I didn’t think it was possible. For the last few weeks it’s been two episodes a week. And this week, the challenge to watch just got harder. That’s right, three nights a week. That’s six hours of America’s Got Talent in three days. Do you have the endurance to tough out "Top Twenty Week?" I have my arsenal of cookies and energy drinks; I’m up for the challenge. Now let’s see if I can even make it through hour four.
In the first hour this week, the final five of the top twenty were revealed. Nuttin’ But Stringz, Kaitlyn Maher, Eli Mattson, Donald Braswell, and (after much Hoffian tension), the Tapping Dads. Again, Kaitlyn Maher? Seriously? She sings great for a four-year-old, but she’s four years old. Other than that, it was pretty obvious who was going to make it. Finally we’re getting down to some real talent. Now for the fight to the final ten.
Here’s a fun fact. Did you know that nearly every contestant gets sparks flying at the end of their performance? I believe the unnecessary pyrotechnics on America’s Got Talent (such as the waterfall of sparks behind Queen Emily) are the source of our energy crisis.
Starting off the second hour were the Wright Kids (see clip below). There had to be no one cooler than six-year-old Levi, who, decked out in a leather jacket and black jeans, rocked the stand up bass the size of his body, and even managed to spin it around a few times. It almost made me ignore that most of the music was coming from offstage, and you couldn’t even hear their instruments. Almost. ZOOperstars! brought in vocals and shiny vests to their act, and I have to say I was pretty happy for the appearances of Monkey Mantle and Whale Gretzky. But I have to agree with Piers, I have no idea what they’re still doing in this competition.
At this point, I’ve given up on the actual talent portions and havegone into appreciating the details. The talent is fairly predictable.It’ll either been an emotional performance, or a ridiculous one. Andthe talent will be judged one way or another. The trick to being ableto endure this show all week (which I know you will) is to find thestrange things. Like the way Neal E. Boyd looked up to the camera as itpanned away ever so innocently. Or the way Jerry begs the audience tovote with such a sense of urgency. Or how Sharon accidentally X-ed outJessica Price before she even started singing. (See her performance below.) Okay, maybe that wasn’ta detail, but it was a pretty ridiculous moment. Or my local newscommercial: "Coming up at 10, a local dancer has to perform to provehe’s not a terrorist." These are the things that keep me watching everyweek. Or at this point, every night.
Terry Fator came back at the end to tell us that on October 17th,the winner will be performing at the MGM Grand hotel. So who is alreadybooking their tickets to Vegas? Who did you vote for? I, for one, donot vote. I, clearly, report this with emotionally reservedobjectivity. I’m the Wolf Blitzer of network talent shows.
We have a gallery of interviews and photos featuring 15 of the top 20. We’ll be adding the last five later this afternoon, so check back.
Comments (1-30) of 39 Add your comment
Zooperstars are cute, but when I saw that act immediately thought of the San Diego Chicken. It’s an NBA half time, 7th inning stretch, and NFL half time skit. That’s it.
I actually like the Zooperstars. I never know what is going to happen next and it is some pretty funny stuff.
My final five are Neal Boyd, Eli Mattson, Nuttin But Stringz, one of the blond singers, and StepStreet.
I lost the challenge Jaya. I couldn’t make it through half of this episode. These folks are so mediocre. You can’t hear the “talent” over the background music. The Hoff is a fool. That’s it for me. Never again! I can see by the number of comments that ost folks probably checked out even before I did.
Did you see Neat Eats Boys borrowed Dumbo’s red carpet attire. After 4 minutes he was so hungry he started eating his finger. It looked like a drumstick!
Judges comments to the Sarah tonight were way off base. I never vote, but I’ll start tonight. I don’t know what they were listening to, but what I heard via television was spot on. She nailed it. Beautiful song, great song choice. What were they thinking?! Must have been a differnt audio in live studio.
So when does this thing end? It’s not on next Tuesday.
I raced Queen Emily to the fried chicken table. She won. I needed to stop for oxygen.
Earlier discussion about Kaitlyn being too young is totally unfair. She is talented, she is very brave to face the audience and she is not nervous. She does all this because she sings from her heart. If they had concerns about her being too young they shouldn’t have used her to promote the show and then drop her before the final show.
It it so difficult to decide between the fantastic singers in the competition-Donald who sang Phantom, Neal sang the Mother song so very beautifully, and Queen Emily. Because they are all equally fantastic, and the impersonator of Frank Sinatra, Nothing But strings is more unusual and being a violinist myself could see how they could be a big hit as winners in Las Vegas. Kaitlyn could also be seen as the most unusual act as well. Good luck to all of you. You are all winners.
OMG, this show has lost all credibilty. The 4 year old, seriously, do you think she is top 20 in America. What about the mascots? Or the crappy out of time dance groups (see you think you can dace for WAY better dancing). I live in a city of 1000000 and the finalists in a home town talent show would blow these people away.
I am not an american and I guess I just miss something. I guess you buy whatever you are told is good. It seems to be working in the election as well.
Er, if you don’t like the show you don’t have to watch it. I guess maybe Jaya gets paid to watch it, but otherwise why would you watch a show you don’t like–unless of course you really like it and don’t want to admit it?
WOW! I love that little girl, I tune in just for her. At that age to remember those songs, to stand up to that crowd, judges, lights…come on! At least send her to Disney World! (I know that another Network owns that:)
Eli has my other vote for talent.
When sad sacks like Zooperstars continue in this bowling-for-talent travesty, it’s time to flip the switch. I’m actually embarrassed for the program. See ya.
Sorry to insult you, but you are really stupid. A four year old singing from teh heart? Singing about her true love (Somewhere out there)? She is a pitiful but adorable pagent girl, poor thing. I heard next time she will sing “My Humps” from the heart!!!!
I think it is time to let the 4 year old girl go. Come on, this show is about a Las Vegas act. Would you actually pay to watch that little girl sing for a hour? Be honest with yourselves. If she gets voted through and wins against all this other talent, I am sorry, but I would never watch this show again.
I placed all my votes for Donald – let’s face it – a gorgeous man with a gorgeous voice. What’s not to like!
Its actually only a half hour tonight,
All the acts showed a lot of heart and talent, but I don’t see all as appropriate for Vegas. Zooperstars would be a great NBA halftime act. IMHO, the acts involving children are excellent would do well in more family friendly environments than Vegas. Several of these acts would be great in Branson! My top 5 acts are the ones I believe could actually make it doing 90 minutes night after night in the adult world of Vegas: Nuttin’ But Stringz, Eli Mattson, Neal Boyd, Joseph Hall, and Queen Emily.
The only reason I stopped commenting on here, Smoochie, is because I can’t stand how condesending Jaya is when writing the article. I go somewhere else to discuss this show, no matter how untalented (most of the acts) or talented (Eli, Nuttin But Strings, Johnathan) are.
hey when and if when did Kaitlyn Maher get kicked off or did she win!? i hope she did
My husband and I really enjoy America’s Got Talent; however, a four year old has no business being in the top ten. She could not sustain a Vegar act for an hour and a half. Four years old is way too young anyway to be performing in Vegas.
I hope that next year they put an age limit requirement(i.e., must be at least 16 years or older to compete).
why doesnt a 4 yr old have a right to be on there? shes earned her way, and America has voted her there. You dont like it, tough. She’s been voted in and she is adorable, you must either have ugly kids or you are just plain cold hearted to not smile when you see a beautiful child who performs from her heart to make people feel good. wheres the love???? Shame on you!!!!! She’s an innocent child who likes to make people smile, so whats wrong with that? or does your face crack if you smile????
The endlessly unreliable Chicago Tribune said it was on tonight from 7:30 to 8:00 so I missed it because it was actually on from 7:00 to 7:30. I looked forward to watching it all day, and I am disappointed. So much for trusting the Tribune. So who are the Top 10??? My favorite was Eli Mattson. MORE INFO, PLEASE!!
Queen Emily
Donald Braswell
Eli mattson
kaitlyn Maher
Nuttin but stringz
Jessica Price
Joseph hall
Paul Salos
The Wright kids
neal boyd
Re: Kaitlyn is adorable but I do not believe any 4 year old should be performing in lounges anywhere where booze is being sold and consumed…too young to be around that crowd.
Re: Kaitlyn is adorable but I do not believe any 4 year old should be performing in lounges anywhere where booze is being sold and consumed…too young to be around that crowd.
Gail, our newspaper (a NYT sybsidiary) also had the time wrong. We tuned in at 7:30 and it was over already.
Thank you, Steve, for posting the Top Ten!
I think that Kaitlyn is one of the best acts that has ever been on Americas got talent. You have got a beautiful little four year old girl who sings like an Angel, to vote her off because of her age would be cruel and very dumb….
The judges didn’t have the heart to let Kaitlyn go earlier and now they’ve created a monster that is taking the spot of someone with talent that actually could win the show,Shame on them and shame on America for stringing her on. She could no longer sustain a Vegas show than I could. This is wrong, wake up and quit voting for her. seriously.
I have to agree at first I thought caitlain was the cutest little girl and I voted for her. Now I am sorry I did because I feel that I took a vote away from a more deserving contestant/ I also would like to add that David better learn more catch phrases other than you rock and telling practically everyone they they have blown the place wide open