The Fox Network television show "American Idol" has been described by some as a glorified karaoke contest with mediocre talent vying for a much-coveted record contract--but fans who caught the Phoenix-area stop by first-season winner Kelly Clarkson [ tickets ] and second season runner-up Clay Aiken [ tickets ] know better.

During Friday's show (4/2), Aiken impressed with his buoyant stage presence and powerful, Broadway-ready vocals. Dressed in a fedora-like hat, an untucked, button-down shirt and baggy pants, he didn't waste any time getting the crowd into his performance. As his background singers performed the opening lines of Mr. Mister's "Kyrie," Aiken entered from the back of the arena and waded his way through the audience while singing the religious-based ‘80s hit.

He immediately went into "Perfect Day," from his debut "Measure of a Man," jumping and punching the air to the beat. He was clearly enjoying himself on stage. The audience--which filled about 75% of the arena--reciprocated. Fans, who nickname themselves "Claymates," screamed as he removed his hat to reveal his trademark tousled hair.

Claiming the audience didn't pay to hear him talk, Aiken kept the stage banter to a minimum, instead using his 60-minute slot to showcase material from his multi-platinum album, "Measure of a Man." Many of the songs tread religious waters--besides "Kyrie,"--including "When You Say You Love Me" and "This is the Night"--touched on religion.

Aiken connected with the audience, sitting on a step while bathed in turquoise light, singing "No More Sad Songs" to audience members in the first rows. He also chatted up a fan who claimed to be at his first concert.

A couple on the opposite side of the runway held up a sign insinuating that a hug from Aiken would save their marriage. He couldn't resist and gave the woman a hug. He then dedicated "When You Say You Love Me" to them. As he ended the weeper of a song, Aiken was handed a pair of panties, which clearly embarrassed him. "I've had them thrown, but not handed," he said. "I like this so much more, I think. It's a lot nicer."

The one down side of his performance was the thin cover of Prince's "When Doves Cry," which stripped the song of all its funkiness. It was accompanied by an awkward dance with a background singer, one of three who, throughout the show, copped Motown-like dance moves.

With Clarkson's set, however, there were many missteps. She performed a dance-remix version of her latest hit, "Trouble with Love Is," the love theme from the British comedy "Love Actually." The powerful, gospel-like song was watered down with techno beats and random shouts.

She strummed the guitar during the Sheryl Crow-like opener "Low," during which she showed her comedic chops by demonstrating "the lawnmower," a dance move that she recently performed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Throughout the show, Clarkson--who is pushing her album "Thankful"--annoyingly mumbled her lyrics as she signed autographs for those in the front rows. The singer needs to decide if her 60-minute closing set is a concert or a meet and greet.

When she did concentrate on her performance, Clarkson proved that she could be a talent to reckon with--if only she'd stop saying "cool beans" throughout the show.

While Aiken mainly strolled the stage calmly, Clarkson banged her head to her upbeat pop numbers. Often barefoot (and bragging about her pedicures), she sat atop a grand piano to sing a couple numbers. She also performed a medley of tunes from her box-office-flop movie, "From Justin to Kelly," with the help of a background singer who delivered Justin Guarini's spots.

She recalled her "American Idol" days by singing "Stuff Like That There," which she originally performed during the show's big-band-themed episode. That was one of a few highlights, along with "Miss Independent" and the moody "Beautiful Disaster."

Clarkson closed her set with the apropos "A Moment Like This," a number which finally showcased the vocals that propelled her to the top of her "American Idol" competitors.

However, during the encore, it was clear who the fans were there to see: Clay Aiken. Clarkson sang the first verse to Journey's "Open Arms" and as Aiken strolled out to duet with her, the screams were nearly deafening.

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