Week four of the semifinals, guys. Five spots left. Twelve acts in contention. What’s it gonna be?
My television was having all kinds of technical difficulties last night, which means that only this morning was I able to catch the performances on NBC’s website. And just the performances, too — no judges’ reactions, no pre-show interviews. America’s Got Talent minus the bells and whistles…which maybe isn’t the worst thing ever? What you’ll read below is strictly a response to the talent on display, and nothing more. RAW.
(It will also be shorter than usual. I’ll make it up to you with a dissertation tomorrow, I’m sure.)
Ishaara was one of the more distinctive dance groups to emerge from the audition round, and proved their advancement was no fluke with another memorable — and skilled — performance. That they’re on the show in a year where a pseudo-Bollywood (emphasis on pseudo) movie wins Best Picture at the Oscars can only help, but tight choreography and a nice stage presence will make their Top 20 nod a deserved one.
Barbara Padilla continued her operatic attack, singing Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye”. A moving song on its own, and wielded with power by the understated and classy (that goes a loooooooooooong way on this show) Padilla. There’s no way she won’t make the Top 20.
More dogs? It’s no fault of Pam Martin and her Top Dogs that America already voted through Tony Hoard & Rory two weeks ago, but it won’t help her cause. That’s a shame — Martin is clearly a hell of a trainer. She got some remarkable moves out of her latest dance partner, who seemed not to miss a step.
Another group that will likely feel the effect of previous vote-getters was African High Flyers, who while very different from dunking acrobats Acrodunk still elicit the same kind of “they can really do that?” response. Not the best routine ever, but they’ve clearly got the talent to advance.
Stop trying to make Mia Boostrom happen! It’s not going to happen! The 16-year-old sang a perfectly satisfactory cover of the ubiquitous “Hallelujah”…but that’s all. There are at least 3-4 better singers already in the mix. (But it will happen. Boostrom will advance.)
The youngest contestants on the show, Erik and Rickie, performed a…dance of some kind (illuminate me, I’m hopeless at identifying anything rhythmic) with oodles of charm and technical prowess. While there’s no getting over the fact that they’re kids and will always be performing a sort of “junior version” of the dance in question, they’ve got undeniable talent. The best underage act, IMHO.
Poor Coney Island Chris never stood a chance. Like his name suggests, the guy seems more suited to the boardwalks of Coney Island than the stage of Vegas. I’ve no doubt the judges gave him another hot/cold critique like they did Dave Johnson the week before.
Matt & Anthony never quite worked for me in their audition performance, and didn’t do much to change that opinion last night. The tap-dancing is very good, no question, but the guitar playing…it just feels sort of perfunctory. Do the two elements ever really connect? Acts with two people need both to contribute equally if they’ve got any shot at success, and Matt & Anthony never seemed more than halfway there.
The Lollipop Girls stripped and strutted. Drew Stevyns sang The Fray’s “How to Save a Life” and reminded us all how much we love HBO commercials.
I don’t remember Recycled Percussion from the audition round, but thought they offered an exciting and captivating performance last night. Energy goes a long way on this show (and in Vegas), and they made a solid case for advancement.
I do remember ErIam, the three singing sisters, and their quarterfinal routine was exactly what I expected it to be: very good for a young act, but not good enough for the Top 20. At least an idealized version of the Top 20 — there’s every likelihood they will advance.
So that’s that. What happens tonight? That’s up to you, dear voters. I hope you chose wisely.
My guesses:
In – Ishaara, Padilla, Erick/Rickie (the “grandma vote”), Recycled Percussion
Bubble- Lollipop Girls, Erlam, Top Dogs (dark horse)
Out – Others
This. Show. Blows.
Agreed. It really sucks. No matter how much the judges gush and swoon over certain acts, most of them are MEDIOCRE at best. Doubtful that the female opera singer they’re touting as spectacular, would even make it through an opera school audition. She seems lovely, she’s a mom and she’s a cancer survivor – but a great singer she is not.
I had to laugh when I saw her singing with a mike…. that wouldn’t get her very far at the Met.
So true. This is a HORRIBLE show. But I can’t stop watching — it’s like a telethon at 3 in the morning.
According to her website she did audition for a major university…and received a full scholarship all the way through her masters. She also won competitions while she was there. And all singers have to use a mic on a broadcast. How do you think the sound gets into your little ol’ television?
What happened to the Chicken Chasing guy? Has he made it to the Top 20?
Yes he did
He’s already through to the top 20.
I’m so glad to know this. I’ve also been wondering what happened to this very talented singer. I pray that he will win on the show – but if not, he’s a winner and has a great future.
re. chicken chaser – I hope he will have a career so he can stop tormenting chickens
seriously though, I was very moved by his first performance — if he can capture that essence, that connection, everytime he performs, he would be unbeatable
The chicken chaser couldn’t get a gig at Chuck E. Cheese in Nashville. Seems like a nice enough guy but very average versions of somebody else’s songs.
Bub: well then, we’ll have to conclude that people in Nashville are used to hearing mindless, banal drivel that passes for “music.”
Bub: The only reason he couldn’t get a job in Nashville because everybody out there is used to mindless, banal, drivel passing for music.
Bubba – maybe he couldn’t get a gig there because Nashville is used to whiney, nasalized, banal, drivel masquerading as “music.”
In – Ishaara, Padilla, Erick/Rickie, Recycled Percussion, Erlam Sisters, but after last week, who knows
Erik and Rickie, performed a Paso Doble.
I was impressed again this week with the amount of talent, at least in their performances.
-The Bollywood dance group was quite good and belongs with the FootworKINGZ as the dance groups in the finals.
-Barbara Padilla was good and with her story will no doubt move on, but i have a hard time seeing her being a star singing opera. It can get you really far on this show (see Neil E. Boyd) but i don’t see it being a mainstream act in this country.
-The dog act was good, but will most likely be shut out because of other talent. It is a shame because i was much more impressed with her than the previous dog act who struggled through his routine.
-Right on about the African fliers, they will suffer because of Acrodunk already being through. I thought they got a rough X from Piers who Xed them just because they did not raise their game to Padilla’s level. Everyone should be judged individually.
-Mia Boostrom was good and i really like this year that singers have begun to at least put their own little spins on songs, but she was not GREAT. Will probably move on and while that is not terrible, she will have a tough time with the other singing acts in the next round.
-Erik and Rickie are the hardest act to judge. They were amazing dancers again and i know that stuff is big right now, but can that really be an act? They were the best childrens act and much more entertaining than the boy Arcaidin from week one, but will they get through and do they deserve to as a less sustainable act, im not sure.
-Totally agree about Coney Island Chris, not enough funny and not enough scary
-I never quite got the combination of Matt & Anthony. i know they were roommates in college or something, but that does not mean your two acts work together, The guitar player was weak and the whole thing just did not have the needed spark to continue.
-The Lollipop Girls was filler and while fine with what they did are going home.
-Drew Stevyns was another infuriating act. I will explain. If he did the best he could as Piers claimed and still has about 99% chance of going home, WHAT WAS THE POINT OF PUTTING HIM THROUGH IN THE FIRST PLACE. His song was ok but he will go home.
-The reason you don’t remember Recycled Percussion was because they were not shown. They were my favorite act last night and they should move on to the next round. They have a good shot because they are pretty unique and if memory serves there are no other bands on the show still.
-Finally the little girl group was good and to me, much more entertaining than the Voices of Glory, but without a cute story, will probably fall here or next round. A shame but not a big one.
The acts i see going through are Padilla (lock), Ishaara, Recycled Percussion, Mia Boostrom, and Erik and Rickie, with the dog act and erlam haveing an outside chance.
Ready for the top 20
Huh? They were shown. I remember the guys rushing up and down on a ladder — what are you talking about? And they’re unique as long as you haven’t seen Blue Man Group.
Jason, dude – you have way too much to say. You lost me after you said you were “impressed again this week with the amount of talent.” Really?????
I think Recycled Percussion, Barbara Padilla, Ishaara, and The Lollipop Girls will advance with no problems.
Erik and Rickie and Mia Boostrom for the last spot, with Erik and Rickie advancing. I thought the judges shot down the African High Flyers too much, which will hurt them (though Ishaara was clearly the best dance performance on this ep). Drew Stevyns was so so. Not one of the top vocalists. I think the strength of the song, as with Mia, rather than the voice, make them seem better than they were.
Now THIS is what America is ALL about. I am going to try out next year. I have been in remission for cancer for 11 years (opera). I have some insecirities over my fat(Mia) and have large booobs (lollipop girls). My dog can do more interesting tricks than that Pet Star dog. Last year I threw my momma in front of a bus but she survived. I guess that was lucky for me cause now I can drag her out to top others on the sympathy vote. If I don’t win maybe I will blind little sis to get even more sympathy.
Best Post Ever
HAHAHAHA wow. this show is totally all about who can get the most sympathy votes lol
If only we watched an entire show, we could fill up the page with the boo hoo bullshee that raises the talent SAT scores a few hundred points. At best these acts are mediocre.
Dear Cynical-Don’t forget…have a few kids out of wedlock and then drone on and on about being a “single mom.” Throw in “being poor and growing up with nothing” for good measure – If you don’t make it on AGT, you could go far with AI.
For that I would need a dead spouse too.
I love the atevens boy, is he still in there? I go to sleep so early!!!
I thought that Pam Martin’s act was better than the other dog act. Too bad the other act is already through. Also, (to borrow from Randy Jackson), Mia’s performance was pitchy and not that good. I disagree with Chloe. Barbara Padilla is a great singer and her performance was flawless! Personally, I liked Matt and Anthony, but I’m not too sure of their ability to advance. Drew Stevyns is overrated also. He’s not that good. I can see the Lollypop Girls in Vegas, but I didn’t really think they were that good either. Ishaara should advance. They are different and very entertaining.
re. “BP is a great singer…flawless” – she has a vibrato you can drive a truck through!
Ishaara is *by far* the best dance act on the show. I’d been waiting 3 weeks for them! None of the other dance acts that have made it through so far are as tight and together as they are. Plus, they’re very charismatic. I also loved Barbara Padilla and The EriAm Sisters. And I had serious doubts about Recycled Percussion after their first audition. They were incredibly entertaining last night, and I completely agree with the judges about the act taking it to the next level and then some.
By the way, unless my ears deceived me, I believe, after Coney Island Chris’ “act”, the Hoff whispered under his breath something to the effect of: “I’m not sure how you made it this far.” My (and hopefully, America’s) sentiments exactly.
I was bored to tears by the faux-bollywood dancers. I don’t get why all the hype and why all the love.
They are not particularly good dancers. What in the world could they possibly do for over an hour? Wait don’t answer. Isn’t Slum Dog’s 15 minutes over yet. What’s next? Star Trek dancers?
Megan, I’m soooo sick of Slum Dog and I haven’t even seen it – an now, I don’t ever want to see it. I do believe their 15 mins. is up!
My best guess: Ishera, Padilla, the Lollipop girls (who are not that attractive, btw), the drummers and the kids who danced the Paso. As for the dog trainer, are there really enough people out there who would want to site through 90 minutes of her show? Seriously? (I can say the same about the young dancers too). But, as I said, it is just a guess b/c I didn’t care enough to vote.
Other than acts that involve animals, it seems like all the others are throw aways from other shows. They aren’t good enough to be on a real show about singing, dancing, etc. so they have to be on this one because they aren’t good at all.
True. I think those kids were on Dancing with The F List Stars.
1.Barbara Padilla – disagree with Chloe – this woman is very talented.
2 R.Percussion – 2 hot guys out of the 4 – they got my vote. Lots of energy & different.
3.Ishira was good but not a fan of that type of dance.
4.Drew Stevyns – average singer but good looks & stage presence may push him through
5. African High Flyers- solid but needed a better act.
6. Erik & Rickie -Disagree with H.Fog on the ballrm kids. While cute & good the kids on DWTS were much sharper & skilled in their age group. My pick 4 best kid dancers was Mystere from last week.
7.Matt & Anthony – tap dancing was very good but the singing 1/2 was just ok. Also the tap guy needs a more polished look. Please someone tell him to whiten his teeth, they were awful.
8. Lollipop girls- I actually thought the act was very good, costumes great,set & production very good. But…sorry IMO some of the girls were not that good looking. This act works in Vegas if all the girls look like Meghan Fox or Jessica Biel types. Sorry some of these girls were 5′s & 6′s; in Vegas u need to b 8 – 10′s. The routine wasn’t difficult, hence they need to be super hot.
9. Pam & Dog – cute but not a million $ act.
10. Mia – very average
11. Erlam Sister – some talent but need more time to develop it. Singing was off a little.
12. Coney Island Bob – just terrible. Sharon said she didn’t know how he made it to that point. Hello the judges picked him.
Now who I think will go through.
Barbara, Percussion, Kid dancers, Lollipops, & Ishira