SkimIt
The first group of 12 quarterfinalists performed last night on America's Got Talent, and now it's time for some results! Only the top four are moving on, and David Garibaldi and his CMYK's seem to be the only lock after their awesome performance. Howard and Howie also like Shanice and Maurice, the Scott Brothers and Edon to advance, but I'm not sold on any of them. It's up to America now.
The First Cuts
Nick Cannon welcomes us back to Newark, and the judges are already in place tonight, so no fancy introductions for them this time. Michael Nejad, Shanice and Maurice and Nikki Jensen are the first ones to learn their fates, and if it's these three to start out, it's pretty clear what will happen. Michael Nejad got X'd three times and was booed by the crowd, and Nikki underwhelmed in her Coldplay rendition. So after Howard waxes poetic about them all being amazing just to make it this point, Nick reveals that Shanice and Maurice are moving on. I didn't really like their performance despite all the praise the judges heaped on them, but out of these three they were definitely the best.
Popcorn and the Circus
Nick takes us for a quick stop into the Orville (Redenbacher) Lounge for the previous evening's post-show after party so we can "see what's popping." The contestants are eating popcorn. Woo! At least they don't make us watch a music video about it. Anyway, Cirque du Soleil hits the stage next for a live performance of the Zarkana show, just to show all the magician and acrobatic acts what they should aspire to. They are obviously crazy good, but I saw Cirque once in Atlantic City and it always kind of creeps me out. People shouldn't bend like that (Are you listening, Turf??).
Two More Acts Move On
The next three up for elimination are The Scott Brothers, Lil Starr and 787 Crew. This one could be a toss up, as the judges loved the Scott Brothers. But the 787 Crew has a lot of Puerto Rican pride, and therefore the Latin vote is on its side. They should all run for president. Either way, it's not looking good for Lil Starr. The act moving on is ... Wow, Nick really takes a LONG time reading these results (like 30-plus seconds of silence) ... The Scott Brothers. That means Howard is two for two so far, and 787 Crew will come up short in its goal of becoming the first dance act to win. I also wasn't a huge fan of The Scott Brothers, but again, out of this group, they probably had the best performance.
We're getting treated to back-to-back decisions, so David Garibaldi and his CMYK's, Jarrett and Raja and the American BMX Stunt Team hit the stage. You could tell that the magicians and stunt team members were pretty unhappy when they learned what group they were in. Not surprisingly, the show-stopping David Garibaldi and his CMYK's are headed to the next round. Howard remains perfect, but I think we might be in for a surprise with the final eliminations (c'mon Todd Oliver!).
Two Slices of New York Pizza, Hold the Black Eyed Peas
We get a little montage of the performers touring Manhattan over pizza and Snapple, and then it's time for a little Will.I.Am. He wants the audience to say "Hell, Yeah," and they oblige. He's a bit subdued in a white suit and a pair of shades, and I'm surprised there aren't any flashing reflector-type things on his outfit. Maybe he just does that to stand out in a group setting. He performs his new single, "This is Love," featuring Eva Simons, from his solo album #willpower. I wonder if he's the first artist to incorporate a hashtag into the name of a record. Thanks, Twitter!
The Final Two Eliminations
Edon, The Distinguished Men of Brass and Todd Oliver head to the stage, but only one of them is moving on. I'm hoping for Todd Oliver, because I love Irving the Boston Terrier and would like Todd to have a shot to improve his material, but really any of these acts could be the one advancing.
America has voted, and the first act to go is ... 30 seconds of silence, possibly a full minute this time ... D-Mo Brass! It's down to Edon and Irving, Howard's prediction versus my sleeper. Wait, America is only deciding one of these eliminations? And the last pick is up to the judges?? What the heck? Well now I'm not very hopeful at all. They each get to make a pitch to the judges, and Edon is up first. He is 14 and has nothing meaningful to say, but he points out that the show is about finding undiscovered talent, and he thinks that's him. Todd wants the spot because talking dogs make people of all ages laugh, and his act also gives a voice to other dogs that cannot speak for themselves.
This is a tough choice. It's clear that Edon had the better performance, but Todd Oliver has the better act. After a commercial break of deliberations, Nick reveals these two acts were fourth and fifth in votes, but we don't know which is which.
Howie is up first, and he votes for Edon. Howard picks Edon as well, saying he wants to go with Todd Oliver, but he is sticking with his prediction from last night. Sharon's vote doesn't matter, but she says she would've picked Edon too. I'm disappointed, and this all just makes me feel like Todd Oliver probably came in fourth in America's voting. But Howard called it, and that's that.
Four of the top 48 acts have moved on to the top 16, and eight are headed home. Nothing too shocking went down, and no amazing acts were snubbed. Did you agree with the winners? What act are you most disappointed to see go? And do you find Nick Cannon's suspense pauses to be unnaturally long? Join us next week, when the second group of 12 hits the stage to try and win your votes!
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