America's Got Talent 2008 - 09/10/2008

Oh, man... Fell asleep until 8:10PM, so missed who made it from last night, and Terry Fator! I'll have to hope to find a full-episode to check out once the show's over. If not, sorry. We'll see tomorrow night, I guess.

Sorry. Couldn't find anything so quickly. Keep an eye here - http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/recaps/#cat=3 to see who goes on from The Cadence, Queen Emily, The Wright Kids, The James Gang, Daniel Jens, ZOOperstars, Neal E Boyd, Jessica Price, Extreme Dance FX, and Paul Salos. It should be episodes 313, 314, and maybe 315, the last of which should be on tomorrow night. Keep an eye here http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/ for new videos, and here http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/categories/two-minute-replays/35417/ for new two-minute recaps.

Tonight: SickStep, Donald Braswell, Joseph Hall, The Taubl Family, Sarah Lenore, Nuttin But Strings, Kaitlyn Maher, Tapping Dads, Eli Mattson, Jonathan Burkin.

**

SickStep http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGfOidpSmO4
More stunts, new tricks. Vegas or nothing. We're going all the way. From LA. "Blame it on the Boogie". Buzzed early. Piers: Buzzed because he wasn't sure it was better than their last performance. Not sure everyone was in sync with each other. Gotta tighten up. Sharon: Great energy. Love the choreography. Need more gymnastics. David: I know you guys will be voted back. I asked you to bring more attitude, and you did. But, they are right. If you get voted back, bring it. (Not bad. We'll see how the rest of the acts do.)

Donald Braswell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv_BBwLEBJw and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RerU3W2tMdY
Like his whole life led to that one single moment (when the door opened and he came down the stairs singing.) He was brought back for a reason. Classically trained performer. At his age, he's so ready for the opportunity. "The Music of the Night". Audience standing ovation. Piers: Can I be frank with you. I am beginning to hate the sight of you. Every time you come back, I am reminded every time you come back and are better, that we rejected you, and it took the American public to bring you back. Sharon: I would like to see you do something upbeat next time. Oozing personality. David: Donald... That is a hard song, and you took my breath away. Whether you win this competition or not, you have a major career ahead of you. (Great. He should be in. Got my vote, and I'm sure my wife's.)

Joseph Hall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gUWlYqPFmo (This was last weeks' video. He had the moves, but was off a bit in the look, and didn't sing like Elvis, far as I was concerned. He was lucky to make it through.)
Elvis impersonator. Last week's performance didn't go as well as I wanted it to. Tonight's performance is going to be my last chance. I've got to take control of the stage. "Suspiscious Minds". Audeince standing ovation. Piers: Elvis is back in the building. That was the performance I saw in your first audition. Sharon: Oh, Joseph, Darling. You are packing it tonight... You really are. You are great fun. You really are. The show needs more of you... Much, much more. David: You sounded so much like Elvis tonight, I thought it was a track. Great look. The only difference between you and Elvis is YOU are thinner. (Wife asked if he was lip-syncing. Great outfit. Sounds good. Maybe too many "Elvis moves"? I think he's in.)

The Taubl Family http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYC78ci1ZTk
On such a high from the last performance. We worked so hard. Thrilling. We're on top, right now, but it's a long way down, and we don't want that to happen. Vegas would be beyond our dreams. We think we're the best new act in America, and we're gonna prove it. "When You Believe"?. Piers buzzed early. Piers: I buzzed you because the first half was boring. However, the second half, when you all came together and got the harmonies together, it was terrific. But the first part may have cost you. Sharon: Well I don't think it did. First boy, it was a bit iffy. After that it warmed up beautifully. Love you. David: It was a bit squirrelly in the beginning. Your power is as a family. If you're going to be a soloist, you HAVE to be good. If you're voted back, come back as a family. (Judges are right. Beginning was off a bit. Once they got everyone involved, it was good. We'll see.)

Sarah Lenore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTFjYwQIpmA
Performance last week felt like a big blur. Stage is so big (compared to what I'm used to). Chose a song that will be a test. When she gets nervous, her voice gets loud, so she'll have to control that. "Bleeding Love". Piers: I thought that was a very brave song choice. Difficult song. You sang it well, but not brilliantly. I am now certain that the type of song that suits you best is country. This song exposed where your weaknesses lie. Sharon: You tried to make it your own, but you didn't. Very brave to take on that song, because it's so huge. But you did well. I just don't think we've seen the best of you. I hope you can come back next week and we can see the best of you. David: Going to cross the line and tell America we have to vote you back. That was the wrong song. Whether you win or not, you have a great career. If you come back, go back to your roots. (I thought she did a very good job with the song. Maybe not as good as the original (I've never heard it that I remember), but ...)

Nuttin But String http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OkWxM12H1I
Last week's performance was dedicated to our cousin who was killed in the streets. We set the bar really high for ourselves. Tonight will be a whole different vibe... A whole different energy. We are gonna keep fighting in this competition, and go all the way. Standing Ovation. Piers: You guys to extraordinary things. You bring two worlds together. The point I want to make is you bring classical music and the streets. It's intense and emotional. I think you can win this competition, because you deserve it. Sharon: Tailored the show tonight for a much younger crowd. If America doesn't bring you back next week, it will be such an injustice. David: Four words: "Nuttin But The Finals". (Violins were a little behind in he mix... Hard to hear, but it was there and good. They're a VERY interesting pair. I'd like to see them do a little quieter and slower song to show some range, but that might be dangerous. We'll see.)

Kaitlyn Maher http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVt4jiyZUiE
Singing on that big stage makes me feel good. When I was singing, I was looking at the judges. I wasn't nervous, I was just having fun. The judges really like me, and I really like them, too. I'm getting to do something which no other four year old in American is getting to do, and that makes me feel special. "Beauty and the Beast". Piers: Did you enjoy that. (I did. I had fun and I practiced hard.) I'm gonna be a bit of a beast. I just wanna be honest with you. You are our little princess. I have to work out whether you're ready to be the queen, and I don't think you're quite there. Sharon: Thought you sang it so beautifully. I loved the arm movement. It shows you take direction, beautifully. David: I loved the way you ended that song. What's important is that you have brought America together. A four year old girl has affected the audience and these judges. Because when you come on stage, we just all smile. (She's cute. She does a good job. She has not forgotten ANY words. (Could YOU do that at four years old?) But I don't see her going on. She would NOT be able to do 90 minutes in Vegas. I'd really hate to break her heart, but...)

The Tapping Dads (Strange... Can't find any recent videos. Please see earlier posts on AGT)
Last performance was incredible. When we saw our daughters in the audience, it was incredible. When Piers "x"ed us, it absolutely made each and every one of us want to do better. This week, we are working harder than we ever have. We're not stopping until we get to the top. David and Sharon, Standing O. Audience standing ovation. Piers: You may have notice that a very strange thing has happened this evening. My hand was hovering, but I didn't hit it. You looked like you were having fun, tonight. There's something about your spirit and determination... You're beginning to get to me. Sharon: Standard of dancing is getting better. I think you'd do fantastic in Vegas. You're unstoppable. Keep it up. David: I am SO glad I didn't buzz you guys off the other night. And Fred Astaire IS rolling over in his grave right now, because you guys are getting better. (They were great. Camera seemed to focus on one guy, who seems to be the leader, but the others were great, too.)

Eli Mattson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ9-2l4rVCE
This whole thing just feels like a dream... A dream I don't wanna wake up from. With this next sone, I'm trying to take things a little further. It's a monster of a song. This is my big chance. "Some People Want it All". Piers: Some of the acts at this stage of the competition start moaning about the song choices. If every one of the singers had an album out tomorrow, I'd buy yours. Sharon: Great emotion, great passion. HOWEVER, when you're singing the lower register, you have to watch your intonation. David: You sing with such emotion and honesty, you really are the Piano Man. (I like him. He's great on piano, and good with singing.)

Jonathan Burkin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeN_m3UmPZo
I want to show the world that baton twirling is serious. Gonna be tough this week (Pressure). "Pinball Wizard". Piers: Great job. I was absolutely sure you were going to drop one, but you didn't. You were brilliant as ever. I think the only problem you will have is the competition. Sharon: We know all about competition, but there's only ONE baton twirler. David: Watching you makes me nervous. Like watching the Olympics. "Don't make one mistake", and you didn't.

End of show

David keeps saying, (paraphrased) "Even if you don't make it, you have a great career ahead of you." I hope he's right. Those producers need to be watching for that to happen, though. I hope they're out there.

Wife: Donald Braswell, Joseph Hall, Nuttin But Strings, Eli Mattson, Jonathan Burkin
Me: Donald Braswell, Joseph Hall, Nuttin But Strings, Tapping Dads, Eli Mattson