Welcome back! We’ve had a few days to let last week’s mania settle in, and finally, it seems like we’re getting somewhere. We’re going from top ten to top five this week, and next week is going to be the finals. One thing that I didn’t realize is that there are no more judges’ picks from this point on, so America is left to make "responsible choices," according to Piers. Let’s see how that goes.
This week is "heroes week," where the contestants all have dedicated their acts to their personal heroes. Unfortunately, this does not mean, as I originally thought, that their acts are dedicated to the television show Heroes. I think that would make it way more interesting.
As Jerry introduced Kaitlyn Maher, I realized that he’s probably going to have a seizure before the show is over. He is so unconditionally excited for every act, to the point where it looks like he’s going to burst a vein in his forehead. Raise your hand if you were surprised that Kaitlyn Maher’s hero is her father. Not that she doesn’t melt my heart every time I see her, but I’m still confused as to why she’s here. Also, her microphone was about half the size of her body. I’m surprised she didn’t fall over. Again, Piers is the voice of reason here, and everyone boos him. He said she was good, but it wouldn’t be fair to her to put her on a Vegas stage. Of course it wouldn’t be fair, but does the audience agree? No, because no one is allowed to criticize a 4-year-old.
Donald Braswell sang another slow, romantic song. Jessica Price looked pretty, worried, and sparkly. And Joseph Hall performed for Elvis as Elvis, complete with dancers with letters on the backs of their leggings that spelled E-L-V-I-S. (Watch his performance below.) I feel really bad for the girl that got stuck with the "I." But Hoff admitted that Hall makes the girls go crazy, even a girl that Hoff is dating. You hear that, America? Hoff is dating a girl! A real live girl!
Neal E. Boyd dedicated "All By Myself" to his choir teacher, and he really did sing it beautifully. Opera isn’t everyone’s thing, but you can’t deny he does have a great voice. His real competition comes from Queen Emily and Nuttin But Stringz, who as usual gave another amazingly passionate performance.(Watch it in the clip below.) The only problem was they probably have to change their name to "Other Thingz and Stringz" because now they have drummers and acrobats. Finally, Eli Mattson played "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" for Elton John, and managed to sound just like every pop pianist who’s been trying to imitate Elton John for the past 30 years. All in all, it was a very typical night, but we’ll see what America has to say about it tonight.
Who’s going to make it? Who’s out? And who’s excited for Natasha Bedingfield playing tonight? More importantly, who knows why Natasha Bedingfield is playing tonight? (America’s Got Talent — except when it has to import it from London?)
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My vote is for Nuttin but Stringz to win the whole enchilada. I’m incredibly irritated by the fact that 9 out of the 10 acts are singers. Is America really that blown away by singers as opposed to many other types of talents??? If it weren’t for Stringz this would feel like an old and busted version of AI. Stringz is the only original act in the bunch, because they aren’t singing. I love the way they fuse classical violin with hip-hop and what not. THEY ARE AMAZING!!! Las Vegas does not need another Elvis. I was livid by the fact they Jonathan Burkin didn’t make it and they chose Joseph over him. BTW- Queen Emily’s performance stunk. Do any of you remember season 1 winner? Bianca Ryan? She wiped the stage clean w/ her performance of the very same song and she was what, 9 or 10. Queen Emily does not hold a candle to the performance, not even close.
GO HOME Kaitlyn Mayer. Ever heard of child labor laws? She’s cute as all get out but so freakin’ boring. She is not a performer.
If this is truly a talent contest the Nuttin But Stringz takes the top prize for writing their production, performing, creativity through incorporation of different music styles, and true entertainment. The other adult vocalists are certainly good but have only performed what other artists have already done.
Why is everyone so enraptured by this Jessica girl? I have heard better at our local kareoke bar
” Eli Mattson… managed to sound just like every pop pianist who’s been trying to imitate Elton John for the past 30 years.”
Uh, yeah. riiiiiighhht. And Queen Emily was so phenomenal we managed to forget Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holiday. Put down the pipe, please.
Since we have American Idol that involves singing, I think America’s Got Talent should be acts which do not require singing. The baton act was great and he should be performing in the top 5. However; no one can compete with Terry from last season. That is talent!
I love the fact that this show has devolved so much that I was able to fast forward my Tivo through the 2 hour show in 5 minutes. Kaitlyn is cute and Eli can actually sing, other than that this is the most boring show on TV. By injecting the ability to sustain an 1 1/2 Vegas show into the equation they changed the entire dynamic of the show. And Nothing But Strings? Please. They can barely play their instruments. Bending backwards with dreadlocks does not make the act hip. Nice to get 2 hours of hour life back.
I think Kaitlyn is absolutely adorable. She has an angelic voice and does not suffer from stage fright. However, I think the children should be separated from the adults and judged within their age group because it’s difficult for some of them to swallow rejection. And it’s not fair to mix them with the adults. Showtime at the Apollo has an Apollo’s Kids portion (I believe it’s called). They do not perform with the adults nor are they judged with the adults. Just my thoughts.
Stan the Man wrote: “And Nothing But Strings? Please. They can barely play their instruments. Bending backwards with dreadlocks does not make the act hip.”
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I don’t think you would know “hip” if it walked up and hit you in the face. By the way, the young men’s stage name is “Nuttin’ but Strings,” and those are not dreadlocks.
Do you really think you could do better?
Kaitlyn Mayer is the cutest thing since Shirley Temple, and if, people can’t appreciate her ability, they are pretty jaded, in my book. NO, she couldn’t sustain a full scale Vegas show, but she’s a winner, and I love her!! So there.
Joseph Hall the besy Elvis ever without a question ! To win he needs the Cape – The Elvis theme and walk on – and end with the Elvis kneel-with open cape- and cape to the crowd-Winner!
I’d buy Donald Braswell’s album.
Also, I agree Kaitlyn, go home. She is not that cute and shame on her parents for not withdrawing her at a point where rejection will not be an issue. If she won the whole thing it would be a cruel joke.
Hey Rosie, sorry I got thier hairstyle wrong but if this is your idea of entertainment your siting on your taste. An yes I could do better!
Neal Boyd won me over when he didn’t cry for the tenth straight week; Queen Emily is getting on my nerves. She knocked it out of the park, but I can’t stand the CONSTANT CRYING! Get rid of the little girl; I feel guilty watching her perform. She is the cutest human being on the planet, ok? I get that. BUT she doesn’t belong.
The Elvis guy should never have made it this far. The judges are retards for keeping him over baton boy. I mean, Jesus, are you serious? Donald is boring, and Neal is a much better singer. He must go. I’m not sure about Jessica. She managed to forget her dad for a week and give credit to her mother, who is the one who DIDN’T leave. Hey, dad, if you’re out there, up yours.
Hey, how come only the old guy got buzzed on the basis of “not being a million dollar act?” If that is the case, everybody but Neal, Queen (on this night), Strings, and Eli should have been buzzed. Piers is really stupid sometimes. He tries so hard to be Simon Cowell.
Kaitlyn is cute but her only real talent lies in remembering lyrics. She sings off-key, can’t pronounce “r” and doesn’t move a muscle during her entire performance. I can hardly stand to listen to her for 3 minutes, let alone an entire 2 hour Vegas show. She’d probably do well in a “Little Miss Sunshine” contest.
If Neal Boyd doesn’t win this contest he can always get a job as a town cryer.
I’m not really taken by any of it. Kaitlyn should do Disney. Donald, well he is cute, Neal is great but the tears, I’m tried of seeing everyone cry. If your trying to be professional now is the time to stop crying. The fiddlers have an attitude and I don’t like the blond. So I guess my favorite is Donald.
I just read many of the comments and it seems most viewers feel the same about some of the contestants. I agree Kaitlyn is the second cutest little girl in the world (my granddaughter being the first) but she is much too young and I agree with whomever suggested her parents should have removed her before she is rejected by America is right on the money with that comment. Shame on the parents, I think they are vicariously living this moment with her. As for Neal, he is a powerful singer and if he sticks with opera, I could listen to him for more than one song but please, as many of you said, stop the crying. I want to slap him and tell him to grow up and enjoy. I do have to admit I like Donald but he is so much like Josh Groban who I would walk on fire for, that I am not sure I can be objective. The queen is the queen. She is amazing, and give her a break, she has obviously had a down and out life and gave up her dream to raise her family. That takes a lot of courage to do that.
I see nothing wrong with Joseph Hall. He is possed to make a fortune with his act. He would be perfect in Las Vegas. I showed my Mom him who is an Elvis fan and she had her jaw on the floor. He has to be the hottest Elvis impresentator ever and damn good.
Nuttin’ but Stringz should win hands-down. There’s only two others that sing well – Neal & Eli (although he does sound like Elton John). All of the others are mediocre, at best. Worst of the bunch – grandpa Sinatra wanna be. Not sure who the judges are listening to. The contestants weren’t great to start off with – so no wonder why we have a boring group left.
Quuen emily was ok, but I have seen that song performed much better by, among others, Jennifer Hudson (in the movie and alos you can check her here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y05er2lEEXc), in this very same show two years ago by the winner of the first season Bianca, by Lakisha Jones in American Idol (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE0vKwDC6Ps), by Tamyra Grey also in AI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftbS6XJxLA&feature=related)… so please, Queen Emily is not Queen, is not even a princess.
I gather that Eli Mattson has a hairline issue, which explains the hats, but to me it’s him, Boyd and Stringz. QE is okay, but she is “generic soul singer” personified. This is going to be a rather pain-free night I suppose.
Who I’d pay to see in Vegas: Nuttin but Stringz and Joseph Hall. Vegas may not need any more Elvis’s but they could use some younger, better ones like Joseph. These two acts are exciting and fun. The rest may sing well, but I don’t know I’d pay $100 to watch them for 90 minutes. If Kaitlyn makes it through to the top 5, I won’t be watching next year unless they add an age limit.
THERE ARE SINGERS AND PIANO PLAYERS ALL OVER VEGAS NEVER MIND ELVIS BUT NUTTIN BUT STRINGS IS THE BEST THEY ARE DIFFRENT AND EXCITING AND INSPIRING TO YOUNG KIDS THAT CLASSICAL MUSIC WORKS
They shouldn’t be including 4 year olds in this show. She’s very cute, but is obviously so strictly drilled by her parents to say and do the right thing. They should be ashamed of themselves for putting her through this. I suspect they see her as a cash cow – they’ve got dollar sign spinning in their eyes. She should be playing with dolls and singing for her friends and family. Do the people who vote for her seriously think that she should be performing in Vegas? Give me a break!!!
Nuttin but Stringz should get it. Yes some singers are great but you have to have something else. Terry Fator had the puppets. it helped alot. even thou i was pulling for cas hailey.
Of course Neal sings All By Nyself. Who else could he be with. Ronald Mconald? Wendy? Roy Rogers? Mayor Mc Cheese? Long John Silver?
my fave is neal e. boyd. kaitlyn, give up and go home.
I hope the following contestants are gone by the next round: Kaitlyn Mayer (cuteness alone does not deserve $1million); Jessica Price (we don’t need another blonde country singer); Paul Salos (a weak-voiced Sinatra wanna-be); Wright Kids (Very annoying, good act for Branson, MO); Eli Matson (I just don’t like his singing).
Neal Boyd is my choice. He has a beautiful operatic voice which he applies to both opera and pop. He truly deserves to win.
I’m am the Grinch, I suppose. Kaitlin cannnot sing. She is adorable just like all of my children (they can’t sing either). Who is voting for this child???? Nuttin but strings plays their own music so you can’t tell it is the SAME song every time-I am a fiddler, I know. Let them play something from Doug Kershaw or Charlie Daniels then we can see if they really have talent. Don’t be surprised if it is between Elvis and Piano man.
To Cindy. We DO need another Blond Country singer. Old school singers are all brunette or redheaded. New school Country Singer girls are all blond. Jus’ the way it is.