Never seen the show but got caught up in the online tidal wave of Britain's Got Talent, so I wanted to see our version. I have to admit, I thought it was fun, funny, and entertaining! I think the new(?) host Nick is great! His commentary during the acts is priceless with well-placed wit and humor. I like the music choices as they do act montages and backstories, too. Some of the songs make those heart-felt stories really hit home but others make me downright laugh at the mood they are trying to set (see commentary below).

I do have some issues though. I've already figured out their airing formula. You can easily tell by the backstory if the person is legitimately going to be good or is going to suck. If it's a "I've got a unique talent and have been waiting XX years to follow my dream"...it's gonna suck. If there's an honest-to-goodness sob story (not making light of anyone's...just saying), it will probably be good or good enough to get them through one round.

I also think the judges tend to be more lenient on who they let through when it comes to kids... Not always (citing that really happy quartet of kids). But take the magician from audition show #4. Just because he had a sob story of wanting to show his kids that you never give up, he makes it through with an act that Hasselhoff stated they have already rejected 4-5 times.

I also feel like the producers over-hype the last act. The African American trio from the first night with the mom hurt by a DWI driver...I mean they were okay, but to me the girl was screaming, not singing, and when each sang solo for a second, they were off pitch dramatically. The country bumpkin that sang the Garth Brooks song...he almost convinced me it was all an act. The hard-up brake dancer from last night had talent for sure, but they tried too hard to make his story bring tears to your eyes.

A friend of mine said that only singers or dancers ever win. If that's true, that's a shame. We've got American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance for that. I understand the age limits on those shows, so by all means they are welcome to this show. But AGT should naturally favor "everything else." But something Piers said really stood out...can the talent sustain an hour long Las Vegas show that people will be up to $75 a pop to see? Well....guess it's up to us to decide. It's just sad that, overall, we tend to settle on these viewer voting-based shows.

A friend of mine said that only singers or dancers ever win. If that's true, that's a shame. We've got American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance for that. I understand the age limits on those shows, so by all means they are welcome to this show. But AGT should naturally favor "everything else." But something Piers said really stood out...can the talent sustain an hour long Las Vegas show that people will be up to $75 a pop to see? Well....guess it's up to us to decide. It's just sad that, overall, we tend to settle on these viewer voting-based shows.

Incorrect. In Season 2, Terry Fator, a ventriliquist, won, and in fact has a $100 Million performance deal at the Mirage in Vegas now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyT_hfbyTHE&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVRDvR7pjN4&feature=channel

As someone who has followed this show from Season 1 to present, they do get quite a variety of different acts. Singers are not the only thing that makes it through to the finals. In season 1, a Martial Arts Performance group was runner up to a teenage singer.

This year, I think some of the "auditions" came after Susan Boyle's surprise audition in BGT, and the judges don't seem as tough at the beginning of the performance - in the first three seasons, if Pierce didn't like the singer, he buzzed them before they barely uttered their first word. If the Hoff didn't like a "variety" act, he buzzed them early on. And Sharon, well, if someone came out and mentioned (or tried to impersonate) her husband, it was an immediate buzz. In season 1, Hoff and Pierce were notorius for reaching over and hitting Brandy's buzzer when an act was really bad, when Brandy was at least trying to give them a chance.

There was a thread already started for this season. Maybe they should be merged?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1142068&highlight=america+talent

There was a thread already started for this season. Maybe they should be merged?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1142068&highlight=america+talentProbably.

Concerning the show, the one big thing I really don't like it is the way they clearly manage or "plant" people. If you saw last weeks episode, you can clearly tell the country singer who came across as a rube (the chicken catcher with the ratty sweatshirt and the backwards ballcap) was clearly not the case. I know it's all in the editing (just like the Brit version) to make it more exciting, but that amount of setup to me came off as quite a bit corny. The guy clearly had some sort of musical background.

The main lack of talent is concentrated in two of the judges and is so offensive it keeps me from watching. All I can see in my mind's-eye is Hasselhoff rolling around drooling on the floor or Osbourne's husband drooling while standing. In either case they are worthless accouterments that need to see the inside of the flush machine, as they make the show unwatchable for me.

There was a thread already started for this season. Maybe they should be merged?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1142068&highlight=america+talent

Sorry, I looked through all the pages and didn't see one...but I mean, there were only 3 pages...

The original thread had already fallen off the last page so it wasn't obvious.

Wooooow! This show just took a turn for the harsh. The Vegas week was so emotional! Still a little predictable but the way they just show the raw emotion is shocking! I thought that first singer guy (who had to come to the judges with the Obama impersonator) was going to kill them! Then his "don't touch me" gesture to Nick! Then there was the magician, the dance groups, and at the end that one girl who had been on AI. I felt so bad for her...until!!!! she stormed off and said she was better than everyone else. .... KKthxbai!

I can't say I agree with all the choices, but with the editing it is hard to grasp their reasoning for cutting many of the acts. For example, Group B.

I didnt realize there would not be another round at Vegas. Seems kinda harsh to raise false expectations that acts would keep going to end up getting cut before ever getting another shot. Then again, the number of acts could get out of control or not be enough. So I guess it is as good a system as any. Genuinely let through all you want to, then cut those down to the best 40.

So is any act really standing out for anyone so far?

Hard to take it all seriously, but I don't like them letting some brat kid get through ( the little girl who can't sing and barely plays the keyboard) and they don't let the girl you sings and plays the harp through.

One obvious standout is the emotional church guy who sang O'l Man River.It will be interesting to see if he can do more than Showboat revivals.

They must have lumped acts into classes, decide how many of each to let through (for instance X number of singers, dancers, magicians, variety, etc), then pick the best from each.

Glad they kept the Swedish triplets violinists, nice eye candy! Their act is a little reminiscent of Bond though.

Yes, but you have to remember none of these singers/acts are good enough to support a whole Vegas show. Would you want to sit and watch any of these guys for more than a few minutes? Not me. Some of them are good at what they do, but most are raw, and not one of the acts I've seen so far have the same level of talent as someone like ventriloquist Terry Factor.

Terry Fator. :)

This year’s crop isn’t as good as last years where several immediately jumped out from the get go. However, the one magician that made the girl change locations in 2 seconds was pretty darn good, and that kind of act works in Vegas. At this point we haven’t seen enough of any of them to make a real decision.

Terry Fator. :)

This year’s crop isn’t as good as last years where several immediately jumped out from the get go. However, the one magician that made the girl change locations in 2 seconds was pretty darn good, and that kind of act works in Vegas. At this point we haven’t seen enough of any of them to make a real decision.At least those 3 violin playing Polish girls can get a spread in FHM after this or something.;)

I cracked up last night* when they came out and The Hoff got this huge smile on his face. You know exactly what he is thinking, the same thing I am. :)

*I DVR and watch it all on Thursday nights.

Hard to take it all seriously, but I don't like them letting some brat kid get through ( the little girl who can't sing and barely plays the keyboard) and they don't let the girl you sings and plays the harp through.

One obvious standout is the emotional church guy who sang O'l Man River.It will be interesting to see if he can do more than Showboat revivals.

That little girl is obnoxious on and off the stage! Can you imagine what Shirley Temple Black would think?!

I love the Ol' Man River guy. I really hope that he has more in his arsenal.

And, I must admit that I kinda like the granny comedienne, but I am not sure that she could be featured for an entire show.

Well you're exactly right...who can make a whole Las Vegas show out of what they do? I'm not seeing it so far, really...

This show has potential, as some of the acts are talented. But the production and direction of the show is awful.
Changes to make in the next season, or I'm not even fast-forwarding it as I have this season:
- Stop cutting away during the performances to show reaction shots from the ridiculous and obnoxious host.
- Stop focusing so much on the judges. Only the Brit has any worthwhile input, anyway.
- Do not send so many acts through that many of them subsequently get cut without even performing again. That's a shamefully sloppy approach to the contest.

Who's this moron of a host they hired this year and why doesn't he just shut up? His whole vocabulary must consist of a whole 5 words- "BLANK is in tha house!!!!"

Between him and "The Hoff" and "Mrs. Osborne", they make my brain hurt.

I'm watching AGT on a Comcast HD channel but it is only a 4:3 picture. How could the "biggest talent show on the planet" not be in HD, especially from LA? Is anyone getting this in HD?

This show is in HD. It originates from the studio that is also used for American Idol.

Awww, I like the host. Okay he got kind of annoying last night with his "make that noise" line over and over and over. His over the top grin is wearing on me too. But it is his reactions to acts that I like. LOL Now what REALLY stands out as an annoyance of this show is how they break up sentences into dramatic word-by-word pauses. It doesn't work. "We've decided...........that you.........won't be staying in Las Vegas..........because you're going to LA!" GAHH!!!!!

I agree about the cutting acts before they get to perform again. That was poorly done...but how do you limit acts in the first round. If you use up your quota and another amazing person comes out...what then? Easiest solution: take everyone you want, then parse it down. But yah, don't cut without another act.

Well, I ended up voting for the Acrodunks and magician. I wasn't clear if we get 10 votes per method TOTAL or 10 votes per method per contestant. Anyone know? I played it safe and voted 5 and 5.

For this show to be worthwhile, these changes are needed:

1. Fire the host. He presents himself on the show as a worse-than-worthless, obnoxious, idiotic buffoon (pray it's just an act, and he's not being himself).
2. Let The Hoff host if he's not also fired, but give him only a minute or two max per show.
3. Fire Mrs. Ozzy.
4. Never cut an act after approving them for advancement, without any subsequent performance. That's completely unprofessional and wasteful, even offensive.
5. Eliminate cut-away shots during performances. Show only as much of a performance as is deemed entertaining by the director, but knock-it-off with the childish and amateurish cut-aways.

Someone refresh my memory. Didn't the acts perform last year in the Vegas elliminations? Remember last year's ellimination of the (then) 15 year old singer/piano player that made it this year. Didn't she perform in Vegas last year wearing the formal red dress? They keep showing a brief clip of it.

I too agree that it is shameful to bring so many acts to Vegas only to cut them based on the tapes from the original auditions. That could have been done by text. Could you imagine the feelings of the group that didn't get out of the airport? The two shows last week where we saw nothing but the fake drama of the cuts were a total waste.

I like Nick Cannon as host better than Jerry Springer. I still laugh when I think of the the audition of the huge female hip-hop dancer. She was in tears after the cut until Nick ran out on stage and started dancing with her in an impromptu "slap that booty" style that could have made it to Vegas!

Last night's show was entertaining. I like that they brought back 8 acts that were cut. I wonder if the former Idol girl is one of them. I like the magician, Acrodunk, the hip-hop skaters, the old lady comic and the chicken catcher (although he was very nervous last night).

OOO yah, that would be interesting indeed of the former AI singer made it back....good call.

Just finished last nights show a few minutes before tonights. I have Acrodunk, Thia, the skaters, Dave Thomas Magic, and the acapela guys advancing.

Yeah, as I said earlier, most of the acts are good, but could you imagine watching Acrodunks for an hour? Forget it. Other than the magician, none of these guys have shown any potential even close to Terry Factor (who's on now).

Only surprise for me was Arcadian. Maybe I'm biased because I see such unbelievably amazing dancing on SYTYCD...Arcadian just looks like he flails around in rhythm. Everyone else made it that I thought should make it.

Um, Terry Fator is freaking amazing! How anyone can sing on pitch and raise/lower their loudness without moving their mouth like that is beyond me. The most successful reality show contestant ever? Wooooow....

Question: Has it been standard practice for the judges to choose the 5th act to go through?

P.S. They need to work on their live TV timing more...credits were rolling before The Hoff made a decision....Maybe less "dramatic" pauses???? Oh and...please tell the audience to shoosh when the results are being read.

Fator, guys, Terry Fator. ;)

Drew Thomas Magic has it going on, and so does his wife. :)

Agree about the dunkers. Who wants to sit through and hour and a half of that?

Can’t believe they took Arcadian over young Thia. For 14, she has some pipes.

The night before Piers said Skinner gave the best performance...huh? He was so nervous you could barely hear his voice and it cracked 3 or 4 times. I like the guy, but something strange is going on there. Piers ripped people in the past for performances like that.

Mariah Carey doesn’t look so hot any more. And what’s with the lip-synching? That was a FF moment for us.

...

Question: Has it been standard practice for the judges to choose the 5th act to go through?


Yep.

Mariah Carey doesn’t look so hot any more. And what’s with the lip-synching? That was a FF moment for us.It's called being live and in HD.

Can’t believe they took Arcadian over young Thia. For 14, she has some pipes.

Same with me. However, it certainly seemed like she was not happy with the vote that she did get and much more happy as soon as she found out she had been eliminated. It makes me wonder if she has already been approached by another company, maybe Disney...

Was it me or did last night's act just all around kind of suck? This is only my first season to watch this show, but after catching pure dance shows like SYTYCD and an occasional AI when it is on at a friend's or whatever...the dancing and singing on this show just aren't great. However, I ended up giving 5 votes to the tap dancers and 5 votes to the first guy that sang (last name Dewayne?). I almost gave it to the flippers, but like Piers, I was a bit bored. I'm sure the stage had something to do with it...

The old lady dancer just simply doesn't have it. It is not worth a mil and will not sustain a show. The triplet bimbos...omg--awful. That little girl? Very outgoing; just doesn't have it. And not to be harsh, but the "Voices of Glory" are getting by on their story; not their singing ability. I mean, they even got off from the music last night! The dog act was cool...but again, can it sustain a show? The dance group was mediocre....as were the other acts. I guess you can file me under "Piers Morgan" in my opinions of these acts. Heh...

Edit: Oh yah, I forgot about the cowboy trio. My negative statement toward them is the one guy who had over-the-top vibrato. Killed the song.

Was it me or did last night's act just all around kind of suck? ...
I was also quite disappointed with the performances last night. Many of the acts were better during the tryouts. That included the old lady dancer, the three cowboys, the little girl singer, the hot triplets, the frisbee dog act, the Flippers and the Voices of Glory (where was the three part harmony?)

On the other extreme, the tap dancers were better as were the fat guy with his tiny wife (I hated it in tryouts but thought they were much better last night.)

I was fine with all the results up until the end. Boy did they blow it. A dog that can catch frisbees over that amazing singer? Come on!!! Charles Dewayne CAN hang with any other singer that makes it through. Gah...so disappointing.

Comparing this week's group to last week's group makes me think that the producers really wanted some of this weeks group to go through to the next round. Many that were sent home last week were much better then ones that went through this week (IMO, of coruse).

Screw it- stripper triplets win out every time.;)

Screw it- stripper triplets win out every time.;)Agreed. They did look hot in the high-heeled boots and hot pants but if they had stuck with violin playing we may have got to see more of them. But, if you want to see more, check this out...
http://www.pureamericasgottalent.com/2009/06/27/alizma-triplets-from-americas-got-talent/

Those chicks could have a show in Vegas tomorrow - just not on Las Vegas Blvd S.

Yeah, they can't sing. They should have just played, or maybe brought a pole out and worked it or some go-go cages and played from there.:)

I had everyone going through except the dog act. I was with Piers; that was a WTF moment. Guess they needed an 'act', not another singer.

I did think the way the guy in Paradizo Dance lifted his wife from his side by her feet was pretty amazing.

I'm looking forward to the tap dancing guy and his buddy.

A little OT but Terry Fator: Live From Las Vegas is the best selling DVD at DeepDiscount.com. Go figure.

A little OT but Terry Fator: Live From Las Vegas is the best selling DVD at DeepDiscount.com. Go figure.

I ordered the Bluray. It was actually $.99 cheaper than the DVD. We are big fans and are waiting with great anticipation. The discs release Sep 1.

I ordered the Bluray. It was actually $.99 cheaper than the DVD. We are big fans and are waiting with great anticipation. The discs release Sep 1.Not anymore, there's like a $3 difference. Anyhow, please post a mini-review of it here and maybe in the Blu-Ray forum as I'm sure there are many who would be interested.

Not anymore, there's like a $3 difference. Anyhow, please post a mini-review of it here and maybe in the Blu-Ray forum as I'm sure there are many who would be interested.

I just looked and the price is still $13.99 for the Bluray and $14.98 for the DVD.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=terry+fator&x=0&y=0

Edit: I just realized that I was talking about Amazon and you were talking about DeepDiscount.

I just looked and the price is still $13.99 for the Bluray and $14.98 for the DVD.

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=1548815701&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=3&campid=5336055023&toolid=10001 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=terry+fator&x=0&y=0 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%2Fref%3Dnb_ss%3Furl %3Dsearch-alias%253Daps%26field-keywords%3Dterry%2Bfator%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&tag=5336055023-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325)

Edit: I just realized that I was talking about Amazon and you were talking about DeepDiscount.Na I wasn't- yesterday it was $10 on DeepDiscount for the DVD, they must have changed the price, but it doesn't matter, I'd appreciate the review anyways.

My wife reminded me that Joanna Kruppa acted like a b!tch to her partner on Superstars recently. Should be interesting to see how she treats her partner on DWTS if things don't go well.

After last week's flat show, this was a really tough week to vote. Lots of good stuff. Good singers, good dancers, good variety. The pixies, little girl rock group, and Golden Girls singer should be cut, I would think. I voted for FootworKINGz and the juggling/danger variety act. I was debating between them and two other acts: Bri and the contortionist/dancer guy. In the end I went with who I did because I felt like they could hold a show better than the other two.

Oh yah, I wanted to say something about the wild card magician. He completely misinterpreted what Piers was saying. Piers MEANT that he is in a competition that is worth 1 million dollars, but somehow the magician thought he meant HE should be worth that much and pointed out he's not and that is why he is in AGT. I agree with the judges...he added a nice contemporary flair but all old tricks. It was boring. Remember the two professionals from last week? They even said, everyone has seen the saw-the-lady-in-half trick...they set out to do it different because that's what people want. The contestant last night should learn from that if he wants to succeed.

Oh yah, I wanted to say something about the wild card magician. He completely misinterpreted what Piers was saying. Piers MEANT that he is in a competition that is worth 1 million dollars, but somehow the magician thought he meant HE should be worth that much and pointed out he's not and that is why he is in AGT. I agree with the judges...he added a nice contemporary flair but all old tricks. It was boring. Remember the two professionals from last week? They even said, everyone has seen the saw-the-lady-in-half trick...they set out to do it different because that's what people want. The contestant last night should learn from that if he wants to succeed.Yeah, I didn't understand that myself. As I was watching his act I was thinking to myself, "Hasn't he been watching earlier shows? Why is he even wearing street clothes (jeans, etc, etc)? Haven't these magicians ever heard of wearing a nice pair of slacks and maybe a jacket? (They all commented on that last week too with the other magician).

Also, you can't but feel bad for the piano player kid- "We had technical issues (meaning there was no sound for 2/3s of his performance) but we want you to judge him on what little you could hear? Huh?:confused:

I've wondered how they would handle a problem in the act. But then one of his dancers yanked out the cable, so what are they really responsible for?

He won anyways so it doesn't matter now (people probably felt sorry for him).

Bwahaha! That girl ("professional") who performed first lipsynced all the way it sounds lame- on a live talent show where all the talent is expected to perform live , and now Daughtry comes out and performs- plays and sings live all the way. She should be embarassed.

Well I must say America is really dumping the singers. Can't say I disagree...(though Bri was a bit of a shock). The rest were pretty much expected. I'm glad Hairo made it through; I was really worried about him. He's got my underdog vote. :)

Edit: I fast forward through most acts on result night, but yah...lip-synced performance is major suck.

pretty funny that Bri is gone....unbelievably overrated....so what if she blares out a nasally note!! It wasn't high or anything just today's weak ` low end talk in key' ranged pop!

I agree, a very difficult night to pick winners. I had Marcus ahead of OH, but I had everyone else going through.

I really like Lawrence, but I thought that was a poor selection for his voice and I wasn’t impressed with his performance because he was barely audible him at times. I totally disagree with the judges gushing appraisal of him. What did they hear that I didn’t? Brilliant? Hardly, but that’s JMUO. He may well be the best singer remaining, but he needs to use his powerful voice the next time he performs.

I’m looking forward to next weeks show - Barbara Padilla (opera singer), Ishaara (Indie dance) and Matt and Anthony (tap). They’re my early picks.

Meant to post after the show but messed around and forgot. Let's see if I can remember the comments I wanted to make.

First and foremost, Barbara Padilla stole the show! I mean, I even remember her name, whereas I'd normally be like "cancer opera singer lady". I'm just afraid she can't win the whole thing because opera is not going to be America's cup of tea, if you will. But I have little doubt that an agency out there heard and saw what she can do and she'll have a great career.

Okay, the scandalous dancer chicks....um no. And if they get voted through, it'll really show how shallow America really is. Those girls had no dancing ability whatsoever.

It was really hard for me to decide the 2nd act I wanted to vote for, in keeping with my 5 votes each to two acts. Ms. Padilla definitely got 5. Then it was between Ashaara and Recycled Percussion. And for their stage presence and flashy act, I went with the percussionists. I think they could be really "wowza" with the money to make their little rig something big on a main stage. Thinking in a Transsyberian Orchestra way...if you know who they are.

Well, we'll see in a few hours.

Oh, I wanted to ask: does anyone watch the recap show before the results show? Am I missing anything if I did catch the previous night? Just wondering...

I had everyone going through except Drew Stevyns - I had Ishaara.

Erik and Rickie are amazing for their age. That was one heck of a performance.

I was really disappointed in one of my favorites, Matt and Anthony. The vocals drowned the tap, which was the strong point of the act, and the stepping blocks didn’t work.

The wrong dog act got put through, not that either would win, but Pam Martin’s dog act is much better, IMO.

Some difficult decisions to be made, but at this point Barbara Padilla is my favorite to win. She has everything going for her; great voice, good looks, nice body, humble, stage presence, and a cancer survivor.

And what a night for HD – very colorful!



First and foremost, Barbara Padilla stole the show! I mean, I even remember her name, whereas I'd normally be like "cancer opera singer lady". I'm just afraid she can't win the whole thing because opera is not going to be America's cup of tea, if you will. But I have little doubt that an agency out there heard and saw what she can do and she'll have a great career.


Neal E. Boyd sang opera last year and won. That’s the only drawback I see for Barbara, who is obviously the best singer on the show. Will America vote two years in a row for an opera singer? Whatever happens, she has a career ahead of her.

Piers and the Hoff need their heads examined. The 16 year old, returnee singer was WAY better than the ballroom dancing curtain climbers.

The judges keep focusing on the wrong question. When it comes down to their choice, it's not "are there better singers?", it's "Is Act A better than Act B?"

America screwed up last week. The judges did this week.

I had Ishaara over Drew as well.

Agreed that Pam's dog act should have gotten through.

Drew is good but I have a feeling he is only good a very specific types of songs. He's surely got the girl vote and that was an excellent song choice because he can put a rough edge into certain notes that makes the song really come alive.

I didn't know an opera act won last year...interesting. Well, I hope she goes really far, either on AGT or in life.

I remember I wanted to say something funny about Recycle Percussion. The lead guy (I guess he is) who wore the open vest and has all the tattoos...I noticed he had a tat under his belly button and my eyes went a little wide when I thought it was a guitar handle leading down into the happy region. Then I realized it looked more like a signature. LOL...regardless he has some interesting choices of body art.

Agreed that Pam's dog act should have gotten through.

Drew is good but I have a feeling he is only good a very specific types of songs. He's surely got the girl vote and that was an excellent song choice because he can put a rough edge into certain notes that makes the song really come alive.

I didn't know an opera act won last year...interesting. Well, I hope she goes really far, either on AGT or in life.

I remember I wanted to say something funny about Recycle Percussion. The lead guy (I guess he is) who wore the open vest and has all the tattoos...I noticed he had a tat under his belly button and my eyes went a little wide when I thought it was a guitar handle leading down into the happy region. Then I realized it looked more like a signature. LOL...regardless he has some interesting choices of body art.

I think he meant for ppl to notice that and assume the same thing :)

fafner

Neal E. Boyd AGT First Performance Opera 06-17-08 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8oR91K7gZ8)

What a phony ending. That kind of stuff cheapens any show. My wife called it early on; she said they’d have 5 winners, so we picked 5. :)

I had everyone going through except Grandma – I picked Acrodunk. How long can you watch guys dunk a basketball? I don’t know, but they sure can put on a show, and each week was something completely different.

Once again I guess I missed something. I didn’t think Kevin Skinner’s performance deserved a standing ovation. He made a couple of mistakes, possibly due to nerves, but I didn’t think it was that great. I definitely think the judges have been told in their production meetings to hype him. Having all 3 judges give a standing ovation plants that seed in the viewing publics mind and sways the voting. Having said all that, I Kevin has to be the sentimental favorite. He’s a lot like Neal E. Boyd last year; can’t speak without crying.

Great performance by the Texas Tenors. Difficult, difficult, decisions to be made in two weeks.

I didn't get a chance to vote this week because I didn't watch until Wednesday. While this is getting really hard to vote, at the same time the stand-outs are starting to really, well, stand out. To me, "Voices of Glory" don't belong in the finals. Okay, let's look past their nice story and talk on pure vocal talent. It's just not there. They recognized that with Arcadian Broad...the kid has only two moves--twirling and jumping leg splits. And finally Pierce called him out on it. The judges picked VoG on sentiment.

I agree with Aliens' take on Kevin Skinner. At first he was really good, but like I said, he's just not standing out any more. His tone is just a touch off in places which is not helped with his very southern drawl. And something is just weird about his story. How does an extremely introverted down-home boy get convinced to go on AGT?

I would have voted for Acrodunk and the Fab Five. I don't think Fab Five can win the whole thing, though. I wish these group variety acts stood out more. Oddly enough, I think Grandma Lee has a shot against Barbara Padilla...but I'm not calling my top two just yet until I see next week.

If the judges couldn't do their job and pick a winner between #4 and #5, then they should have went back to the viewers' vote to send through the #4 vote getter. Sending both through makes the show lose credibility. As it is, the only ones I wanted to go through of the finalists was the Fab Five. Everyone else got bounced.

I think it will come down to Grandma Lee vs Kevin Skinner, and Grandma will be the overall winner. But jeez, has she even done stand-up in a comedy club for 90mins much less in Vegas? Same holds true for Kevin- could he sustain a show in Vegas for 90mins? Even if Kevin loses he definitely has a career in music ahead of him. Great stuff.

If the judges couldn't do their job and pick a winner between #4 and #5, then they should have went back to the viewers' vote to send through the #4 vote getter. Sending both through makes the show lose credibility.
It was all a ruse; they never intended it to be only 4. They’ve always had 5, which was a clue early on that something was up and my wife picked up on it.

I agree about it being a ruse. Pierce even let it slip that they talked about letting them both through during the break. Then he acted disgusted and told Sharon she had to pick (barely audible) when she refused to and tossed it to David. Then David's all like "gee thanks" and turns around and does the same thing. That left Pierce to give everyone the big reveal.

I think it will come down to Grandma Lee vs Kevin Skinner, and Grandma will be the overall winner. But jeez, has she even done stand-up in a comedy club for 90mins much less in Vegas? Same holds true for Kevin- could he sustain a show in Vegas for 90mins? Even if Kevin loses he definitely has a career in music ahead of him. Great stuff.
I think I need to fix the sound of my surround system because I thought that Kevin Skinner absolutely stunk. Tone, pitch, melody, performance....all less than Karaoke quality. I thought he sang well enough to get through the audition but has not impressed me at all the last two times.

With regard to VOG and the Texas Tenors....Where are the pure three part harmonies? VOG really impressed me in the audition when they broke out into a great (but too short) harmony, but not since.

I like Grandma Lee a whole lot but I haven't laughed out loud during her act yet.

The judges (especially Piers) keep claiming they want Vegas style acts, but the only two real Vegas style acts this week (Acrodunk and the magician) are both gone.

Oh don't cut Kevin short, I listen to some country music and he is really quite good. While raw (and most of these performers are nowhere near as good as Terry Fator was) he certainly has something about him.

As for Grandma Lee, well, she's got this sort of Rodney Dangerfield/Irene Ryan thing going on I guess. Yeah, I suppose she made me chuckle a few times. But you have to remember this is live TV we're talking about and she's been about as dirty as you can get considering. Now imagine just how dirty she'd be playing Vegas?:eek::D

Okay, you long time watchers...I have a question. Last week Arcadian Broad said something that made me pause. Just how much do the producers influence the performer's show? Based on some behind-the-scenes looks tonight, the basic jist comes from the artist...then the producer embellishes the stage. But then again, I see a producer walking through choreography with the dance acts. So just how involved are they in the process.

Second question, do you think Barbara Padilla's chances are hurt by the fact an opera singer won last year? (And can I just say she is the most elegant, sophisticated woman in those dresses she wears. Wow!)

Final question: the finals are on Monday...so that means these poor acts that make it through tomorrow only have days to prepare something, while the other 5 have a week extra? Fairness police?!?!?

Couple of technical glitches in the show tonight. Some camera movements were very odd, Sharon accidentally hit her buzzer while Nick spoke (but hey, he didn't miss a beat), and there was a weird popping sound during Padilla's performance.

Well 5 of my votes are definitely going to her. The other five I'm giving (I hate to admit it) partially out of sympathy. I really like Heiro's (sp?) uniqueness in his dance. He puts character into them too. Plus he's something of an underdog in life and I tend to latch on to those types...being one myself.

FootWorkKingz....oh HECK no with the Power Rangers song. Yikes! Recycled Percussion (the lead guy OBVIOUSLY going for the ladies vote tonight) didn't do it for me this time...sounded more like garbled banging this time. I was hoping they would be more of a heavy Stomp group...now they are just going mad with the banging on things. I'm torn about the (emotional) husband/wife variety act. I too want to see the danger element, but I'm also glad to see they have range. I'm just not sure in a competition I would have shown that much range...would have saved that for my real show after I won. I don't think they'll win, but I bet (and hope) someone in Vegas has their eye on them. Drew Stevyns seems such the gentleman and a little out of his element. He almost got a sympathy vote from me, but I went with Heiro instead.

Now that I've seen them all, I'm going to go with an early prediction of Grandma Lee and Barbara Padilla in the top two. Barbara wins it.

Season's a tyotal sham with Kloggers and LAme Lee getting in ahead of Acrodunk!

Second question, do you think Barbara Padilla's chances are hurt by the fact an opera singer won last year? (And can I just say she is the most elegant, sophisticated woman in those dresses she wears. Wow!)


Barbara Padilla so outclasses anyone else in the competition that you have to wonder why she is in the competition instead of performing in an opera somewhere. It is like having Sarah Brightman in the competition.

Of course, Las Vegas doesn't really seem right for her, and if she doesn't win, she will have people lining up to sign her.

Once again- out of all the acts left, who's appropriate to sustain a Vegas type show? While all are good/great in their own right, Grandma Lee is the only one I could see sustaining a show in Vegas for 70mins. That's about it. But not a multimillion dollar show like Terry Fator, more like just the usual comedy club circuit.

The drum act was OK too, but could they do that for 70mins?

The rest of them, meh. But that doesn't mean she'll win or any other act we'll predict will win.

And yes, the producers definitely appear to "review/approve" acts before they go on air. So it's not like it's the first time they've been seen.

Solely based on "survive in Vegas" I would have to give it to the husband/wife danger-variety act. With some funds behind them, I think they can do more than side-show juggling acts and could do some interesting things to last a good hour.

Solely based on "survive in Vegas" I would have to give it to the husband/wife danger-variety act. With some funds behind them, I think they can do more than side-show juggling acts and could do some interesting things to last a good hour.What they did yesterday absolutely sucked. I can't see anyone voting them back based on that.

Second set of five contestants ended up exactly like I thought (and hoped). I'm so happy for Heiro. But I agree with Piers...Barbara is the one to beat. Finale on Monday!

A little OT but Terry Fator: Live From Las Vegas is the best selling DVD at DeepDiscount.com. Go figure.

I ordered the Bluray. It was actually $.99 cheaper than the DVD. We are big fans and are waiting with great anticipation. The discs release Sep 1.

Not anymore, there's like a $3 difference. Anyhow, please post a mini-review of it here and maybe in the Blu-Ray forum as I'm sure there are many who would be interested.

My Bluray arrived yesterday and we watched last evening just in front of watching both last nights and tonights AGT.

The disc is 71 minutes long and it was very cool to get to see Terry and his 'mates' do an entire show instead of the snippets we've had a chance to see on various programs. Being a Vegas show, there are a few lightly sexual references throughout. Terry brings out the entire arsenal and one is either in awe of or just plain laughing hysterically at the interactions of Terry and his ensemble. We were very happy that Terry does a few songs, in total impersonation, by himself, and he has a very fine voice.

The audio, DTS HD Master, opens up with full surround and is quite good. Most of the show is up front, but that's where the action is so that's OK. It is very crisp and comfortable to listen to.

The video, on Blueray, is a little less crisp, except on closeups. Mind you it still looks good but not as good as lets say Elton 60.

Overall, if you like good fun, I have to recommend the program highly. You won't be disappointed.

None of the final contestents have a chance to beat Barbara Padilla. That girl can blow up some Opera. Runner up IMO would have to be the tap dancing sisters. All the rest are average at best and I would not pay to see them in Vegas.

I think The Texas Tenors could survive a show in Vegas. Barbara Padilla had me misty eyed with her Ave Maria. She sure has pipes!

I had everyone going through except Drew - I had the 3 sisters - not that they were any better, I just had to pick one of the two.

I’ve liked Barbara since the beginning, and if she doesn’t win, it will be criminal. I don’t listen to or like opera, but I can appreciate talent, and she has talent, and everything else I posted earlier.

My top 3, in no particular order except for BP...

Barbara
Skinner
Texas Tenors

“We broke the rules” segment was ridiculous and a waste of time. We aren’t that stupid, no matter how many times you try to tell us it was spontaneous.

I’m not sure how much the producers influence the performers. I definitely think they give input and direction, but I think it ultimately comes down to the performer. Arcadian’s statement raised an eyebrow, but from what other performers have said, it seems to me they have the final say. I think it was more sour grapes for Arcadian than anything.


Final is Wednesday.

I think the amount of influence the producers have probably depends on the performers. Less influence of the stronger and more mature performers and more influence over the weaker and younger acts. Let's face it, even if Arcadian was a phenomenal dancer (and I don't think he was) one person dancing rarely makes a great 'act'. The 'High School Musical' thing was an obvious thing considering his age and the times. But his was not the only dance act where more dancers were added (I assume by recommendation of the producers) to the detriment of the act. Piers previously commented on another act having added female dancers unnecessarily (which I agreed with).

A lot of very good performances last night. Some, like Voices of Glory, gave their best performance, but it just isn’t good enough. Lawrence finally sang the type of song I thought he should be singing all along, but once again, too late. I still think Skinner is the sentimental favorite, which is why I rate him as high as I do, but that may have been his poorest performance, not that I think he has been outstanding. Grandma Lee was good as usual and should finish in the top 5. The Texas Tenors may have been a notch below last week, but were very good. I would like to have seen Barbara sing the song she sang last week this week because I thought it was more powerful. The voting should be very close.

They’ll go through the progression to number 1, so this is my Top 5.

1. Barbara Padilla
2. Texas Tenors
3. Kevin Skinner
4. Grandma Lee
5. Drew Stevyns

On pure talent, I voted for Barbara Padilla. On pure showmanship, I voted for Recycle Percussion. I guess I'll chime in for my prediction of top 5.

1. Barbara Padilla
2. Texas Tenors
3. Recycled Percussion
4. Grandma Lee
5. Kevin Skinner

How is this going to go down? Do they start with 10th place and work their way up? Or just say "sorry, you didn't make it to the top 5", then start placing them?

Now you’re testing my memory :), but to the best of my recollection, they will start with all of the contestants on stage, and they will say the first to go home will be so and so, and work their way to #1. When they get to the final 2, the dramatic pause before they announce the winner seems like a lifetime, not only for the contestants, but for the viewer as well. I hope Grandma Lee survives the tension; she was a basket case getting to the final 10. :) Of course all of the remaining contestants will come and go as the extraneous entertainment proceeds throughout the show. Should be a great ending!

BARBARA should run away with this one based on talent...but after a ventriloquist won last year who knows!!

sorry but that was the WORST Aerosmith cover I've heard in years. Skinner(d) should've stuck with country. You don't strip a song like that down to ONE octave.

If it wasn't for the thick gotee' guy in the Tenors they wouldn't have a prayer. THat dude has a VERY solid voice! Still triple cheese!

1/2 the top ten was overhyped just to hype the final...guess it's sour grapes over ACROBAT getting booted and KLOGGERS getting in...

BARBARA should run away with this one based on talent...but after a ventriloquist won last year who knows!!

sorry but that was the WORST Aerosmith cover I've heard in years. Skinner(d) should've stuck with country. You don't strip a song like that down to ONE octave.

If it wasn't for the thick gotee' guy in the Tenors they wouldn't have a prayer. THat dude has a VERY solid voice! Still triple cheese!

1/2 the top ten was overhyped just to hype the final...guess it's sour grapes over ACROBAT getting booted and KLOGGERS getting in...

Actually Terry Fator won 2 years ago. Neal E. Boyd, an opera singer, won last year. Can an opera singer win two years in a row? That should be the case but we'll see.

they will start with all of the contestants on stage, and they will say the first to go home will be so and so, and work their way to #1.

In order from 10th place or randomly to the top two?

In order from 10th place or randomly to the top two?

From 10 to 1, according to how many votes each one receives, not randomly. At least that is the way they have done it in the past.

Well I had 4 out of 5 for the top 5. I had Grandma Lee instead of Voices of Glory.

I'm pretty shocked. I screamed at my TV. I can't believe it. I can only think that because an opera singer won last year, one didn't win again. The level of ability is so different in Kevin and Barbara. His southern drawl and untrained, often unsteady voice was no match for Barbara's elegance and power, in my opinion. Barbara will be successful and will probably make a million on her own, wouldn't you think? But I can't shed a bit of disappointment. Well, congrats Kevin!

I thought he was pretty decent in his first performance but gotten progressively worse since. I think there were probably 20 acts more talented then him and 6 or 7 tonight alone.

Pretty sad.

well there are MILLIONS more country fans than country fans in the U.S. is all I can figure....Barbara will make some serious cash even without the win. Hairo KNEW he was done when they pitted him against Barbara...

Great start to the show, with the exception of Kevin Skinner signing disco. They changed things quite a bit from last year with a lot more focus on entertainment. Last year they had the winner sing with plenty of time to talk about the experience. This year they left little time for either person to say anything, very similar to what happened a few years ago. A step back in that department.

I really liked Susan Boyle’s cover of the Stones, Wild Horses. Shakira lip-synching when everyone else sang live was pathetic.

I’m in agreement that Kevin Skinner sang better earlier in the season and went downhill from there. I still think the judges were told to hype him and therefore influenced the voting public. I said all along he was the sentimental favorite – no job, crying, good guy, and country singer – so it wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities that he won, but I was shocked.

We all questioned whether America would vote for opera 2 years running and that was answered, but I don’t think she lost because of that. Last year Neal E. Boyd won over Eli Matson by less that ½ of 1%, so it wasn’t like it was a landslide. And Neal, like Barbara, has an outstanding voice. Lets face it, opera isn’t the most popular form of music in America, but people can and do appreciate talent and good singing when they hear and see it, and Barbara did finish second, so I can’t complain. Disappointed, yes, but I’m happy for Kevin.

Yah I did like the Top 10 routine, even though a couple of the singers didn't belong in that type of song. But was just plain weird was the Audition All-Stars routine. Why they bloody well agreed to come back and act a fool is beyond me? Ugh...I was cringing the whole time once they began the live portion...

I watched the first couple of stars do their thing, but whoever that She-Wolf lady was....she got fast forwarded as soon as she did "Ah-woooooo!". W...T...F....

Where is Kanye West when you need him?

I was torqued last year when the opera singer won. Now I'm torqued this year because the opera singer didn't win.

OT: Raise your hand if you also think the Kanye bit was a scripted publicity stunt (that is working since everyone is talking about it).

Who called it?;)

Regardless of who deserves to win we know at this point these types of shows are popularity contests and not talent shows at all. Pierce said it himself last week, Kevin was the most "identifiable" and "likeable" guy to an American public who was still in the bouts of a recession- he was bound to win.

That said, best wishes to him and the production company who builds a 70min Las Vegas show around him. This guy is no Terry Fator, but you never know.

In any event, yeah, Shakira sucks, but damn! Her soft-core moves had me thinking, "Is this live TV?" I'm surprised it got by the censors.

The real winner was Susan Boyle. Her real, natural talent blew everyone else out of the building.

The real winner was Susan Boyle. Her real, natural talent blew everyone else out of the building.:confused: If she was competing that would make sense. Also, don't forget she's had almost 2yrs real performance experience and musical training in front of a live audience.

HI all from the UK. Yes Barbara Padilla should have won but I know how big country is in the states so has to be the reason Kenin Skinner won even though his voice was a bit weak. She would have won without doubt though had she been on Britain's Got Talent as opera / classical music is very very popular here, country is definatly not !

Re Susan Boyle she did very well and the send up she got at the start really was geat.She is far more popular in the US than the UK I'd say.

On a technical note can anyone please help out here. I know AGT is shown in HD so can anyone who did record in HD maybe via their pc etc send me the part in HD with Susan Boyle via MSN or something ? Is HD on NBC 720p or 1080i ?

If anyone can help I'd miuch appreciate this, you can email me direct at amstereofan@gmail.com