Steve3's Viewpoint:

Ryan introduced the contestants and the judges. Then, they showed a piece where Simon enters the room and introduced Sir Elton John to the contestants. They were all awe struck. This week, each contestant will be singing an Elton John tune. His music is not easy to sing. This will not be an easy competition.

Fantasia Barrino
"Something About The Way You Look Tonight"

She can't sing a song without screetching. If it were a gospel competition, she would win, hands down. Both Randy and Paula gave her cudos, but, Simon said she was screetching. I totally agree with Simon. Fantasia is not going home this week.

Jon Peter Lewis
"Rocket Man"

His movements on stage were bad, but, unfortunately , not as bad as his singing. He did not hit the notes. I really thought that this would be his competition, but, sadly, it wasn't. He could have done a lot better. All the judges agreed. He has a good chance of being in the bottom 3, but, he will be around next week.

Jasmine Trias
"Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"

This girl has great range, but this week she was off. It was not her best performance. The judges agreed. She will not be going anywhere, but, she needs to practice hitting her notes. I really like her and hope she succeeds.

John Stevens
"Crocodile Rock"

Now I know why someone invented ear plugs. This guy is just plain bad. He has no business being in the top 10. The word milqtoast, describes this guy. Elton John said he has to show his personality singing this song...he did. This guy has no personality. The judges liked him as much as I did. He needs to go. He needed to go weeks ago. Whether or not he does, depends on America.

Camile Velasco
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

She sang "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Goodbye is right. I finally figured it out. She gargles when she sings. She fluctuates between 2 or 3 notes at a time, and unfortunately, they are not the right notes. The judges did not like her, and Simon summed it up best, saying it is the end of the road. She needs to go. I repeat, she needs to go.

George Huff
"Take Me To The Pilot"

George not only sings well, you can actually understand the words he sings. The man is smooth and has lots of soul. His stage presence is wonderful. He has good contact with the audience. He will be around to the end. In my book, he is a winner already. The judges tend to agree on his talent, which is positive.

Diana DeGarmo
"I'm Still Standing"

Diana has personality, and stage presence, but her worst performance to date. I really like her, but she is young, and has time to improve. She won't be going home this week either, but, she will not make it to the end. Paula mentioned that she was ill. The judges pretty much agreed not her best night.

LaToya London
"Someone Saved My Life Tonight"

This woman can sing. Her voice flows. One can tell it is effortless for her and she can hold her notes well. Elton said prior to her singing that he would give her a contract, and that she did not deserve to be in the bottom 3 last week. I agree. I think it was her best performace to date. The judges liked her performance also. I think she will be in the final 3.

Jennifer Hudson
"Circle of Life"

WOW! She had me in a trance. This is the first time I can say that she captured me. She blew me away. She deserves not only to be in the competition, but in the final 3 after tonight. I just hope she can keep up the momentum. I liked her from the first time I heard her. Her best performance of the night, and her best of the competition. The judges agree. Jennifer has a throaty voice, and this song, was made for her.

The program tonight was not the best. Most people deserved to go home after their performances. The bottom 3 are John (Real Bad, horrific, painful)......Camille ( the same as John) and JPL who was bad. As far as who is leaving, it should be John or Camille but America is fickle. I hope that next week's theme is better. I really like Elton John, but, no one but Elton should sing his tunes. I learned that tonight.
Jokerette's Viewpoint:

Elton John night will test these kids. His songs show an incredible range, and I'm wondering if the kids can hang in with them.

Simon says he can't judge well this week, I am thinking my ears won't survive some of these renditions of these top Elton John songs.

Fantasia Barrino
"Something About The Way You Look Tonight"

Fantasia was up first. Something About the Way You Look Tonight. She starts tentatively, not her usual strong self. And I am a huge Fantasia fan, but this one isn't doing it for me. She's not putting herself out there. Will Simon agree with me? Randy sure doesn't. Nor Paula. They sure love the performance. AH HA! Simon agrees. She grins that she had a blast, I'm not so sure the grin isn't a bit forced. You have to know, when you're one of the top ones, when you put out a less than standard performance. Don't get me wrong: she's still head and shoulders above the pack.

Jon Peter Lewis
"Rocket Man"

John Peter Lewis, JPL is up next, gawd help us. Doing Rocket Man. By God he hit the note. Amazed, as I am no JPL fan. He is, without a doubt, doing better tonight than he has, his pure tone lends itself well to Elton John. His =pitch= is often doubtful, though. Note: If Randy likes your jacket, you're screwed. And sure enough, he pans it. This little feller doesn't belong in the company of Fantasia and LaToya.

Jasmine Trias
"Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"

Jasmine. Who? She is arguably the cutest thing in the competition. WOW. Goosebumps. This young lady just recreated herself into one helluva singer!! Going to be very hard to beat, tonight. Then she blew a note. but over all, outrageously well sung. Randy totally disagrees with me, but who the hell is HE! Hah!

John Stevens
"Crocodile Rock"

John Stevens, the worst of the worst. How is this kid still in this competition? Should have been gone last week. Crocodile Rock? It starts. dreadful. Oh, but then it continues. and gets worse. MY EARS!! Oh god it doesn't get much worse, poor kid.

Camile Velasco
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

Camille. Who? Is she in this contest, so far? Yellow Brick Road, she's going down. And failing, for my taste. Yipes. These kids need to learn to select better songs for their (limited) ranges.

George Huff
"Take Me To The Pilot"

George! Mr. Personality himself. Love his voice, on occasion. Will this be one of them? OH yeah, I'm feeling this one. Did y'all like it too? He is rocking this, and it's =not= an easy song. He's on it, though. And how!! I'm hooting and yowling for him tonight. He gets my vote, at the end of this. Lovely to see the leashed power in that voice, and it just glows.

Diana DeGarmo
"I'm Still Standing"

Diana: another of the who is this kids. And the performance she lays down is weak, without force, low. She works the audience well, but that just isn't enough (for me, anyway!)

LaToya London
"Someone Saved My Life Tonight"

LaToya! Until tonight, one of my favorites for the win. Can she pull off Someone Save My Life Tonight? Starts shaky for sure. Picks up a bit, she's chosen a dreadfully hard song. She's got guts, this one. She goes for it even if it isn't there. but it is there for her, in the end. Incredible range, power. She is a magnificent voice.

Jennifer Hudson
"Circle of Life"

Jennifer. She has more ups and downs than a yoyo, this one. Circle of Light, for her. OH and this woman is seriously bringing it. Major goosebumps. Can she keep it up for the entire song? This is lovely. Magnificent. Truly she's come into her own. She and George, but especially Jennifer, get my phone call tonight.