Before you continue reading this post, it's important that you know that I enjoy America's Got Talent and have been entertained by it since the first season. However, I, and I know a lot of fans too based on comments left here on the site, am not that happy with how the current season turned out.
Dear America's Got Talent producers, here are a few suggestions from myself and TV Squad readers on how you can improve next season.
(S04E26) This is it, people. The time has come to name the winner of America's Got Talent, the world's biggest talent search. The two-hour (!) final results bash included performances from Britain's Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle, The X Factor's Leona Lewis, Thelma Houston, Cirque du Soleil, Rascal Flatts, and Shakira. Sadly, none of the previous AGT winners performed.
Based on the TV Squad poll I've included in my review of the Top 10 performance show, 35.1% of the voters, including myself, said Barbara Padilla would win. Kevin Skinner received 22.2% of your votes, while Recycled Percussion placed third in our poll with 19.4%. The other contestants all got under 7% of your votes. (Note that these results were accurate at the beginning of the results show.)
Did the TV Squad poll results match reality? Official results coming up! If you haven't watched the finale yet and do not want to be spoiled as to who won the competition, it's time to click elsewhere now!
(S04E25) The biggest talent search in the world started its competition three months ago. After a summer of questionable judges decisions, talent performances and Hoff-isms, it's time to crown the winner of the show's fourth season.
But before the America's Got Talent winner can be announced in the live season finale to air on Wednesday, featuring a guest appearance by Susan Boyle, the Top 10 acts needed to perform one last time for America's votes. My comments and predictions coming up!
(S04E24) Nick asked the crowd who they'd like to see in the finals, and of course, it was impossible to tell which names they yelled out, since all of the acts have their fans at this point.
Tonight we learn who's taking the last five spots in the finals. Nick also reminded us that the next show will air Monday, Sept. 14, and that there's no judge's pick tonight. The five who go through will be the five that America voted for. As it should be, in my view.
After a brief recap of last night's show, Nick asked Piers why he X'd the acts he did. Piers said it's a simple formula -- a game of the good and the not-so-good. Sharon gave another shout out to Barbara Padilla, whom she absolutely loves. Hoff said, "I'm Hoff crazy!" He also reminded us that they've seen a hundred thousand acts and it's getting down to the wire.
(S04E23) There were mixed feelings amongst viewers last week when the America's Got Talent judges announced that they couldn't decide who, between Voices of Glory and Fab 5, should get the fourth place in what was supposed to be a final round of the top eight acts of the summer.
It wasn't much of a surprise when Nick announced at the beginning of this week's performance show that there would be no judges' pick. It wouldn't make sense to have a Top 9, eh? I'm happy that more acts -- aka the same number as last year -- will get to perform in the finals. But what I'm happier for is that America will pick the final five acts to enter the next round. No judges' pick. The results will be solely based on the number of votes.
How did the ten remaining acts perform this week? Which acts should move on? My two cents, Piers' many Xs, and your comments coming up!
This week's results show featured a special performance from The Hoff himself. Did he give a performance worthy to be Xed, or did he deliver the goods? My two cents, as well as which first four acts are moving to the final round coming up!
(S04E21) "We're getting down to the wire." - The Hoff
This week's performers needed to up their games big time because some of them did not impress viewers that much in the past four weeks when each performed for a place in the Top 20. And, as The Hoff pointed, we're getting down to the wire and will soon crown the season four winner of America's Got Talent.
The first ten acts to show their talent in the semi-finals are from performance shows one and two of the Top 48. This way of breaking the acts allows diversity as we were treated to dance, acrobatics, singing, canine tricks, comedy and magic.
Do we have a potential winner amongst tonight's performances? Did the judges Piers X anyone? Comments and Top 8 -- yes, you read correctly no Top 10 -- predictions coming up!
(S04E19) A few of you told me that I was wrong by claiming that last week's performance show was electrifying. I agree with you that we have seen much better performance shows in the past. However, when you compare the third performance show of the season with the two previous, you have to admit that it was the most electrifying.
Save for a few of tonight's acts, such as Ishaara and Barbara, the third performance show is still the best performance show we've had so far this season.
My comments on the fourth performance show and my predictions coming up!
(S04E18) "The most electrifying show yet!" - Nick, about last night's performance show
Nick is right. Last night was electrifying, even if a few acts got X'd. It was one of the best show's we've had so far this season.
As I noted in my review of the performance episode, I expected Jeffrey Ou to lose some votes because viewers weren't able to hear him play the piano in the second part of his acts. But a few of our site visitors said they voted for him because he wasn't given a fair chance.
Will Jeffrey get another chance by moving on to the Top 20? Results coming up!
(S04E17) A lot of you sounded off in comments to my "Results show two" post last week, either to complain about the judges putting through Tony Hoard and Rory over Charles, or to give your two cents about what the show should change when it returns next summer for a fifth season.
One thing is certain; most fans are not happy with how season four is going, and most are pointing fingers at the judges. Sharon and David especially seem to check their judgment at the door when it's time to make certain decisions, don't you agree?
This week, we were treated with the second to last Top 48 performance show of the "greatest talent competition on Earth," America's Got Talent. Most of the acts definitely delivered the goods tonight. Do you think America and the judges will pick the right five acts to move to the Top 20 this week? My comments about this week's performances coming up!
(S04E16)Twelve more acts performed last night, and we learned in this America's Got Talent second results show who would join Arcadian Broad, Acrodunk, Drew Thomas Magic, Kevin Skinner, and Grandma Lee in the Top 20. The show also confirmed that it would be returning for another season.
From what I've read on the web, most people thought that Charles DeWayne and the Voices of Glory would move through to the next round without a doubt. As for which acts would get the other three spots, fans could not agree since a lot of the remaining acts gave so-so performances or were too close to call. Did Charles and the Voices of Glory siblings get a spot in the Top 20? Which other acts will stay in Hollywood for the next round? The results, including a shocking turn of events, coming up!
(S04E15) Before I comment on this week's performances, in case you missed it, I posted the list of the eight wild cards that they judges picked. I feel robbed of talent that should have been given the chance to be part of the now Top 48. I promise you, however, that it's the last time this season you'll have me say that the America's Got Talent judges made oh so wrong decisions, which, based on some of your comments, actually had people stop watching. Now that I know who is part of the Top 48, I've decided to embrace these acts and stop complaining. Otherwise, I'll end up not enjoying the season.
Last week, Arcadian Broad (judges' pick), Acrodunk, Drew Thomas Magic, Kevin Skinner, and Grandma Lee made it to the Top 20 -- I got four out of five right. You? Who will join them this week? My comments, Piers' Xs and predictions coming up!
Last week, the Simon Cowell twist was revealed: the America's Got Talent judges overlooked very good performers and Simon wants them to bring back eight wild cards. Fans rejoiced at the announcement because fan favorites Ciana, Kari and Tallan were sent back home while they should have moved on to the performance shows.
During the first performance show, Nick told us that The Diva League and Lake Houston Dance were two of these wild cards but didn't say who else was coming on board. I kept my eyes opened for a press release from NBC but either missed it or the network never sent one. TV Squad visitor berry4040 let me know in comments that NBC posted the pictures and bios of the eight wild cards on their contestants page.
Did Ciana, Kari and Tallan make the wild card cut?
(S04E14) Last night, twelve acts battled it out for your votes. Who will make it through to the semi-finals? We found out the first five tonight.
But first, there was a big discussion about whether the last basket of Acrodunk actually went in last night. Piers said it didn't, and Sharon bet him $500 that it did. After the slo-mo replay, it was determined that it DID go in, and now Piers owes Sharon $500. Let's hope it goes to charity. Maybe a basketball camp for kids or something.
Nick introduced the acts, and I must say, there's quite a variety this season. I'm filling in for Isabelle on this review, and it's fun to see such a diverse group competing for the top prize.
Here we go America, you now have control over America's Got Talent. And just based on the comments TV Squad readers left on my last three AGT posts, it's clear that viewers were not happy with the Top 40 selection and that they hoped the Simon Cowell curve ball would allow them to rectify the list and bring fan favorite Kari, Ciana and/or Tallan into the mix.
Did Simon throw the curve ball we wanted? Did the first Top 40 performers deliver? My two cents, and yours via comments, coming up!