He did look extremely bored.

I think both did a good job but agree that they were being biased towards Ruben.

It will be a photo-finish

I wouldn't mind either of them winning.

I've heard a lot of people ranking on Clay's first song for being so lame (which it was) but no one has ranked on Ruben's equally lame 3rd song. As for the originals, I think Clay had Ruben beaten hands down in terms of performance.

To paraphrase Randy Jackson, Ruben had some serious pitch problems during that last song. But then his voice does tend to wane quickly over a few songs. It was especially noticable in the recap, where his voice went from silky to ragged over the three songs. The judges, esp. Simon, were pouring on the Ruben favoritism a bit too strong tonight. Any other night or other performer, Simon would have ripped that performance apart.

Ruben's weakness, however, is Clay's strength. His voice tends to get better and stronger as he performs. He usually does a much stronger second number than first (the Bee Gees night aside).

Overall, I'd say this show was Clay's, though as often happens, the best single performance was not from the strongest performer. Ruben's "Imagine" was probably the highpoint of the show tonight. A bit more invested there than theatrics.

So who's the next American Idol? As I've said before, that's up to AT&T Wireless subscribers (the only way your vote will count). Demographically, Ruben probably has the advantage, but stranger things have happened.

Still think the best was booted off too early (R. Smith's "Back to One" is the best track on the mostly lame show soundtrack).

Really? You think so? Whatever would give you that idea?



And that was during Ruben's much raved last number!

BTW, am I the only one who thought that, for some unknown reason, Paul Anka really gave the best performance of the night? His jokey sign-off number was performed with more class and talent than either contestant.

I wouldn't bank on those busy signals meaning Clay is getting all the votes because for a little over an hour I haven't been able to get through to Reubens number. Nothing but busy signals as well.

I think I'm in the minority here... I really liking his first song, The wife and I have listened to it a couple more time(she is a big fan and I like him too) and I think It gets better after a couple listens.
Clay brings a passion and strengh that I really like
Also think Simon saved a great line for Clays last song

"I think that performance could win you the competition"

What a boring night. With three songs each, they could've done something uptempo.

I think they've come to believe that the people who do ballads will get more votes. They were being safe tonight instead of taking any risks.

Simon said exactly what I was thinking -- that "Bridge Over Troubled Water" won the contest for Clay.

Overall, I found the songs rather disappointing choices tonight.

The lines are open for another 90 minutes in our time zone. It took me about 100 tries to get in 7 times to Clay's number. Kept getting up during "24" ad breaks to try. Will probably try again after I get off the net.

Yeah that's some of our reasoning that the only votes that count will be the AT&T text messaging.
Because the phone votes will cancel each other out.
With just two performers and PLENTY of voters, I think both lines should/would be busy basically the whole time.

however, rkndkn mentioned he tried 100 times for Clay and got through 7. I think that is A LOT, and would point towards a Ruben win!?

Although I wouldn't mind if either of them won, I think the edge goes to Clay. He is much more talkative and would do better on the American Idol promotional circuit.

And, although Ruben's style is more "marketable", I think Clay is the most original of the two. When I close my eyes while Ruben sings, I hear Barry White. I close my eyes while Clay sings, and I hear...Clay Aiken.

Plus Ruben gets so out of breath so quickly, I can't imagine him doing a whole concert. He reminds me of when I saw Pavarotti in concert. The stage had this little "tent" set up and Pavaraotti would come out and sing a song. Then he'd disappear into the tent, while the orchestra would play an instrumental song. Then he'd come back out again, and the process repeated the entire night.

I don't see how the voting can be very accurate when both phonelines are completely clogged where you can't even get through to vote. I'm not sure how the text-messaging voting works, but it seems like the 800-number voting just comes down to pure luck in who wins, as I'm sure for both contestants there were thousands of people calling each split second just getting busy signals.

We discussed this last week. Basically, what happens is that the phone votes cancel each other out because people can't get through, and the contest is decided by subscribers to AT&T Wireless because their votes are guaranteed to be included.

I think Clay will win. Last night at the end of the show the crowd cheered louder for Clay and Ruben seemed to even acknowledge that. Of course, not the reason I think Clay will win. I would NEVER put in a CD by Clay based on what he's done on the show.
Not my style at all. I "might" listen to Ruben if given a free copy. So, I want Ruben to win. Simple as that.

Whether you know it or not, text messaging for non-AT&T subscribers is suppossedly possible on the AT&T mobile website.

http://www.mobile.att.net/messagecenter

It may have been changed, but earlier in the season, I was told it was possible to text message your vote for your favorite contestant using this free web interface submission. I don't watch the show live and as a benefit don't have to see all the commercials (thanks TiVo), but I don't get to vote (mostly because I forget and it is too late).

and to add to the phone busy theory, another thing I just thought of.
Obviously they have A LOT of lines open (not just "ten") as I called in earlier rounds and got through for ANYONE right away, and I'm sure "thousands" were calling.

So if they have TONS of lines open, and it's down to two contestants, the phone lines are still ALWAYS busy because there are just that many people voting!
And yes they cancel each other out, but will it be the exact same amount? Ofcourse not!
It will be the "smart voters" that know the system who will get more votes in on their lines.

Because if I remember correctly, when the voice picks up it's about a 5-8 second message "thanks for voting for your American Idol" or something to that effect.
Well you vote is counted at the first pickup in the first fraction of the first second. HANG UP, right when it picks up.
Don't listen to the whole message.
If you did that it frees up "that specific line" that much quicker and more votes get counted.

I'm sure the average person didn't think about this or did it on purpose. But it's silly things like that whether trying to do that system on purpose or not, that makes the difference, which is too bad.

I thought it was a pretty good show last night. Live musicians, a choir (or whatever it was), nice atmosphere. The only thing missing was there should have been at least one uptempo number from each to get the place a rockin.

I was surprised that I actually liked Clay's first song. I was expecting something pretty horrible and it was actually pretty good... and Clay didn't oversing like he usually does, on that song anyway.

Clay's 2nd song was boring and his 3rd was a bit over-rated if you ask me. I give Clay an A, B, B.

Ruben's first two songs were pretty good but not great. His 3rd song was his best, though I was kinda bored during all three. I give Ruben a B, B, A.

Pretty close contest, but I'd give the edge to Clay last night.

Who I want to win: Don't care.

Who is going to win: Clay

Who should win: Paul Anka

I actually think it's in Ruben's best interest if Clay wins this thing. I don't think Ruben is in good enough shape to handle the intense scheduling that the winner will have to endure. Clay's no athlete, but he looks pretty energetic and could probably do okay.

So...did anyone else like Paul Anka's reworked "My Way" song at the end? I thought was it light and goofy.

If Ruben did more than one uptempo song, he might have gone into cardiac arrest (by the looks of the amount of sweat he was letting loose on a ballad).

Did anyone else think that Ruben looked like a deer caught in headlights on the couch last night? When Ryan told Clay he seemed pretty calm for what was the most important night of his life I was actually watching Ruben and he looked scared ****less.

I guess it should probably be easier for our time zone, as many time zones' time limit would have expired while ours is the last to close. After my initial 7 votes out of 100 attempts got through during the 1st hour, I tried again in the 3rd hour. I got through about 12 straight times for Clay without any busy signal. I also think many people forgot it was open for 3 hours instead of 2 last night.

My thoughts exactly!