America's Got Talent is basically the Lost of summer talent competitions: It introduces a mystery, sits on it for a few weeks, then reveals with a cloud of smoke or massive explosion the true logic underneath. I mean there is some talent — performers, judging, etc. — but we can't deny those lingering mysteries, those unanswered questions. What exactly is Richard Alpert? Who built the statue? Why is Nick Cannon hosting this show? With five minutes left in last night's AGT episode, we finally put that last one to rest. It's his wife! Mariah Carey! They desperately wanted to premiere Mariah Carey's new video, "Obsessed," (where she dresses like Eminem?), and gifting Cannon certainly couldn't have hurt in that endeavor.
Of course, any revelation of this magnitude opens the door to a brand new set of questions: Does Nick still need to host now that his wife's video has premiered? Without access to contracts, we can't say with any certainty whether…wait…Okay, nope, he's sticking around. Unless John Locke can somehow move the show…
So the episode itself: Last night was a fairly run-of-the-mill affair, featuring some highs (Destined 2 Be — embedded below — Matt and Anthony), some lows (Reality), and some classic AGT middles (Mia Boostrom, Kari Callen). After the jump, a look at the more noteworthy talent on display.
Destined 2 Be: Robotic movement never seemed as original as it did with this group of Tennessee dancers. With almost perfect precision the guys stepped and grooved to their soundtrack, missing nary a beat. It's rarely the case on this show, but here, the moves truly spoke for themselves.
Kari Callen: Born with a cleft palate, this middle-aged singer spent her life dreaming of a professional career. She was finally afforded that chance last night when she sang "Somewhere" to a stunned audience and judges panel. Very polished, but not the stunner commercials — and our own talent show conditioning — would have us believe. It's time for these judges to start distinguishing between great moments and great talent. There really is a difference.
Rashida Jolly: This 19-year-old singer/harp player delivered a stand-out version of "Killing Me Softly" free of artifice or ridiculous context. NO SILLY GAMES, just an undeniable talent that everyone in the audience could see. More of this, please!
Matt and Anthony: One plays guitar, the other tap-dances. Somehow they make it work.
Mia Boostrom: Didn't we put an end to this stuff yesterday, guys? After failing to advance past round 2 of last year's competition, 16-year-old Mia Boostrom returned to wow the judges with her months-improved singing. The performance…didn't wow. She sang and played her way through a perfectly acceptable version of "Georgia," but failed to bring that NEXT LEVEL business. She advanced, as expected, but the knowledge that she won't win taints the whole segment with a lot of "who cares?"
What did you think of last night's episode? Are you as tired of this first round of auditions as I am? Ready to grab your aviators and satchels and head to Vegas? Write away, guys, and come back next week for more America's Got Talent.
Comments (1-20) of 20 Add your comment
http://mel31602.blogspot.com/2009/07/americas-got-talent-recap-our-new-susan.html
Check out my recap here. I may be weird but I actually enjoyed Reality more than Kari- at least Reality sang onkey for the whole song. Rashida has potential and I really liked Matt and Anthony. Mia was okay, and the dancers were good but not really my thing.
This. Show. Is. Terrible.
Anthony and Matt — Matt did not play the violin, but a guitar. (Aren’t these two instruments pretty distinguishable from one another?) They were may favorite act, by far.
To LG from VA – You’re right, and I’m blind. Thanks for the correction!
I thought Kari Callan was terrific…her voice was beautiful and the song was so heartfelt…going through life feeling you had no place and then to sing that song brought tears to my eyes…bravo
Whats with all the hating on Nick Cannon? He’s vastly more entertaining (as much as that role needs to be) than Springer. Also, the tap dancing was good, but I didn’t get the act. There really wasn’t any connection between the guitar playing and the tap dancing. I thought that Mia Boostrom had a much more appealing voice than Kari Callan. Kari seemed to shout. Plus, its all heartwarming and all, but the winner of this has got to either have commercial appeal or at least an act that can be turned into a Vegas show. If not, whats the point?
I think mariah carey was disgusting. I can’t believe they even showed that video. My kids watch this show. Mariah is so desperate that she has to flaunt herself like that ! No class. Then someone gets hit from a bus. The whole video was disgusting
Mariah Carey is a washed up, no talent skank. AGT inflicted this trash on us, the unsuspecting public, last night, and I was totally disgusted with her usual antics: sticking out her t*ts, sticking up her as*, dressing like the ugliest retarded guy you’ve ever seen etc. Nick – why’d you do it man?
A really bad episode. What is this show looking for? A novelty act that can entertain for 3 minutes (if that) or a search for a real talent who could actually do a Vegas show for an hour and keep the audience who has paid $75 to thousands of dollars enthralled.
Little girls in wacky costumes doing gymnastic dancing? Cute. A Vegas show? Not.
Look what’s playing at the Venetian! A guy who can hang bricks from his pierced nipples. We’ve got to run to see this show and we don’t care what it costs.
Welcome to Fantasyland.
@Danny:
Exactly.
Destined 2 Be is from Indianapolis! Give us some credit here!!!
If a hot new single, a handsome and funny husband who’s in love with me and being beautiful at 40 is what YOU call “washed up”, then that’s what I need to be!
AGT’s hyping of a potential Susan Boyle moment is becoming quite annoying and boring. It just shows that the show and its contestants cannot stand on their own merit and it really seems a disservice to contestants to exaggerate their talent in the hopes that the audience will be hypnotized into believing it.
Best part of AGT is Nick Cannon. He is the only thing I enjoy about this show. The judges’ comments are extraordinarily unoriginal and mushy.
The 1st round of this show is always the worst. last year it seemed to drag on forever. This year seems to be going a bit faster, but not until the later rounds does this show pick up.
My first question is, if all these people hate this show, why are they watching it? I think Nick Cannon is a terrific host. I hope he becomes hugely successful so he can get away from “Mimi” who has too much silicone and too little sincerity. I can’t even imagine what he must go thru at home.
Nothing against Nick, but I miss Jerry as the host. He was so genuine and sweet to everyone who audtioned. I am not crazy about these episodes. There is no continuity. I am so ready for VEGAS!
Didn’t anyone see the Eriam sisters and the kids (whose mom was in a coma for 8 monnths) that sang “God Bless America”?? Those two acts were the BEST of the whole night. Talent, heart, family, wholesomeness, potential, etc. ect. etc.
kari callan was great and should not have been taken so soon.she was too good.
kari callan should have stayed on the show.
What ever happened to the singinh x-ray technician with the cleft palate on “America’s Got Talent?