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America's Got Talent Season 4 - Page 3

post #61 of 98
9/3/09 at 8:08am
Thread Starter 
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.
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post #62 of 98
9/3/09 at 12:04pm
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.
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post #63 of 98
9/3/09 at 12:28pm
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.
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post #64 of 98
9/3/09 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeattleAl View Post

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.
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post #65 of 98
9/3/09 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
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.
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post #66 of 98
9/3/09 at 1:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveFi View Post

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.
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post #67 of 98
9/3/09 at 1:59pm
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?
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post #68 of 98
9/8/09 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
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.
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post #69 of 98
9/9/09 at 6:24am
Season's a tyotal sham with Kloggers and LAme Lee getting in ahead of Acrodunk!
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post #70 of 98
9/9/09 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpeacock22 View Post

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.
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post #71 of 98
9/9/09 at 1:50pm
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.
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post #72 of 98
9/9/09 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
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.
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post #73 of 98
9/9/09 at 4:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpeacock22 View Post

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.
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post #74 of 98
9/10/09 at 8:00am
Thread Starter 
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!
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post #75 of 98
9/10/09 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveFi View Post

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

Quote:
Originally Posted by bobby94928 View Post

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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveFi View Post

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.
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post #76 of 98
9/10/09 at 8:16am
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.
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post #77 of 98
9/10/09 at 9:31am
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!
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post #78 of 98
9/11/09 at 5:32am
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.
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post #79 of 98
9/11/09 at 11:42am
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).
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post #80 of 98
9/15/09 at 5:26am
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
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post #81 of 98
9/15/09 at 6:04am
Thread Starter 
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?
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post #82 of 98
9/15/09 at 11:13am
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!
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post #83 of 98
9/16/09 at 6:17am
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...
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post #84 of 98
9/16/09 at 7:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SbWillie View Post

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.
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post #85 of 98
9/16/09 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aliens View Post

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?
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post #86 of 98
9/16/09 at 11:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpeacock22 View Post

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.
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post #87 of 98
9/16/09 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
Well I had 4 out of 5 for the top 5. I had Grandma Lee instead of Voices of Glory.
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post #88 of 98
9/16/09 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
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!
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post #89 of 98
9/16/09 at 7:28pm
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.
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post #90 of 98
9/17/09 at 5:16am
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...
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