Topic: America's Got Talent 6

[apskip]

Auditions were held in 8 major U.S. cities: Seattle-Tacoma, Houston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles. Host Nick Cannon and judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel return to the show, which begins with the preliminary rounds tonight and will be on all summer on NBC from 8pm to 10pm Tuesdays. When the live shows begin, there will be an additional night added for a results show.

[Prophet]

That's interesting...they are keeping all the same judges and the same host as last season.


I also like that they are bringing back the feature which allows anyone to submit auditions via Youtube. It adds a great element and was validated by the fact that last season's runner up was from that category.

I will probably keep up with this season at least. The auditions and early stages are more interesting for me though. Especially since all five winners are singers
All of the more unique acts don't seem to have a chance.

[apskip]

"all five winners are singers"??

It will be news to Terry Fator that he is classified as a singer (which is his secondary performance attribute) rather than as a ventriloquist.

Unique acts always have a chance because the judges love them and push them ahead even if the viewing public does prefer singers. See the next post for my notes on Team iLuminate, which is so unique and interesting that without seeing any acts from the other 6 audition sites I predict that it will be in the finale several months ahead.

[apskip]

I have decided to only report the acts that are going through to the Las Vegas Round rather than reviewing those not going through as well, although I will report things of particular interest from the latter.

Los Angeles Auditions
Frank - juggled 3 fire torches while making being on a high unicycle appear to be harder than it really is for him; he also had Howie Mandel help him, which Howie regretted after the fire torches came dangerously close to him.

Ryan Andreas - keyboard/singer

Louie - magician

Body Poets - 8  guys doing acrobatics with one doing break dance

Brandon - displays of upper body strength to wrap/unwrap vertical silk cords

Olivia Bellefontaine - a burlesque routine

Deborah and parrot Danny - together 21 years, he has some interesting speech

Frank Miles - juggled 3 500,000 volt stun guns when standing in water


ATLANTA AUDITIONS

Miami All-Stars - 12 male and 12 female dancers doing high-energy moves; teenagers except for founding couple

Scott Alexander - magician

Preston Weber - 12 year old fire eater and juggler

Yellow Designs Stunt Team - using short bicycles and a ramp to do up to a 360 degree loop/180 degree turnaround; this was very impressive

The Sh'? Boys - age 5, 6 and 7 singers and dancers who are quite charming

Team iLuminate - a fantastic group similar to the "in black with fluorescent dots on their uniforms" finalists Fighting Gravity from AGT5; they had a computer specialist who had programmed routines involving lights on their all-black costumes to give exceptional entertainment. Piers called it "the single most exciting act he had ever seen on all seasons of America's Got Talent." It will be interesting to see what variety they can put into their act so that it is not basically a repeat of what they have already done.


There were 2 performers who fell off the stage, one getting hurt, one not and both not going to Las Vegas for low talent reasons. Also, one group convinced Nick Cannon to get the orchestra to replay "Hot! Hot! Hot!" so they could restart their dance after being buzzed off. The result was no different, a quick 3 Xs.


3 acts stood out as ones who should definitely make the top 20 or top 10. Team iLuminate is definitely the front-runner until I see something better. Miami All-Stars energy and synchronization makes them an excellent dance act. In liked the Yellow Designs Stunt Team, but question what they will be able to do for multiple encores.

[franxaverian]

I see some great acts last night and I would say, 2 hours of AGT is always better than 1 hour of Glee. I love the parrot!! It's really funny watching 'him'. 

I see Brandon similar to Michael and Ashleigh with their air-dance act last season..

My 3 act would be(in no order):
1. Scott Alexander
2. Team iLuminate
3. Miami All Stars

[Prophet]

It will be interesting to see what variety they can put into their act so that it is not basically a repeat of what they have already done.

That is what I question about everyone like this. It is a difficult thing to do and may be why these kinds of acts have never won. They are amazing at first but grow repetitive over the weeks.

"all five winners are singers"??

It will be news to Terry Fator that he is classified as a singer (which is his secondary performance attribute) rather than as a ventriloquist.

Well, although he is not a pure singer, all of his performances on the show were songs .

[redwings8831]

Frank - juggled 3 fire torches while making being on a high unicycle appear to be harder than it really is for him; he also had Howie Mandel help him, which Howie regretted after the fire torches came dangerously close to him.

He regretted it when his Mysophobia kicked in after the guy grabbed his head.

[apskip]

AGT6 goes back to a one hour time frame starting at 8pm EDT for weeks to accommodate The Voice.

[apskip]

Last night it was Seattle as the originating point for this show's auditions. Here were the results of acts voted through by the judges to the Las Vegas round:

Melissa, age 23, comedienne - her impersonation of Christina Aguilera singing the National Anthem was priceless
Zuma Zuma - acrobatic troupe from Mombasa Kenya - lots of energy, closing with a pyramid of these 6 guys with the top guy inverted
Poplyfe - 5 teenagers on keyboard, guitar, drums plus one female singer; she is very good; they are mediocre; Piers challenged her to drop the group, which she refused to do. Piers voted against her but she is going to Vegas based on Howie and Sharon supporting her.
Daring Jones Duo - trapeze act; I saw nothing extraordinary here but the judges sent them on to Vegas.
Electrokytes - dancers who are just OK
Sadie, a 8 year old singer with a mature voice
Maraucio, 33 - showman who sings and dances; Piers voted against him but he is going to Vegas anyway.

Here is what happened to two groups that did not make it
A + C Twins - this 2 guy singing group challenged Howie to come up and sing and dance better than them when he wanted to buzz them off; he didn't but was about as good so that shows their limited talent; they did not make it
Carlos the "one man paper horn band" - this was absurd; he failed to get the support of Piers and Sharon so he did not make it further
an interlude involving Piers going off-stage allowed Nick Cannon to clown around with Carlos.

From what I saw, Melissa and Zuma Zuma were special and all other acts just average.

[franxaverian]

For me, it's Melissa, Zuma Zuma and Sadie.

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Houston Auditions

These teams are moving ahead:

The Rhinestone Ropers – Dan and Melody presented a Wild West Skill Show of knife throwing and pistols. He threw knives from about 3 feet away to an outline of her body (I was not impressed), threw them as she spun attached to a wheel (I was very impressed) and she shot some water balloons he tossed up while sideways on the wheel.

Mona Lisa – 29 year old twin females who are good singers

Charles Pechacko – a juggler who performs in the dark like Defying Gravity

The Purrfect Angelz Dance Troupe – a routine set of dance moves by 8 Women

Daniel Joseph Baker – singer and piano player, he made it very clear by the way he sashayed on stage that he is quite different; however, he is a very good singer

Sandou Russian Bar Trio - a very pretty female who is an excellent gymnast does somersaults, twists and flips high above and descending to a 6 inch bar held by her husband and brother; this is incredibly dangerous, as evidenced by the withdrawal from the AGT3 competition of a Russian Bar Trio who should have won if their female had not been seriously injured in practice

LD Dance Company – a routine dance act

Dani Shay – she is a dead ringer for Justin Bieber at almost twice his age, but she has big-time talent for comedy, songwriting and singing which will take her a long way in this competition

Lil T (Tanner) – age 6 and cute as a button; he romps around the stage but is not going far in this competition; he did tell Nick Cannon before performing that Nick was his favorite dancer; Nick returned the favor by going on stage after the judging to demonstrate his moves with Lil T.

Professor Splash – he is hoisted up by an extended forklift to the height for his pool dive; last night it was 27 feet, but he promised to try it in the finale for a world record of over 36 feet; the dive is a belly flop into 12 inches of water in a children’s inflatable pool; this is very impressive and very dangerous


One act which was notable although not good enough was Johnny Di Dimenico attempting to impersonate Howie Mandel, but the audience and Howie did not find it up to the mark on quality, so he was eliminated.


The acts clearly going to the finals will be Professor Splash and the Sandou Russian Bar Trio. Dani Shay might make it.


MINNEAPOLIS AUDITIONS
Echo of Animal Gardens – Parrot Act
After saying some things in English, this parrot speaks Spanish, sings “Old McDonald,” does animal impressions (including farm animals, a cat, and a chihuahua), sneezes, cries, laughs, and sings “Over the Rainbow.” I was entertained.

Mrs. Smith
This 36-year-old woman is dressed as an old lady playing the electric guitar. What were Howie and Sharon thinking? I guess it must be to annoy Piers once he found out the quality of acts they were putting through.

St. Lukes Bottle Band – Band
This band plays music with beer bottles and shooting corks out in the audience. Sharon and Howie vote them through even though they are inferior.

Nick brings out a cardboard cutout of Piers and places it in Piers’ chair.

Halls of Magic – Magician
He makes the female assistant disappear and shows some originality.

Lys Agnes – 27-year-old Singer
She sings one of many “Ave Maria” songs. I personally don't like her voice, but the judges and audience do.

Viva La Muerte
Without Piers there to enforce sanity, Howie and Sharon team up to let through a minimal talent act.

It took 18 hours to get to Minneapolis from New York, but finally Piers Morgan is in New York and on his way to the theatre. He walks on stage and rejoins the judges at the table. Hopefully now the judges can get back to business and take their jobs seriously.

Silhouettes - 9-18-year-old Dancers
They perform behind a screen, so we only see their silhouettes. Just average (sorry, franxaverian)

The Kinetic King (Tim Ford) – Chain Reaction Gadgets
His chain reaction of popsicle sticks is fantastic.

I find that Silhouettes is the only act worthy of the final 10.

[franxaverian]

The Purrfect Angelz Dance Troupe – a routine set of dance moves by 6? Women --> I counted for you...there are 8 women   

I love the ones that you pick...Dani Shay and Sandou especially. Not that interested in seeing Prof. Splash but he might go into finals.

[franxaverian]

@Apskip:
You have a really easy job making a recap of Seattle's audition (part 2)....This episode sucks big time!!! 

[apskip]

franxaverian,

I agree that it did not have as many high points as we are used to on AGT. However, the reason is obvious. These were the leftovers that they culled out of the first Seattle episode, as they only had one audition in Seattle. 7 went through to the Las Vegas round from the first episode, but were trying to expand it into 2 full episodes when it merited only 1.8 with 6 additional acts going through.

[apskip]

Here are the acts which were judged worthy of the Las Vegas round:
Beechee Guy - a very funny comedian (what were you thinking, Piers?)

Illumina Men's Chorus - of about 20 guys; great harmony and vocal histrioics

Solae - a classy pole dancer, which is already a non sequitur

Seth - acrobatic magician

BGP Band -  3 guys late 20s who brought their wives and children to observe; their music was high energy

The Art of Teknique - boys 8, 9 and 10 dancing some very special routines difficult to master at their age

[franxaverian]

I know and fully realised that it's hard to get 2 great episodes from 1 city but I would rather see a 30-minute episode of all the passing hopefuls rather than 1 hour full of failed performers or maybe half Seattle-half from the other city.

Well, I see Seth going well until final round. The others, I don't see their chances and I just don't like the dancing little boys although I know they are good.

[apskip]

franxaverian,

I concur in your opinions. Nobody from the Seattle 2 telecast has a chance of going really far while we agreed that from Seattle 1 Zuma Zuma and Melissa will go far. You thought and probably still do that Sadie will go far. Bianca Ryan was the last 8 year old who will do well on America's Got Talent. You heard this first from me.

[apskip]

2nd TELECAST of ATLANTA AUDITION

Groups moving ahead were:

Hershae Chocolatae - a drag queen dancer doing an acrobatic dance routine with flips and splits; the vote was 2-1 Piers dissenting

4 males + 2 females age 21-23 Summerwind Skippers did jump rope routines

The Fiddleheads – bluegrass band doing pop

DJFace – 6 year old DJ with no real talent but cute

Attack Dance Crew – a high energy group doing “a new style of dance”; 8 guys from either Alabama or Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University; the vote was 2-1 with Howie dissenting

Captain and Madame Maybelle – he is a body piercer who puts a hanger down his throat and then puts a saw down it and then attached cement blocks to either end of the rod holding the saw; the vote was 2-1 with Howie dissenting

Necessary Diva – a song from the opera Carmen done well

Armando and Angelina – popera; he plays the recorder and sings a little pop while she is continuously singing classical music; unfortunately she has a too-heavy vibrato; the vote was 2-1, with Piers dissenting

Anna Graceman, age 11 – singer/keyboard for the Alicia Keyes song “If I Ain’t Got You”

None of the above groups is going very far (unlike 3 from the first group from the first Atlanta telecast). Attack Dance Crew has the best chance.

[apskip]

NEW YORK AUDITIONS

This telecast started with Howie Mandel rolling down the aisle inside a zorb. What a classy entrance!

Here are the acts which made it through in the first half of the NYC auditions:

John Pizzi – Nick Cannon was brought on-stage to get into a dog costume while the Ventriloquist behind this used Nick as his mouthpiece. It is not clear if he made it or not, but I think he did.

Snap Boogie – a dancer who did flips, somersaults and breakdancing as part of his high energy dance moves.

Michael Turco – magician, who made 5 different female contortionists appear during his routine. The judges praised his execution and timing.

Stephen Retchless – a male pole dancer performing in high-heeled shoes and going for the androgynous audience, he did some of his routine upside down. After he left the stage, Nick Cannon showed off his pole dancing upside down; it was pathetic. The judges voted 2-1 to send him to Vegas, with Piers dissenting.

ELEW – performed rock music on the piano. The judges were raving over it.

Landau – a car washer/detailer who can sing Frank Sinatra style almost as good as the original.

There are several acts who I expect to reach the finals from this group: Snap Boogie, Michael Turco the magician, and Landau.

[apskip]

Last night's speech by President Obama threw a monkey wrench into the telecast schedule for AGT6. The second hour was supposed to be New York auditions, but it was a truncated version of the Seattle auditions replayed instead. The schedule for next next has to cover New York, Chicago and Denver if AGT6 is going to be ready for the first Las Vegas show on July 5.

The "top 10" quality acts I have seen so far are:
Kinetic King
Team iLuminate
Zuma Zuma
Miami All Stars
Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Professor Splash
Snap Boogie
Michael Turco
Landau

That leaves 1 places for the remaining acts from telecasts not shown yet. If I need to adjust the list to more room than 2 to be added, I would jettison Professor Splash.

[apskip]

NEW YORK AUDITIONS 2

The acts going to Las Vegas were:

Smage Brothers riding Show – Phil and Pat plus an assistant ride motorcycles on stage doing wheelies front and back, up and down a steep ramp and jumping over the assistant

Sally Gould Dancers, about 12 girls age 11-13

Dylan Andre – singer/guitarist doing Hallelujah

Leonid the Magnificent – he was on AGT1, but has a new quick change act show with singing; I thought he was pretty interesting; the vote was 2-1 for, with Piers dissenting

Rachel Zamstein – singer of her own songs plus electric guitarist; the vote was 2-1 with Howie dissenting (thanks franxaverian)

Narcissister – a person with a face front and back plus another when upside down; truly a unique and interesting act

Sam B – an energetic hip hop dance routine; Piers called it “brilliantly terrible.”

Shemika Charles - woman's world limbo record holder, but what does she do for an encore?

The only act worthy of making the final 10 is Shemika Charles, but that assumes that she makes it to the final 10, which I think will be difficult because what she does lacks sufficient variety for 5 episodes.

[apskip]

DENVER AUDITIONS

Acts going on to Las Vegas were:

Fatally Unique Dance Team

Ian Johnson, yoyos

Tricky Jackson, strutting around the stage in a body-building pose while flexing his pectoral muscles in a unique way (but what does he do for an encore)

Taylor Davis, singer/guitarist

Cindy Chang (age 42 housewife) - sang Puccini aria with heavy vibrato in lower register and very nicely in higher register; the judges loved it but they are obviously not sophisticated about opera singers

Flores Family Globe of Death - I would hardly call it that, but for this initial outing which impressed the audience and all judges, the 8 and 13 year olds in the family performed with their father standing on the bottom of the stage globe. Asked about what they would do for an encore, he said that he rides too and so does his wife. They can fit all 4 Flores Family members into the same globe. That will be especially interesting to see.

I add these 2 that I saw but somehow missed writing about:
Mike Stone and the Kritikal Band - 3 male musician and 3 female singers.

Fantastic Fig(age 76) - Illusionist with card trick

I think the Flores Family act is going to the final 10. Cindy Chang is iffy but may make it that far. Nobody else has any chance. That makes 10 quality acts for the final 10. I think there is one more audition show next week before the Las Vegas shows begin next week.

[franxaverian]

No, it's not Minneapolis. It might be Houston(Piers was carrying a sign saying 'Houston loves Howie'. I actually want to compare Cindy with Lys Agnes(The retail girl who sang 'Ave Maria' fantastically) but I can't find her in your recap so I'll try my best to make one.

There's some other performers who got into next round from Houston(?):
Mike Stone and the Kritikal Band --> A band with 3 male musician and 3 female singing. Piers buzzed but after the buzz, he said he enjoy the performance more

Fantastic Fig(age 76) --> Magician with card trick

[franxaverian]

@Apskip: Here's the one that you miss. Minneapolis, where Piers is stuck in blizzard for almost half of the show. 1 'No' means not going through.

The acts that going to the next round(without Piers):
1. Echo of Animal gardens with Sarah Hoff, its trainer --> bird that can talk, imitates other animal's sound, makes impressions and sing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp0gkjJLlVk
2. Mrs Smith --> Performance artist, one who acts like a rocker version of 'Mrs. Doubtfire'
3. St. Lukes Bottle band --> playing music with different kinds of bottles
4. Halls of Magic --> magician
5. Lys Agnes (27) --> a young female who used to work in retail, singing 'Ave Maria' with a really fantastic voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drPurxAjBis
6. Viva La Muerte --> a dancing small woman, performance artist

The acts that going to the next round(with Piers):
1. Those Funny Little People --> Variety Act, dressed as gnomes
2. Silhouettes --> as stated by the name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpaCahFmruM
3. Kinetic King --> Making Chain-reaction structure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4YT8BuN7Mw&feature=related

Apskip, I think you have to consider Lys, Silhouettes and Kinetic King for your top 10 . They are worthy contenders to be considered. hehehe. I just love Kinetic King for his short 'arrogant' answer.

[apskip]

franxaverian,

I somehow missed having my writing for the first Minneapolis round make it into a recap. I have gone back and added it as part of the Houston episode where it actually was. Thank you for giving me the heads-up that I was missing something. Unfortunately, my judgment on acts worthy of the final 10 does not match yours. I did add The Kinetic King who is in fact my overall favorite in AGT6. However, Lys Agnes has a nice voice but not good enough to make the final 10. Also, I found Silhouette a bit juvenile (no surprise so it's composed of 36 kids). they will not be in the final 10 in my opinion. See my final 10 list excluding any I might want to add next week to replace Professor Splash:

Kinetic King
Team iLuminate
Zuma Zuma
Miami All Stars
Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Professor Splash
Snap Boogie
Michael Turco
Landau
Flores Family Globes of Death

[apskip]

I have been thinking about why Season 6 has a different feel with a much higher variety of types of acts. It is the most interesting season by far from my perspective. So why is that?

One hypothesis is that the producers reacted to the over-abundance of singers in the winners' circle of prior AGTs and somehow limited the field of singers allowed to compete. Here is the list of prior AGT winners:

AGT1 Bianca Ryan, singer
AGT2 Terry Fator, ventriloquist (with singing his underlying talent)
AGT3 Neal E. Boyd, singer
AGT4 Kevin Skinner, singer
AGT5 Michael Grimm, singer

Limits on the singers in the talent pool has meant more spots open for a wide range of talent. Here are the types of acts on my projected final 10 list in the next post above

arrange popsicle sticks into a pattern that allows them to self-destruct with a forward momentum and explosive force
kinetic movements behind a screen
ethnic dance
ethnic dance
the "Russian bar" performers are doing something so risky that it is riveting to watch
another high risk performance of a belly flop into 12 inches of water
dance
magician
Frank Sinatra style singer
what will be 4 motorcycles inside a steel globe

So, that's just one singer out of 10 who I expect to be finalists. I applaud the producers for this trend however it happened.

[franxaverian]

No, it's not Minneapolis. It might be Houston(Piers was carrying a sign saying 'Houston loves Howie'. I actually want to compare Cindy with Lys Agnes(The retail girl who sang 'Ave Maria' fantastically) but I can't find her in your recap so I'll try my best to make one.

There's some other performers who got into next round from Denver:
Mike Stone and the Kritikal Band --> A band with 3 male musician and 3 female singing. Piers buzzed but after the buzz, he said he enjoy the performance more

Fantastic Fig(age 76) --> Magician with card trick

[Prophet]

As I have said before if they can't come up with a non singing winner they may as well give up on the show because they haven't accomplished much besides being a slightly different version of the X factor.

[franxaverian]

franxaverian,

I somehow missed having my writing for the first Minneapolis round make it into a recap. I have gone back and added it as part of the Houston episode where it actually was. Thank you for giving me the heads-up that I was missing something. Unfortunately, my judgment on acts worthy of the final 10 does not match yours. I did add The Kinetic King who is in fact my overall favorite in AGT6. However, Lys Agnes has a nice voice but not good enough to make the final 10. Also, I found Silhouette a bit juvenile (no surprise so it's composed of 36 kids). they will not be in the final 10 in my opinion. See my final 10 list excluding any I might want to add next week to replace Professor Splash:

Kinetic King
Team iLuminate
Zuma Zuma
Miami All Stars
Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Professor Splash
Snap Boogie
Michael Turco
Landau
Flores Family Globes of Death

Hmm....Actually, I see similarity between Snap Boogie and Haspop from last season so I think I want to skip him. As for the omission of the dangerous acts, I just don't like them. hehe.

This is my list of worthy acts with Echo as the one that might have to bow out even before semifinals:
Landau -> he's just unique singer
Michael Turco/Scott Alexander --> magician
Lys Agnes/Cindy Chang --> opera singer
Anna Graceman/Dani Shay --> pop singer
Sandou Russian Bar Trio --> Russian bar performance
Miami All Stars/Zuma Zuma --> dance
Kinetic King --> 'domino effect' builder
Team iLuminate --> similar to Fighting Gravity last season
Silhouettes --> silhouette show
Melissa the impersonator --> comedian
Echo(??) --> I just love this bird

The reason with me choosing these acts might be because I realised that last season, most of the high variety acts failed to make it into final round so I have to insert some singers. After all, I think a lot of varieties is displayed in my Top 10. Let's wait for the auditions from last city + Youtube. They might be interesting to see.

[franxaverian]

Anyway Apskip, I finally have a chance to watch the NY part 2.

Here are some corrections:

Rachel Zamstein – singer of her own songs plus electric guitarist; the vote was 2-1 with Piers Howie(interestingly) dissenting

and additions to your recap:

Shemika Charles - Limbo dancer

[apskip]

Anyway Apskip, I finally have a chance to watch the NY part 2.

Here are some corrections:

Rachel Zamstein – singer of her own songs plus electric guitarist; the vote was 2-1 with Piers Howie(interestingly) dissenting

and additions to your recap:

Shemika Charles - Limbo dancer

franxaverian,

You were right on who dissented for Rachel Zamstein. It was Howie, not Piers. I have corrected that in the appropriate place.

You were also right that I somehow missed Shemika Charles. I saw her act, loved it and did not write about her. I have subsequently learned that she holds the world's limbo record for a female at 8.5 inches (WOW!). That's incredibly impressive. I assume she will go for a new world's record if she reaches the finals, but what does she do in between. I just don't see how that works out or I would have her in my list of "top 10" finalists. I did go back and insert her into New York II Auditions.

You are also right that the probability of at least one new talent emerging from the last show (which may be a mix of leftovers from multiple venues) before Las Vegas. My recollection is that the YouTube show is typically after Las Vegas since there is usually only one performer selected out of all those who apply that way.

[apskip]

AUDITIONS from Multiple Sites

This was a second round of Los Angeles preliminary auditions, resulting in these acts getting the green light for Las Vegas:

Avery, Brooklyn and Cassidy - females age 9 - 10 who sing and are cute

Kevin Shelley - broke 40 white pine 1 foot square boards consecutively as handed to him by Nick Cannon on his forehead, which bled

Dezmond - singer/keyboard

Thomas John - juggler, played "O, When the Saints" on an upside down mini keyboard with spit out balls

4Play - singing group of 4 females ages 24 - 27

J. Chris Newberg - comedian

Chicago Ultimate Tumblers - excellent acrobatics group, but one male somersaulted over human pyramid too low, knocking off a female on top; they recovered and went on to success

Meet Me at Fairfax and 3rd - two elderly gentlemen (61 and 87) who did a headstand on a chair and played keyboard while singing


The Chicago Ultimate Tumblers is the only group which might be headed for that final 10.

[apskip]

LAS VEGAS rounds

The Las Vegas round started with the judges placing each act into a category and looking at each category to determine the best in it.  They (or the producers) love to play game by putting the results into suspense, but when these 10 acts were called I was sure what it meant:

Captain Stag Tuggo and Maybelle
Rhinestone Ropers
Fearless Flores Family
Lys Agnes
Melissa
Team iLuminate
Miami All Stars
Professor Splash
Silhouettes
Squonk Opera (from Minneapolis; I don't remember seeing this one at all although I have looked at an act of theirs and it is worthy of this exemption)

So, what did I conclude about these 10 acts? That they would be selected to go directly to the Hollywood round without any performances in Las Vegas, which was in fact true. These acts were sent home to prepare for the next round. This filled 10 of 48 available slots in the Hollywood rounds, leaving 38 to be filled as a result of performances. The judges  selected several teams from each category to perform on the first day in front of Howie, Piers, Sharon and no audience. The judges noted their appraisals but did not share them with the performers unless they were really awful, in which case they were sent home immediately. That only happened to Remedy, who sang so out of tune that it unnerved me and the judges.  I will review each act and its final outcome delivered one by one or in small groups after the day 1 performances were completed and the judges had the opportunity to decide who was in and who was out. Here were those outcomes:

DANGER
Frank Miles (knife in one of 4 boxes; he smashed each with his body, avoiding the dangerous one) - Hollywood
Kevin Shelly (board breaker) - out
Yellow Design Stunt Team (BMX bikes and ramps) - Hollywood
Charles Peachock (juggler) - Hollywood

FEMALE VOCALS
4Play (harmony of 4 singers) - out
Mona Lisa - Hollywood
Remedy - out immediately

ACROBATS
Solae (female pole dancer) - out
Steven Retchless (male pole dancer) - Hollywood
Summerwind Jump Rope Team - Hollywood
Zuma Zuma (acrobatic dancers) - Hollywood
Daring Jones Duo (trapeze artists) - Hollywood

MAGICIANS
Michael Turco - out
Fantastic Fig and Newton the cat - out
Scott Alexander - Hollywood

ANIMAL ACTS
a dog act not shown except for the dog - out
Echo the Parrot and trainer - Hollywood
Macaw and the Las Vegas Parrots lady - out

CLASSICAL SINGERS
Armand and Andrea - unclear what their performance or fate was, but I think they may be in day 2
Cindy Chang (sang "Man of La Mancha", a poor choice for a female voice with huge vibrato) - out
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr (Frank Sinatra vocals) - Hollywood
Necessary Diva (sang Ave Maria) - out

BANDS
Proud Mary (3 female vocalists with 3 instrumentalists) - out
Lost Boys - I may be mixing them up, but I think they are going to Hollywood
DGB trio of boyhood friends) - out
PopLyte (teens with good female lead singer) - Hollywood
Fiddleheads (2 banjos, a violin and a guitar) - Hollywood
Mike Stone & Kritikal Band - out

DANCE
Fatally Unique (with one key performer injured, they made a change in who was doing her bit even though she returned) - Hollywood
LD Dance - out (no sympathy vote for Lucia who was injured)
Snap Boogie (kinetic dancer) - Hollywood

FEMALE SINGERS
Chevonne - out
Kelsey - out
Dani Shay - broke under the pressure of singing her own music; asked to redo her audition with something well know; she chose "Troubles" and is going to Hollywood

COMEDIANS
J. Chris Newberg - Hollywood
Obama impersonator - out
Daria (female comic) - out
Geechee Guy (the funniest of all the comics) Hollywood

NOVELTY
ping pong guy - no chance; out
a singer
Those Funny Little People - they are getting funnier and going to Hollywood
The Kinetic King - I was shocked that he did not make the top group, but he was spectacular and obviously has a wide variety of different explosive popsicle stick formations; going to Hollywood
Thomas John (juggler who played the xylophone upside down with balls juggled in and spit out of his mouth to the tune "O When the Saints") - out

MALE SINGERS
Ryan Andreas (plus keyboard) - Hollywood
Dezmond Meeks (plus pianist) - Hollywood
Hershae Chocolatae - out
1 act that did not make it


So that was it for day 1. According to my records there were 18 acts that made it. Since the acts came fast and furious last night and many were not identified in the final yes-no results, there may be some errors above from either acts going to Hollywood I said weren't or acts not going to Hollywood that I said were. I will make my best effort to fix them as I recognize them such as when they do or do not turn up in the next round).

The next episode telecast tonight will feature the other teams that are being given a chance for any remaining slots, of which there are plenty. This group has to include what I regard to be some very strong acts:

Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Shemika Charles
Chicago Ultimate Tumblers

[apskip]

DAY 2 of LAS VEGAS rounds

About 30 acts which did not get the invite to perform day 1 were left to compete for the remaining 17 slots. It was can other action-packed telecast distinguished by a lack of any subtitles on the screen, so it was frequently difficult to figure out what was happening to whom.  Here were the results:

MAGICIANS
Hall of Magic – out
Seth Grabel (survived 2 of 6 assistants not putting his magic cube firmly in place)– Hollywood
Landon Swank (illusionist) – Hollywood
multiple other magicians - out 

KID ACTS
Lil’ T – out
Avery and the Calico Hearts, Brooklyn and Cassidy (singers) – Hollywood
SH’Boss Boys (rappers) - Hollywood
Anna Graceman (singer/pianist) – Hollywood
Monet (singer) - Hollywood

DANGER
Frank Olivier (fire eater) – out
Sandou Russian Bat Trio – Hollywood
Smage Brothers riding Show - Hollywood 

DANCE
Attack Dance Crew – Hollywood
Purrfect Angelz – Hollywood
Sam B (the judges debated hard on this one, but chose to let he audience decide his fate) – Hollywood
Preston Weber (fire twirler) – out
Tricky Jackson – out

ACROBATS
Leonid the Magnificent – out for inadequate act, not because he could not finish it
Thomas John (juggler) – Hollywood

NOVELTY
Ian Johnson (yo-yos) Hollywood
Meet Me at Fairfax and 3rd – the old guys bit the dust for lack of content in their act; out

MALE SINGERS
Mauricio (sang “Strangers in the Night”, then “Stayin’ Alive”) - Hollywood
Daniel Joseph Baker (singer/pianist)– Hollywood
Dylan Andre – Hollywood
Taylor Davis (singer/guitar) - Hollywood
multiple others - out

[apskip]

Conclusions from the Las Vegas Round

Talent decisions were mostly rational, with the really good acts according to me left out of this process the Chicago Tumblers and Shemika Charles. It could have been much worse.  So, who do I think will emerge from each category as part of the final 10 now? Here are my picks, which will look familiar to anyone who has read my picks from before the Las Vegas rounds:

DANGER
Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Fearless Flores Family

COMEDY
Melissa Villasensour

NOVELTY
Team iLuminate
The Kinetic King
Professor Splash

DANCE
Miami All Stars
Fatally Unique

MUSICIANS
Squonk Opera
Fiddlehead Band

ACROBATS
Zuma Zuma

MAGICIANS
Landon Swank

So that’s 12 acts for the top 10. From the judges list of those who did not have to perform in Las Vegas, I felt Capt. Stag Tuggo and Maybelle, Rhinestone Ropers, Lys Agnes and Silhouettes should have been forced to compete and will ultimately not go into the final 10.

If I had to pick the best 5 acts right now, it would be difficult but I would go with Sandou Russian Bar Trio, Kinetic King, Miami All Stars, Zuma Zuma and Team iLuminate. We’ll see. My record in picking last year was not in sync with the viewing audience so it will be nice to see better synchronicity this year. One can always hope.

[apskip]

I will be missing two weeks of Hollywood rounds. Since AGT6 will be almost over by the time I return, I will appreciate anyone doing the recaps for that period.

[franxaverian]

AGT Season 6 Hollywood Round Week 1
1. Miami All Stars (Dance Group).
    Their rehearsed song was not in the song list for legal reasons but they are still fabulous. The judges loved them.

2. Dezmond Meeks (Male Singer).
    Singing 'Satisfaction' cabaret-style. Sharon and Howie thought that he sang it cheesy but Piers loved that style.

3. Those Funny Little People (Novelty act).
    Singing 'Singing in the Rain' and 'It's Raining Men'. Piers buzzed them. Howie and Sharon liked the act

4. Fearless Flores Family (Danger)
    3 motorcycles circling the 'globe of death'. They got praise from the judges

5. Squonk Opera (Opera Singers)
    They perform their own song. Buzzed by Piers and Sharon. Piers gave them harsh criticism.

6. J.Chris Newberg (Comedian/Musician)
    Sing his own written song, verses of jokes with chorus sang by some bearded children. Buzzed by Piers.

7. Snap Boogie (Dancer)
    If anyone watched last season of 'Haspop', it is similar. Unique dance. Judges loved him.

8. Echo of the Animal Gardens (Talking Bird Act)
    Just almost similar to a repeat of the initial audition with the help of Echo's girlfriend. Howie questioned the act about his worthiness.

9. The Fiddleheads (Bluegrass Band)
    Singing 'Billie Jean'. All judges didn't like the song choice while Sharon didn't like the costume that was chosen by the production team)

10. Duo Aero (Acrobatics/Trapeze Act)
      Buzzed by Piers, deemed too safe. Howie thought that it was not as exciting as before.

11. Anna Graceman
     Sang 'What A Wonderful World' while playing piano. All judges loved her.

12. Sandou Trio Russian Bar
      Russian Bar over bed of spikes lit with fire.

[franxaverian]

AGT Season 6 Hollywood Round Week 1 Result

Guest performance by Avril Lavigne & the cast members of Broadway musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

These are the group calls(Acts advancing to semifinal in bold):
1st Group Call: Snap Boogie, Fearless Flores Family and Duo Aero
Piers showed disappointment that either one of FFF or Snap Boogie will be eliminated.

2nd Group Call: Sandou Russian Bar Trio, J. Chris Newberg, Squonk Opera
Howie declared that it's obvious that Sandou will advance

3rd Group Call: Echo, Anna Graceman, Dezmond Meeks
Sharon thought that it's either Anna or Dezmond.

Last Group Call: Those Funny Little People, The Fiddleheads, Miami All Stars
Those Funny Little People was eliminated first and Piers was ecstatic about this.
Fiddleheads and Miami All Stars were the 4th and 5th placer. Sharon and Piers voted for Miami All Stars to advance.

[apskip]

Thanks to franxaverian for doing the first week recap of AGT6 semi-finals. I would like to clarify one point, which is that Piers, Howie and Sharon have no voting responsibilities from the semi-finals through to the finale. They only can comment on the acts. I had rated the acts as follows:

Miami All-Stars A
Dezmond Meeks A-
Those Funny Little People B
Fearless Flores Family A-
Squonk Opera B+
J. Chris Newberg B
Snap Boogie A-
Echo of Animal Gardens B+
Fiddleheads B+ (note – the non-voting judges had 3 vastly different opinions of this act, none good)
Duo Aero B
Anna Graceman B+
Sandou Russian Bar Trio A+

My conclusions from the above were that Sandou Russian Bar Trio and Miami All-Stars should advance without question and the other 2 spots would be filled from Dezmond Meeks, Fearless Flores Family and Snap Boogie. The shortcomings of Those Funny Little People, J. Chris Newberg and Duo aero were exposed for all to see.

America voted to send the first two plus Snap Boogie forward plus Anna Graceman, who I don't evaluate as having great talent but the American public is always a sucker in America's Got Talent for cute little female singers.

[apskip]

HOLLYWOOD Semifinals round 2 of 4

Attack Dance Crew A-
Dani Shay B+
Geechy Guy B
Daniel Joseph Baker B+
Rhinestone Ropers B
Dylan Andre B
Landon Swank A-
Smage Brothers riding Shows B+
Thomas John B
Steven Retchless B+ (note he performed in ballet toe shoes, not spike heels, which was probably a good decision given the way the American public would likely have felt about the latter)
Mona Lisa B+
Silhouettes A

My prediction was that Silhouettes, Attack Dance Crew, Landon Swank and one of my B+ rated acts would advance. Again, the shortcomings of several acts were exposed, specifically Geechy guy, Rhinestone Ropers, Dylan Andre and Thomas John. The voting results were organized as follows:
Rhinestone Ropers, Silhouettes, Thomas John – Silhouettes
Steven Retchless, Geechy Guy, Attack Dance Crew – Steven Retchless
Dylan Andre, Daniel Joseph Baker, Dani Shay – Daniel Joseph Baker
Landon Swank, Mona Lisa, Smage Brothers riding Shows -  Smage Brothers

[franxaverian]

Just to complete what's Apskip wrote.

The last 3 to be called in the 2nd week has the 4th and 5th top vote.
The choice for the judges to make is between Landon Swank and Smage Brothers with 2-1 vote, Piers the only one voting for Landon.

I think if there's a wildcard show, Landon will be one of Piers' choice.

[apskip]

AGT6, Semifinals, 3 of 4

It's a new week and another live semifinal round for AGT6. Here were the 12 performances in this episode along with my rating of them:

Sumemrwind Skippers A-
Sh’Boss Boys B+
Mauricio Herrera B- (his rendition of viva Las Vegas was embarrassing)
Seth Grabel A+, an unbelievable magic act
Poplyfe B+
Ian Johnson (yo yo kid) B
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. A+ (his Sinatra songs were almost perfect)
Monet B
Captain and Maybelle B (Piers called this the grossest act anywhere, anytime)
Lys Agnes A- (singing Carmen)
Professor Splash A+ (another almost perfect act with danger exceeded only by Sandou Russian Bar Trio)

Piers said it best when he stated that the level of performance in this episode was very high. I see Seth Grabel, Landon Murphy Jr. and Professor Splash as shoe-ins for the first 3 places in the next round. The 4th place will be between Summerwind Skippers and Lys Agnes. As is frequently the case with Las Vegas and earlier round judging decisions, Ian Johnson, Monet and Captain and Maybelle had no business being in the Hollywood Round.

[franxaverian]

Apskip,

I have only one correction...the correct name is Seth Gandel Grabel but for all your ratings, I most certainly agree with you. I see Mauricio, Ian Johnson, Monet and those 3 boys going home easily. The 3 acts going forward are easily Landau, Seth and Professor. As for Poplyfe, Summerwind Skippers and Lys, any one of them going would be fantastic as I 99% believe that if there's going to be a wildcard round, the other two would be there, joining Landon Swank.

[apskip]

I think a wildcard round is likely because there will be the YouTube round winners to fit into this competition somehow.

[apskip]

Here are the outcomes of the America's votes on the 3rd of 4 semifinals:

Purrfect Angelz, Summerwind Skippers, Ian Johnson - NBC is playing tricks by making this outcome none of the above. I approve of this outcome.

Poplyfe, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. - both of them move ahead. This is OK. Landau clearly deserved it and Poplyfe is displacing another top act.

Lys Agnes, Monet, Captain and Maybelle, Mauricio - an obvious choice of Lys Agnes.

The tough one, elimination of Sh'Boss Boys quickly and judges decision between #4 and #5 Professor Splash and Seth Grabel. Sharon voted for Seth, Howie for Professor Splash and Piers for Professor Splash. That was a difficult and close decision and why they pay those judges the big bucks.

I really enjoyed seeing Fighting Gravity perform on this results show. They should have won AGT5.
 

[franxaverian]

Oh well, another great magician bowed out of the competition...I didn't see that coming, especially Poplyfe got through instead of Seth or Summerwind Skippers. We'll see them in the wildcard round, hopefully.

How's your take on the last group next week?
Based on their audition, I can only say that Mellisa Villasenor, Team iLuminate, Zuma Zuma and Kinetic King could easily take the last 4 spot. The competition would come from Scott Alexander, the last magician left. As for the others, I barely remember them and hopefully Sam B and the 3 girls got eliminated quickly.

[apskip]

franxaverian,

I agree completely. Next week it should be Team iLuminate, Kinetic King, Zuma Zuma and Melissa Villasensour for the 4 spots.

I don't see Scott Alexander breaking into the elite group of 12. Magicians have traditionally done poorly on America's got Talent for reasons I do not understand.

[franxaverian]

Well, I still hope at least one magician survive until top 10 like last season's Michael Grasso although he has to be 'resurrected' using the Wildcard Round. I took pity for all the magicians that there have been 2 magicians eliminated because of the judges' vote.

[redwings8831]

Stunning start to tonight's show. Video link is below but don't watch if you don't want to be spoiled (couldn't get the spoiler tags to work).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjpkZbYoQHQ&feature=player_detailpage#t=463s

[apskip]

AGT6 HOLLYWOOD Quarterfinals, round 4 of 4

The 4th quarterfinal round had the 12 remaining acts and it was clarified that this was one of 4 quarterfinal rounds. Here are the acts and my ratings of them :

Kinetic King B-
Zuma Zuma A
Avery and the Calico Hearts B
Charles Peachock B+
Sam B B
Taylor Davis B
Melissa Villsensor A
Scott Alexander A-
Fatally Unique A-
Yellow Design Stunt Team A-
Frank Miles A-
iLuminate A+

So that means that I rate iLuminate tops and Zuma Zuma and Melissa Villasensor close behind. with Fatally Unique edging out Yellow Design Stunt Team, Scott Alexander and Frank Miles. There was a wealth of good acts in this grouping, as my A- rated acts would have made it through in other brackets. Scott Alexander, Yellow Stunt Design Team and Frank Miles were all impressive but just not enough given the competition. Charles Peachock was OK. Sam B and Avery and the Calico Hearts and Taylor Davis were exposed as “should not have been here” material.

 
My Predicted Final 16 Acts Before YouTube round insertion

Novelty
Silhouettes
Steven Retchless
Smage Brothers Riding Shows
Professor Splash
Team iLuminate
Fatally Unique

Acrobatics
Sandou Russian Bar Trio

Dance
Miami AllStars
Zuma Zuma
Snap Boogie

Female Singers
Anna Graceman
Lys Agnes

Male Singers
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr
Daniel Joseph Baker
 
Band
Poplyfe

Comedienne
Melissa Villasenor

[redwings8831]

Apskip, do you really think Kinetic King will get through after the disaster tonight? I'd be absolutely shocked. As for a grade, I'd give him a C- just because of the amount of time he put into building the thing.

[franxaverian]

I have to give him a C but even if he doesn't get through in this round, I think he could get a pass into a wildcard round.

[franxaverian]

Finally I have the chance to watch the whole show.
I really hope we can say goodbye to Avery&Calico, Charles Peachock, Sam B, Taylor Davis, Fatally Unique and the Yellow Design Stunt team. The reason would be that we already have those kind of acts from the previous groups.

That being said, we have 2 acts more than the spots left. Based on the show, Kinetic King has underperformed unfortunately so he might not be able to get through this time.

My pick for the result show: Mellisa Villasenor, Zuma Zuma, iLuminate and Scott Alexander. The one that narrowly missed the chance to get through to semifinal would be Frank Miles.

Next week, there would be Youtube performers...yippee!!!

[apskip]

I finally just got the time to go back to my VCR tape and view the Zuma Zuma and Kinetic King performances. Zuma Zuma was the solid A that I predicted from the small part of it I saw. Kinetic King's attempt to break the world record fizzled early in the run of interlocked pieces. I thought his act was great comedy, but he did not bring his intended act to completion, so he does get a B- and will undoubtedly be out. The act I would put into the "gang of 4" to be announced tonight is Fatally Unique.

I am going to go back to my post from late last night and modify it accordingly.

[Prophet]

Your VCR tape?!

[apskip]

Here are my predicted top 16:

Silhouettes
Steven Retchless
Smage Brothers Riding Shows
Professor Splash
Team iLuminate
Fatally Unique
Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Miami AllStars
Zuma Zuma
Snap Boogie
Anna Graceman
Lys Agnes
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr
Daniel Joseph Baker
Poplyfe
Melissa Villasenor

I would cut all female singers, Daniel Joseph Baker, Poplyfe, Professor Splash (I love his act, but it is only suited to a brief opener act), Snap Boogie, Fatally Unique, Smage Brothers, Silhouettes, Steven Retchless. I regrettably also have to ditch Landau to get to just 5.

That leaves as my predicted final 5 before YouTube round insertion:
Miami All-Stars
Zuma Zuma
Melissa Villasensor 
Team iLuminate
Sandou Russian Bar Trio

[apskip]

Quarterfinals round 4 of 4 Results Show

The first grouping was Avery and the Calico Hearts, Frank Miles, Taylor Davis and Fatally unique. My hopes that America knows talent were vindicated by their choice of Fatally Unique for one of the top 3 slots.

The second grouping was Zuma Zuma and Yellow Design Stunt Team. ZUma Zuma won a richly deserved slot.


The third grouping was Scott Alexander, Team iLuminate and Sam B.

The fourth grouping was Melissa Villasensor, Charles Peachock and Kinetic King. Kinetic King was eliminated, so it was Melissa Villasenor vs. Charles Peachock for the #4 and #5 slots to be decided by the judges. Piers voted for Charles. Sharon voted for Melissa.  Howie voted for Melissa. The winner was Melissa Villasenor.
That gives us Fatally Unique, Zuma Zuma, Team iLuminate and Melissa Villasenor, exactly the group that I picked so I am really glad that America is doing so much better this year in matching my tastes.

Host Nick Cannon announced that in 2 weeks the Wild Card selections picked by the judges with input from America will perform. I will nominate the following acts for consideration:
Attack Dance Crew
Landon Swank
Seth Grabel
Chicago Ultimate Tumblers
Fiddleheads
Shemika Charles

I do not prefer any of these nominees to my final 5 acts, so even if they get into the semifinals none of them should go further.

[franxaverian]

Well, I'm pretty happy with the result and very excited with some acts with lesser quality going home this time.

Hopefully there would be great youtube acts next week...

[apskip]

Irrespective of the number of YouTube acts, Nick Cannon stated that only one winner will make the semi-finals that's what I heard but it turned out to be 4 instead). Unfortunately I missed the boat by not voting by July 8, the cutoff date for voting.

[apskip]

AGT6, YouTube Round

The 12 best of thousands of YouTube 90 second submissions were voted by fans one month ago to appear live and be judged by the national audience just like the acts competing in person initially. I was quite disappointed by the talent on display in this round, as I do not see 4 acts worthy of receiving the blessing to get into the Semifinal round; only by stretching the definition of “worthy” can you can 4 acts.

Here are those acts and my rating of each one:

TNC Elite - cloggers; B
Illusionist Brett Daniels – the judges were not that impressed, but I loved his making-Marilyn Monroe-disappear act; A-
Matt Wilhelm – bike tricks; B
Gabe Rocks – a bulldog trained to do various tricks; B+
Aeon – acrobats who were disappointing; B
Breanna Bell – 8 year old acrobat doing dancing; B+
Kevin Colis – singer/guitarist who was the biggest talent in this round; A
Beth Ann Robinson – 14 year old modern dancer B+
Gymkana – this group was OK but if they make the semifinals they will go no further; A-
Kalani Basketball Freestyle – juggling and twirling basketball is good for a few minutes, but a whole Las Vegas show? No way; B
West Springfield Dance team – the judges loved their dark style, but not me; B
Powerhouse show choir – this group showed energy, singing and dancing; A-

The only act that I think is equal to the quality of previously-voted-in semifinal acts and should advance is Kevin Colis. The other 3 who would back in are Brett Daniels, Gymkana and the Powerhouse show choir.  We’ll see tonight on the live results show.

[apskip]

AGT6 You Tube round RESULTS Show

The first grouping was Powerhouse and Gymkana. Like Piers Morgan, I was disappointed to see that one of these was likely to be out. Gymkana is going to the semifinals.

The second grouping was TNC Elite, Matt Wilhelm and Aeon. I agree that Matt Wilhelm was the best act of these and it is moving to the semis.

The third grouping was Illusionist Brett Daniels, Kevin Colis, Breena and Kalani Basketball Style. This was not contest, as I Kevin Colis got the win.

That left 3 teams fighting for #4 vs. #5, but first the bulldog Gabe Rocks was eliminated. That left the judges to decide between West Springfield Dance Team and Beth Ann Robinson. Piers voted Beth Ann, Sharon for West Springfield and Howie for Beth Ann. She made it to the semis, but Sharon announced that West Springfield was getting her vote for next week’s Wild Card Round.

In that Wild Card round, here are some of the acts that will be among the 12 competing for 4 slots in the semifinals:
West Springfield Dance Team
Summerwind Skippers
Kinetic King
J. Chris Newberg
Those Funny Little People
Avery and the Calico Hearts
Landon Swank
Yellow Design Stunt Team
Charles Peachock
Shevonne Charles
Seth Grabel
Fiddleheads

[franxaverian]

Just to complete Apskip's list...

FYI, all the acts eliminated at Judges' choice are brought back

Wildcard round performers:
The Fiddleheads - Week 1
J. Chris Newberg - Week 1
Those funny Little People - Week 1
Landon Swank - Week 2
Seth Grabel - Week 3
Summerwind Skippers - Week 3
Kinetic King - Week 4
Charles Peachock - Week 4
Yellow Design Stunt Team
Avery and the Calico Hearts - Week 4
West Springfield Dance Team - Youtube Week
Shevonne - Cut at Las Vegas Round, Female Singer

4 of them will go through and my pick would be: Landon Swank/Seth Grabel/both of them, Summerwind Skippers, Kinetic King, West Springfield(only if one magician is eliminated)

[franxaverian]

Apskip, I just had the chance of watching the Powerhouse in the Youtube round(I download the episode but it missed the last performance)....for me, I just hate their choreography and the solo part is not strong enough...and finally, for me, just Glee is enough...

[apskip]

AGT6 Wild Card round

This is 12 acts selected by the judges to be given a second chance to compete their way back into AGT6 in the semifinals for the 4 best as voted by America. Here are the acts and my ratings of them:
Kinetic King (this time his setup worked flawlessly)  A+
Those Funny Little People (I am sure Howie had them in to annoy Piers); not funny at all B
Yellow Design Stunt Team (one bad fall and it could be over for them despite the judges saying that emphasized the danger involved)  A-
Charles Peachock (when you have only two components to your act and miss the juggling on one of them, it’s curtains)  B-
Fiddleheads (I was disappointed; they did much better earlier in the competition)  B+
Avery and the Calico Hearts  B+
Seth Grabel (another big disappointment for me; he didn’t do much beyond the standard trick of making a car appear)  B
Summerwind Skippers (another major miss will take them out)  B+
Landon Swank(another standard magic routine with the water tank and the locks but so well executed)  A
Shevonne  B
West Springfield Dance Team (Sharon Osbourne is nuts about this act, but I just plain disagree)  B
J. Chris Newberg roasting Piers Morgan; very funny was Piers’ verdict;  A

So that means I liked Kinetic King, J. Chris Newberg, Landon Swank and Yellow Design Stunt team are my picks to move on.   

[franxaverian]

I'm rooting for Summerwind Skippers, Kinetic King, Yellow Design Stunt Team and Landon Swank this time. Shevonne/Seth could be missing out this time.

[apskip]

franxaverian,

Your picks are almost the same as mine. I have to ask you why you felt Summerwind Skippers, who did OK but made a glaring error, deserve the nod over a scintillating J. Chris Newberg?

[apskip]

AGT6 Wild Card Round Results Show

Here was the results of the first grouping: West Springfield Dance Team, Shevonne, Those funny Little People, Yellow Design Stunt Team – the slot went to West Springfield Dance

The second grouping was Kinetic King, Charles Peachock, Avery and the Calico Hearts– Kinetic King

The third grouping was Landon Swank and Seth Grabel – Landon Swank

The fourth grouping was J. Chris Newberg, Summerwind Skippers and Fiddleheads. America’s vote to eliminate J. Chris Newberg was announced. This is a travesty, as he was the best act in this grouping. 4th place went to Summerwind Skippers, courtesy of Piers and Sharon voting for their unusual act. 5th place and out of the competition went to Fiddleheads.

[apskip]

AGT6 Final 24

Novelty
Silhouettes
Steven Retchless
Smage Brothers Riding Shows
Professor Splash
Fatally Unique
Team iLuminate
Matt Wilhelm
Kinetic King

Acrobatics
Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Gymkana
Summerwind Skippers

Dance
Miami All-Stars
Zuma Zuma
Snap Boogie
West Springfield Dance Team
Beth Ann Robinson

Female Singers
Anna Graceman
Lys Agnes

Male Singers
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr
Daniel Joseph Baker
Kevin Colis
 
Band
Poplyfe

Comedienne
Melissa Villasenor

Illusions
Landon Swank

Now that we have everything in perspective, the best 8 acts are:

Team iLuminate
Kinetic King (he’s back)
Sandou Russian Bar Trio
Miami All-Stars
Zuma Zuma
Kevin Colis
Melissa Villasenor
Landon Swank

[guacamole300]

How is Fatally Unique in Novelty and not in Dance???

and in my opinion, Kevin Colis is a weak singer...or at least chose a weak song for him. I definitely do not consider him in the Top 8

[hurricane]

How could Kinetic King ever make that into a one hour show? It takes hours or days to set that up and it is over in 5 minutes.

[apskip]

How is Fatally Unique in Novelty and not in Dance???

and in my opinion, Kevin Colis is a weak singer...or at least chose a weak song for him. I definitely do not consider him in the Top 8

guacamole300, I have no monopoly on opinions of America's Got Talent 6 acts. I happen to think Kevin Colis is one of the strongest acts remaining and I typically hate his style of music so I have no reason to like him.

The classifications are mine. Fatally Unique performs with light reflection on dark backgrounds and is not principally a dance act. However, you may classify it as you wish.

[apskip]

How could Kinetic King ever make that into a one hour show? It takes hours or days to set that up and it is over in 5 minutes.

Actually, I think his act is over in about one minute. It would take a very large stage to give him the space to do multiple setups, but I cannot ever see him getting to one hour.

However, there is a much more egregious act that you could have complained about. Professor Splash is really not able to do more than one dive.

[guacamole300]

About Kevin Colis, that's fair, we're all entitled to our opinions, and, like I said, I happen to think he is very weak and there are stonger singers in the competition. However, I do think his style and looks are the ones that appeal to America and that is why he advanced.

on the other hand... I know you made your clasifications, but still, I respectably have to disagree. How is Fatally Unique not principally a dance act? I fail to see it. This is from the NBC official page: "Fatally Unique is a hip-hop dance team that originated in Rockford, Illinois."
iLuminate and Silhouettes, I can agree, they do use something else, but if you see the three routines from FU they have nothing like the other two to make them Novelty, perhaps only the last one, but that's only because most acts get more production in the live show.

Again, it's just my opinion, and in no way meaning to be disrespectful.

[apskip]

AGT6 first semifinal

Here were the 12 acts that were featured tonight:

Zuma Zuma A
Beth Ann Robinson A-
Sandou Trio Russian Bar B-; they were audacious in departing from their normal act to have the female do singing and piano, which are mediocre; it will cost them totally
Kevin Coles B+
Matt Wilhelm – B; sayonara; you cannot recover from the performance mistake he had
Poplyfe A-
West Springfield Dance Team – B; no matter how talented they are their ghoul act disgusts me
Melissa Villasenor – B; it’s the end of the line for her; she just wasn’t very funny with her impressions
Team iLuminate – A
Daniel Joseph Baker – B; I don’t understand what the judges hear in his performances; does the world need another Liberace?; I don’t think so
Miami All-Stars – A an excellent performance
Lys Agnes – A-

Let’s look at this episode in perspective. The 5 acts I think are going to the finals are:
Zuma Zuma
Team iLuminate
Miami All-Stars
Poplyfe
Beth Ann Robinson (chosen over Lys Agnes by the judges)

[apskip]

AGT6 first semifinal Results

The first grouping had Sandou, Zuma Zuma, Matt Wilhelm and Team iLuminate. In my book that was two acts who should make the finals, but only Team iLuminate will.

The second grouping was Poplyfe and Lys Agnes. Both are going to the finals.

The third grouping was Kevin Coles, Miami All-Stars and Melissa Villasenor. It was a clear win for Miami All-Stars.

The fourth grouping was Beth Ann Robinson, West Springfield Dance Team and Daniel Joseph Baker. Beth Ann was eliminated first, then the judges voted on the 5th vs. 6th slots (not 4 and 5 as Nick Cannon misrepresented). Howie and Piers both voted for West Springfield, so they are going to the finals and Daniel Joseph Baker is out. 

[apskip]

Apparently NBC has a scheduling trick up their sleeve. I would expect that Aug. 30/31 would be the second semifinal and Sept. 6/7 would be the finals. However, the finale is Sept. 14 so somehow there is an intermediate narrowing down.

[apskip]

AGT6 second semifinal

Here is the way I grade the performances these acts:
Kinetic King A+
Fatally Unique A-
Landon Swank B+ his explosive act just didn’t thrill me
Gymkana B don’t make fatal mistakes
Summerwind Skippers B ditto (don’t make fatal mistakes)
Snap Boogie B+
Anna Graceman A- the surprise of the evening for me, as I really liked her singing and song choice
Stephen Retchless B should never had been in the semis and it showed
Smage Brothers Riding Show A-
Professor Splash A- however, I agree with Piers that diving into deeper pool isn’t exciting
Eugene Landau Murphy Jr A
Silhouettes A the judges thought prior performance better but I liked this one
So that gives us Kinetic King, Eugene Landau Murphy Jr and Silhouettes going to the finals plus 2 of Fatally Unique, Anna Graceman, Smage Brothers and Professor Splash. We’ll see.

[apskip]

AGT6 second semifinal Results

The first grouping was Gymkana, Steven Retchless and Silhouettes. I applauded the voters’ choice of Silhouettes.

The second grouping was Anna Graceman and Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.  Nick Cannon played a trick on Landau by having him believe that he was out, but they both will be in the finals.

The third grouping was Professor Splash, Fatally Unique, Landon Swank and Summerwind Skippers. America’s votes won for Landon Swank, so there will be an illusionist in the finals.

That left Kinetic King, Snap Boogie and Smage Brothers Riding Shows to compete for the final spot. One of those was eliminated by America’s votes, Kinetic King.  Piers voted for Smage Brothers, Sharon voted for Snap Boogie and Howie voted for Smage Brothers, which gave the nod to Smage Brothers Riding Show.

[apskip]

AGT6 round of 10

The producers of AGT are stretching it out when they should have shown the final performances of each act live in this episode. Instead, there is one more round of 4 which acts have to battle their way into. My grades for those performances were:

3 Acts which were than top-notch and whose time is over
West Springfield Dance Team –boring, as it’s always the same
Lys Agnes – good low register, but I can’t stand her in the upper register
Miami All-Stars – I found it boring

2 teams that may have a chance but are probably going nowhere
Anna Graceman
Smage Brothers Riding Show

5 best teams competing for 4 spots (with public deciding #4 and not the judges)
Team iLuminate
Poplyfe
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr
Landon Swank
Silhouettes

I think it will be Landon Swank out in the cold as the other 4 advance to compete next week.

[franxaverian]

Can we have final 5 instead of final 4 this year??? hehehehe. AGT producer, please open this site....

[apskip]

AGT6 round of 10 Results

America and I were pretty consonant in our picks.

The first grouping was Smage Brothers and Team ILuminate, which the latter won.

The second grouping was Miami All-Stars and Lys Agnes. Neither deserved to move ahead and they did not.

The third grouping was Poplyfe and Landon Swank. Poplyfe is moving on.

The fourth grouping was Silhouettes and West Springfield Dance Team. Silhouettes is going forward.

The fifth grouping was Anna Graceman and Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. He is still in and she is out.

So I was 4 for 4 in my predictions, which pleases me.

For next week it is a difficult call, but I expect Team iLuminate to win it all.

[apskip]

AGT6 Finale Performances

It's the big night where it's all on the line.

First up was Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., who sang "My Way" at a high level. I give him an A grade.

Next was Team iLuminate, who is my personal favorite for AGT6 winner. They gave a totally new and energetic performance which was a creative triumph. It was such that their director, who danced with the group in the round of 10, elected to stay at the computer and left it to the others. They were more than capable. I grade them as A+ and don't see how any other act is going to beat them.

Third to perform was Poplyfe, who frankly overreached. They finished with "We are the champions!" but with Kayla oversinging and her supporting cast off-key they have no chance. I grade them a B.

Last was Silhouettes and they performed well, but not well enough to beat Team iLuminate. I grade them A.

The order of finish will be:
#1 Team iLuminate
#2 Silhouettes
#3 Eugene Landau Murphy Jr
#4 Poplyfe

[franxaverian]

Well, judging how last season Michael Grimm beat Fighting Gravity and Jackie, I can only say that Poplyfe would not win but the winner spot is still an open spot. So sad that this season is coming to an end....I'll keep in touch with you in another thread(i.e. TC Just Desserts 2)..LOL

[apskip]

Here are the results of America's vote:

#4 Poplyfe (deserved)
#3 Team iLuminate (they should have won this; once more America has let me down)
#2 Silhouettes (this is fair)
#1 Landau Eugene Murphy Jr (an inspiring choice of the two left)

[apskip]

There is a disturbing trend in the selection of AGT winners by America's voters. The singers seem to be heavily supported and the dancers, novelty acts, comedians, magicians are ignored.

Case in point is AGT5, which featured 4 singers and 1 novelty act (fighting Gravity) in the final 5.

Terry Fator was the only AGT winner who was not a singer and the majority of his act is some really good singing disguised as ventriloquism.

I guess we should start thinking about America's Got Talent as a better version of American Idol because it certainly has not proved to be a broadly based talent show if only singers need apply.
 

 

[Prophet]

It seems that this show has failed in its purpose if they can never have anyone win but singers.

Results in these sorts of shows are always odd. It's like the British X-factor which accepts groups but groups never win. It makes you wonder why they even accept them

[franxaverian]

Don't forget about Landau's sad story that could be one of the factors of his winning the prize. Anw, AGT 5 had 3 singers, not 4 singers...it was final 4, Apskip. hehehe.

There is a disturbing trend in the selection of AGT winners by America's voters. The singers seem to be heavily supported and the dancers, novelty acts, comedians, magicians are ignored.

Case in point is AGT5, which featured 4 singers and 1 novelty act (fighting Gravity) in the final 5.

Terry Fator was the only AGT winner who was not a singer and the majority of his act is some really good singing disguised as ventriloquism.

I guess we should start thinking about America's Got Talent as a better version of American Idol because it certainly has not proved to be a broadly based talent show if only singers need apply.