So no sexified kids tonight. No forced narrative, either, or mean-spirited bait-and-switch critiques. Tonight…felt different. America's Got Talent is still missing that moment of transcendence known worldwide as the "Boyle moment," but tonight's episode got closer than any previous installment to justifying that word in the title. Yup, tonight's crew was TALENTED — no asterisks — and in a wide variety of disciplines, to boot. Opera singing! Rapping! Belly dancing! Stand-up comedy! Crazy trampoline basketball! Performers ran the GAMUT, and in a way that was consistently entertaining and engaging. Take THAT, episodes 1-5.
Arguably the most visually impressive act of the night was Acrodunk, a group of trampoline acrobats dunking basketballs in ways you or I could never hope to replicate. These guys commanded the stage, the judges hanging on their every bounce. Said Sharon, "I could watch you guys all night." Sure, it was nothing you haven't already seen at every basketball halftime show ever, but the performance was pulled off with such grace and professionalism that originality was almost irrelevant. Not even "I Believe I Can Fly" ushering them off the stage could tarnish their accomplishment. Flawless.
Somewhere lower on the talent ladder, eight-year-old Elisha Miller warbled and played her way through a rendition of "Proud Mary," any lack of ability masked by the fact that she was overwhelmingly cute and precocious — and not in a creepy way, either. Even without Sharon's vote (but she's a MOTHER!), the confident third grader got the necessary Vegas support. She'll be flying with her two cats and ten stuffed animals.
The next unexpected act came from 75-year-old Grandma Lee, who meandered out on stage…then launched into a saucy stand-up comedy routine. "My youngest daughter came home from college for the weekend. I went to the airport to pick her up, and the first words out of her mouth were 'Mom, I got somethin' to tell ya — I ain't a virgin anymore.' I said 'All this money I'm payin' to send your ass to college and you still say 'ain't'?'" Grandma!! The jokes were funny, her delivery spot-on, and the judges thoroughly impressed with the spark and vitality on display.
It wouldn't be America's Got Talent without a big finish, but tonight's was the first since Kevin the Chicken-Catching Country Singer to register as something deeply sincere. Barbara Padilla, a full-time mom originally from Guadalajara, certainly looked the part of a professional in her elegant white dress. When she opened her mouth, it was clear she had the voice and talent to back it up. Singing "O Mio Babbino Caro" from Gianni Schicchi (see the video that opened this post), the woman left the judges in awe and the audience applauding like mad. Composed, powerful. And she waited until AFTER she sang to relate her personal story — she was a cancer survivor — letting her performance speak for itself. Quoth The Hoff: "You are what this show is all about!"
How about you, PopWatchers? Were you as impressed with tonight's selection as I was? What are you hoping to see in the weeks ahead? Sing like there's nobody listening, guys; comment like there's nobody watching. (Well, me.)
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Wasn’t Acrodunk on before? When Brandy was on the show…they made it at least to the Semi’s…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uRHU1kOqBY
I agree, mostly, with your comments. I’ve never watched this show before last night, and it was cool. But, sorry, I DID think the kid was too cute and kinda creepy–bet she’s been in a bunch of pageants.
Grandma Lee has been on Last Comic Standing and is already a fairly successful comedienne who has performed at comedy clubs for years (including performances in Vegas).
I think she’s funny as heck but I thought it was a bit disingenuous the way she/the producers made it look like she was unveiling her hidden comedy talents for the first time ever. A little close to American Idol shenanigans I think.
Uh, that kid wasn’t creepy? I wanted to smack her. Over-trained monkey. Yikes.
Barbara PADILLA from GUADALAJARA… please do at least a google search for the name of the City, which happens to be one of the top 4 larger cities in Mexico…
My favorite act of the night was the cowboy tenors. I thought they were great.
http://mel31602.blogspot.com/2009/07/americas-got-talent-auditions-five-and.html
Check out my recap of the last two episodes here.
And yes I have heard about Acrodunk being on the show before (though they were better last night than I remember them being) and Grandma Lee was on Last Comic Standing. Also Timez 2, the hip hop twins, both auditioned for season 4 of Idol. Look up Lamar and Jamar Jefferson on Youtube and you’ll find the clip. Most of the acts were good not great but I did enjoy Acrodunk, the singing tenors, and Barbara Padilla (though I’m not a fan of opera
My bad, filoluis. Things have a way of slipping past writing these late at night. Will be more vigilant in the future.
I don’t get it: where was your mistake in either PADILLA or GUADALAJARA???
Eight-year-old Elisha Miller was totally creepy and extremely annoying. I did not find her talented at all…or cute…ugghh.
Loved the dunkers, thought grandma was ok funny, thought the kid was obnoxious, but I especially loved Barbara. Who cares where’s she’s from, she’s got the pipes. And if I remmember correctly, a former winner of Britain’s GT and last year’s America’s GT winner were OPERA singers. Barbara has a realistic shot!
Thank goodness there was some actual talent at this audition! Previous episodes were so disappointing, except for Kevin Skinner. We LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Barbara Padilla.
I remember Grandma Lee from Last Comic Standing a few years back.
Barbara Padilla was wonderful. I thought little Elisha was just adorable. Why no mention of The Texas Tenors. They were so much fun! Loved them! Cute as can be!
Maybe some of them competed in other TV talent competitions, but they want that bigger stage and national fame by competing on America’s Got Talent. Or they’ve performed in clubs before, but really want that big break with AGT. Maybe those rival shows’ judges/producers didn’t feel that they matched with their format or casting. They like to attract the niche crowds that are for those contestants. But this was a very positive recap of this show, which I didn’t see.
Hey,Barbara Padillo has an awesome voice.I had shivers running down my back and goose-bumps on my goose-bumps.If she is not one of the top finishers in this competition I would be astonished.If I could vote for the best talent on your show,she,along with the postal group singers would be my two favorites to this point.Thank you for bringing this show to us the viewers.How about starting a show in Canada Simon???
Edward Harris
The two boys (Matt and Anthony, I think that’ correct) who played guitar and tappdanced should call themselves
“Strap & Tapp”
Get it??? Strap for the Guitar player and Tapp for the dancer.
I think this was one of the better shows, featuring real talent. I think Barbara Padilla was good – finally someone singing opera aria who sounds like a real professional.
I am wondering about something though. Posters say who this gives them goosebumps. Have you ever listened to opera before? Have you tried, for example, going on YouTube and listening to the same aria performed by best opera singers of all times (Callas, Scotto – this aria sung in a staged performance at the met and subtitled, Price, Caballe, etc.), best singers of today (Fleming, Gheorghiu, etc.) or simply young promising stars like a 17-year old Nadine Sierra who won Met Council Auditions 3 years later at the age of 20? Don’t you think it might give you goosebumps too?
As I said, I do think Barbara Padilla is very good, maybe excellent. But I still don’t understand why is it that every time an opera singer appears on these shows people are blown away, yet same people refuse to give a chance to real opera.
elishia is the best i love her so much she so cute andfunny and she is to a good singer and how dare pierce tell her she shouldnt sing. im upset the little gurl from hawaii didnt make it the other eight year old =*{.