After a lengthy audition round that made Transformers 2 look like a short film, America’s Got Talent has finally moved on; winging its way to the City of Sin for two “callback” episodes that will determine the Top 40 acts. Vegas, baby, Vegas! It’s screamingly appropriate that last night’s episode — so dismal for many contestants, so euphoric for others — would take place in the easy-come, easy-go capital of the United States.
Mere minutes into the show, our judges announced to the throng of 160 hopefuls gathered in an airport hangar (?) that 40 of them would be sent packing immediately, not even given the chance to perform in this second round. And…wow. In five weeks this show has done little to surprise anyone watching, but the judges’ decision here was as much a shock to the contestants as it was to us at home. “We’ve worked our hardest and…and we didn’t think this was going to happen,” said one COMPLETELY DEJECTED performer. Weren’t these people promised a second-round chance? Wasn’t that implied in their earlier acceptance? I know I’d be fuming if I found out “you’re going to Vegas!” ended with “but maybe just the airport.” A bummer of epic proportions.
From another perspective, though, the judges were finally embracing the difficult decisions they had for so long put off. Like we’ve talked about before, performances in that first round can be awfully deceptive: Couple a great backstory with judges eager for something — anything — good after a day of dubious quality, and it’s easy to mistake a moment for talent. The Hoff admitted as much. “We reviewed your tape, man,” he told singer Keith Johnson, “and we’ve concluded there are better singers. Sorry.” Heartbroken, the man quietly made his exit.
This tough-love approach meant rejection for other popular acts, as well. Everyone’s favorite disco-dancing septuagenarian, Tony Ferrante, was also denied admission to the next round. “We have to judge on the talent,” spaketh The Hoff, again embracing his role as the decider. Also given the boot was magician Joseph Constantine, who was told there really wasn’t room for two magic acts on the show. I would disagree (disappearing acts mean room for more people), but the judges clearly had some sort of vision. What I didn’t count on was that vision dismissing The Spiritual Harmonizers, whose USPS a capella stylings lit up the stage only two weeks earlier. What happened here?
All of these rejections were difficult to swallow (and watch, given our own sympathy) but also necessary…and sort of refreshing. You could tell tonight that the judges were taking their job very seriously, keen on assembling a dynamic and well-rounded Top 40. I wondered early on if they weren’t making a mistake in forgoing a standard second audtion, but the lack of structure in this first callback really worked. Talent isn’t something easily analyzed, categorized; its processing requires a willingness to use one’s gut and that sometimes means abandoning the rules. Or something…I’m freestyling as much as the judges were tonight.
It wasn’t all rejections! We saw snippets of the tapdancing sisters, Acrodunk, the dancing/gymnastic-ing brothers, and the yodeling dominatrix (all of whose names would have been greatly appreciated FLASHED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN), recipients of the judges’ coy approval to advance to the Los Angeles semis. Plus, the teenage contortionist, whose mother is very proud. We are, too, teenage contortionist! In typical AGT fashion, the first callback episode saved two of its brightest stars for last: baritone singer Lawrence Beaman and musician Kevin Skinner. The cross-cutting between the two contestants attempted to ramp up the suspense, but there was never any doubt that both of these performers — arguably the two most popular thus far — would be getting the thumbs-up. Cue smiles. Cue tears of joy. You earned your nice ending, guys.
Tonight marks the end of our quick trip to Vegas (how did we lose EIGHTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS?!?) and also the callbacks round, results of which will determine our Top 40 performers. Are you excited? I’m excited! Down another cup of coffee and let’s GO GO GO with the comments and the analyzing and the predicting. Vegas!
So are you smoking Entertainment Weekly, or are you on the NBC payroll? Last night’s “show” was one of the worse examples of TV ever. All those hard decisions could have, and should have, been made at the auditions. Don’t drag people full of hope and expectations to Vegas to only turn them around in a hangar.
As far as I’m concerned, these results episodes are a total waste of my time. I hung on for about 1/2 hour, until I realized I wouldn’t be seeing any real acts. Nothing but drama. But this results show was downright mean. Do we really want to see contestants squirm while the judges play their little “guess what I’m going to say next” game? Then we get to see them cry and leave.
Seriously, I think every one involved with AGT, except the contestants, are just low-life bottom-feeders. I want to see the talent, which someone may need to remind NBC is part of the title of the show.
I’m done with this show. It’s fun to watch performances, but they obviously would rather offer pathos
Couldn’t say it better. what a waste of my time. Definitely will ignore until the finals.
I agree 110% this is not the entertainment any of us expected, to see dreams shattered without a second chance, the uncaring judges or who ever is pulling their strings never should have given them hope when they did. This is unhuman treatment. ken
I completely agree. And they put through some very dubious “performers” anyway. This show is a joke.
Absolutely agree!!! I turned it off as soon as they sent the first group home at the airport. This was a ridiculous travesty. That was probably the worst slap in the face those people could be given. To say nothing of the fact that some of them were undeniable talented. Yet they kept acts such as the yodelling dominatrix!!! Maybe good for ratings but nothing close to talent. It is supposed to be a talent competition not a freak show and I am nothing short of appalled.
“The Hoff” (give me a break, how about “The Drunk”) is an idiot. I hate the way they draw out telling someone whether they are moving on or not. Just be up front, tell them and onto the next…playing mind games like that may make good telelvision but it heartbreaking to the contestant.
I have been a fan of AGT since the first season. I have never seen anything so appalling as the way they treated the contestants this year. They should have skimmed their number of acts before sending them all the way to Vegas. Those people were treated despicably and many were far more talented than the ones that were allowed to stay. It is not a freak show it is a talent contest. After the first 10 minutes I was ready to turn it off and I would have never done that before this.
Totally agree. Cannot understand the callousness of the article. Yes, cuts are necessary. No, it was not necessary to tell an 8 year old girl that she could win it all and then send her back – after forcing her and so many others to wait in heat for 10 hours as one poster mentioned – without even listening to her again.
They could’ve easily 1) selected fewer people, especially fewer freak acts like guy putting some metal into his nose 2) warned people that the decision is preliminary and then called those they don’t want home and told them they changed their mind 3) given those who flown in to Vegas a chance to perform.
It’s ridiculous anyway to make a decision for people who passed the first audition based on this few minute tape. These people should’ve had a chance to perform to give judges better idea of what they really can do. Also – what nonsense is that making people wait for 10 hours in heat? There are some kids there, there are some older people. Somebody could’ve had a heat stroke.
Plus, don’t insult my and other viewers intelligence by telling us that eliminating Ciana or Kari while letting a girl makes any sense at all.
Abusing small kids for our entertainment is not good TV. Showing us judges talking, people crying is a whole lot less entertaining than watching real acts. I only watched on Tuesday anyway, on Wednesday I watch SYTYCD is a whole lot better show that this crap.
When I said “eliminating Ciana or Kari by letting a girl” I didn’t complete a sentence. I meant to say don’t tell us that eliminating talented people like Ciana or Kari (did I get the name right? I meant the lady who sang Summertime) while putting through some blond girl who can’t sing or some freaks who put metal into his nose or “dominatrix”
how could they not put talhon through…the 9 year old guitarist?? crazy!!!
Yeah he was awesome…like he’d been in a professional rock band for years. I was disgusted about that one right along with them kicking Kari to the curb after making her think she’s the greatest…disgusting!!!
I agree oompletely about the nine year old blues guitarist, but even worse, how could they knock off Kari Callin, whose rendition of “Somewhere” was brilliant. This was such blatant discrimination based on appearance. And she is truly a diamond in the rough, which is what we all want to see. On the other hand, Lawrence Beamon is a professional entertainer. He does have talent, but give me the true undiscovered talant any day. If I knew how to create a website, I’d create http://www.boycottAGT.com.
This results show was just plain awful. All of those people were told you’ve made it to the 2nd round and that was not true. Maybe a few lawsuits for fraud will wake up NBC. Keeping the joke that sang about David Hasslehoff and sending home Kari Callin was just a joke. I truely believe now that this show is set so certain acts get through and no matter how much talent you have (like Kari) you get send home. If Kari was sent home because of her looks that that is even worse. In any case I’m done with this farce of a show.
YOU CRITICIZED A CRUISE SHIP BECAUSE THEY WERE PREJUDICED. KARI HAS MORE TALENT THAN 75% OF THE PEOPLE YOU LET THOUGH.YOU GAVE HER HOPE AND THEN LET HER SEE THE PROMISED LAND THEN SENT HER HOME. YOU KEPT A DUMB YODLER PRACNING HALF NAKED ON THE STAGE, AND A FOOL WHO COULD NOT SING BECAUSE HE WROTE A PARADY OF HASSELHOFF. IF KARI DIDN’T FILL YOUR MOLD, THATS TOO BAD. ITS AMERICAS GOT TALENT, NOT AMERICAS GOT BEAUTY. I’LL FIND BETTER THINGS TO DO ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
At least for one more week you could consider So You Think You Can Dance for Wednesday. They have – very talented dancers, judges who may be a bit noisy but are very very competent, a whole lot classier show.
Why were the rejected acts brought to Vegas, just to sent home without an opportunity to perform again. What a waste of their time and mine. Another gripe: When a act is performing, it’d be nice if the camera stopped spending so much time showing reactions from the audience, judges, backstage, etc. Especially hard to watch a dance act, when the camera so much time away from the performance.
I agree totally with all the comments I have read so far. How unfair, insensitive, unfeeling can this show be. Kari Callin was great and they let the Elvis impersonator through! This is about talent, not spot lighting freak shows. I also agree that I do not want to see the judges faces, the audience or people behind the curtains while someone is performing. The people who were so unfairly dismissed should sue the AGT producers. Bring back Kari Callin!
I was also upset to see Kari Callin sent home without even a chance. And, how could they send that 8 yr. old girl from Hawaii who sang so well home and keep that other little girl who played the piano and sang? That latter was cute, but her voice just wasn’t as good as the 8 yr. old. I feel that the judges let far too many acts go to Vegas in the first place. They should have been far more discriminating at the first audition.
The little blond girl was cute, but this is talent show–The litte girl from Hawaii was cute AND had talent.
I think the judges have their heads up there tails.I think the little Hawaii girl alot better than the other little girl.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought it was major BS that you drag 160 people to Vegas and not give a 2nd audition. I defintiely was questioning the people they dismissed. What I get sick of is how they always put through those dance acts that no one cares about.
I think it’s simple, if you get 3 yeses, you are in automatically. If you only get 2 then you reaudition to say. These shows make it seem so difficult when all you need is some simple, fair rules. Sheesh!!!
I agree, Gerald. A not-that-complicated set of rules would make this show immensely more pleasurable to watch (and judge, I’d imagine).
I CANNOT BELIEVE THE TURN OF EVENTS OF AGT. FIRST THEY TELL YOU THAT YOU MADE IT TO LAS VEGAS ONLY TO TELL YOU (IN LAS VEGAS) THAT YOU DIDN’T MAKE IT AFTER ALL. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THEY GOT RID OF THIS LADY SINGER (I BELIEVE HER NAME IS KARY CALLIN). SHE SERIOUSLY GAVE ME WATERY EYES WHEN I HEARD HER SINGING. ALSO, WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE BRITISH JUDGE (WHO IS THE HARDEST JUDGE) TO CALL SOMEONE “A YOUNG STEVIE WONDER” ONLY TO TELL HIM AND HIS BAND THAT THEY SHOULD GO BACK TO SORT MAIL? OR WHAT ABOUT THE OLD DISCO DANCER? CLEARLY, I THOUGHT, HE WAS GIVEN A CHANCE TO GO TO LAS VEGAS JUST FOR RATINGS. AS MUCH AS I THINK HE IS A CLOWN, IT WAS UNCALLED FOR TO JUST GET RID OF HIM ON THE BASIS OF OOPS, WE WEREN’T SERIOUS ABOUT “YOU ARE GOING TO LAS VEGAS!”. ANOTHER THING I DON’T UNDERSTAND IS THAT NOW THEY ARE GOING TO HOLLYWOOD? ARE THEY GOING TO SAY NEXT THAT NOW THEY ARE GOING TO CLEVELAND OR MEMPHIS OR TIJUANA?
I thought what those judges did to Keith Johnson was cruel and heartless. At least Kari didn’t have to hear she was a bad singer and made to cry while begging to be given a second chance. I hated the judges because he was a good singer, nice looking, just wanting a chance to make a better life for him and his boy.
I can’t believe they let the little 8-year-old girl from Hawaii go without another listen, and kept the woman with the spiked collar and whip! Go figure THAT one!!! Some folks call this show “America’s Got Issues” and now I guess I have to agree.
My husband and I could not believe that they sent the little girl from Hawaii home. She had three strong votes of yes. Half of the people they let stay barely made it to Vegas. Why torment a little girl. I hate to say it, but the little girl from Hawaii sings much better the little blond girl with the ringlet curls that got to stay in Vegas. I also don’t understand how they could send the little rock star who plays the guitar packing–he was maybe the most talented of all.
I agree with you V. Harmon. That little boy that played guitar was a lot better than some of those so called talented people they did send through.
are you kidding about kari callin best singer .And what about the standing ovation by THE JUDGES .WHAT WERE THEY THINKING
I was one of the acts that was sent home in Group B. It was so cruel – what they did to us. We waited around for 10 hours, cancelled all our appointments for the week, stayed in the sun, stood in line- only to to sent home the same day. We were so damn tired- it was like being in a concentration camp – we were like sheep being taken to slaughter. so much marginal talent made it through-0 makes one wonder, what qualifications do these judges really have to judge real talent. it was really heartbreaking
Keep your head up JL. Lots of very talented people got sent packing last night. It was rediculous.
As far as I’m concerned, if you made it to Vegas, you should have been given the curtesy of being allow to perform again. It was after all “round two.” The show really insulted everyone who made it to Vegas just to be sent home. After all, everyone who made it Vegas was practicing the whole time leading up to Vegas. All that practicing and no opportunity to perform was simply nonsense.
My sympathies, JL. Sending so many people back without even a chance to go into town was unthinkably soulcrushing.
I hope they at least paid for your return tickets. Legally, I wonder if this fulfilled the “You’re going to Vegas” promise. Is the Las Vegas Airport even within the city limits? By failing to take you within the city limits, did the break the contract?
Hi JL, This was my first season watching AGT & I was appalled at how you all were treated Tuesday night. I hope there is a crafty lawyer out there who can find some grounds for sticking it to NBC. I am so sorry for what you & your groupmates went through.
I was very disappointed with the AGT judges last night! I THINK THEY SHOULD BE SENT HOME! If they could not recognize the fantastic talent of KARI CALLIN, all three must be deaf. This wonderful singer performed “SOMEWHERE” better than I have ever heard it. If they juged her appearance, WELL SHAME ON THEM!!!
I am outraged at the AGT show last night. That was cruel and inhuman what they did last night. To send Kari Callin back home, I was stunned, an American woman who sang with her heart and soul. I wish she had a backer (Simon Colwell for Susan Boyle) I would buy her CD. My heart goes out to all the contestants who were humiliated in front of millions of people. What kind of message are we sending to other countries? Americas is the land of the free, oh no, we were just kidding. This is a show I will not watch. If I want to watch this kind of cruelity, I can find that on the news and when those people are caught, they go to jail.