America's Got Talent 2008 - Finale Results

Thought this was going to be a half-hour show, but it's an hour.

Here are all the NBC videos. Click on "Newest" on the left, and you will see the videos I've included links to, below.
Winner gets $1,000,000. And a show in Vegas. Jerry, Terry Fator, and the favorite acts from the show will be there. October 17.

Top 5 reminder: (All videos from 09/24/2008 show)
Nuttin But Strings, Donald Braswell, Neal E Boyd, Eli Mattson, Queen Emily.

Jerry hosted, and asked the judges before they commented. His questions are in parens.

David: (Can you see a clear winner in this group?) I cannot pick the winner. Every single one of you can play Las Vegas. Any one of you can win tonight. Congratulations.

The Top 10 perform together: Kaitlyn Maher, The Wright Kids, Paul Salos, Jessica Price, and Joseph Hall. And Nuttin But Strings, Donald Braswell, Neal E Boyd, Eli Mattson, and Queen Emily. "A Moment Like This". (Standing Ovation... David was teary-eyed. Kaitlyn sang the last line.

Sharon: (What did you think?) Yes, we know there's only one winner of this show, but all of them are going to go on, and have amazing careers in the entertainment business.

Leona Lewis (MySpace) sang her new song, "Better in Time".

(Everybody wants their favorite to win.) Il Divo ("Mama") for Neal E Boyd, Brian McKnight for Queen Emily, Marc Cohn ("Walkin' in Memphis") for Eli Mattson, Andrew Lloyd Webber (from Phantom) for Donald Braswell, Wyclef Jean for Nuttin But Strings. ALL say they would like to work with them, win or lose. Of course, all the acts are blown away.

Audition All-Stars ("The wildest and wackiest performances of all time"). Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now". A lot of the impersonators, and strange acts. TOO many and too quick to list them here. Maybe the video will show up on NBC or YouTube (see last week's blog post for those links).

Review of the show through the season. Quick clips of the acts throughout. (Fun look back!)

(I'm amazed at the ones that were picked as they left... But I know someone has to win. Told you it was gonna be hard to choose.)

They showed highlights of each act's run through the series as they left the show.

Fifth Place: Queen Emily.
She would like the thank America for supporting her and voting for her.

Fourth Place: Donald Braswell.
(You were the act that the fans brought back.) To all who brought me back, God Bless all of you. You've given me and my family some incredible memories.

Third Place: Nuttin But Strings.
Standing Ovation, including the judges.
(You guys are so talented.) We made violin cool again. Nuttin But Strings is about passion.

Down to Neal E Boyd and Eli Mattson.

Neal: Winning would change my life. I didn't think I'd make this far. I didn't think they'd respond to opera, but they have. I thank you.
Eli: It means I can take care of my family. No matter how it goes, Dude.

Review of Neal E Boyd's journey through the show (inset of Neal crying watching it all).
Then Eli Mattson's Journey. (He's emotional, too.)

Closest result we've ever had, with less than 1/2 of one percent between the two.

Winner is: NEAL E BOYD. (WOW! AMAZING!) VERY cool! He's crying. "I love you mom. I love you Missouri." Surprise: Message from a musical hero Placido Domingo. You have brought to America's ears, Opera. I'm sure that from today on, you are starting a new career. Neal: Thank you America.

Neal sings: Nessun Dorma. (He was very choked up.)

End of Show.