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America's Got Talent 5

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Texan:
well who are you voting for tonight?  A couple of the acts were no brainers not going to move on but it will be interesting to see who will move on.

I felt a few of the people that made it to the top 40 should not have as there were acts that could have made it.

apskip:
AGT5, Hollywood (Quarterfinal) Round, part 2 of 4

12 acts were reduced to 4 remaining last week and the same will happen this week, with the Weekly Results show on Wednesday. Once I discovered which acts were on this week, I immediately recalled my ratings of them in the preliminary and Las Vegas rounds. I expect there 3 acts to excel:
Alice Tan Ridley
Ronith
Wreckless
 
Here are my actual ratings plus judges’ comments on the 12 acts that performed live last night:

Cheer SF – this is a group of post-college-age cheerleaders, mostly. They are not that amazing by current high-level college cheerleading standards, just average for older people struggling to do not-difficult moves. Why were they here in the first place? I did not think they should have been rated in Group C (that happened only because Piers and Howie thought the females were very attractive) and they would not have done made it out of group A or B. Piers and Sharon buzzed them off.
Howie – it wasn’t technically amazing cheerleading; this is more like a club
Piers – asked by Nick to explain why he was the first to buzz them, he said no cheerleading act has ever made it on AGT; it was soporific; he said that when his age 50s friends com over and he tries to toss them around, he can’t
Sharon – age group goes to 52 and that should results in a more sophisticated act with moves never seen before; they did not succeed
My Grade – B- (they are going down)

Alice Tan Ridley – a soul singer whose talent has been passed down to daughter Alicia Keyes. I find it surprising that she has not previously been discovered, as she performs in the NYC subways. Her voice is powerful singing a variation of the “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Howie – You look gorgeous. You sound gorgeous. Your daughter if watching tonight has to feel great pride for you.
Piers – You have everything we are looking for.
Sharon – I want to be on that train with you. You are the embodiment of “soul.”  
My Grade – A+ (it was as close to perfection as acts get)


Mona Sampath Dance Company – I have to remind readers of my extreme disappointment when Bollywood dance group Ishaara went down last year, so I doubt that America wants to vote for Bollywood. It’s good, but it just isn’t going to make it.
Howie – not as good as previous routine; no “wow” moment this time; there was a wow moment (to which Howie retorts “if Piers can do it, it’s not a wow”)
Piers – timing is critical, it has to be perfect; he disagrees with Howie; he wants to hear more “Black eyed Peas” accompaniment
Sharon – she wants to see some more traditional dance
My Grade – B+ (so nobody is going to anything more of this act)


Iron Horse – identical twins plus a third guy; one more case of my opinion that this is an act that “never should have been here.”  Their act was boring; Piers buzzed them quickly.
Howie – passion that shows and is fun; focused on tricks but got neither great tricks nor great music; great energy but poor diction
Piers – stage was too big for you tonight; the singer is mediocre
Sharon – turns music into a spectacle; too many moments; too much time on moves, not enough on diction and singing
My Grade – B- (they will be exiting)


The Strong Man –he said this act would be to “fix Los Angeles’ parking problems.” The strong man method of parking involves rotating a car into a space. If that won’t do it, then he turns over an old car on stage. Piers buzzed him. Nick asked how many stagehands it would take to move that car off the stage? After the break the answer was 13 directly involved by my count, with several more onstage.
Howie – it’s amazing and fascinating but is it a show yet and I don’t know what it is?
Piers – says tongue in cheek: “I am massively stronger myself; I am waiting for him.” How amazing is this?; Piers did not see him as an entertainer and claimed he has the “personality of an amoeba” (I disagree as I though the Strong Man had a low-key humorous style). Be exciting (Nick said punching Piers in his face would be exciting).
Sharon – could have done more interesting things with a huge production.
My Grade - B


Ronith – he can act, do standup, do impressions, or be a mime. He chose to impersonate John Wayne, Jim Carey, the Gobernator (Schwarzenegger), Charleston Heston and Sylvester Stallone as Rambo. Piers and Sharon buzzed him. Nick had to step in and end the debate. Ronith stated that he’ll be back, but Piers said he would not.
Howie – he got into an argument with Ronith about how he makes him laugh
Piers – all 30 impressions he has done are all basically the same character
Sharon – she was confused about “the Cable Guy” impression
My Grade - B

Hannibal Means – in an orange costume singing “Circle of Life” with 8 backup dancers, his high baritone voice is really a treat and his laugh is infectious. I was impressed beyond what I expected.
Howie – he scares me; human thrill ride that I do not want to ride; what planet are you from?
Piers – underneath all the magic is a brilliant singer; I enjoyed it
Sharon – your voice is amazing and rich
My Grade - A


Wreckless – this dance troupe came out with a high energy routine in clown costumes
Howie – he wanted to see more of “the street” and “edge”
Piers – looking for acts which can fill a big stage; he thinks they did
Sharon – good doing a highly choreographed act
My Grade – A-


Lil Chris – he is a singer who is uncomfortable doing the dance part of his acts, but it’s his voice that has to take him further. I was not impressed. If he was “turning the lights in this place” as Nick stated, it would be as a janitor and not a performer
Howie – not your best performance
Piers – I agree with Howie. Chris is very talented but nervous but it was not quite there.
Sharon – for a 12 year old, you held your own (but so what?)
My Grade – B-


AscenDance – Isabel and Ryan have a unique act, which has added 2 new dancers. He did his patented upside down hang up the top of the wall. This act was sheer poetry. I knew they were very good, but this was better than that
Howie – “the fact that since last time you were able to have 2 children and put them on the wall that’s really interesting”
Piers – this act can be expanded by the number of performers and size of the wall; brilliant
Sharon – coordination and timing super; excellent, unique
My Grade - A


Antonio Restivo – fire, magic and illusions; I find the contortionist part of his act the real heart of it, not the fire or the props.
Howie – consummate Las Vegas
Piers –
Sharon – liked the action and his use of time; music sensational
My Grade - A


Michael Grimm – he is a crooner with limited talent.
Howie – you clean up nice, looking more like a start than a country boy. You are my favorite singer because your voice has a lot of soul.
Piers – I note the difference. You are a very good singer, one of the best on AGT ever, but not connecting with the audience more.
Sharon – Many life experiences are needed to make soul work. connect more with the audience.
My Grade – B

The prevarication of Howie Mandel has now been on full view. Nick Cannon puts him under extreme pressure (seconded by Piers) for not being able to make his mind.  Howie repeated this egregious behavior before Piers jumped in and summarized the evening with the word “magnificent”, then Howie added “great” before the show was cut off. Stop this drivel, NBC and AGT! Howie never has any trouble making up his mind on comments for each act. His fake put-on is absurd.

So, at the end of the night, who do I think will be going to the semifinals? Here are the acts I rated top-notch:

A+ - Alice Tan Ridley
A – Hannibal Means, AscenDance, Antonio Restivo
A- - Wreckless

I think the #4 and #5 slots as rated by America should be AscenDance and Wreckless and I think that is a toss-up.

We can say goodbye to CheerSF, Iron Horse, and Lil Chris. Fighting for an outside chance to keep going are Mona Sampath Dance Company, Ronith, the Strong Man and Michael Grimm.

apskip:
AGT5, Hollywood round (Quarterfinals), part 2 of 4 Results

The big question for me from the first week's quarterfinals is whether the "handsome young man" effect will propel any low-talent acts to finish above higher-talent acts. Last week I thought that Nathaniel Kenyon placed far higher than warranted. Will the same happen to Michael Grimm? And more importantly, will NBC/AGT switch the order for the 4th vs. 5th place deciding votes? We will see on both of them monumental questions. On with the show:

The first announcement of results pits Ronith vs. AscenDance vs. Mona Sampath Dance Company. My ratings were clear, so I think it should go to Ascen Dance. it does.

The second group of results pits CheerSF vs. Alan Tan Ridley vs. Iron Horse. Again, this is no contest and Alan should win easily. She did.

The third group of results pits Michael Grimm vs. the Strong Man vs. Lil Chris. I rated both Michael and Strong Man as B performers and Lil Chris as a B- so none of them should be making it to the semifinal round. MIchael Grimm does, proving once more the voting power of younger females ( see above).

The final group, containing the 4th and 5th place teams, is Antonio Restivo, Wreckless and Hannibal Means.I rated Hannibal and Antonio above Wreckless. Hannibal was dismissed so it was a 2-act race. As I expected, Antonio won.  So did Sharon, who got to be the tie-breaking vote this time, and did not string it out to the last second. She acknowledged early in the show that being between Howie and Piers is like being between a rock and a hard place.

So, joining Christina/Ali, Nathaniel Kenyon, Fighting Gravity and Future Funk in the semis is AscenDance, Alice Tan Ridley, Michael Grimm and Antonio Restivo. I got 3 out of 4 in my most congruent with the actual results ever picks.

apskip:
Hollywood Round (Quarterfinals) part 3 of 4

This is the 3rd of 4 rounds of the quarterfinals in Hollywood. Sharon is so full of hot air tonight that her commentary is ridiculous and needs to be ignored. She wants to make friends, not influence people. Here are comments on the 12 acts:

South Philly Vikings – they cavorted, did spins, had high-energy music and lots of glitz. Count me out. They are going no further.
Howie – I think it’s spectacular and fun; it’s amazing what you can do with lights
Piers – he buzzed them because it was infantile, people wearing silly costumes who don’t sing well and don’t dance well
Sharon – she started by telling Piers he is insulting; they are blue collar union guys doing really good entertainment
My Grade – B-

CJDippa – he’s a rappa singing his own rap song with 4 young female dancers supporting him; this act did nothing for me, so I predict he is not going further
Howie – original with own songs, beat, dancing
Piers – no diction but it doesn’t matter; you have stage presence and are a little star; are you in this for the money or the women? (that may be the best lien of the night, as CJ is 11 years old)
Sharon – Sharon asked him about how he created the song; brilliant, well done (there’s quite a difference between those two superlatives)
My Grade - B

Harmonica Pierre – doing several variations on a classical theme; what is an above-average harmonica player doing in the quarterfinals of AGT5?; the American public which voted him here will now vote him out; he promised to sing the blues if he gets one more round
Howie – fantastic, truly an expert and talent; is harmonica big enough to carry a show; I felt like I was in my doctor’s office
Piers – you are the best technical harmonica player I have ever seen after Larry Adler
Sharon – stunning
My Grade – B+

Polina Volchek – this was a highly sensual dance/acrobatic act with a rope and without her hoops; I thought it was just OK
Howie – hoops, ropes, makeup is all great
Piers – buzzed her because it was boring
Sharon – as usual, she says only positive things about everybody
My Grade - B

The Strange Familiar – 2 leads have shared this dream since the 6th grade and added a keyboardist and percussion; she has a great alto voice and he plays guitar; although I don’t like their style of music I thought this act provided great entertainment
Howie – looking for the wow factor but it was familiar and good, but not WOW
Piers – 20 seconds were great and the rest mediocre’ wardrobe completely wrong, not a superstar Las Vegas looking act
Sharon – adores voice but did not like song choice; chorus did not suit your voice; tribute band from the 1980s with a little grunge
My Grade – A-

HASPOP – his arm and body gyrations are certainly original but I never thought he should have been here in the quarterfinals
Howie – that is WOW
Piers – best thing they have seen so far
Sharon – spectacular, you put your own twist on it
My Grade – B+

Luigi Seno – I really disliked his song; it did not give his voice a very good vehicle
Howie – lots of times you were flat, worried about guitar playing making singing worse
Piers – you’re a good season but you don’t compare well to this season’s brilliant singers
Sharon – anyone can win but you started with an out of tune guitar; I have seen you better than your performance tonight
My Grade – B-

Chipps Cooney – his claim of “that’s great magic” is ludicrous; I admire his aim to just have fun; Piers has said he’s not funny and not talented; Howie his character is a bad magician and I wish America would get that; tonight he did a strip routine with 6 hot female dancers; all 3 buzzed him
Howie – I loved Sad Sack magician, so why did you give that character up?; you should have stuck with that; you threw it away tonight
Piers – buzzed him first; he did stick with the character, a complete imbecile; I woke up this morning and said how could it get any worse and decided only if he took his clothes off
Sharon – asked if he had a diaper on under his shorts (answer was yes)
My Grade - C

Kaya and Sadie – “want to put belly dancing on the map” and added two male dancers to help; I don’t like belly dancing so this was a useless effort in my opinion
Howie – you’re going to Hollywood (which is where they already are); I wasn’t judging, I was just watching
Piers – thank you for restoring our appreciation for the beauty of human flesh; I found both your bellies extremely charming; may you go a long way
Sharon – fantastic and very entertaining
My Grade – B+

Jeffrey Van Schoonoven – his wire-wire bicycle act is electrifying due to its risk; he does the last half of his act blindfolded, jumping from one small support to the next; this is a winner
Howie – you ratchet it up every time to make it more dangerous
Piers – you are dangerous, exciting, unpredictable; you are a natural crowd-pleaser who has made me like what you do
Sharon – fantastic, the new Evel Knievel
My Grade - A

Debra Romer – singer/guitarist who sings with a smile this time even though the music is soulful and mournful; she has a terrific voice and, supported by backup singers, produces a real sound
Howie – America loves you; you are definitely better on not showing nervousness
Piers – I have just watched a young woman who looked like a star and sang like a star; you are a star
Sharon – you should be very proud of the confidence you displayed; vulnerable, sexy, sweet simultaneously; the camera loves you
My Grade - A

Studio One Young Beast Society – 8 dancers who synchronize well with high-energy music along with some gymnastic moves
Howie – you brought it; the best dance performance he has seen
Piers – you just ended on a brilliant high
Sharon – we’ve seen many dance groups but few have shown personalities
My Grade – A-

My summary of the acts is:
A – Jeffrey Van Schoonoven, Debra Romer
A- - Studio One Young Beast Society, The Strange Familiar
B+ – Harmonica Pierre, HASPOP, Kaya and Sadie
B – CJDippa, Polina Volchek
B- - South Philly Vikings, Luigi Seno
C- Chipps Cooney

So, I think Jeffrey van Schoonoven and Debra Romer are in and either Studio One Young Beast Society will be in the first 3 places. The other will compete will either Harmonica Pete, HASPOP, or Kaya and Sadie for that coveted 4th place.

apskip:
AGT5 Hollywood round, 3rd of 4th parts, Results

I enjoy comparing my predictions to how the results actually come in, even though I am frequently way different from the AGT5 voters in my assessment of talent. How did I do for the 3rd quarterfinal round. Better than average:

The first grouping is HASPOP, CJDippa and South Philly Vikings. This is a no-brainer going to HASPOP since the other two were awful.

The second grouping was Studio One Young Beast Society (SOYBS), Chipps Cooney and Polina Volchek. Another no-brainer to SOYBS.

the third grouping was Debra Romer, the Strange Familiar and Luigi Seno. It's obvious Luigi was out, but I rated Debra A and Strange Familiar A-. Debra won and my hot streak is alive.

The final grouping had Harmonica Pete eliminated (one more no-brainer) before focusing on Jeremy Van Schoonoven (who I rated A) vs. Kaya and Sadie (who I rated B+). Jeremy got both Sharon's and Piers' vote so Howie's favoritism to Kaya and Sadie never actually was put to a vote. I had a perfect score on these results, selecting all 4 of the winners. I can't remember the last time that happened.

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