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'America's Got Talent': Anna Graceman, Sandou Trio Russian bar a strong finish to the night
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The live voting rounds of "America's Got Talent" are finally here, gang. It seems like it has been forever since the show debuted, no? After a good 10 minutes of filler, we jump into the performances.1. Miami All-Stars
We haven't seen these guys for awhile because they were sent straight through in Vegas. They get some bad news because the piece of music they were rehearsing with cannot be used due to legal reasons. Ouch. But they put on a great show. The opening is particularly awesome, as is the spinning girl (you know the one I mean). This is actually more entertaining than most group dance acts they have on this show, so good for them. The use of the musical cues was fantastic. The judges' praise is effusive.
2. Dezmond Meeks
Dez has picked himself up some gold sparkly backup dancers, which definitely adds to his act. His song is "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" and it's ... OK. Honestly, a little karaoke and a little cheesy. Not that on this show that's necessarily a bad thing, but I fear Dez might not have gotten himself a spot in the semifinals with this performance. The act is very Vegas, but did it translate to the TV viewers? Sharon says he has a soulful voice, but that it's a fine line between what he did and being too cabaret/a little bit cheezy. Yeah. Howie thinks Dez crossed the line and calls it cruise ship-y. For sure. He is better than that. Surprisingly, Piers is the one who says it was outstanding. Huh.
3. Those Funny Little People
I'm not even going to dignify this act with a recap. They are clearly cannon fodder put through so the producers could ensure the best acts advance to the semis. They have no business being on the show at this stage. As Piers says, "Very, very annoying."
4. The Fearless Flores Family
Another act that went straight through. For this week, the motorcycle dome of death will feature three riders. This is really more a circus/state fair act than a stage show act. It's something you watch for a few minutes, then wander away to go eat a deep-fried twinkie. It's not something you buy a ticket for where it's the ONLY act, ya know? It's cool and stuff, but ... meh. Also, it never changes. It's people riding their motorcycles around a hamster ball. Sharon rightly asks, "Where do you go from here with that?"
5. Squonk Opera
This is such a weird act. It's almost too arty for this show. And it's super hard to recap because it's hard to describe what is happening, but ... hm. The girl doesn't sound in tune for a lot of it and it's kinda boring. And super weird. Really self-indulgent. Piers and Sharon both buzz them. Yeah. I missed these guys the first time around, were they better? Because I did not enjoy this one. Piers says he imagines this is what hell is like. Heee.
6. J. Chris Newberg
So his schtick is kinda funny. His one-liners are hit and miss, but once he starts his song bit with the kids choir? Funny. Especially since the kids are dressed like little Newbergs, complete with goatees. I'm not sure whether he'll be one of the top acts tonight, but I thought that was amusing. Howie and Sharon are complimentary, Piers says, "It's just completely inappropriate, almost startlingly inappropriate." Um, what? Unfunny is one thing, but inappropriate? The British pot calls the kettle black? I mean, have you seen British humor?
7. Snap Boogie
Our resident street dancer has some weird backup dancers, but luckily they are in black and he's in white, so he's the focus. His routine is awesome, but maybe not right for this show? He really should be on "So You Think You Can Dance." Still, he's awesome and I hope he advances. The ending was especially excellent. The judges love it.
At this point, Nick Cannon teases, "You wont' believe what this parrot is going to do to win your votes." Unless the answer is "pay me," that stupid bird act is NOT getting my votes.
8. Echo the bird
This is dumb. I find it amazing that birds can imitate human speech, I truly do. But this is cannon fodder, just like the little people. Who would pay money to sit and watch a bird respond to cues and treats? This should be at a zoo. Howie nails it with, "Are you a million dollar act or a really good birthday party?"
9. The Fiddleheads
Their call tonight is a bluegrass version of "Billie Jean," which could have been fun, but it's too much like Michael Jackson with a couple banjos, as opposed to an actual bluegrass version of the song. I would've liked to see this be more original than it is. Before this performance, I really wanted these guys to advance, but now I'm not sure. Plus, the singer can't handle the high stuff at all. Yikes. This was the WRONG choice of song. Howie says it too. Wrong song. They should've gone something in the Zac Brown Band vein. This could knock them out of the competition. Piers doesn't object to the song choice, but he says it was too big for the singer. That is also true. Sharon doesn't like the outfits or the song, but she loves them enough that she wants to see them advance.
10. Duo Aero
Tonight's act has a swing theme, which is very fun. Love the music, love the costumes, and the tricks are breathtaking. See the difference between this and the motorcyles in the hamster ball act is that this changes all the time. That one does not. Can this carry its own show? Probably not, but it's still one of the best tonight. Piers buzzes them, which - who twisted your panties tonight, old man? Is nothing good enough for you? He says it was boring. Hmm. Disagree. I liked the feel to the act and the tricks still made me go "wow." Sharon says it was old-timey. Howie says dated. I say "stylized" and "throw-back." The actual tricks weren't dated. If they had set that same routine to rap music or Lady Gaga, the judges would have been fine, which is dumb.
11. Anna Graceman
Little Anna's song this round is "What a Wonderful World" and it's pretty great. Her arrangement of the song is original and her piano and vocals are solid. She seems much more confident and polished than last time, for sure. Definitely one of the strongest tonight, the ending actually gives me goosebumps a little. Sharon and Howie give her a standing O. Yes, well done, little girl. I don't love her lighter hair, but her outfit is adorable in that "styled by an 11 year-old" way.
12. Sandou Trio Russian bar act
To ramp up the danger, they've added a bed of nails underneath the bar, which then gets lit on fire. It's neat, but they should've started with the bed of nails lit. It took too much time to set that up and she only ended up doing like three jumps. I mean, it's a neat act - I prefer it to the motorcycles and the aerial duo, but it felt clunky. I still love the act, but it should have flowed better.
So who should advance. Only four acts get to go through and my picks are Anna Graceman, Sandou Trio, Snap Boogie and then - gosh, I don't know. Could go to J. Chris Newberg, could go Fiddleheads, could go Aero Duo, could go Miami All-Stars. I'm really not sure. What do you think, gang?
See you back here tomorrow night for the results. And Avril Lavigne!
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What's up with the reviewer and her dislike so much of Echo? I disagree! Echo the bird was entertaining, more so than most of the other acts
I,like the reviewer,picked Anna Graceman,as a no.1 pick.She is a future Superstar.I disagreed about Anna,s hair.I thought she looked beautiful,for an 11 yr. old.All my votes will go to this incredibably talented young lady.
I think Anna Graceman and Snap Boogie were the top performances last night.
I think all of the "circus acts" -- the motorcycles, the people on aerial act and the Russian bar act -- just don't have enough variety to sustain an act. Whatever else is under them, or whatever costumes or music they have, there are only so many ways to flip on a trapeze or somersault above a Russian bar. I'm not interested enough in any of them to watch more than a minute or so.
I agree about Fiddleheads' choice and performance but I hope they advance -- their previous performances were good and they were much better than some of the other acts.
The little people annoy me to no end and I didn't think the comedian was all that funny.
And I liked Howie last season, but he is being SO annoying this year. Stop with the pranks already: that's not what we watch the show for.
Miami All-Stars and Desmond were better during their 1st auditions. The funny little people, the opera act, and the fearless family were actually pretty good. Echo the bird's act was a complete repeat of his 1st audition (with some words and phrases added, I'm shocked the judges didn't notice this) The aero group and the bar group were good as well.
I'd liked to see funny little people, squak opera, the fearless family, echo the bird, duo aero and the russian bar act advance.
I couldn't find four acts to pass through. This was a pretty sad bunch that made some rather ordinary cabaret type acts look good. Anna's going to make it. But as for the other three. . . who knows? And I totally disagree with the judges' and the reviewer's assessment of Snap Boogie: his dance was BORING. He wouldn't have made it past the first audition on SYTYCD. And Dezmond could have done without the golden girls. They were a huge distraction.
Anna Graceman is no Jackie Evancho.
Just over rated.
Gil
It's a matter of preference. You may love Jackie type of music, but some people prefer what Anna sings.
Both are extremly good at what they do. While I love Jackie's voice, I'd much prefer to sit in a concert for an hour listening to Anna. After one or two song of the opratic style and I'll be bored.
Are you crazy?? The Funny Little People are hysterical!! They were the best part of the show!!
I would also like to see Miami All Stars move forward. Anna Graceman and J. Chris Newberg were the four best. Fiddleheads were so good before they did MJ and Dezmond Meeks was so bad and cheezy, poor guy but I thought he was the worst.
Dunno what Piers was talking about with talent being through the roof. Seems like the worst crowd in all the years I've watched. I haven't seen a "superstar" yet.
I predict Miami All Stars, Snap Boogie, Anna Graceman and Sandou will advance by default.
All the other acts were pretty awful.
Anna Gracemen did hit a couple of clunkers on the piano though.
Snap Boogie was weak compared to his audition. Hopefully his injury heals up so he can get back to where he was.
My favorites were: Miami All Stars, Echo, Funny Little People and the Russian bar trio.
I predict the Russian bar, Anna, Miami All Stars and the Flores's will go through.
I am not a fan of solo singers in a show like this. At least Anna is a child. The other adult solo singers could go on any number of singing only shows. The circus acts don't have that option.