American Idol 3, April 20: He Wrote The Songs...

Ryan welcomes us to the show and Barry Manilow Week!

Intro the judges, looking like they are braced for a disaster. Tonight's special guest judge is in fact Barry Manilow, and we get a package of Barry-ness. Barry says he's excited and he's a fan of the show. Quentin said he was too, and showed it. Barry, you got tough steps to walk in! Barry also said he is using the show as an opportunity to dust off his old songs and update them with this year's Idols.

That's a relief.

The contestants all say Barry was very nice, and easy to talk to. He's a legend and gave them great advice and arranged the songs for them.

On with the show!

Diana DeGarmo, "One Voice"

Randy - “A little pitchy in the front… I gotta give you this; you are the most ambitious 16-year-old I've ever seen! You always pick songs that are bigger than your vocal range and you just win 'em!”

Paula - "There's nothing about this performance for you to be unhappy about… you needed it, you deserved it."

Barry - "I dreamed this song, and I imagined someone like you singing it!"

Simon - "Without question, your best performance in the entire competition."

Sting7 - This is the best Diana has been in a while, and I'm thinking it's because she is singing about something she believes. There is no denying the truth when you sing it. She did everything she had to do, and that long note at the end might be interpreted as showy, but I think Diana knows she has something to prove. She convinced me! (Of course, she does this after I said she would be the next to go in Sizing Up the Seven! I wonder if she's been online?)

George Huff, "Trying To Get The Feeling Again"

Randy - "Good song, did not love the arrangement… too many riffs and runs… you don't have to make so much of it."

Paula - "It's a great melody… you took your own twist on it… even with all you did, you kept up with the song… good job."

Barry - "That's what we talked about in rehearsals with the riffs… it's so hard to do what you do, I thought you were great no matter what."

Simon - "I think it's a good thing you've had good performances before this… I love the song, Barry, I do… I thought the arrangement was too fast and I think you made a mess of it… and you'll notice there aren't many 'boos' because the audience agrees with me!” (Audience boos)

Sting7 - I agree with the judges here. George, I think, was probably bored with the original and decided to George-it-up and it wasn't a success. I'm a fan of riffs and runs and usually hate when the judges say not to, but this time, I gotta agree. The song didn't seem to go anywhere. Of course, George sang it well, but voice and melody have to go together, and tonight, George seemed to beat the song into submission.

Jennifer Hudson, "Weekend In New England"

Randy - "I got to give you props! You get better and better every week! Yes!"

Paula - "You're staying in a pattern and you're not looking back… way to go!"

Barry - "I have to say – you took it all the way, I loved it!"

Simon - "Why I'm happy is you are giving this show something we've never had before… it's battle of the divas. I'm sure you love each other. Not. How do you think you're doing?” (Jennifer says she is getting to be her, it's Jenny's World! Simon nods in agreement.)

Sting7 - She made me well up. Jennifer is here, and she is here to stay. Don't bother emailing me criticizing this performance because I'll just delete it! Tonight, Jennifer showed she can take a conventional pop song and deliver it truthfully, powerfully, beautifully. She said she is in Jenny's World, and I hope she doesn't leave it. I'm enjoying the tour!

Guy Sebastian, the Australian Idol, is here! I wonder what he's thinking. Our kids are doing America proud! The Swans are also here. Fox doing cross-promotion? Say it ain't so! Ryan asks what they think of the show. Cindy manages to rearrange her new face to say she hasn't cried that much since her "reveal." Great, she's already self-absorbed.

Jasmine Trias, "I'll Never Love This Way Again"

Randy - "This is one of my favorite songs… very good job, you're finally coming back, come on Jasmine!

Paula - "I think there should be a Barry Manilow Idols album… you're doing such a good job… good job Jasmine, great job!"

Barry - "I did the arrangement for Dionne Warwick… we had a little hit with this one… I think you’re giving her a little competition."

Simon - "I'm glad we lost the silly flower at last (Jasmine indicates she's wearing it on her clothing), oh it's there… Barry what have you done to the girls? You've made them all sing very well!"

Sting7 - I was a bit worried that this song would be a bit beyond Jasmine, but she surprised me pleasantly. There were some weak moments vocally, but overall, she stood up to the challenge. The question is, can she reach LaFannifer level! She didn't tonight, but she's going to have to eventually. Those ladies are taking the bar mighty high!