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Can anyone finish that headline for me? We've entered week 2 of the AGT audition rounds, and already each episode feels more predictable than New York weather (it's going to RAIN) or your mom's "you never call!" complaint. Not from a talent perspective – tonight's crop was a marked improvement on last week's – but definitely in show structure, which feels all too rigid. You know the timetable, guys:
0:00-2:00 – Meet the judges. Haven’t we already met the judges? You may have forgotten who the judges are. They’re Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and DAAAVVVIIDD HASSSEELLLHHOOOOFFFFF. He’s Germany’s best-selling pop artist!
3:00-10:00 – Opening act that astonishes for the way it subverts expectations. In tonight’s case, Carol Lugo, a sweet 62-year-old supermarket cashier whose talent is…shaking rhythmically around the stage? Moonwalking a little bit? (RIP Michael – this one truly dies with you). The judges go nuts. Piers notes that “we’re looking for someone to drag us out of this recession.” Because that's something she can do. The Hoff, holding back tears, calls her performance “amazing.” Are we watching the same show?
(Food for thought: I find the judging to be the most fascinating part of AGT, the way they seem to just lose it over mildly entertaining acts and then barely acknowledge some of the show’s more polished, legitimately talented performers. What's that all about?)
13:00-17:00 – Montage of "weird" performances, featuring everything from yo-yo kings to fierce dancing drag queens (all of whom are given that coveted Vegas green light). Nick Cannon pulls off his first real laugh of the show when he tells glass-eating "Coney Island Chris" to change his name to "Rikers Island Chris." The guy really should go to jail.
17:00-22:00 – "This is my dream" segment, where someone we all really like comes "one step closer" to realizing that dream. I don’t mean that to sound cynical; tonight’s magician, Jay Mattioli, deserves his props. This is the one part of AGT that feels truly authentic – hard-working, under-the-radar professional acts who talk about their showbiz dreams with undeniable passion. THIS IS WHAT THE SHOW [SHOULD BE] ALL ABOUT!
26:00-31:00 – The token no-talent loser we can all make fun of. This juvenile court judge thinks he can sing! Doesn’t he suck, America?! He totally sucks! (Says Piers, "What was a judge doing up there? He's supposed to be a serious man." Wait, what?)
31:00-37:00 – A sweet, talented kid to bring us back to the light. Fourteen-year-old Thia Megia wows all three judges with her powerful voice and restrained performance.
41:00-44:00 – Another weirdo montage, only this time none are asked to come back. Notable tonight was a 5'3" librarian whose act comes dangerously close to haunting my dreams.
44:00-50:00 – Another upswing. Five sisters/moms walk out to the Spice Girls' "Momma"…and tap-dance into our hearts. Minus some weird screaming from one of the sisters (probably the middle one), the "Fab Five" is synchronized and polished. You're going to Vegas, ladies!
53:00-60:00 – The big finish. Kevin Skinner, a 35-year-old singer/songwriter (and former CHICKEN CATCHER) from Kentucky is trotted out as a "country bumpkin-type," then, to no viewer's surprise, delivers a powerful and moving performance (video embedded above). Best of the night. Says The Hoff, "You are what this show is all about!" DRINK.
How about you, PopWatchers? Do the show's improved performances outweigh the predictability of its format? Any favorites yet?
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I tuned this show out after one season, came back because I thought Susan Boyle had meant the producers were turning it into a real talent competition. Five minutes into the first show this season, I removed it from my DVR. After reading the recap, I’m happy to be watching “Boston Legal” reruns.
Right on the money – every week definitely seems to be the same canned version. But it’s still sometimes HILL-AIR-E-US to watch people crash and burn on stage!
I really enjoy this show, but one thing that drives me absolutely nuts is the cheesy music they use. Seriously, how many times do we have to hear “I believe I can Fly”, or “We are Family”
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/07/01/tv-tonight-wednesday-july-1st-2009/
The biggest problem with the show is that the way things are edited and pieced together can really effect the winner to be who the producers want. There is talent on this show and talent that should be highlighted (The magician from last night was very good and more deserving than anyone else on this episode). However he was not positioned as the “favorite” (the last act shown). Hopefully people can see the talent like did with Terry Fator (not that anyone this year is as good) and not get stuck on the shows favorite like they did last year with Neal Boyd.
With a dearth of summer offerings, I admit to tuning into this show. Yes, it is formulaic, but there is a reason for that–formulas persist because they are proven effective. I myself was totally sucked in to the last country singer. You could see the audience poised to boo him, and, when he opened his mouth, the cameras panned several times to the silent audience, mouths agape. The song was so sweetly poignant, it did bring a tear to my eye. While perhaps this guy couldn’t hold a Vegas stage for an hour, he definitely has talent.
THE CHICKEN CATCHER WAS REALLY GOOD,KEVIN
THE FAB SISTERS WERE QUITE GOOD BUT SOMEONE GOT TO STOP THE SISTER WITH TOURRETT SYNDROME… SCREAMING FROM TIME TO TIME. MAYBE SHE TELLS THEM WHEN TO CHANGE ACTS .. NEVER KNOW.
THE MAGICIAN WAS GOOD TOO IF HE CAN KEEP IT UP.
THE CHICKEN CATCHER WAS REALLY GOOD,KEVIN
THE FAB SISTERS WERE QUITE GOOD BUT SOMEONE GOT TO STOP THE SISTER WITH TOURRETT SYNDROME… SCREAMING FROM TIME TO TIME. MAYBE SHE TELLS THEM WHEN TO CHANGE ACTS .. NEVER KNOW.
THE MAGICIAN WAS GOOD TOO IF HE CAN KEEP IT UP.
http://mel31602.blogspot.com/2009/06/americas-got-talent-recap-audition-show.html
Check out my recap here.
I don’t think the format is all that predictable because I remember they often start out the show with a really bad talent and then work their way to the good ones. It was refreshing to me how many good acts they showed as opposed to years past. I do agree with Jason that the acts given the last spot of the show (Voices with Glory, Kevin, and the dancer kid) will be overwhelming favorites when the live shows start, though Voices with Glory doesn’t really deserve it. But right now I think Kevin is the favorite to win, and deservedly so.
This is an UPLIFTING:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK95u0Qrowo&feature=related
Hasselhoff is a drunken tool. Sharon is fast approaching Michael Jackson territory in the plastic surgery dept. And I wouldn’t pay $5 to see any of these folks. Oh yeah, nice hokie act, mediocre country singer.
I am finding me smiling when watching this show.
I thought Thia was gonna be some Miley Cyrus wannabe (tell me she didn’t look like an Asian version), but she totally floored me with her voice and polish. And then Kevin Skinner comes out. I felt bad for the guy as people were snickering, Piers was shaking his head, and then he starts to play his guitar and sing a beautiful Garth Brooks song. He was so engaging and honest in his performance. If he doesn’t win this, someone in Nashville needs to give him a record deal because he is what country music is all about.
Yes, it’s predictable Mr. Fog, you BIG L for LOSER. It’s predictably entertaining. Or maybe we should watch some smut like “bachelorette”. No thanks.
I definitely saw him here once http://tinyurl.com/pc2atu. he is absolutely amazing! So much talent!
Can someone tell me the name of the song( and artist singing) played at the end of Kevin Skinners performance?
CD, the song was “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain.
One decent show that I can watch with my kids and Bozo wants to knock it. You try getting up in front of all those people Mr. Head in the Fog. I think there’s some very good talent this year.
The song played at the end was “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain.
Who is this dumb host guy who I’ve never seen or heard of? WAY too many reaction shots or shots of him imitating the performers. Also too much audience/judges and not enough of the performers. Seems they’re whipping through a few seconds of some of the good ones and airing full performances of the crap.
Great summer show beats the rest of the Reality crap on tv
Thanks Bradley. Finally somebody that agrees with me.
Why in God’s name do we have a million recaps on trash reality shows but True Blood and Weeds and other quality shows get no love?
Just wanted to make a little correction. The Fab 5 is a clogging group. NOT tap dancing. And the sister doesn’t have Tourrett Syndrome, that’s how us cloggers dance. We cheer each other on while we’re on stage. It’s a great energy booster.
This week is certainly better than last…however I am sick of the sappy stories that seem to be required to be a favorite. Sure everyone likes the underdog, but I would truely like to see someone who actually has talent. The 14 year old is the best yet. The magician from last and this week are good…but the Glory singers and the guy last night are 2nd rate(not always on pitch, etc.), but they have a good story…just go ahead and give them the million and give the recordring contracts to the people who actually have talent and who take this business seriously.
I loved Kevin Skinner’s voice and his rendition of “If Tomorrow Never Comes” was sung with such emotion. I predict he will become our next Country Western Star. I would love to buy his music when it comes out. WINNER!
Mr. Fog, you must be watching this show through a cloud of fog because I enjoy it very much. sure it can be very formulaic, but i enjoy shows i don’t have to think about too much. this is one show that is truly uplifting and shows how even the most average american can perform talents
Why do we have an hour of reruns from the previous show this year for the first show of the night? Since the show went on the air, there have been 2 hours of new talent on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was so angry last night that I wrote a note to my local NBC affiliate, then changed the channel, now I see it’s happening again tonight. what’s happening, not enough talent? Please replace Nick Canon, he’s awful, doesn’t know the meaning of master of ceremony!!!
I don’t get it either Nancy. I don’t understand why they have the hour of reruns and then the new acts. Please is there any one out there that knows why this is happening? It makes me crazy. Doesn’t make sense at all.
Help us Mr. Fog.
Kevin Skinner was terrific as was Thia Megia. I enjoy America’s Got Talent…better than summer reruns. The show does need a new host…bring back Jerry Springer…PLEASE.
There’s alot of talent yet to be seen (as well as untalented fools), but for this bunch:
Thia is great but too young for Vegas. A few more years and we’ll see.
Kevin is unique and deserves accolades. He may not win this, nor is he Vegas material, but he WILL get a recording contract and perform in Nashville, or Branson, or any other Country Music theater nationwide. No maore chasing chickens for him.
Which brings us to Jay. He is by far best suited for the Vegas crowd and should be considered the frontrunner, he he can sustain his act and add variey to it (this is what made Terry Fator so good, his versatility). The judges pick up on this.
Speaking of which, David and Sharon are the same, but Piers has mellowed. I don’t think he’ll be as humiliating this year (Unless some performers deserve it, ned believe me, some of them DO!)