Semifinals
Round 1
August 4
Last time, the judges assembled a top 40
of talent, but EP Simon Cowell was not too pleased. He says that there
was too much talent to be confined to a top 40, so he's sending in eight
ringers from the audition phase to compete as the ultimate Wild Cards.
Now 48 acts will compete over the next four weeks for your votes.
Welcome to the America's Got Talent quarterfinals!
The Hoff says that you channel the
opening night nerves into energy and jump, because it's now or never.
But if he and the judges buzz you, it's game over. You can still vote
for them, but their act will be cut short.
First up, it's Breaksk8 from Kokomo, IN.
They say that it was amazing to hear that they're going through. To win
America, there has to be a story behind the skates, says the Hoff. The
routine they've set up tonight has to be the toughest they've ever
faced. They've come at us with backing dancers and a salute to the late
great King of Pop Michael Jackson. They'll be skate-dancing to "Smooth
Criminal."
What they say: Piers' main complaint is
that of his original assessment... the skates. "It's too slow! You don't
travel anywhere." Sharon thought it was a great way to open the show.
There was a long way to go. David says that they're good enough on their
own.
What we say: It was a pretty decent way
to start, but at the same time, all they need is each other. Also,
there's no real progression. There has to be growth or the potential
thereof if they're to survive.
Next is a little girl with a big voice,
14-year-old Thia Megia from Tracy, CA. She can't believe that she's at
the studio and having her dreams come true. Piers says that she has to
show America what she's all about if she's to win over America. She'll
be singing "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.
What they say: Sharon thinks that it's
about time we saw someone who was "age appropriate". "I can't wait to
see you grow on this show." David says she's a shooting star, saying she
nailed it. Piers says it was brilliant.
What we say: The song choice was not
memorable. The performance... even less so. She could be very vulnerable
if other singers show up tonight.
Batting third are the Platt Brothers,
acrobatic dancing mimes from San Diego. They've been performing together
since they were little kids. Piers saw potential for a big act, but are
they Vegas big? They decide to bring the biggest act that they can find
performing a pop-lock sentai routine... which ends in "Wild Horses" by
Natasha Bedingfield.
What they say: David says that they have
to concentrate on physicality. Piers says that he doesn't know what
their act is. It's unfocused and a bit messy. Sharon... agrees with both
of them.
What we say: That was a big act.
Coherent? No.
Fourth to play at TV City is the first of
Simon's Wild Cards, Washington, DC's Diva League. They're doing kickball
changes in 4-inch stilettos. Sharon: "Anything can happen." They're
going to go glam-pire for tonight's program, dancing and synching to
Rihanna's "Disturbia."
What they say: Piers... BUZZES.
"Congratulations on the song choice, because that was quite disturbing."
Sharon thought it was fun and entertaining, not rocket science. David
agrees with Sharon.
What we say: And Simon brought this group
back because....
Next up.. Seattle's Manuela Horn... the
yodeling dominatrix. She says that this is very surreal to her. Not as
surreal as a schizophrenic dancing dominatrix yodeler mother-of-two, but
what the hell do I know. Tonight, she'll bring the two sides of the coin
together, dedicating tonight's performance of PCD's "Dontcha" to all of
the hardworking mamas out there.
What they say: BUZZ... BUZZ... BUZZ...
Three buzzes.
What we say: This wasn't what brought her
to the party, and she suffered for it. God did she suffer for it.
Time for a Kmart Kmoment with
Jacksonville, FL's Grandma Lee. She used to travel, raise four kids,
taught school, and at 62, she decided that comedy was her thing. Piers
says she's funny, edgy, and has immaculate taste in men. (Rewind:
"Everyone says Piers is the mean one, but I'd do him."). She goes on a
routine about looking hot for her age, dating people on life support,
blind dates with cataracts, Piers' boxers and David's codpiece.
What they say: David says she's going to
Vegas standing up. She's funny and she's got talent. Piers says she's
given it everything she's learned. Sharon wants to know who was better..
Piers or David.
What we say: I honestly hope that Grandma
Lee doesn't kick off before the semis. She's got that timing thing down
pat.
Halfway there, halfway home... Mosaic is
next out of Vegas. You remember them as the champions of MTV's Top Pop
Group. They were good, but not great, says David. Next 90 seconds could
be the decider as they perform "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder.
What they say: David thought that it
started a little light, but they kicked it into high gear at the end.
Piers says it was NEARLY very good, but a cappella is a tough market to
crack. Sharon thought it was too much to take in to start, but it ended
on a high.
What we say: as an alumnus of a cappella
group, it's going to be hard for me personally to remain objective... so
I'm not even going to bother. That was terrific! Seriously, nice
changeup. There's a growth there from progression to progression, and
they have nowhere to go but up.
Next... who wants to see some dunking?
Here comes Acrodunk from Houston. Piers says that they have to come
bigger, harder, and better. If they miss once... buzz. Can they make it
happen? It's flight time...
What they say: Sharon says that they're
great, but how can they do this in Vegas? David says that they were
awesome, but they have to keep it different all the time. Piers says it
was one of the most extraordinary acts he's ever seen. They've made it
theatre.
What we say: They make the big finish.
They make the big start. They make the act work. But can it sustain
Vegas? Doubt it.
Arcadian Broad from Orlando is up next. A
few weeks ago, he was performing at school. Now he's at TV City. He
would always be teased about dancing, but Sharon says he's got
determination and passion. He's adding a new element to his acts. It's
his moment. The element... his playing the piano. Then he dances to
Kenny Loggins' "Footloose".
What they say: David says that he's come
a long way. Piers doesn't want him to play the piano ever again. Sharon
says that he showed us a different side of him and it was brilliant.
What we say: He's a great pianist... he's
a great dancer. Unfortunately it was the dancing that got him to the
party. He just should've stuck to that.
Next up... Drew Thomas Magic from
Orlando. Since he was a kid, he wanted to be a magician. He's doing what
he loved as a kid as an adult. Sharon says that it's hard coming up with
newer and better tricks, but that's something that he's going to have to
do. Drew had issues in rehearsal. Hopefully, he's resolved them. His act
will mail three chicks to the Hoff. He ends up sending himself to the
judges and the three chicks to the outside of the box.
What they say: Piers says he's
representing every magician in America because as far as this show is
concerned, magicians are underrepresented. Sharon agrees, saying that
he's got to step it up. David's criticism: you turned the girls into
guys.
What we say: It's newer, it's better.
He's got the chops, but now he has to take it up to the next level. I'm
confident he can.
Next is Kevin Skinner, a chicken catcher
from Lakefield, KY. He's never been outside of Kentucky, and he thinks
that it's amazing to be in Hollywood. David says that Kevin is the real
deal. He has no idea how good he is, and that makes him special. We'll
find out how good he really is when he sings "To Make You Feel My Love"
by Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, and anyone else
who covered this song.
What they say: Sharon calls him honest,
special, and genuine. David says that he's full of heart and that he
believes every word of it. Piers says it's the performance of the night.
What we say: It's about as tender as it
gets from this guy. He's a standout performer giving a standout
performance. He really should've kept the hat, though. But still, bravo.
And batting cleanup at TV city is another
wild card, Lake Houston Dance from Houston. You remember them from the
afro-wigs they wore in their audition. Unfortunately, they were cut at
the airport. But they're good enough for a second chance. They have to
be GREAT, though, if they are to survive. Hoping to get a ticket,
they'll be dancing to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".
What they say: David is glad they came
back, calling cutting them "the biggest mistake of their lives." Piers
begs to differ, saying it was not as good as the audition. Sharon says
she loved the song choice, but it was just all too much.
What we say: It gets clunky at the end.
Not as clean as the audition, and not good enough to beat some of the
other dance crews that actually showed up tonight.
So here's what we're dealing with...
Headliners: Grandma Lee, Mosaic, Drew
Thomas Magic, Kevin
Opening Acts: Breaksk8, Acrodunk, Arcadian
Tending Bar: Thia, Platt Bros., Diva League, Manuela
But it's not about me. It's about you and
your votes. We'll see what they did tomorrow as well as performances
from season 2 winner Terry Fator and the host's wife.
CLICK
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TO CONTINUE
For more information on tonight's
acts, or to see tonight's episode in its entirety, go to
www.nbc.com/gottalent.
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