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!