Someone has taught America’s Got Talent a thing or two about presentation. Instead of the normal boring opening we’re accustomed to for the start of the live shows, Heidi Klum and The Rockettes christened the stage. Mel B, Howie Mandel, and Howard Stern appeared in an equally grandiose fashion. Howard even donned a dashing grey three piece suit for the occasion. The flash and bang of the first few minutes should have been your clue—the bar has been raised talent wise and the judges are anxious to meet it. Nothing much else needs to be said: twelve quarter finalists arrived and tonight only four will remain. In typical Nick Cannon fashion our eyeballs were assaulted with his usual lineup; a white three piece suit, a grey plaid shirt, a blue patterned tie and a ridiculous lapel pin. Normally this would stoke the fires of disappointment but a pair of amazing performers were much more interesting.
Anna Christine
Opening the show with her throaty vocals, we had high hopes for young Anna. Her rendition of Nina Simone’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” wasn’t terrible, it just wasn’t anything special. Mel B recognized the nervousness in the 11-year-old’s performance while still supporting Anna’s talent. The rest of the judges were just as nurturing but whether she advances depends on whether voters value potential more than results.
tellAvision
Every season dancers integrate technology into dance routines in new ways, but tellAvision might have cornered that market. Using several TV screens and supporting members, two dancers were able to tell a beautiful love story through song, dance, and of course, television. It seems simple, but every time a new object appeared on a screen a dancer could produce it. They didn’t just rely on their technological genius either; the dancers were effortlessly elegant, completing a very risky leap from atop a tour of screens for an added element of danger. Howie and Mel B gushed while Howard and Heidi balked at the performance, leaving the decision in voter’s hands.
American Hitmen
The band comprised of former Marines performed The Beatles’ classic “With a Little Help from My Friends” like they’ve been rocking Radio City Music Hall for years. American Hitmen’s soulful performance was a crowd pleaser, but Howard and Heidi wanted to see more emotion. Howie and Mel B were thoroughly impressed—at this point waiting for the four to agree is just as thrilling as the performances themselves.
Special Head
It’s hard not to be amazed by Special Head’s abilities, so it’s no wonder he was in the first set of live performances. Standing atop of a small pyramid, dressed as a pharaoh, Special Head addressed the crowd before sitting crossed legged and levitating. Just when he was about to be written off for repeating the same trick, he disappeared, seeming to shock even Nick, only to reappear atop the Radio City Music Hall sign outside the building a minute later. The judges were less than impressed; the novelty has worn off, and his self-important aura has dissolved and he’s looking more like a magician that had to run to make it to his cue atop the sign of the famous building. Whether the voters agree is a problem for tomorrow.
Fresh Faces
As a lone dancer took over the stage with style and spirit as her counterpart’s descended from the rafters, it became obvious that the young group Fresh Faces came to handle business. Performing to the spirited female anthem “I Love It” these tiny girls’ huge personalities helped them take their abilities to the next level. Their flips, twists, turns, and choreography didn’t match the wattage of their smiles and camaraderie. The male judges found their act lacking, while the female judges were all for it—will they ever get on the same page?
Collins Key
Instead of relying on close up magic, Collins Key hit the stage in a big way. Giving the judges tablets attached to the AGT twitter account, Collins asked the judges to tweet different things: an activity from Howard, a city from Mel B, a celebrity from Heidi, and a body part from Howie. After prancing, NYC, Brad Pitt, and tuchas were all appropriately hash tagged Collins revealed a locked box hanging from the ceiling containing his premonitions. Of course his box contained all the appropriate answers. Though this was much like his last illusion, the judges were blown away. At least their finally in a agreement about something.
Kevin Downey Jr.
Unconventional stand-up comic Kevin Downey Jr. brought viewers a set of shouty one liners. He was funny, and his off-putting character was oddly comforting. The little screams in between the jokes could be done away with though. Once again the judges were split down the gender line, with the women disapproving/misunderstanding and the men in full support. Kevin’s chances will hinge on whether voters were as tickled by his character as his jokes.
Aaralyn & Izzy
Beginning their act with a sweet little lullaby and princess attire would have been more effective if viewers were ignorant of Aaralyn’s rock screaming. She ripped off her cute outfit to begin her yelling as her brother came down from the rafters. It was incredibly hard to hear them; watching Izzy’s drums move around the stage was more compelling than his actual drumming. Every judge except Howie was ready for the little tykes to go home, while Mr. Mandel brought it to everyone’s attention that little Aaralyn writes the music as well. If that little gem is enough to win your vote then so be it, but it might be time to let this duo rest.
Alexandria the Great
There’s always an escape artist on the America’s Got Talent stage but for once that daredevil is a woman. Alexandria the Great locked herself in a clear box filled with water with her arms bound and locked in a straight jacket. In a minute and ten seconds she wrestled her way out of the jacket and broke out of the container using a bobby pin. Somehow that wasn’t impressive for Mel B and Howie but luckily Heidi and Howard had better sense. Perhaps next time she should give one of those long winded speeches beforehand to enhance her presentation—anything so Howie and Mel B won’t be able to ignore the awe of her completing a death defying feat that even Houdini refused.
KriStef Brothers
Attempting to take hand balancing to the extreme the KriStef Brothers performed a mockery of the usual slow moving performers while still accomplishing amazing things. How anyone could have the presence of mind to be funny while doing a one handed handstand atop the head of his standing counterpart is beyond me. All the judges were as amazed as they should have been; these brothers from another mother deserve every vote they get.
Hype
These three talented dancers are amazing, but their routine didn’t match their abilities. Hype was not only extremely talented dancers during the first performance, they were funny. Their comedic timing was the extra element that made them more than just another dance group. Their choreography was good, but nowhere near their caliber that was expected. None of the judges held back their disappointment but for the most part the group’s confidence remained. Perhaps strength of character will carry them through. (Probably not though.)
Branden James
Using his role on the show to transform his relationship has helped heal Branden James’s inner turmoil. Performing “You Raise Me Up” with a chorus of backup singers, his first time on the big stage wasn’t the standout that was expected. His vocals were iffy, but the judges absolutely loved it. For a competition that tries to claim it doesn’t bend for every singer, the judges certainly made quick work of getting behind Branden’s lackluster voice. Let’s hope the voters do a better job of assessing talent.
Who Should Advance: tellAvision, Collins Key, Alexandria the Great, and KriStef Brothers
Who You Should Worry About: Branden James. The judges and the audience were completely blown away by his performance; if anyone could ruin the chances of one of the four deserving acts, it would be him.
Who Will Be Misssed: Fresh Faces and Anna Christine. They might not make it on tomorrow night but they deserve your love and admiration. Surely this won’t be the last time these tiny talents take over a main stage.
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