America's Got Talent (AGT) 2012 - 07/10/2012 - 2nd Live Quarterfinal Show from NY

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Live from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Next group of 12 perform tonight

Segment #1

Howie: (What can tonight's acts learn from last week's?) They have to watch what happened last week. If they don't step up, if they don't give it their all, they're going home.

LionDanceMe (Martial Arts Lion Dancing)
Howard: Congratulations on not falling. In Vegas you fell. Here's what I worry about with you guys. Week after week it's the same thing. I happen to love this. America gets bored easily. If you do manage to get one of the four spots, stop wearing the costumes. You got to make it a little different each time. I give you a 50/50 chance.
Sharon: It's the third time I've seen you perform. Maybe some of you should do some martial arts with the lions... Do it that way to make it a bit more different.
Howie: I agree... The athleticism is tremendous. But I got bored. I can't tell you for the life of me why that was different from the last time. I think you're in trouble tonight.
(It did seem to be pretty much the same thing. They're very good at it, but I don't think they could sustain a Vegas show.)

Commercials
Segment #2

Turf (Street Performing Contortionist/Dancer)
Howie standing ovation
Sharon: One guy with no help with nothing, no help but your background music. It takes guts and telent, and you've got both.
Howie: Seriously, there is so much emotion, so much passion in what you do. I cannot figure out how you do it. You seem to want this more than any other contestant in this contest this year. You're like a human Gumby.
Howard: You're an amazing talent. Keep your eye on Unity in Motion. They do a little of what you do, then they do strength.
(How this guy turns his arm around as far as he does is beyond me. It almost hurts to watch him, but like a car wreck - no allusions there... - my point is that) you just can't stop watching. He's a performer... He may make it. We'll see.)


Commercials
Segment #3

The All Ways (Rock Band)
Howie: I have two notes; I like them and that's why they're here. I like you as a rock-n-roll band. I think the song might have been too poppy. Plus I don't think a rock band should be named after a panty-liner.
Howard: I've been a fan all along. You've gotta pick your style. When I watch your band, I look at the lead singer and guitarist, and think if I want to be them, and I didn't want to be you tonight. Remember song-choice, committment and does anyone harmonize?
Sharon: I love your strength on stage. I love your enthusiasm. Song choice, though... I love the fact that you look like an 80s retro band. I hope they bring you back. Song, song song.
Howard: Don't be a bar band. Make the song your own.
(As they all said, song-choice. These guys are GOOD. The singer can hit notes only a few in rock can. If they make it, I hope they choose a good ROCK song - think Whitesnake.)

Commercials
Segment #4

Hawley Magic (Magician)
Howard: I like magic acts. I feel for you. The best magic act is getting out of your parents' basement. That's a little bit old-school to me, but it's going to be interesting how America votes tonight.
Sharon: One thing Howard said that bothers me - Your presentation. You're both young. Be cool. It's a little old-fashioned... You need to update it to this century.
Howie: I love the illusion. I've never seen the wife-kabob. I wish you the best of luck.
(Interesting. I don't recall seeing the "wife-kabob" either. It was pretty good. The presentation is a little dated, but everyone else is doing the flashy-type magic. This is pretty straight-forward. That may work in their favor.)

Commercials
Segment #5

The Lisa Clark Dancers (Dance Troupe)
(fusion of Jazz/Contemporary/Tap)
Howie buzzed just before the end
Howie: I was waiting for something, for you to step it up. You are tremendous dancers, but it seems like a young persons' recital.
Sharon: I think it's a full moon or something. You're all great dancers. We've seen you do different types of dance before. I didn't like the music... I thought it was a little old-fashioned. And that's not your fault, it's your choreographer's.
Howard: I think they're being a little too rough on you. Here's the problem - You're in the most difficult category we have. I think this is your last performance. And you're definitely better than a dance recital.
(It was a great dance. I kinda understand both Sharon and Howie, but sadly, I think Howard may be right, and they won't go through. I've only see one I'm sure will go through, and a couple of others that might. But there are seven more acts to go. We'll have to see.)

Commercials
Segment #6

Aurora Light Painting (Paint with light)
Mixed reaction - Howard buzzed.
Howie: I think that you have peaked. I think it was original... It's like Etch-a-Sketch in the dark. I didn't understand it what you showed me at the end.
Howard: It pains me to "X" you. You see a special effects movie because of the story. I think you're in huge trouble.
Sharon: You have a vision, but the vision isn't sophisticated enough, yet. You have a little doll, but it's not sophisticated enough... It's not sexy.
(I got the story. I think Sharon might be right - It's not sophisticated enough - but then they only have what? 90 seconds or so to get their story across? If they had longer, it might have been more "sophisticated".)

Danielle Stallings (14yo Singer)
Howard: I was going to say to you after seeing you twice, that you're talented but you're not memorable, but I think tonight, you ARE memorable.
Sharon: You have a huge voice. You're a real 14yo girl, and don't try to dress like an 18yo, and that voice that come out of you surprises.
Howie: You look beautiful. I'm on Twitter. ... from NY says "Dang this girl is good". I agree.
(I didn't really like the song, but she emoted and sang it well. She's better than some of the others. That's about all I'll say, here.)

Commercials
Segment #7

Donovan and Rebecca (Acrobatic/Strength)
Sharon: Every time we see you you do something different, always. I hope that it comes across as home how difficult this is. There's never any static moves, it's all seamless and fluid.
Howard: You're an amazing act. I've said it from the beginning. I love when Rebecca lifts you... when Rebecca shows her strength. Don't lose that part of your act.
(Beautiful. They are so graceful. And the switches between moves are so quick. They have a good chance if they continue to keep picking the right acts. If they change up too much, it could be death for the act, as it has for others before them.)

Commercials
Segment #8

Big Barry (Little Person Performer/Oldest Contestant)
Howard buzzes early.
Sharon buzzes in the middle.
There are some booes mixed in with cheers.
Howie: OMG. If Bob Dylan and the Easter Bunny had a baby... To be honest, you're not a good singer. But you are incredible novelty act.
Howard: This is about Howie. (Argument between Howie and Howard. Howard demanding that Howie apologize to Flo-Jo's daughter and all the other acts that couldn't go through because Barry did.) You're not funny and you're not talented.
Sharon: I think I said this to you before: You sing like you're on the toilet.
(He's not good. And it's not really that funny. I'm surprised at some of the acts they put through every year, and he's one of them. There are people with a LOT more talent that were not allowed to go through. I believe Howard lobbied for one of the same type, for some reason. Seems a waste of space to have those they KNOW America will not vote for when there are so many they KNOW America WILL vote for.)

Commercials
Segment #9

Howard and Howie are still arguing.

Tom Cotter (Comedian)
Howard: You are smooth. This is going to be the year that maybe a singer doesn't make it.
Sharon: You are a guy that has learnt his craft. Your timing is perfection. I can't say enough about how much I hope America votes you through.
Howie: I know what this must feel like. The pressure is tremendous. But you do not show it.
(He's good. Solid laughs through the whole act. Just bordering on racy. (I wonder if he's cleaned up some of it. There are those comedians who only go as far as he did tonight, never stepping over that line. I guess we'll find out later. I hope he makes it.)

Commercials
Segment #10

Ben Blaque (Crossbow specialist)
Sharon: Very good as usual, you're very exciting. It's great to watch... is he going to do it or is he not.
Howard: I have been a big proponent for you from the beginning. If anybody ever thinks this isn't dangerous...
Howie: The truth is that you are a great act. I loved it.
(He's good! Shot 4 balloons surrounding his assistant at the same time. And they are both good-looking people which makes it even more interesting. He's got a good chance.)

Commercials
Segment #11

Tim Hockenberry (Cocker-esque Singer)
Howie: Your voice is haunting. I didn't want you to be a Joe Cocker impersonator. You aren't. Your are Time Hockenberry.
Sharon: You remind me of a Van Morrison/Joe Cocker type - starting out older than most. It's taken you some time obviously. I loved it.
Howard: I think this was a misstep. It was not your best performance.
(Howard can F-Off. I thought he did a great job. I think Howard may not like the song or the original singer, and that carried over. Besides, Howie liked him, and Howard and Howie are fighting. Stern CAN be an ass, but he should keep that to his own freaking shows. Tim made the song his own, I think.)

The acts tonight were:
LionDanceMe (Martial Arts Lion Dancing)
Turf (Street Performing Contortionist/Dancer)
The All Ways (Rock Band)
Hawley Magic (Magician)
The Lisa Clark Dancers (Dance Troupe)
Aurora Light Painting (Paint with light)
Danielle Stallings (14yo Singer)
Donovan and Rebecca (Acrobatic/Strength)
Big Barry (Little Person Performer/Oldest Contestant)
Tom Cotter (Comedian)
Ben Blaque (Crossbow specialist)
Tim Hockenberry (Cocker-esque Singer)

My four: Turf, Donovan and Rebecca, Tom Cotter, Tim Hockenberry

Results show tomorrow.

Cya then!