Wednesday, September 15, 2010

America's Got Talent (AGT) (2010) - September 15, 2010 - Season Finale

Live from Hollywood.

125 Million people watched the show this year. They had more votes last night than they ever have.

Four acts. Only one can win.
The prize: $1,000,000 and a headline act on the America's Got Talent Tour, including Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

Here are the acts and their performances from last night:

Micahel Grimm



Jackie Evancho



Prince Poppycock



Fighting Gravity



The acts get to perform duets with their heroes, tonight.

Review of last night's performance (short takes), and some of the judge's

Piers: This is without a doubt the best season we've ever had. Now we're down to the wire. I don't have to be mean, and I can just say, well done.

First duet: Prince Poppycock and Donna Summer - "Last Chance" and "Enough is Enough"
(Despite is "operatic" voice, this went pretty damn well, proving, to me, that he can sing pop/disco/rock/opera/etc. Of course, he was costumed. He should have an act somewhere!)

Segment #2

Orville Lounge (Post-game show)

The Beatles LOVE performed by Cirque du Soleil

Segment #3

Second Duet: Michale Grimm and Jewel - "Me and Bobby McGee"
(Nice... Jewel is gorgeous and can definitely sing, and Michael proved he can sing with one of his "heroes" without getting too nervous (remember the first show? LOL))

Segment #4

Duet: Fighting Gravity and Lionel Richie - "Dancing on the Ceiling"
(That was so cool. Like I said... These guys' show

Howie: I wanna say that people at home see us judges arguing, calling each other names, and Sharon almost peed herself 2-3 times. But this has been a big year for you, too." followed by a montage of Nick with various acts.
Nick: The most annoying thing about this show is when the judges get it wrong. Yes, you do. He brings back Montana with "Studio". They bring out the rapper TP (wears two big "NB" pendants.

Segment #5

Montage of many auditions, fololowed by the America's Got Talent "All-Stars" (Al= of whom failed the initial audition.)
Singing "I Gotta Feeling".

Auditions start for next season in October.

Segment #6

Next duet: Jackie Evancho and Sara Brightman - "Time To Say Good-Bye"
(Beautiful... There's not much more to say.)

Segment #7

Intro of Celebs, Jimmy Smits and David Ramsey (Outlaw premiers right after AGT's finale.)

Montage of the judges and all they have to go through.

David Copperfield performs.

Segment #8

Every one of tonight's finalizts have come in #1 at least once, this season.

Goo-Goo Dolls perform parts of "Slide" and "Home".

Montage of the pre-show through the end of last night's show.

They bring out the Top 4.
America has voted. The act finishing in fourth place and leaving the competition is: Prince Poppycock.
Nontage of his AGT journey.
Piers: I do think I made a mistake (buzzing you)... I should have buzzed you about 10 seconds earlier. (Just kidding.) When I saw you tonight with Donna Summer, that's when you are at your best... A cross between Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and Liberace... Flamboyant, campy... THAT'S our Prince Poppycock. You will be a star.

Segment #9

America has voted. The act finishing in third place and leaving the competition is: Fighting Gravity
Montage of their AGT journey.
Sharon: This is just the beginning for you. You will see the huge opportunities because of this show. You will be in Vegas. And if you guys don't give me front row seats for your first show...

Segment #10

Usher performs "DJ Got Us Falling in Love"

Segment #11

Top two: Michael Grimm and Jackie Evancho
Only one can win.
Howie: I really do think the right two acts are in. I look at that gorgeous little 10 year old. How are you handling it? Are you handling it ok? (she nods).

Montage of Michael Grimm's AGT journey.
Montage of Jackie Evancho's AGT journey.

We've had a record-breaking number of votes.
America has voted. The winner of the one million dollars and the star of their own show in Las Vegas is: Michael Grimm! YAY!
He's totally shocked! Jackie takes it all well. Michael and Jackie talk a bit.

WOW! My wife had it down. She counted them down from Poppycock being #4.

And my logic, I think was right.
Poppycock has proven he can do anything from disco to opera. He will star somewhere.
Fighting Gravity will be in Vegas at the latest by next month, I'm sure... With their own headline show.
And Jackie is already a star. She's singing in Carnegie Hall, and has a CD out, already. Now that EVERYONE knows her, she will have plenty of offers.
Michael Grimm was a dark horse. He has a helluva blues voice, a self-effacing, humble style about him. He deserves it.

That's it for this year. Michael Grimm is the winner of 2010's America's Got Talent.

Cya next year! ;-)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

America's Got Talent (AGT) (2010) - September 14, 2010 - The Finals

Live from Hollywood.

Four acts left. One last performance. Only one can win.

The four acts left:
Prince Poppycock
Michael Grimm
Jackie Evancho
Fighting Gravity

Winners headline the AGT National Tour, including a show a Caesar's Palace.

Judges are introduced.

Review of many of the acts, including the finalists and many who didn't make it psat the first audition.

Sharon: It's electrifying in here, tonight. The atmosphere just keeps building and building. We expect a million dollar performance from each of them, tonight.

Segment #2

First up: Prince Poppycock
Performing an opera classic with his interpretation of the rescue of a fairy tail princess
Piers buzzed just before he ended.
Standing Ovation
Piers: I think you've blown it, I'm afraid. I thought this better be an amazing vocal performance. And tonight, I thought you took yourself too seriously.
Sharon: That was such a selfish thing to do. It's not your night (Piers), but Prince Poppycock's night.
Howie: It was still brilliant, in listening to both of them... Will America embrace a more serious performace from him. If so, they have to vote.
(He sang excellently, as usual. The performance wasn't as "flamboyant" as some of his more later ones, but from an operatic singer, what do you expect? Like him? Vote for him!)

Segment #3

Lauren and May from Parenthood talking about what they would be doing on the show. (Season Premier of Parenthood is on after AGT, tonight.)

Next act: Michael Grimm
"When A Man Loves a Woman"
Standing Ovation from Audience and Judges
Sharon: Whoohoho! Got the old goosebumps going here. Perfect song. Perfect delivery. My husband bet $100 that you will win, and he just might be right.
Howie: When I first saw you, I thought Wow. And You just keep getting better and better.
Piers: That's more like it. I'm looking for a million dollar talent tonight. I'm looking for someone to represent this country around the world, and on that performance, it's you.
(Excellent delivery. My wife thinks of Michael Bolton with the voice, but I like this guy's delivery and voice better than Bolton's.)

Segment #4

Next act: Jackie Evancho
"Ave Maria"
Wow... Standing Ovation from all.
Howie: It's undescribable. I can imagine, right before death, you hear Jackie Evancho singing. IN A GOOD WAY.
Piers: The bad news for Sharon is that Ozzy Osborne has just lost $100. The point of this show is to find undiscovered talent. I have NEVER seen an act on this show, the British show, or any of them, with more potential.
Sharon: You sang it beautifully and with great emotion. What can I say, little Angel?
(Of course... Excellent. Personally, I think she's a star, already. She doesn't NEED to win. So there's a backlash in my mind. I would be voting for one of the other ones.)

Segment #5

The best variety acts of the season make a comeback.
The hottest variety acts from America's Got Talent 2010 - All perform a few seconds of a single song, usually more than one act at a time. Good job putting it together.
Harmonica player, aerialists, ballroom dancers, break dancers, HasPop, and Michael Grasso (Magician).

Segment #6

Last act: Fighting Gravity]
Standing O from Audience
Piers: Here's the deal. this is a brilliantly clever act. This will be in Vegas. Whatever happens tonight, this act will be in Vegas. Right near the end, you made one mistake. And it took away some of the magic. And tonight, you had to be perfect and you weren't. And you followed Jackie. And she was perfect. And that's why I think she'll win.
Sharon: It's a good thing it's not up to him. America will vote. You will see.
Howie: You are what makes this show so special. The variety. People please vote. I can't stress it enough. If you want your favorite to stay, you have to vote.
(The "mistake" was when one of the black-clad guys bodies showed in front of a glowing doorway. In real life, this would be no big deal, and, personally, I don't think it took away from the "magic". This act has been one of my favorites from the beginning. And I KNOW they will be in Vegas, win or lose.)

My wife's choice: Michael Grimm

My logic: Poppycock has shown he's Vegas- or even Met-worthy, as has Fighting Gravity. Jackie is a star, already. So, let Michael win.
Mine: Michael Grimm

Tomorrow, the Finale. And one act will win $1,000,000. VOTE! (I will include tonight's videos tomorrow if they are up on NBC.)

Goo Goo Dolls, Cirque de Soliel, David Copperfield, and more.

Cya, then!

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

America's Got Talent (AGT) (2010) - September 8, 2010 - Top 10 Results

10 Acts, only four (4) make it through.

The Acts, and their performances, yesterday:

Anna and Patryk


Michael Grimm


Taylor Mathews


Prince Poppycock


Christina and Ali


Michael Grasso


Fighting Gravity


Jeremy van Schoonhoven


Jackie Evancho


Studio One Young Beast Society


For more on America's Got Talent, go here
For more of Week 5 highlights and more, go here
For full episode videos of Season 5, go here

--

The first group out: Michael Grasso and Prince Poppycock
Piers, these are two of your favorite acts. What do you think? Piers: If what you say is right, and one is going home, I'm shocked.
The first act going through to the finals is: Prince Poppycock
Sharon: It's kinda bittersweet, because the last show was so phenomenal, we wanted them all to go through. I know Michael will go on and do great things.

Segment #2

Orville Loungs - Post show party

A live performance from the cast of American Idiot (play based on Green Day's album)

Segment #3

Next pair out: Michael Grimm and Taylor Mathews
Howie: Nobody deserves to go home, at least in this pair. If I could vote now, you're both gonna stay.
And the act going through to the finals is: Michael Grimm

Segment #4

Sarah MacGlothlin performs

Segment #5

The next pair out: Jeremy vanSchoonhoven and Christina and Ali
America has voted. The act going through to the finals is: No one.
Jeremy: (Was it worth it?) Definitely. My dreams have come true.
Christina: Yes, we enjoyed ourselves.
Howie: When you do this show, you get attached to people, and I'm sitting here looking at this little girl cry. You have nothing to cry about. You stood and sang in front of millions of people.

The next pair: Jackie Evancho and Anna and Patryk
Piers: (You said they have both been very professional). To my mind, we have Jackie, the best young singer we've ever had. And Anna and Patryk, the best young dancers we've ever had. Whatever happens, you're both winners.
The third act going into the finals is: Jackie Evancho
Sharon: I am delighted. I'm delighted for her. I know I'm going to enjoy your next act, so I can't wait.

Segment #6

The last two: Fighting Gravity and Studio One Young Beast Society
Howie: I still think they both deserve to go through.
Last spot. America has voted. The last act going into the finals and moving one step closer to the million dollars and the headline show in Las Vegas is: Fighting Gravity. (YAY!)


So, the final four: Prince Poppycock, Michael Grimm, Jackie Evancho, and Fighting Gravity.
Next week, four acts, the final performances.

Cya, then! ;-)

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

America's Got Talent (AGT) (2010) - September 07, 2010 - The Top 10

Live from Hollywood

The acts (in no particular order but the nights they won):
Anna and Patryk
Michael Grimm
Taylor Mathews
Prince Poppycock
Christina and Ali
Michael Grasso
Fighting Gravity
Jeremy van Schoonhoven
Jackie Evancho
Studio One Young Beast Society

Also Enrique Iglesias

Out of these 10 Acts, 4 will make it to the finals, next week.
Everyone is going for $1,000,000, Headlining the National Tour of 24 cities, including Vegas, with Jerry Springer as host. Starts October 21st in Oakland California, then

Now, there's no judges' picks. America only chooses from now on.

They show the judges and the Top 10 acts talking.

Piers: It's going to be very tough to choose. This is the strongest group we've ever had. They have to be flawless.

Act #1 - Studio One Young Beast Society (Dancer Troupe)
Piers: What a start. I'll tell you what I really like as a troupe. Every time we see you, it's bigger and better.
Sharon: As usual, your passion and ambition show in your dance. I know you've all been injured at one time or another. Absolutely phenomenal.
Howie: We've all see dance, and I've never seen it combined like you did. And I can honestly say, you're the best act we've seen tonight.
(They had some great stunts in that dance. I didn't see any slips, and they looked GOOD. There's some fierce competition, tonight.)

Segment #2

Act #2 - Christina and Ali (Singers)
"I Love You I Do"
Sharon: I have to say, Christina, your voice, my goodness me... Those notes. Better and better. I love to see your smiles and your moving. I have to say your voices are getting stornger each week.
Howie: You have a nice enjoyable act. It's scary for me that you're up against so many good death-defying acts. But you do make us happy.
Piers: I was thinking, I wonder how your parents feel watching you. I think you two have blossomed into these natural entertainers. You're not the best technical singers, but you make us feel good by being there. And that's half the battle of being entertainers.
(They're cute, they can be bubbly, and knowing their backstory, it's great that they can do what they do. It would be nice to see them make it, but I don't think they're quite a strong enough act. The backstory has helped them along. Now we will see if America thinks that's enough.)

Segment #3

Act #3 - Jeremy vanSchoonhoven (Stunt Biker)
He built the set, and couldn't practice. Hopeing he'd heal up from last week. He did it on four practices. Pretty imressive.
Howie: I thought from last week, how could you top that. It was amazing. You hit every mark.
Piers: What do you say. We've got some great singers, great dancers. But you are a crowd-pleaser.
Sharon: Every time you perform, my stomach is in knots. Every time, you get more and more confident.
(They're not saying a year, headlining in Vegas any more. So, now, they will headline the AGT National Tour including Vegas. This, I think, gives acts like Jeremy a much better chance, because they don't have to perform for 90 minutes at a time. They get the headline, but the show will be mixed up with other AGT acts, some of whom can perform for longer periods of time. He's got a good chance, here.)

Segment #4

Act #4 - Taylor Mathews (Singer)
"What A Wonderful World"
Piers: Who decided on the song? (I did.) Who decided on that arrangement? (I did.) ... pause ... That's a pretty brave thing to do. And you know something? That's your best performance yet. You have just put yourself right back into the competition.
Sharon: You find these songs that no one would think you could do, and you arrange it, and you make it your own.
Howie: You are now in your comfort zone. Last week you took a shot. And like whomever said it, you're back to where you were when you sang Over the Rainbow. I loved it.
(That was a great arrangement, and performance. As they said, his best, yet. Too many good acts!)

Segment #5

Act #5 - Anna & Patryk (Ballroom Dancers)
Sharon: The sign of a true professional... You slipped, you get right back up and move on. And I loved the choreography.
Howie: You were wonderful. You really are wonderful. I'm sure millions of people wish they had just a smidgen of your talent.
Piers: I know why you're crying, because you fell over. Will that little girl get up. And up you jumped, you carried on as if nothing happened, and that is what being a star is all about.
(I didn't see the fall for some reason. But the rest of the dance reminded me of - and one of the judges mentioned it - of Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in The Mask. I kept waiting for someone in the band to say "Hey, Patchuko". I thought they did a great job. And as Sharon said, everyone slips on stairs now and then. All you can do is get u and go on, and that's exactly what they did. The rest of the dance was fantastic.)

Segment #6

Enrique Iglesias performs "Baby I Like It"

Segment #7

Act #6 - Fighting Gravity (Blacklight/Effects act)
Howie: I don't want to say it too much, but Wow. Every time we see it, you up it. You added lasers, you told a story. You guys are already stars, you deserve to go on.
Piers: I think what we're already impressed by with your act, is you keep getting bigger and better. You've taken a big chance with your lives (they all quit school to pursue this). Of all the acts tonight that say Las Vegas, it's this act.
Sharon: I've said it before... Cirque de Soleil, Blue Man Group, and Fighting Gravity. America's gonna love you, and vote you through.
(I, personally, think that even if they don't make it through, they will HAVE an act in Vegas, Atlatic City, Hollywood, damn-near wherever they want. They are just THAT good.)

Sgement #8

The Cast of American Idiot and Sarah Mcglothlin

Act #7 - Michael Grimm (Singer)
"Let's Stay Together"
Piers: Another contestant has taken a big gamble tonight... You without your guitar. A brilliantly-chosen song, perfectly executed.
Sharon: I think the best thing you've done for yourself is get rid of that guitar. Congratuations.
Howie: You know how I feel, and I'm glad you got rid of that guitar, too. I think you're the best of the singers we have, and believe you deserve to go on. I don't know if they showed it on TV, but you connected with the audience, and had almost every lady in here...
(Great version. He is definitely a front-runner.)

Segment #9

Act #8 - Michael Grasso (Magician/Illusionist)
(Brought back as a Wildcard, and now Top 10)
Sharon: Each week you step it up. I mean you deliver every week. America's got a big task tonight. I mean four ... four of you go through.
Howie: I crown you now the King of Magic. How did you do it? (I don't know I wasn't watching.) Vote for him, because I want him here next week, and if you make it, you have to tell me. (Deal.)
Piers: Sharon said it... America's got an incredible task tonight. If you love any of the acts tonight, vote for them. If they loved you as we did, vote for him.
(He's always surprising, and he does have style. The "pinned a girl" into a plexiglas box (with help) with swords, then hid her behind a curtain, stepped behind the curtain, and the girl showed almost immediately. They pulled the box out, and there was what appeared to be him in the box. They pulled the swords out of the box, and there was another girl in a black tearaway suit. They came to the "helper", stripped off the outer clothes, and there was Michael. Pretty good trick. Damn he's good, and stylish.)

Segment #10

Act #9 - Prince Poppycock (Costumed Operatic Singer)
Poppycock's tribute to America
Howie: I don't know if this is what the forefathers had in mind. It's amazing what's going on in your head.
Piers: I have been rendered temporarily speechless. You do put on this amazing extraveganca.
Sharon: I mean specticle... You go from Opera, to Freddie Mercury, to the Star Spangled Banner... There's just no end to you, Prince Poppycock.
(This guy is great. Very campy, but sincere. I didn't get anything at all to think he was making a joke of patriotism. It was just the way they'd have done it many years ago in Burlesque. Very flamboyant. I think he stays in the Poppycock character until the makeup comes off, too. LOL)

Segment #11

Act #10 - Jackie Evancho (Operatic Singer - 10yo)
Piers: I don't know what to say. What do you say about a performance like that? I've never seen a performance like that on this show, and I've very rarely seen it. I knew, when you hit those high notes, if I'm still alive, in 40 years, that I was one of those who helped discover you.
Sharon: It was heavenly. I didn't understand one word you were singing. It was heavenly. It was one of those performances I will never ever forget.
Howie: Did you ever swallow a grownup? It sounds like you did. You are just amazing. Words cannot describe, and I can't tell you how happy I am to here the night you sang for Piers Morgan.

My wife's choices: Fighting Gravity, Michael Grimm, Michael Grasso, Prince Poppycock (didn't pick Jackie, because she's already a star. With that logic, ALL of them are there, I'm sure.)
I find it hard to choose. I want them ALL to go through. I think every one of them will be stars in the near future.
Ok... Have to get it down to four: Fighting Gravity, for sure. Prince Poppycock. (Though, using my wife's logic, both are already stars.) Michael Grasso, and (just to be different from my wife) Taylor Mathews.

I will try to connect to the videos of tonight's acts tomorrow in the list at the beginning of the results. If they don't have tonight's up, it will be the one before.

Cya Tomorrow! ;-)

Thursday, September 02, 2010

America's Got Talent (AGT) (2010) - September 01, 2010 - Semi-Final 2 Results

Live from Hollywood

From these 12 will come 5:
Alice Tan Ridley
HasPop
Maestro Alexander Bui
Micheal Lipari and Ashleigh Dijon
Michael Grasso
Debra Romer
Studio One Young Beast Society
Jeremy van Schoonhoven
Nathanial Kenyon
Murray
Jackie Evancho
Fighting Gravity

Segment #1

First group out: Debra Romer, Michael Grasso, Murray, Nathaniel Kenyon
Piers: (Can you call it?) You look at any of the acts up here, and in any normal year, you'd all be through to the final, but this isn't a normal year.
And the act going through to the top 10, and one step closer to the $1,000,000 and the headline show in Las Vegas is: Michael Grasso.
(Great. His magician act was much better than Murray's, I think, though both were relatively standard. Though I hate to see Debra and Nathaniel go, too.)

Segment #2

Orville Lounge (after show party)

La Reve performs

Segment #3

Next group out: Fighting Gravity and Jeremy van Schoonhoven
Sharon: (How do you feel, right now?) Confused. Because they are a couple of my favorites.
The act going through to the top 10 is: BOTH (YAY!)

Three through... two spots left.

Segment #4

Jason DeRulo performs

Segment #5

Jerry Springer appears on stage with Nick.
Jerry is hosting the multi-state tour.
The Live stage show will be starring the winner and favorite acts. 24 cities, and Caesar's Palace in Vegas.

Next group: HasPop. Maestro Alexander Bui, and Jackie Evancho
(Well, we know who's going through, here.)
America has voted. The act going through to the top 10 ... is: Jackie Evancho.

Next group: Studio One Young Beast Society, Michael Lipari and Ashleigh Dijon, Alice Ton Ridley
The judges can only pick from two.
The act leaving the competition and going home is: Michael Lipari and Ashleigh Dijon

Segment #6
Piers: This is one of the cruelest times in the show. I'm going to go to the act that last night I felt should be in the top 10. Studio One.
Sharon: You both... both acts deserve to go through, but unfortunately, you can't. So, I'm going to put through: Studio One. (She'd said that Studio One were great role-models for the youth of America.
Wow... Really?

So, tonight: Michael Grasso, Fighting Gravity, Jeremy van Schoonhoven, Jackie Evancho, and Studio One Young Beast Society
From last week: Anna and Patryk, Michael Grimm, Taylor Mathews, Prince Poppycock, and Christina and Ali.

That's the top 10. They all perform for us again, next week.

Cya, then!