby!

Paula: You gave us chills. You are a true artist because you took a classic song, and made us feel like we heard it for the first time, made it your own. This is your personal best, Clay.

Clay: Thank you, Paula.

Randy: Wooooo wooo, yeah!

Simon: OK. Clay. If I'm being honest, I think you've been a little off this evening. However, hang on, I'm saving the best till last... because I think that performance could win you the competition.