America's Got Talent 2008 - 08/27/2008

[Here are two-minute recaps of prior 2008 shows. http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/categories/two-minute-replays/35417/]

Top five from last night, and the next group of 10 acts.

From last night, these are the ones that got through: They brought them out in pairs... One safe and one going home:
Safe (Top 20):
Extreme Dance FX (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/extreme-dance-fx/533191/);
Jessica Price (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/jessica-price/533229/)
The Cadence (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/the-cadence/533225/)
Neal E. Boyd (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/neal-e-boyd/533242/)
Going home: Ronnie B., Shimshi, DC Cowboys, Derrick Barry
Judge's choice (5th and 6th - 2 out of three): The James Gang - Piers & Sharon chose them (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/the-james-gang/533226/)
Going home; Elite - (She cried hard... One of the James Gang guys walked her off stage, and carried her back for applause on his shoulder, then Hoff high-fived her.)

Beyond Belief Dance Company, Paul Salos, Kazual, Zooperstars, The Wright Kids, Jonathan Arons, Daniel Jens, Slippery Kittens, George the Giant, Queen Emily

Ok... No more listing of commercials. Suffice it to say, they happened between each act.

Beyond Belief Dance Company (Couldn't find a video)
21 dancers from Mesquite, Texas. Started dancing eight years ago out of a garage. Piers: Bad News: A bit of a ropey start... Didn't think it was that great... Good news: As it went on you all came together. Advice: Keep it tight, stay focused. Sharon: Great attitudes. Saw some gymnastics and ballet moves. Next time, need MORE... Be it gymnastics, clogging, ballet, whatever. David: Practice and hard work PAID OFF. You NAILED it. Congratulations... Great job. (They were MUCH better when they all danced together - Second half. If they do that more, they can go further.)

Paul Salos http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/paul-salos/271766/ from earlier shows
Frank Sinatra impersonator. From Garland(?), Texas. "My Way". Judges: Standing Ovation - Piers was up FIRST. Piers: You did it the way Frank Sinatra did. You may be the oldest swinger in this show, but wants to see him swinging at the end of the show. Sharon: Pitching and phrasing perfect. Fantastic. David: The winner of this show goes to Vegas, but you ARE Vegas. He's sure that Sinatra is looking down on them, now, and saying "Yeah, Baby!" (Great Sinatra... Good job!)

Kazual
Four family singers. Did ballads first couple of times. Piers buzzed early. "Can You Feel It(?)". Piers: Here is the problem from my point of view. When you sing together, you have great harmony. With the exception of the 2nd one, the others blew it, soloing. Sharon: Tonight wasn't the best performance. David: Ok... You were nervous. But you pulled it together in the end. I HOPE that America gives you a 2nd chance. (If they do it the way the judges said, the one sing lead, the others harmony, then they can do well. BUT, they have to get through the voting, tonight.)

Zooperstars http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/zooperstars/276176/ from first show
Mascot-type dancers. From Kentucky. Piers buzzed before they all got on stage. "Macho Man". They "Shot" one off the stage and he fell into the audience. A crewman helped him back on stage. One of the "ate" a crewman! Piers: This may just be because I'm "British", I'd like to take a large harpoon and five large darts (to them). Sharon: I can't believe I'm giving comments to a duck and whatever else. Kids will love you. I get it, but I don't know whether your act will sustain an hour and a half in Vegas. David: The name of the show is AMERICA'S Got Talent... not Britain! The audience liked 'em. They waddled off. Jerry: Piers, you just don't get it! (OMG! Funny, but they've GOT to go!)

Jerry introduced Ozzie, who's in the audience.

The Wright Kids (I don't remember them from earlier shows, and couldn't find a video)
Three kids. Must have been a "group of kids" I saw in an earlier show. Don't remember them in the 2nd round (Vegas). Doing a pop song, tonight; Crossing over from Bluegrass. From Rocky Mount, Virginia. Girl on mandolin, boy on guitar, smallest kid on bass! "Daydream Believer". Great on the harmonies. Piers: Levi... You must be the only contestant whose instrument is twice as large as you. I don't think you're the best singers, but you make up it up with charm. Sharon: Big risk with pop song. But it paid off. David: That's what we need to get back to the values of the Partridge Family (which they remind him of). (Not bad... We'll see.)

Jonathan Arons http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/jonathan-arons-audition/266460/ from earlier shows
Trombonist/Crazy Dancer - (Played trombone and "danced like crazy" in earlier shows.) Strange. Not BAD, but strange! Piers: Enjoyed it. Sharon: Great showman, but trombone is out of tune. You are fabulous, I love you. David: The worst trombone-playing, but the most entertaining. Like a live cartoon. (Funny, but could YOU stand an hour and a half in Vegas of that? :-P)

Specialist Daniel Jens http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/daniel-jens/280738/ from earlier shows
Guitar-player/Singer. Top 40 is mind-boggling. Being able to play guitar and sing in Iraq helped everyone to go far away. Forgot lyrics in 2nd round. "No way I'm gonna forget the lyrics tonight." from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Every Breath You Take". Piers: How you feeling (Beyond incredible). Pretty good job. I've not heard tonight, include you in this, a singing voice that SHOULD be in Vegas. Sharon: Great song choice. You sing with great passion. Be careful about your breathing. (Short of breath part way through.) David: First time you were really "yes mam", "yes sir". We have a lotta zoo characters, we have a lotta dancers, but you know what? You're a man, and you inspire me. (Not bad... Needs some voice lessons, but he should go on.)

Slippery Kittens
The Burlesque Moms. Performed in Salt Lake City. All are mothers. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". Piers buzzed them when they took off their uniform shirts to reveal red/white/blue outfits. Piers: Ladies... The reason I buzzed you is when you took your clothes off, I found I wanted you to put them back on. It MAY be the tattoos... Sharon: Apologized for her "fellow Brit". David: All I can say is "June is busting out all over". "Are you Pamela Anderson's Mom?" "Another Baywatch". He loved 'em. Jerry said, "I can't wait for Mother's Day". (Not bad. Fun. MUCH more fun than Arons.)

George the Giant http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/george-the-giant/271709/ from earlier shows
7'-3" man who does strange things on stage. Sharon: Barking mad, and dreads what he'll do next. In rehearsal, he lost consciousness. Went to hospital. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Chained when he's brought on stage. Hung by feet. Kids come up and beat him like a pinata. Woman comes up and beats him with a bat. He drops candy, but gets out of the chains. Piers: Thought it was childish, embarrassing, pathetic. Sharon: The buildup... And you just hung upside down and had sweets in your chest... Silly. David: This is about a million dollar competition. I don't know. That was a ... little strange. (No shit, David. No way. TOO weird!)

Queen Emily http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/queen-emily/283100/ and http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/queen-emily/278447/ from earlier shows
R&B Singer. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Judges: Standing Ovation. Most of audience, too. Piers: Look at you. We have found a superstar. I said last night Neal Boyd's performance he was Michael Phelps. We just found something the Olympics couldn't find. Someone to beat him. Sharon: You have it all. David: Baby, Look at you now. You have just thrown this competition into complete disarray, because you have become the front-runner. (I don't know about THAT, but I can see her in the finals, right now.)

End of show.

Wife: Beyond Belief, Salos, Kazual, Jens and Queen Emily
Me: Beyond Belief, Salos, Wrights, Jens, and Queen Emily

I liked the Wright Kids' performance tonight better than Kazual's.
My wife says they're too young. We'll see, obviously.

America's Got Talent 2008 - 08/26/2008

BTW: Here are the Season Three Highlights (see many that I've mentioned before, and, I assume, a day or so after a show, you can see the videos from IT) http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/categories/season-3-highlights/35415/

NOTE: Videos were taking a LONG time to DL tonight after the show. I included all those of the specific acts I could find, tonight, by their name. It appears they're all from the first set of shows... Not the Top 40 choices shows.

I think in this one, I got all the spellings of the names of the acts correct! (Sorry, if I misspelled them, before!)

**

Top 40 Finalists, 10 at a time. We will vote on the Top 20.

Tonight, we will see Extreme Dance FX, The James Gang, Derrick Barry, Elite, Ronny B, The Cadence, Jessica Price, Shimshi, DC Cowboy, and Neal E Boyd. And NOW, WE choose.

Live from Los Angeles.

Tomorrow, we'll see the top 5 chosen tonight, and the next 10. America Voted on a replacement contestant for one injured. At the end of the show, we'll find out, who.

Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!

**

Extreme Dance FX
Nine young people (14-26) - 8 girls and a guy. Cloggers (kinda tap dancing). From West Covina, CA. Piers: Wasn't a big fan to start with. "That was terrific." Put a lot of work into it. Great team. Great dynamic performance. Gotta come back "Better, faster, tighter". Great for tonight. Sharon: "You were smoking... You were on fire." Great energy. Loves the combo of traditional clogging w/contemporary dance. David: Thought they MIGHT have been too young, but they'd come back and proved them all wrong. (I thought they were good.)

Commercials

The James Gang http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/the-james-gang/273700/ from first show
Combine Hip-hop and 1920 music (dance and sing). "I'm a Hoofer". They tossed in a little magic, and missed a bit. Piers: Thinks they're terrific. From the ghetto of NY to this stage. First half was great, and second half kinda lost the way. Don't try to be too complicated. Sharon: So unique, from look and music. But they tried to give too much too soon. Establish the style first, then add on. David: You are exactly what this show is about. Bringing back swing, bringing back Cab Calloway. They're right... Don't need the birds... Tighten up the act. (They LOVE to entertain. It was NOT a way to get out of the ghetto.) (Not bad. I thought the misses were funny, and COULD have been part of the show.)

Commercials

Derrick Barry http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/derrick-barry-as-britney-spears/266101/ from first show
Britney Spears impersonator (male). (He's just damn scary... He's CLOSE to looking like Britney... But looks REALLY good as a girl!) From Modesto, CA. "Hit Me Baby One More Time". Piers: Buzzed in the middle of the song. Nothing personal and sure the audience won't agree. He doesn't think grown men should be wearing school-girl outfits and pretending to be Britney. Sharon: Boring, Piers. She LOVES him. Thinks there's room for two Britneys. David: Questioning his sexuality. Likes the coreography, likes the look, etc. David bent over and raised his shirt... His pants were embroidered with "Back Hoff"... Said it was for Piers. (Derrick started five years ago on Halloween - Makes sense!) David pointed out that there's a show in Las Vegas, La Cage a Folles(sp?) and there IS an audience for Derrick. He's fine. (Interesting, and scary, as I said!)

Commercials

Elite (10yo) http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/elite/273674/ from first show
The Coreographed Kung-Fu fighting little girl - Alec or Alex?. Risky start for this round. Someone could go to hospital, if they really got hit. From Dallas, VA. Pirate scene. Piers: Very glad he's not her father. Fabulous energy. Every woman in America is watching her kick seven guys butts, and going "Way to go!" Sharon: Sees so many opportunities. Loved the way she whacked her dad's head on the bottle. David: Looks at her and sees her smiling. She could open for Treasure Island or Pirates of the Carribean. (Apparently, she wants to be a stunt person.) (Needs a bit tighter coreography, but otherwise, she's great!)

Commericals

Ronny B. http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/ronny-b/278438/ from first show
Latin singer/Dancer. (Strange dancer/singer - Not everyone likes what he does. Performs at LA bus stops). Wants to shock, tonight. David: Stand by for a nightmare! (Doesn't like him.) "She Bang". David buzzed in the middle of the show. Piers: Don't know WHY David buzzed him, he sings and dances better than HIM! Brings fun and entertainment and enthusiasm. Sharon: He has an absurd confidence about him. Compared him to Jiminy Cricket, and said he was an absurd little man. David: Weird. There's SOMETHING he likes about him. Piers didn't think he'd go through, but enjoys him. If Ronnie B makes it all the way, Piers will leave the country! (LOL) (Ronnie B's LOVING the attention and prep.) (He's compelling, in a strange sorta way. I, personally, think they voted him through to give people a person to vote OFF in the first show.)

Commercials

The Cadence
Percussion group. If they don't make it through, they will be devastated, it's the moment they've all been waiting for. from Springfield, MO. "Beat It". Pretty good! Piers: Great to see they listend to them. Thought they ended the act great (put water on the drums, splashing everywhere). Sharon: You need the animal instinct. David: You brought it tonight. Incredibly talented. Tighten it up. He thinks America will vote them through. They have the talent, just need to step it up. (They're good! Could be a bit "tighter" though.)

Commercials

Jessica Price http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/jessica-price/271764/ from first show
Singer. She's nervous. Wants to overcome her shyness and prove to America she deserves to be here. "Time After Time". Very balladic. David stood to applaud. Sharon was smiling. Piers: How are you feeling. (Good) You should... That was fantastic. You aren't believing, yet, that you are a star. Lighten up and enjoy it. Sharon: You did it. You should be so proud of yourself. If I was you Dad, nothing could stop me from coming to LA... I'd walk. David: You have come so far. You weren't nervous. I think you have a chance to win this competition. (She looked nervous to me, but sang through it... Great job. Hopefully, she'll be voted through, to give her MORE confidence and experience.)

Commercials

Shimshi
Magician that (from Jerry's intro from earlier in the show:) "produces playing cards from places you won't believe." Sounds scary! LOL) Dreams big. 10 years ago, he moved to Las Vegas and tried and tried. Trick he will try is very challenging, and not your ordinary trick. Big cards, tore off a corner, put tape on his foot, she shuffled cards, he hung them above his head and flipped, kicking the deck, and HER card (corner missing) stuck to his foot. Piers: Thinks he blew it. Boring. We gave you this big stage, and you did a card trick. (He wanted to do something that was him and had to do with him, not the stage.) Piers: you blew it. Sharon: Execution and timing was perfect. David: Great card trick. This is a big deal. I know you can bring it. If voted through, bring it! (I liked it, myself.)

Commercials

DC Cowboys http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/dc-cowboys/268852/ from first show
Dance Troup from the Washington DC. ("Brokeback meets Broadway") It's a hobby, right now. They'd all like to quit their 9-5 jobs, and do it professionally. Been together 14 years. They're here to win. Dance to "Footloose". Piers buzzed quickly. Piers: Gentlemen... Welcome back. Quoted from the video, "One misstep and it's all over"... let them get to 20 then buzzed them. Sharon: What you lack with dancing, they have great personality and enthusiasm. David: Loved you from the beginning... Coreography was great, but just a little off. Tighten it up. (They were not as good as before, but coregraphy was not bad... not great, but... The DO need to "tighten it up".)

Commercials

Neal E Boyd http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/neal-e-boyd/266082/ from first show.
Opratic singer. His grandmother died the day after his first appearance. She'd called him and said he'd done good, and the next day, she died. He's dedicating this performance to his grandmother. Says she's looking down saying "Sing pretty for me." "Somewhere" ("There's a place for us" from West Side Story) Standing Ovations from the judges. Piers: Somewhere your grandmother was watching that saying "You sang pretty for me". Only in AMerica can you get a guy that sells insurance that comes to this stage and does that. The Michael Phelps of this. You are the man to beat. Brilliant! Sharon: Wants to give him a great big hug. Superb. David: Loved the song choice. The place for you is right here at the top. Neal: Just trying to make a living. (I think, even if he doesn't win, he's now well-known and a great singer. He'll be hired and produced by someone.)

Commercials

Now we find out which of the group replaces the Russian Bar Trio - http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/russian-bar-trio/268884/ from first show - (the girl got injured). We voted, last time the show was on, remember? From the eight (see last show's description). The judges got it down to that, but couldn't decide from there, leaving it up to America.

And who was voted in? (I voted for Donald Braswell.) ... All eight are there... Donald Braswell! YEA. (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/clips/donald-braswell-ii/283856/ from highlights of first show.)

I feel sorry for the others, but he's BACK! (Sang "You Raised Me Up" the first night.)

End of show.

My wife's picks: Extreme Dance FX, The James Gang, The Cadence, Jessica Price, and Neal E Boyd. I think she's right. ;-)

America's Got Talent 2008 - 08/07/2008

Please forgive me for missing people's names, or not remembering them. I do this as the show is on, and while I'm typing up my review, if they're flying through acts, I don't always catch them. I did the best I could. (I know I could go back through older entries and figure it out, which I did a couple of times, but then again, so can YOU! LOL)

--

Time to decide the Top 40 from the 60 from last show. They show the judges (Piers, Sharon, and David) picking people, and showing some of the acts in a montage.

22yo Joseph Hall - Elvis Impersonator - Sharon suggests voice lessons. Decision: He's through to the semi-finals.

R&B singer with muscles (former Chippendale Dancer - Bryan Cheatham?) - He's through to semi-finals. David: He stepped it up... Step it up again. The R&B singer whose mother was there the first audition (Kyle Ripkin) didn't make it. He's glad for the experience.

Commercials

The violin brothers (Damien and Tory) - 1st audition fantastic (audience), 2nd not quite so good (Piers said he thought they needed an audience - Said the judges debated on whether they had a $1M act) - They are through

The magicain on the bed of nails - The Russian Bar group - The James Gang (old dancers) - Tina Turner Impersonator, the Family (did the Trapp family) - Robert DeNiro impersonator - A group of kids - Pianist/Singer (Walking in Memphis?) - Weird dancer - Twin Sisters (Indigo - VERY excited they made it!) - All were through

Commercials

71yo (72 in September) Paul Salos (Sinatra impersonator - says it's his last chance - Chasing dream of Vegas performance for 40 years - David: They are behind him, and respect the judges no matter the decision - Wife put his picture on a stamp, since Sinatra Stamp was coming out on that day) - He's IN (Oldest competitor)

4yo Katelyn Mayer(sp?) - Sharon talked to her... Katelyn thinks she could win... Wants to stay - And she's through - All the judges get hugs. (Think she's the youngest in the competition)

Commercials

Specialist Daniel Jen (Forgot lyrics on prior show - Piers: Most difficult journeys. Neither performance perfect, but bottom line is they think he's fantastic. He's through.

Magicians (3) - the little girl martial artist - the guy who dresses as a girl and sings baritone and alto - The percussion group - The country singer - trombonist/dancer - They're all in.

Queen Emily (singer - waited for this moment for 25 years, VERY emotional) David: "I don't like being a judge, 'cause you gotta break hearts..." Emily's squatting and fearing the worst now (drama is built up!)... and...

Commercials (I've noticed that almost everyone they talk to, it sounds like they're not going to put them through... Then they turn it around and say they're going. I hope Queen Emily goes... She's good!)

Repeat David's line - Queen Emily's through. She falls on the floor crying, then David goes to hug her and says she deserved it... She knocked them out.

17yo Jonathan Burkin (the baton twirler - faced years of bullying for following his dream) - Sharon talks to him. He's in. Commitment and dream are incredible. Jonathan - Finally someone is respecting what I do, and America will see. He's proud to be a role-mo

25yo Jessica Price (Lost confidence to perform when her family split - hopes her Dad will be proud of her that she made it through) - Sharon: Not sure if she could cope with being in the studio - Sharon said, "We had to make a decision, but I think you know what it is"... She said, yes and bowed her head. Sharon said, you made it. Jessica is so happy... She's never done anything like this for herself before.

Commercials

50yo Sword Swallower Dan (Piers - LOVED the act... Thoroughly entertaining, but once you've seen it, where do you go?) - No.

Southern Belle (dancers) - Keyboard/singer (older guy) - Holly (the mother) - The girl with the grinder - The 9yo autistic boy singer - The danders (ballroom?) - No.

'Lil country and Page One from New Orleans (through Hurricaine Katrina - Dancers - One says he feels like he's rebuilding his city one (something) at a time...) - No. David: Doesn't mean the end of their journey, but the beginning of another. They'll continue to follow their dreams.

Commercials

24yo Derik Barry (Britteny impersonator - Piers: Split the judges - He's through. He hopes it inspires everyone who's been pushed down for their dreams.

19yo Dancer Xclusive (robotic dancer) - David: Loves the creativity... BUT, now it comes down to certain acts go through. No. He's Upset. David says: I've been there. He shakes everyone's hand.

Father of three, D. Brazwell (the guy with a throat injury, singing after 11 years of NOT - David: Long day? Long Journey? ... Yes sir ... Toughest category... Competition's excellent... Great story... Major split decision... Difficult as judges... Not going to send him through... The hardest decision they made on anyone. (Very emotional about it.)

Commercials

The Zooperstars (the "mascot" dancers) - They're through

Dancers - GIrl group - Tappers - Cheerleader-looking group - Guys (acrobatic dancers) - Tap-dancing Dads - Rockette-type group - Line-dancing guys with attitude - They're all in.

Now, the last two dance groups - Beyond Believe Dance Company or Sterling Silver Cloggers. David: Can't put everyone through: Unanimous decision. Beyond Believe - Suggestions? Piers: Keep practicing... Some of the others were a bit tighter than you. Sterling Silver is in. (I THING I got the groups right, here. There were no real markings. We'll see for sure, soon.)

Commercials

Final decision on the last two acts - Opera singing guys (34yo Michael Streeloe(?) Smith - was there last year - teacher) and 32yo Neil E Boyd (Insurance salesman - Mom's very proud of him - Doesn't want to have to go home and tell family he didn't make it.) Piers: Tried to judge to see who had gotten better. Sharon to Michael - We let you go last year because you weren't read, and I don't think we were wrong. Piers to Neil - We like you a lot. Michael's through. Neil's through, too. (Piers: "There's no easy way of saying this... I'm afraid you're going through to the semi-finals." This is the best chance he has to fulfull his dreams. Neil: Best thing that's ever happened to me.

I guess that means none of the others made it.

Since the taping of that show, Christine from the Russian bar group fell, suffered an injury and they had to withdraw. WE can vote the replacement act from the following: Donald(?) Brazwell (Operatic singer w/throat injury 11 years ago), Victoria (little-girl contortionist), Jr & Emily (Ballroom dancers), Lil Country & Page One (dancers from New Orleans), Sword Swallower, Kyle Rifkin (R&B Singer), Xclusive (Robotic Dancer), and Miss Pussycat (grinder girl). I believe you can vote on NBC.

Live shows from LA start after the Olympics.

See you then!

America's Got Talent - 2008 (08/05/2008)

Vegas, Baby.

113 acts made it though auditions. Thursday, the results show, the Top 40 will be named.

Piers, Sharon and David will be sending some of the 113 home tomorrow, based on their audition tapes. They show some of the decision-making.

Acts separated into four grooups. Judges hit the stage. Group A are staying in the competition. Group B leaves and are sent from the theater. Group C are staying. Group D (nasty - paused and made 'em wait a few, then told them they're staying.)

Commercials

They put similar acts together for the first time, ever.

First, Variety Acts

Magicians and the Russian Bar group, the brick-breaker and sword-swallower. They call the brick-breaker mesmorizing, but Sharon's not sure he's right for the show. The sword-swallower will swallow a curved sword. He proves the straight sword is sharp by slicing a cucumber. Then he swallows the curved sword. Then he's backstage taking Pepto-Bismol.

Next (after the commercials) will be the "Battle of the Divas". (Impersonators only?)

Briteny Spears impersonator (male - two-piece - AMAZING that's a guy!). Tina Turner impoersonator (male - a 1-piece bathing suit-tpe outfit with spangles - danced better, but not as good as before). Elvis impersonator (young Elvis - has some of the moves and the lower-register voice - Feels better with an audience).

Commercials

Magician - Girl in a box. LOOKED like it went wrong, but he said it went right. They show a few more. Then talk to them. (They're slouching across the stage, not being that good, etc.)

Commercials

The kids - The little girl contortionist. 10yo break dancer. Thought there were more kids.

Commercials

Now it's choice time. We didn't see all of them. For 1/3 of these acts, it will be over. Piers calls a few acts forward. The brink-breaker is out. ALl others in that group are in. A number of Dance Troups - All of them, it seems. The tap-dancing Dads - They're in. One of the magicians is out. The little kids we saw are NOT - All other kids are, including the baton-twirling boy. I missed the imitators staying. I think Briteny is in, not sure of any of the others. We'll see. (Sorry... Had to set up the recorder... My wife's got to leave for work.)

Looks like many of the ones we see in this audition are NOT staying. This way, they get to be onstage in Vegas on TV, right? I'm sure we'll see SOME of them, and all of the others, soon. 34 made it... 15 didn't.

Commercials - Time for the second half. - Now for the music acts. Again, similar acts together.

The Opera Group - Michael (a teacher - quitting teaching, because he can't look at the kids and tell them to move forward, when he sits there and says "what if" - Sang "There's a Place for Us". Donald Braswell - The guy who'd come back from a throat injury. Chiquita (A male, dressed as a female, singing as an alto female and adding baratone parts. I don't know the song done - Sorry). Neil (sang "Unchained Melody" in ... Italian?) All are good, but as Sharon said, it's not an Operatic Competition. There are some hard decisions to be made.

Commercials.

Now it's time for the kid singers. A couple of the older kids. Now, a 15yo girl, Mia - a little large (her description). Plays keyboard and sings. Now the two youngest (helping each other backstage). 9yo David (autistic and didn't speak at age 3 - Seemed even more scared). And now, 4yo Katelyn (She practiced hard, sang "When You Wish Upon a Star".) They're not sure about the young kids... Sharon worries about them. (I do TOO!)

Commercials

Male Vocalists - Daniel Jens (34yo Army Specialist - Singing "Home". He messed up - forgot the lyrics.) Judge take a break. Now, two R&B singers. A former Chipendale dancer - "When a Man Loves a Woman" - Relying not only on voice, but muscles.) Wedding singer - Kyle Ripkin sang for tips as a kid to help his family (sings "I'll Make Love to You" - think it was the wrong key... Couldn't hit the high notes).

Commercials

Now for the female singers - They went through a few quickly. Kat (Has been homeless... Sometimes singing pays the bills and sometimes it doesn't - Sings "Let the Good Times Roll" - old blues style). Holly (19yo - Store clerk - She's the one who convinced them to take her to Vegas - Representing a small-town country girl who saw the show last year and thought she'd try. Personality is "adorable"). Queen Emily (gave up singing 20 years ago to raise her children. "I'm Every Woman")

Commercials - Time for "the moment of truth" for the 2nd group.

Kids first - There are six... We didn't see them all. Mia and Caphidia - Not going through - They're the older ones of the group.

Opera group - All are staying.

Women - Queen Emily and Holly going through. Kat's going home.

Holly and Jennilee - No.

Duets - Nothing but strings and Indigo are staying.

Male singers - All are staying.

60 Acts have made it through the Vegas show. Thursday, 20 more go home.

Since we didn't see everyone this time, I assume we'll see some of THOSE next time. I will NOT choose from this group. I described what we saw. We'll see if the judges let some of those who made mistakes go through, or not, Thursday. See you then.

America's Got Talent - 2008 (07/15, 07/22, 07/29)

Sorry I'm late with this... My regular computer was down, and just didn't want to do it on the backup. Now that I'm back up (new, better-than-the-old computer), I should be a little more current, depending on phone calls during the show. ;-)

Sorry about the consistency in the way I separated information for each act, below. I hope you understand.

07/15/2008 Show

Atlanta Auditions

Michelle Wallace (Banker) - Singer - All By Myself - OMG! She SHOULD sing all by herself and NOT on TV! - Nope - TG!

Commercial

Returning from last year - 41yo Bruce Block - Magician - Last year, girl who was helping quit just before he was to do the show in Vegas. He had to revamp his show, and was dropped. - Laid on a bed of nails while a girl sang "Anything Goes", then jumped up and down on him. David went and stood on the platform (after his act). Piers: No... David: Yes... Sharon: Yes. 0 He's in. (Strange act this time... Hope he's a good magician and does more as they go on)

Commercial

Duree Saunders (a guy) - Tina Turner Impersonator - Lip Syncs and Dances as Tina. - "Proud Mary" - Not bad... Has 90% of the look and dance steps... Piers: No... Sharon: Yes... David: Yes. He's in.

Tropidanza (?) - Acrobatic Dancing - Yes... Juggler - IN... Bryan Cheatham - Singer - IN... ZooPerstars - Dance - Dance in big inflatable costumes - In

Commercial - To Dallas, Texas

Dallas Desperaos - Dancers - (Dressed like cheerleaders) - diverse group - Audience loved them. Piers: Great energy... Great talent. Sharon: Loved it. David already said, "I'm moving to Dallas" - They're in.

Kenneth (aka Xculsive) - Robot Dancer - to sound effects then a bit of music. Mixed track himself. Very good. First public performance. Has a whole load of dances like that. He's in.

Commercial

Barry Collier - Barnyard Animal noises - Learned them in his closet as a child - No, though Sharon didn't buzz... Nance Upchurch - singer - No ... The Freak Show dancers - OMG - No... Music Marks the World Go Round - 2 accordian teachers - Piers: If there's one thing worse than one accordian, it's two accordians... No... Dancer - No... "The Best Looking Guy in Comedy - The Present to the World" - No.

Commercial

Donald Bresswell (San Antonio) - 45yo singer - Car accident - Ruptured muscle - 11 years since he was on stage - Accident - Lost voice... Doctors said forget singing, just learn to talk again... He sang through the audience wanting him to be Xed - And had them ALL turned around shouting "VEGAS" at the end. He's OBVIOUSLY in. Very emotional. My thoughts: THAT'S a professional... He sang through the audience doing that to him and turned them around. And THIS after 11 years of not being on stage.

End.

My thoughts? Donald Bresswell(sp?) and MAYBE the Dallas Desperados.

07/22/2008

New York (for the last time - Before Vegas, 2008)

Perry (something) - Actor - 3-buzzes - a montage of nos - and Robert (something) hand shadows... He's in

Commercial

Xavier (XL) - Singer - Good job... He's in

Commercials - To LA

Texas State Sturtters - Radio-City Music hall Rockettes-like dancers in cowboy suits - Good dance troup. David-Yes... Sharon-No... Piers-Yes. Sharon's argument was they needed a production to get into...

Alek (Shakes) - Hip-hop dance - about 11yo - Good job - He's in. The Awakening Dance troup - They're in. Another girl dance troup (missed the name) - They're in.

Ron Bellala (Ronnie B) - Singing/Dancing - Not that good... Semi-stripper - David buzzed before end of song. Performs in a bus stop. David - Worst act I ever saw. Piers... I ought to hate you, but there's something entertaining about you. Sharon... Very weird little man. David-No. Sharon-Yes. Piers-Yes. He's in. (They need SOME bad acts to get voted off before the good acts do!)

Commercials - Still in LA

THe most dangerous stunt ever performed on American Television - Father and son act - Darrel and Robert Ackerman(?) - Kiss of Death with a cobra - Piers buzzed. They did it. Piers - can't see the point of the act. Doesn't think it's worth $1M. None do. They're not in.

Commercials - Still in LA

Michael Harriosn - 42yo - Ventriloquist - Hopes to be the next Terry Fator - His GGF was a ventriloquist in vaudeville. Brought a guy up, squeezed his neck for him to open his mouth. Had a puppet, too. Good timing. Did it all well. He's in.

Commercials (DAMN there's a lotta commercials! Guess they need the $ for the prize, huh?)

Emily Davis (40yo) - Queen Emily - Sings "Chain of Fools" - The audience loves her. David... You knocked us out. You have a natural gift. (She cries) Sharon... Where have you been hiding with that voice. Happy you are on the show. Piers... You have got this voice... Where did it come from... You have got a great chance of winning. Votes: She's IN.

End of show.

Next Tuesday - Final Auditions
Two weeks - Vegas

07/29/2008

The last set of auditions - The members of MySpace

Michael Trixx (37yo) - Rock and Roll Magic Show - Sharon - Reminded her of a Rock-n-Roll Hobbitt. Piers and David buzzed him - Nope

Diva Boy & the Sexplosion Dancers - Nope... Please no... Three buzzes... Gone

Commercials

Eloy - Motivational Speaker - Nope

Del Hampton - Cluck-off Champion - Nope

Set off firewords in pants - Buzzed before he started - No way

Turnquist - "Singer" - Nope

Goy made faces - Nope

Randy Hanson - Ozzie Impersonator - Looks good... "Paranoid" - Not bad... He REALLY has the look - Sharon asked him to drop his trousers to make SURE it wasn't Ozzie. Piers said yes. David passed it to Sharon. Sharon said Yes. He's in.

Commercials

Holly Stone (44yo) - Singer - Gave up her daughter for adoption at 19. Found her daughter on MySpace (Nice story - Hope she can sing!) - Here because she loves MySpace (helped her find her daughter) - She's GOOD (GOOD!). Sang "Broken Wing"(?) - The audience loved her. Yes... All the way. She's in.

Commercials

The Cadence - Percussion group - drums through buckets, etc. - Percussion rock show - Most poor college students from Missouri State - Very Good. Audience liked them. Piers - Liked their look, but thinks they need to do more music. David talked about Stomp. David - Yes. Sharon - No. Piers - Yes - Agreed with the audience. - They're IN.

Simshi - Magician - In... Lasalle Brothers - Jugglers - In... Matthew Piaza - Impersonator - In... Kazual - sang still of the night - In ... Tapping Dads - Large group - Tap Dancers - In...

Commercials

Mom and daughter act - The Sweet-tones - Mom taught herself her talent (People say, "I've never heard anything like it") - Claudia Hutchens (almost 40) & Elaine Clark (almost 80) - Whistlers - Audience booing all the way. Piers buzzed them. - David - Good job, but turns it over to the others. Sharon - Doesn't think anyone can take whistling for 1-1/2 hour. Piers - Irritating, pointless, childish, etc. - All Nos. (David said in a whistling competition, yes... Here, no)

Commercials

Soldier singer - Specialist Daniel Jens (34yo - 1st Cav, US Army just back from 15 months in Iraq) - Audience is into it - "I'll Be (The Greatest Fan of Your Life)" - Sharon - liked him. Piers - "Unfortunately we're not judgint the best soldier..." He has charisma... said he needed work on his singing. David - You can sing... You have chops... Piers brings out his wife. David - Yes. Sharon - Yes. Piers - "We sent you to Iraq. I've got better news this time - You're going to Vegas." He's in.

End of show. Next week - VEGAS. First show. Tuesday - 2 hour event. Thursday - Top 40 chosen.

This show's picks - Holly Stone, The Cadence, and Daniel Jens.

**

I will be watching (hopefully, depending on phone calls!) and will report on tonight's show, in Vegas, soon.