Audition:
Song: "God Bless the Child"
Original Artist: Billie Holiday

Hollywood Rounds:
Round: Solo song with band accompaniment
Song: "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
Original Artist: Dionne Warrick

Judge's Comments:
Paula: You when when we saw you, we said you could blow.  You ran out of the room, you were excited as all can be.  You can sing your butt off!
Randy: We'll see you tomorrow.

Result: Advanced to next round.

Round: Group Song
Song: "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch"
Original Artist: The Temptations

Result: Advanced to next round.

Round: A capella Song
Song: "My Funny Valentine"
Original Artist: Mitzi Green

Top 24 (Top 12 Girls):
Theme: Free Choice
Song: "Since I Fell For You"
Original Artist: Barbara Streisand

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Wow, wow!  So, dog pound, we got another hot one right here!  Listen, I always loved your voice -- been a big fan since day one.  I think you are one of the natural talents in this competition.  Loved it.  Maybe a couple little spots, but you got it going on.  Love it - it was great.  Amazing!
Paula: I love my job.  This is the greatest show on Earth.  It is, it is the greatest show on Earth because it taps into the human spirit when you see greatness.  This was a great performance because you gave your all.  It showed you own the stage.  It showed your personality.  Everything about you was fantastic.  I think you're gonna be going all the way.
Simon: Yeah, Katharine, there we four very, very good vocalists tonight... And you were the best.

Result: Advanced to Top 20.

Top 20 (Top 10 Girls):
Theme: Free Choice
Song: "All In Love Is Fair"
Original Artist: Stevie Wonder

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Alright, so you picked kind of a safe choice even though some wouldn't say that Stevie's kind of safe, but that particular song 'cause it doesn't have any runs -- it's kinda just lyric-melody.  It wasn't your best performance but you showed a couple of shots there that you definitely had it going on.  It just wasn't my best choice of song for you.  It was okay, it was just okay for me.
Paula: I'm going to agree with Randy in the sense that you move me -- you move America -- you have that inate ability.  You're just a gifted artist.  It wasn't a song choice that just connected with me as much, but let's just call it as it is.  You're brilliant.  Congratulations on another really nice week
Simon: On a show like this, Katharine, the reality is:  it is actually more than just singing.  It is about personality, it's about the right choice of song.  You can't come up on a stage like tonight and be in your own world and hope that you're gonna interest the American audience because they're gonna forget that performance three performances later.  So not your best night by a mile.

Result: Advanced to Top 16.

Top 16 (Top 8 Girls):
Theme: Free Choice
Song: "Think"
Original Artist: Aretha Franklin

Judge's Comments:
Randy: The McPheever.  I like that.  The McPheever.  It's got a ring to it -- the McPheever.  Alright, listen so check it out.  I've been waiting, we've been sitting here going through a bunch of singers -- it's been cool, everything's been alright.  Dog pound, first time I'm coming to you tonight.  We got a hot one right here!  Yeah, yeah!  Very nice.
Paula: Katharine, it is really fun to see you have fun out there and see you cut loose.  It's a different side that we haven't seen.  You're like a well-oiled machine in control of that beautiful voice that you have and it's amazing to see the control and you have fun with it. You know exactly what you possess.  Excellent job.
Simon: I have to agree with Randy.   That was a risk, but you pulled it off.  And you made it seem absolutely effortless.  Once again, you're gonna sail right through.

Result: Advanced to the finals (Top 12).

Top 12:
Theme: Stevie Wonder Songs
Song: "Until You Come Back to Me"
Original Artist: Aretha Franklin & Stevie Wonder

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Wow, so check it out.  Alright, the Katharine McPhee that I fell in love with that we saw you in the auditions the first time we met you -- America, she's back tonight and she's off the chain.  That was hot!  We got a hot one tonight.  That was unbelievable.  I loved everything about it.  Dude, you were the bomb. 
Paula: There's something about you voice that just pierces through the heart.  It really does and from the start, you open up your mouth -- man oh man.  Tonight was your best performance ever.
Simon: Katharine, you're good.  You know who you are beginning to remind me of?  I remember the first time we saw Kelly Clarkson at this stage in this competition and there is something about you that is reminding me vocally of Kelly Clarkson. 

Result: Safe.  Advanced to Top 11.

Top 11:
Theme: The 1950s
Song: "Come Rain or Come Shine"
Original Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Wow, wow.  You know what?  Once again... Sound like you've got your own dog pound!  Still, it might not have been my favorite vocal performance for you 'cause you've been so good the past couple of weeks, but it still was really, really strong and you took a really difficult song, dude, and you worked it out.  'Cause that's a tough song to sing with all the chord changes - it's a tough song to sing.  Props, props, props.
Paula: I think we all love you, Katharine.  I gotta tell you, yeah, it may be tough to pick on an Ella Fitzgerald song, but only you, I believe, can pull it off.  You look exquisite tonight.  Absolutely exquisite.  And I honestly feel you're gonna be one of the contenders all the way through the competition.  I really do.  You're one of my favorites. 
Simon: Katharine.  Something happened tonight which is that tonight, you turn into a star.  I really do.  I really do because that was  -- it was like watching a real, season, great performer and that comes under what I call the "special category".  LOVED it.

Result: Safe.  Advanced to Top 10.

Top 10:
Theme: Songs of the 21st Century
Song: "The Voice Within"
Original Artist: Christina Aguilera

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Alright, so.  You know by now that I'm definitely one of your biggest fans in this.  Although, I mean, it was a good song choice I guess, but you sang it kind of just like the record.  But it was good, but you didn't bring anything new to it, you know what I mean?  But at least I know the kind of records that you would make.  That was a good song choice, I think.
Paula: We always stress that.  We stress all the time if you're gonna sing a song or take a song like Celine or Christina -- you know, change it up.  But, you know what?  I wouldn't have changed a thing.  You were, I think, your best.   You were on point.  You looked the best.  You know what?  I think, Christina would feel very honored that you sang it.
Simon: I think it was the best tonight and it was almost, almost as good as Christina.

Result: Bottom 2.  Advanced to Top 9.

Top 9:
Theme: Country Music
Song: "Bringing Out the Elvis"
Original Artist: Faith Hill

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Yo, yo.  Alright, so kinda bluesy country, yeah?  Kind of a bluesy country.  I like it.  You sang it very nice.  Very nice. Good job, dawg.  Good job.
Paula: That is your style.  That is your niche.  You look sexy -- hot.  Cool!
Simon: I don't know what to say anymore.  I really don't.  That was just so peculiar.
Katharine to Simon: Simon, you just don't like country music.  It's okay!  Just say it.
Simon: You're right.  I don't, I don't... I hate it.

Result: Advanced to Top 8.

Top 8:
Theme: Songs by Queen
Song: "Who Wants to Live Forever"
Original Artist: Queen

Judge's Comments:
Randy: It was a good idea you switched your song and kind of returned to the form 'cause, like, this is your element.  I mean, a little broadway, big song, kind of big voice.  It was a little pitchy in spots and I thought at some points it was a little big for you, but you did a good job, I think, all in all.
Paula: That is your style.  That is your niche.  You look sexy -- hot.  Cool!
Simon: Katharine, I mean, that was almost the moment.  I agree with Randy, I think were some tuning problems at parts.  I think you owe a big kiss to the director and the lighting director there because they made you look amazing.  I mean, really good.  But overall, I think it was probably one of the strongest tonight, yeah.  Very good.

Result: Advanced to Top 7.

Top 7:
Theme: The Great American Song Book
Song: "Someone to Watch Over Me"
Original Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

Judge's Comments:
Randy: This is your element.  You love these kind of songs.  You sailed on this.  You put even a little runs at the end.  I loved it.  It was excellent!
Paula: Tonight, I feel like I'm watching for the first time, falling in love with the essence of who you are.  This reminds me of Mr. Holland's Opus.  And you know what?  You picked the most perfect song that is so you.  Congratulations, you are elegant.  Elegant and beautiful.
Simon: I really think, Katharine, you made the others look like good armatures.  It was in a completely and utterly different league.  You look like a returning pro.  i thought it was so much better than the others.  It was great.

Result: Advanced to Top 6.

Top 6:
Theme: Great Love Songs
Song: "I Have Nothing"
Original Artist: Whitney Houston

Judge's Comments:
Randy: I must say, I was a little worried about this week because, you know, great love songs.  It was probably a good choice of a song, but I honestly think, just keeping it real, it was way too big for you.  This song, I mean, all the runs.  You're talking about coping a song, singing a song -- Whitney Houston in her prime is one of the best singers in the known world.  That didn't come close, baby.  I'm sorry.
Paula: Katharine, let me start by saying, as usual, you are stunning.  It's really tough in this competition now.  It's serious and tough and I'm gonna try to be a little bit on that side.  There were pitch problems.  I gotta tell you, going back to last week when you sang, that was your zone.  When you don't push your vocals, when you are singing in your natural voice, and when you sing in your fals voice.  You don't have to be on stage and oversing because sometimes what happens is you tend to fall a little flat when you hit the power notes.  Having said that, this is a tough song to sing.  It is very difficult to sing.  You are a star, you were born to sing.  Know what your money is - the back pocket - what your money is.  And you money is your intimate vocals.  That's what I feel.  Other than that, you are a star.
Simon: Katharine, very simple.  By choosing that song, it is like coming out here and saying, "I am as good as Whitney Houston".  You're not.  That was the problem.  I also thought it was quite old fashioned and actually quite cabaret, so I think you went backward there because if you're going to sing a song like a Whitney song, you gotta be as good.  And what you told us was, you're not.  Bad advice.
Results Night, Simon Apologizes:  I think i was unfair to one person last night.  And I want to apologize because I don't think this person got the right appraisal... and that person is Katharine.  Watched it back, you know -- it sounds different.  It sounds different when you watched it back and I watched it back and I thought we were unfair.  It was a good performance.

Result: Advanced to Top 5.

Top 5:
Theme 1: Songs from year of contestant's birth (1984)
Song: "Against All Odds"
Original Artist: Phil Collins

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Alright, so listen.  Check it out.  You look amazing.  I don't know if the key was exactly right for you.  There were a little problems at the beginning, but I thought it got okay at the end.  It was okay at the end.  I don't know if they key was too low.
Paula: Yes, you do look stunning.  That's a lovely dress.  Not my favorite performance from you.  See, what I love about you, you always know.  I like that.  I like that.
Simon: Well, Katharine, you know I got it completely wrong last week and I did apologize.  However, tonight, in parts it was a mess and the song ran away from your basically.  So I agree with Paula and Randy, it was by far one of your best performances.  But you've got two songs, so you're a lucky girl. 

Theme 2: Billboard Charting songs of the time
Song: "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree"
Original Artist: KT Tunstall

Judge's Comments:
Randy: This is a wild show tonight.  But I'll tell you what, you know what?  Now, that's more like the Katharine that I grew to love.  That's more the vibe.  Here we go!  Come on, man.
Paula: I loved the little choreography and the little intimacy.  You picked these two guys to do it with you (Katharine: "They're awesome!  Aren't they?")  I know!  This was a much better performance.
Simon: This is a strange show.  Taylor's lying down, you're on your knees.  This is strange.  However, Katharine, you know what?  I much proffered that to the first song because it was different, it was younger, it showed more personality... it was a good choice of song.

Result: Advanced to Top 4.

Top 4:
Theme: Elvis Presley - Song 1
Song: "Hound Dog/ All Shook Up"
Original Artist: Elvis

Judge's Comments:
Randy: I know you had a good time with that.  That was fun.  You kind of did your thing at the end.  But what happened in the middle, I might say?  (Katharine: "I dropped one little part of the lyrics... sorry!")  All of a sudden you got really quiet and I was like, 'oh she forgot the words'. (Katharine: "Yeah, and I like turned around, too.")
Paula: That was the best part is that you worked the choreography out when you turned around.  That's very smart.  It was really fun seeing you dance up there.  Really fun.
Simon: Katharine, I'll tell you what it reminded me of.  All across America, you hold auditions for theatrical productions.  It looked like a desperate, manic audition.  I can sing, I can dance.  It was manic, it was shrieky.  And to be fair, this always gonna be tough for you.  It just, for me, wasn't a great performance overall.  I gotta be honest with you.  I hope you got a better second song.

Theme: Elvis Presley - Song 2
Song: "Can't Help Falling In Love"
Original Artist: Elvis

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Okay, so I think that was better than the first song.  You ran out of a little air at the end.  A little pitchy problems here and there, but it was definitely better than the other one, I thought.
Paula: Actually, I enjoyed watching you dance and have fun for a change.  I mean, you really let loose on the first one.  I'm used to hearing your ballads and you have a lovely voice.  I like seeing you move!
Simon: Katharine, this hasn't been one of your best nights - I'm gonna be honest with you.  The song started off beautifully and then, what I wanted was apple pie on its own, instead I've got apple pie and a gallon of cream on top.  It was so over-the-top -- the middle part -- it was just too much.  I think you came in tonight at a disadvantage.  I don't think you chose the right songs  tonight and that arrangement was just too much.

Result: Bottom 2.  Advanced to Top 3.

Top 3:
Theme 1: Song chosen by Clive Davis
Song: "I Believe I Can Fly"
Original Artist: R. Kelly

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Alright, let me start off by saying you look amazing.  But you know, my problem still is, these kinds of songs, I know that you really wanna be that singer, but I still don't believe you're that one just yet.  To me, it wasn't quite the right thing for you.
Paula: Katharine, that color for you is gorgeous and I'm just saying that because as a woman speaking to a gorgeous woman, you look beautiful.  This is diffiuclt.  (Audience member: "She is incredible!")  She IS incredible.  You are incredible. 
Katharine Responds: You guys are hard on me these last couple of weeks!
Paula: You know what, it's.. it's... Randy?
Randy: Song choice, it's the right kind of song.
Katharine: I didn't pick it!
Randy:  I know, but still.. no, no, no, no!  I know, but still sometimes you should just sing the melodies.  Sometimes just singing the melody is enough with a great melody.
Simon: I think you're being a big unfair actually, Randy.  Yeah, I do.  I'll tell you why because she didn't choose the song.  It is an incredibly recognizable song with R. Kelly and I think, apart from a couple of bum notes towards the end, you kind of created a bit of a moment there for yourself.

Theme: Judge's Pick - Simon
Song: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
Original Artist: Judy Garland

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Finally, finally!  This is what I've been waiting for.  This is the best vocal of the season for you tonight!  America, we got a hot one right there!  That was brilliant.  That was hot.
Paula: [Standing Ovation]  I applaud you to soak in this moment because your element and your magic is when you don't go overboard and you just tap in to your beautiful, natural self.  Bravo!
Simon: 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 the single best performance of the competition to date!

Theme: Free Choice
Song: "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues"
Original Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

Judge's Comments:
Randy: Alright, so look.  Still, I mean, the last song was really my one for me.  This was okay, you know.  I understand what you're trying to do.  But you're kind of comparing yourself to Ella... Still, it's those kinds of great.  I don't know, I don't know, I don't know!  Paula?
Paula: Well, you magic was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".  That's your element, my dear.  It really is.  But you know what?  You still did a great job.
Simon: Overall, you've had a good night tonight, I think, Katharine.  You go five steps forward -- one step back with that.  I just wish we could have reversed the order and that you'd have ended up on the songs from the middle round because that's what I want to remember with all of you actually, funny enough tonight.  It was okay, Katharine.  It was okay.

Result: Advanced to Finale (Top 2).

Finale (Top 2):
Theme 1: Reprise Song #1
Song: "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree"
Original Artist: KT Tunstall

Judge's Comments:
Randy: So check it out -- you finally look like you were having a little fun with that song up there.  You were kind of jiving with the guys and doing your thing.  Because I've heard it before, it wasn't like that super exciting to me but I actually think you sang it better this time than you did the first time.
Paula: Katharine, a fun way to open up and celebrate why you are here tonight.  America loves you.  It was a fun opening but I know there's more of you and better of you in the songs to come.
Simon: Kat, I'll give that a good with a small 'g' I think because I think the occasion tonight is actually bigger than that song.  That's what I call a warm-up.

Theme: Reprise Song #2
Song: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
Original Artist: Judy Garland

Judge's Comments:
Randy: For me, when I saw you were doing the same song again, I was like, 'Ah, it's a little anticlimactic'.  Whatever, whatever.  But check it out, man, you worked it out again.  That was hot.  You worked it out, baby.
Paula: Katharine, it's not mistake that it is God-given talent that you are possessed with - that you are possessive of.  That every father around this country is feeling the tears down their face as your father does every time the camera goes on him.  You've made everyone proud and every little girl proud who wants to dream and aspire to be you.  Congratulations, you own it up there.
Simon: Katharine, okay, round one, you just got slaughtered.  Now, you've come back with, I believe, and I know I said it last time, but I truly believe this was your best performance of the competition so far.  You're back in the game.

Theme: Coronation Song
Song: "My Destiny"
Original Artist: Original Song

Judge's Comments:
Randy: I got three things for you.  Just keeping it really real.  It's your last song -- whole thing.  Three things.  You look amazing, you sounded really good, I did not love the song.  Sorry.  But you sounded good!  The song's just average but you sounded good.
Paula: Listen, that is not your fault Katharine because you are brilliant.  It was not your fault, okay?  You are brilliant.
Simon: You know,  I'm sorry, Katharine, but in my opinion, you went from brilliant to quite good within one song.  You are a great, great potential artist, Katharine, and I'm delighted that you're in this final and I would say to everyone who wants to vote for Kat, vote and remember the second song, okay?

Result: Runner-up to Taylor Hicks.