I'm with the last 2 posters. Josh was a knee jerk reaction to America's patriotic streak.
In many reviews the US critics say that neither he or Carmen deserved to be in the top 12. I dont know if that's true, but I haven't been gripped by the show until the week before last.
Is it a gender issue? because Ruben, while having a great voice and a lovely personality (as far as you can guess from a TV prog) does zilch for me. I dont care about him one way or another.
Kim, I do. I think she's improved tremendously and has personality and talent...which leads me to...
Clay Why is Broadway an insult? I think it's one of the highest accolades you can give someone. If your voice is strong enough for the theatre, then WOW.
But,as a female, Clay has an endearing vulnerability that reminds me of Will. That he has an amazing voice, is a given.But, more than that, I have just grown to like him as a person more and more. Perhaps because I tap into American websites and read all the US reviews about what makes them all tick, I have just been totally bowled over by the "Clay" package
When this show started (No Doubt) Jess was raving about Clay. How right she was. He has remained consistent and brilliant throughout. The fact that Simon wants Ruben to win,while tacitly admitting that they will be the final two, rings a bell. Will v Gareth anyone?
I've downloaded all of Clays songs, and he just impresses more and more. So, for me, the talent is indisputable. The X factor is a bonus. But he has it. In bucketloads, although for the life of me, I cant work out why!!

Heck, I'm getting carried away....it is only a TV prog after all!
(I'll still be devastated if Clay doesn't win though.)

Didn't mean it as an insult tally, Clay's a great singer, his style is just not my cup of tea. Something as subjective as this is always going to be down to taste.

Who's the better singer, Kiri te Kanawa or Aretha Franklin? ...you know?

No question!
If you watched Fame Academy- "they are both brilliant as they've found their identity, and their genre"

Thank god Josh has gone The thought of him winning

I totally agree with Tally - having a voice like Clays which could be capable of singing on broadway is fantastic - after all everyone dreams of being on broadway don't they?

Clays just a big bright shining STAR!!!!!

Good news Ben - well goodish - AI is going to be on Thursday for the finale, not Friday so they won't clash. It does however mean it clashes with Angel and Friends. But they are all repeated so Hoorah!

Ooh, thanks for pointing this out folks, or i would have ended up missing it!!!

Maybe we should have another thread telling others about it, cos people arn't gonna neccessarily find it hidden in the middle of this one!

Yep, it is gonna clash though, with Friends and ER on E4, and Bad Girls on ITV1.
Think i will watch AI, record Bad Girls, miss ER, and see Friends on Channel 4 the next day! But wait, there's an England footie match on that night too! God, why does everything have to be on at once???

Not really complaining though! It was really clever of ITV2 to reschedule this final, as it would have been a shame for it to be missed cos of BB4. Nine days to go...................................