(S03E09) "Am I good enough?" - A contestant
We only heard one contestant ask out loud if he was good enough to be selected for the Top 40. However, it's pretty much a given that each and every contestant asked themselves if they had what it took to make it to the semi-finals. In the last episode before America's Got Talent goes on hiatus because of the Olympics, performers were told if their acts were good enough to move on to the next round. Even though I was looking forward to seeing who would make it to Hollywood, I must admit that this was a rather long 90-minutes of watching contestants being tortured by the judges.
Having to evaluate music levels teens try to achieve on instruments, I can relate to what the judges are going through. First, it's not easy judging someone's performance. A lot of variables can affect how you perceive a performance and how the act will go. Secondly, once you have made up your mind about the performance, you must find the right words to tell the news. It's easy to tell someone that they've succeeded, but giving the bad news that it's the end of the road is painful. Finally, you have to give supportive words to both the person who did well and the person who did, well, not so good. I thought that the judges did good on the latter part this year as they gave supportive words to each, especially Shannon and The Hoff (Piers is not that good at giving praises and anyone who watched Celebrity Apprentice can attest to that).
I was satisfied with most of the picks that the judges made. They ensured that there would be a variety of acts for us to watch and vote for in the semi-finals. Of course, there are many singers and dancers, as well as musicians, impersonators, magicians, burlesque performers, etc. Unsurprisingly, they let a few people go through who should have been sent packing. Let's admit it, acts like Ronny B.'s weird dancing performance and the Britney Spears wannabe shouldn't have made it to Hollywood. The only reason they got a ticket to the next round was because they were "watercooler talk" worthy. Even if I don't agree with that type of selection, I understand why they do it. However, it frustrates me that they do that because it means that someone who really has a shot will be staying home in order for the show to get a few freaks in the Top 40 to help ratings.
One thing I particularly didn't like about this episode is the ending. As I've said it in order reviews, I'm tired of the editing tricks to make us root for someone. I get it, producers LOVE Neal Boyd and want him to become the next Paul Potts, Britain's Got Talent winner. But can we make up our own mind? Just because of that trickery, I think I will not vote for Neal. I know, I am a bit harsh on him as he didn't do anything, the evil AGT editors and producers did. But they need to know that we don't like to be toyed with like this!
In case you tuned out right after Neal and Michael were told they were in the Top 40, it was announced that the Russian Bar Trio had to withdraw because of an injury. I'm really bummed because the act was cool and they were fellow Canadians. In any case, we can now vote for whom should replace them in the Top 40. To do so, you must got to the AGT voting page and register your vote. On that page, you can watch the performances once again.
What did you think of the results show? Do you think some people were cheated from a spot in the Top 40? Who got a ticket and shouldn't have? Let your voice be heard in comments below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-08-2008 @ 3:35AM
Brad said...
I was so disappointed to hear about the balance beam act. That was really one of the acts I was looking the most forward to (that and apparently now the zooperstars after busting a gut seeing that duck fall and then start whackings its head against the desk). I just hope that she will be alright, it really was an intriguing act and I would love to see her go at it again.
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8-08-2008 @ 7:12AM
Cindy Gibson said...
I also understand why they have to have some freaks make it through for ratings sake, but, there where way to many bad acts put through for me. I was more than disappointed at some of there choices that they deemed worthy. The little twirp who beats people up made it through and Donald, singer didn't. Come on! And the Brittney impersonator is a joke. He doesn't even sing, just strut around. At least the Elvis guy sings as part of his act. And of course they put all the dirty dancing and burlesque acts through but sent home they truely talented dancers, Junior and Emily, and the guys from New Orleans. That just blows. If I wanted to watch strip shows It wouldn't be here. I have to wonder how many tickets they would sell in Las Vegas. Like none. Over all, I feel really let down after there picks last night and If there is nothing else on I guess I'll watch, but it won't be a priority now. Hopefully, America will vote better than the judges.
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8-08-2008 @ 2:31PM
wraith808 said...
Actually, the Britney impersonator does sing. The Tina Turner one does not, but the Britney one does.
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8-08-2008 @ 2:39PM
billie said...
Please I want to see Donald get trough how do I get my vote in.
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8-08-2008 @ 2:41PM
billie said...
Please help me I really want vote for Donald. How do I do it?.
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8-08-2008 @ 4:09PM
Lynnie said...
At least there's no Boy Shakira this time around!
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8-08-2008 @ 5:58PM
debbie said...
xclusive is so talented and very unique. Junior and Emily are incredible! I would pay $$ to see either perform in Vegas! I would not pay to see a baton twirler (flaming or not), or a self defense demonstration, or a little girl singing Wizard of Oz songs (she is darling and I am a parent of small children - Vegas acts are no place for a baby girl anyway). Bring Exclusive back - it is so obvious that he is the real deal.
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8-08-2008 @ 5:57PM
debbie said...
... I was also very disappointed with the bad acts the judges chose to pass through vs. rewarding the people who are obviously talented. PLEASE! The chorus lines, the trombone player... over the New orleans dancers and Emily and Junior... and Xclusive, who will clearly get a contract somewhere. Just wish we could see more of all of them. Their choices implied they were investing more in the "worst acts" clips vs. the true talent in America. My heart goes out to the balance beam team, too... I hope she recovers quickly and creates a less dangerous act to perform in...!
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8-08-2008 @ 8:48PM
RobynM said...
I would agree that Neal got jerked around a bit by the evil editors, but not nearly as much as Queen Emily. Not only did they spend 2-3 "coming up" breaks implying she gets dumped, but they cut to commercial in mid-judgement just as her status was going to be announced!
Moving on to other choices -
I liked Boy Britney - it's the Tina Turner impersonator I wouldn't have put through.
Given that they made such a big deal about putting Queen Emily through on talent and not sentiment, why did they put a 4 year old through?
In the R&B "rivalry", I would've gone with Kyle over the other guy.
I would've liked to have seen the clogging group go through - like Cindy, I feel too many of the "dance teams" went through.
I could totally do without the Zooperstars and I'm not too sure about Shequida either.
I hope the injury sustained by the Russian Bar Trio isn't too serious and that she recovers soon.
I'm having a miserable time deciding who to vote for in the wild card, as virtually all of them are acts I feel shouldn't have been eliminated in the first place.
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8-09-2008 @ 11:26PM
Donna said...
I missed the top 40 picks so I don't know who made it. Can anyone tell me where to find out?
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8-10-2008 @ 7:07PM
kitty said...
"Please help me I really want vote for Donald. How do I do it?."
http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/vote/register.shtml
"I get it, producers LOVE Neal Boyd and want him to become the next Paul Potts, Britain's Got Talent winner. But can we make up our own mind?"
I agree. Personally, I liked Donald better, I liked him better than anybody in the "opera" group. I voted to bring him back. This "pimping" of one person over others is not fair to other contestants. Sure, he sang a tenor showcase aria during the first audition, but he wasn't that good in it (neither was Paul Potts, not by opera standards anyway, but it is beside the point). Yes, he was emotional, but the emotion should express the meaning of an aria, and Nessun Dorma doesn't call for crying - it is sang by a prince vowing to win the heart of a cold and cruel princess; it's about hope, optimism, winning. The last words are "I shall win".
While I believe all singers in "opera" group are very talented, I don't really think they should be called "opera singers". Opera singers sing without amplification in large opera houses, in different languages, with perfect diction, they express music and words they sing, they act. There is a huge difference between singing a song or even an aria with a mike and singing the whole opera without amplification.
As to "Shequida", I found him entertaining. Of course, a real soprano does the female part better; a male part is supposed to be sung by a tenor not a bariton and it really sounds wrong. Here are a couple of links as to how the duet is sang by world famous opera singers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUF9xL9UJH0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcKdnkGBSgA&feature=related
Kids are cute and maybe good for their age, but they aren't good enough. So, I agree with those who'd rather have seen Mia go through.
I might've understood if any of them sounded like young Beverly Sills did when she was 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAz2HgSZaDs
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8-16-2008 @ 10:45PM
Kathy3t said...
The entire second round was a poor decision by the producers and directors. Performers need an audience. Otherwise they'd just hang out in their backyard and sing or dance or whatever for themselves. It's the audience that makes a difference for people who feed off of the energy of the people. All of the second round was poor. I hope they don't make that mistake again next season. I really enjoy this show, but it hurt to watch those entertainers during that Las Vegas round to see who would go on to Hollywood.
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