Ryan Seacrest: (Introduction) Now, Mayor Villaraigosa of Los Angeles has some breaking news for Katharine.
Intro clip... Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: (With Katharine in a hall full of McPheeverish Californians) All right Katharine, fresh off the press, an email from Simon Cowell which says he wants you to sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".
Katharine: Oh gosh! That's a great song. (The crowd cheer Simon's choice)
Back in the studio... Ryan Seacrest: (Next to Simon at the judges' table) And... Simon, why d'you pick this one?
Paula Abdul: (Squeezes Simon's leg under the table)
Simon Cowell: (Grinning, pointing his index finger skywards) Stop it! (To Ryan) Ahm, I knew from the very first day that I met Katharine that this song is probably the most perfect song in the world for her and tonight she could have the moment we've been waiting for with this.
Ryan Seacrest: (Tapping the desk with his fist) Does she make it to the finale? Ladies and gentlemen you're the judge. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", Katharine McPhee...
Katharine Sings...
¯ When all the clouds darken up the skyway ¯ There's a rainbow highway to be found ¯ Leading from your window pane ¯ To a place behind the sun ¯ Just a step beyond the rain ¯ Somewhere over the rainbow way up high ¯ There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby ¯ Someday I'll wish upon a star ¯ And wake up where the clouds are far behind me ¯ Where troubles melt like lemon drops ¯ Away, above the chimney tops ¯ That's where you'll find me ¯ Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly ¯ Birds fly over the rainbow ¯ Why then, oh why can't I? ¯ If happy little bluebirds fly ¯ Beyond the rainbow ¯ Why, oh why can't I? ¯
(Cheers and applause)
Randy Jackson: Yo! (Laughs) A'right, so check it out. Check it out. Finally, finally... this is what I've been waiting for. This is the best vocal of the season...(Big cheers)...for you, tonight. America, we've got a hot one right here! That was brilliant! That was hot.
Paula Abdul: (Stands up, clapping) I applaud you... Soak in this moment, because your element and your magic is when you don't go overboard...
Randy Jackson: That was hot.
Paula Abdul: ...to your beautiful, natural self.
Katharine: (Beaming smile) Thank you. (Cheers) Thank you.
Simon Cowell: Katharine, I'm very happy for you tonight because I think it proves the point, as I said last week, that you don't need to layer too much. You have a very, very special talent. And I'm not just saying this because I chose the song, but that was...
Randy Jackson: Well!
Simon Cowell: ...the single best performance of the competition to date.
Katharine: Wow! (Laughs with delight)
Ryan Seacrest: (Joining Katharine) Katharine McPhee. Wow, that was beautiful.
Katharine: Oh, thank you!
Ryan Seacrest: Really incredible. (Gives out the voting numbers) ...She's comin' back. There's more Katharine in a little bit...