TVSquad

(S04E02) "I think you should both get in the suitcase and mail yourself home." - The Hoff to two "dancers" who used a suitcase to hide one of them as part of the act

After last night's season premiere of America's Got Talent, some of the TV Squad readers chimed in with comments to let us know that they didn't like Nick Cannon much as host. At first, I thought he wasn't that bad, yet not that good.

After reading your comments and paying closer attention to him tonight, I must agree that he is not that good and that the camera focuses way too much on his off-stage, not-that-interesting reactions when it should focus on the performance. Let's hope he improves in time and that the writers give him better lines than those we heard Jerry say over and over again in the past seasons.

Other comments you guys left us yesterday were about the appearances of rugrats kids. TV Squad reader xtinemichele even suggested an America's Kids Have Talent spin-off so that America's Got Talent could be a more fair competition. Even if kids' talent shows have aired in the past on most networks, maybe it's time for a spin-off to even off the field and maybe remove a lot of the singers from America's Got Talent. Let's face it, most acts performed by kids are singing acts.

Was the second audition show more interesting than the premiere? Let's give our two cents about some of the acts.

Some of the acts I didn't enjoy:

• Rafael, the singer... well, more the karaoke singer who can do the split. He was so out of tune, I'm surprised it took so long for him to be Xed by the judges. He had fun on stage, but clearly, he is not a performer yet. Will he ever be?
  
• The two kids ballroom dancing. I must admit they gave a good performance for their age, but I wasn't that entertained even if they were energetic and had a good routine. They do not have winner potential. They are another reason why there should be an America's Kids Have Talent spin-off.
• Jennifer Guadix... here to show something different. At first, I thought she was going to do some burlesque act when she started removing her shoes and that the suitcase contained her other clothes and gadgets. But no! In the suitcase was another woman who couldn't dance well either. It was pretty much dancing without an established routine. There was no coordination and many mistakes. The act was indeed something different. But it was "bad" different.
  
• And the "people tell me they've never seen something quite like my act" performance of the night was that of Jennifer James, dance teacher and African-Bohemian dancer. Her moves were either too suggestive or too tribal. There was not enough coordination, energy and flow in her routine. I can't believe Nick told her she did amazing. One second he is appalled and the other, he lies to the contestant. I know he is there to be sympathetic, but couldn't he have told her something like "this was very unique" instead?

Some of the acts I don't know what to think about:

• Manuela Horn, the stay-at-home mom who moonlights as a singing Dominatrix who yodels, as well. Her voice is not bad at all, but the dominatrix outfit doesn't match her performance (yodeling and dancing) at all! Did she put on the outfit just to ensure she would be edited in the show? I can't wait to see what she does next... maybe sing a death metal song dressed as a doll?!
• And the touching story of the week was that of 13-year-old Arcadian Broad who has self-confidence issues, is bullied and found himself in dancing. He performed some nice moves and seemed to have somewhat of a routine but he is still not experienced enough to be a real contender on the show. The judges gave him a pass to Vegas, but I don't think he'll go far in the competition unless he gets a dance coach to help him with routine and moves. I'm surprised he was the last act of the show since his performance didn't have the wow factor the last acts usually have.
  

Some of the acts I enjoyed/loved:

• G Force, 7 to 11-years-old girl band. We didn't hear much but they sounded cool. Maybe a future Josie and the Pussycats type of group?
• The illusionist (sorry, missed his name) was really impressive. People coming out of boxes and switching places is not new, but the way he and the girls did it was fun, original and well done. Can't wait to see more. Sadly, magicians and illusionists haven't gone very far in AGT; let's hope he brings in the good to change that losing streak.
  
• Polish triplets who sing and play the violin... I must admit, I was afraid at first that they would end up sounding like last year's foreign twins who couldn't sing but always got the Hoff's vote. It was really fun to hear them speak at the same time. They ended up being really surprising, both at the violin and the singing. Yes, as Piers said, their singing is their weak spot, but they sing better than some of the singers they let through. The triplets also have good stage presence, and the fun they have on stage seems to be contagious to the crowd, which is key to be an AGT winner.

Overall, I thought tonight's show was not that good. I was somewhat entertained but no act, maybe except the illusionist's one, really impressed me. I don't see many of those who got a pass to Vegas getting very far on the show. You? Am I too picky, or do you agree with me? Share your thoughts about the acts in comments below.