America's Got Talent Quarterfinal Performances 1 (August 5th, 2009)

americasgottalent Americas Got Talent Quarterfinal Performances 1 (August 5th, 2009)

One quarterfinals episode down and I have to say that I was disappointed. I knew that the talent was pretty weak this year, but if this episode showed what we can expect this season; this is going to be a long season. With only four acts in my opinion worthy of going onto the next round, I was severely disappointed with this episode of America’s Got Talent.

In a move that probably surprised no one, Simon Cowell’s surprise was that eight acts got a second chance to make it back onto the show. It appears that each show will be featuring two acts that didn’t make the top 40.

Br8Sk8 (Rollerskate Dancers)-People will probably disagree with this but I have to say that I didn’t like the act. Their first performance was way better in my opinion. I also found their act to be a ploy in order to try and get all the Michael Jackson fans to vote for them. With all the Michael Jackson news coverage I all but guarantee that they are going to move on. I think they need improvement. Talent: B- Entertainment: B-

Thia Megia (Singer)-Unless I am tone deaf, this performance was many times worse than her first performance. I know people will disagree with me but based on tonight’s performance she does not deserve to make the semifinals. Actually if this was her audition, I wouldn’t have even moved her onto the next round. Talent: C Entertainment: C-

The Platt Brothers (Dance Group)-The Platt Brothers are a very strange act. In my opinion that is not an insult. I have always liked originality in acts and the Platt Brothers have the originality. I must think totally different than the judges since unlike the first two acts I thought the Platt Brothers was a great act. I like that their act jumps all over the place since it brings a unique style to the act. Talent: B+ Entertainment: B+

The Diva League (Crossdressing Dancers)-The first wild card given a second chance. I honestly think there is an unwritten rule that a cross dressing act needs to move onto the live shows every year. This being the first time we have seen the entire act; I have to say a much better wild card choice could have been made. I didn’t find them to be that great of dancers and I hate acts that lipsynch. Acts need to have talent and be entertaining. The Diva League is just not that talented in my opinion. If they were actually the ones singing they might have deserved to move on. If the judges want to go on their usual grading basis of being able to run a Vegas show, The Diva League fails that test in my opinion. Talent: C- Entertainment: C

Manuela Horn (Yodeling Dominatrix)-Her voice is definitely not the strongest. She gets credit for creativity but that is about it. I don’t think she should have changed her act so much. On America’s Got Talent you want to bring new things to your act but you don’t want to drastically change things. She changed too much. Despite the criticism she should have been able to finish her act though. Talent: C- Entertainment: C

Grandma Lee (Comedian)-I am glad that America’s Got Talent has a comedian in the top 40 since any act that is not a singer or dancer is a good idea in my opinion. Her audition was much funnier though in my opinion. This seems to be a trend this episode. None of the acts have been as good as their auditions. Talent: B- Entertainment: B-

Mosaic (Male Singing Group)-I really don’t remember their audition so I guess I can’t compare them. Not bad. In terms of today’s performances I have to say that so far they are one of the better acts of the night. Talent: B- Entertainment: B-

Acrodunk (Basketball Act)-I don’t believe it that I finally saw some real talent this episode. Easily the best act this episode. They could cut the background dancers and pick up the pace a little but otherwise they are easily one of my favorite acts. Unless they fall apart, I think they should be in the running to win the entire competition. Unless you absolutely hate basketball, I don’t know how you could not like their act. Talent: A+ Entertainment: A+ (Best performance yet this season)

Arcadian Broad (Young Dancer/Piano Player)-I got to say that he is very talented. Unlike some of these acts that have shown zero talents, he has shown two talents. Will he win? I have no idea, but I know he should definitely move onto the next round. Also I think he should keep the piano. Talent: A Entertainment: A-

Drew Thomas Magic (Magician)-Overall it was a very good trick. I had two problems with the act though. First, the trick could have developed quicker. Second he stole the idea of popping up behind the judges from Nathan Burton in season one of America’s Got Talent. Otherwise I thought it was a very good performance worthy of moving on to the next round. Talent: A- Entertainment: A-

Kevin Skinner (Country Singer)-As regular readers of this blog already know, I wasn’t a huge fan of Kevin Skinner in the first round. I really don’t understand the hype behind him. I personally think it has more to do with his story than his singing ability. I honestly didn’t think he was a whole lot better this week. It’s not that I don’t like country music (since I do quite a bit), he is just too boring of singer. He was better than some of the acts this week though. I honestly don’t know why he changed his look though since that was one of the things going for him. Backstories usually win this competition. I wouldn’t change your image thus hurting your chance of winning. Never the less, I would truly be shocked if he didn’t make it to the next round. Talent: B- Entertainment: B-

Lake Houston Dance (Girl Dancing Group)-The second wild card given a second chance. Overall not bad. A much better choice than the first wild card group selected. I don’t know how much of a compliment that is though. I do agree with the judges that the stage is crowded with their large group and there were too many props. Talent: B- Entertainment: B-

I just hope the rest of the wild card acts actually involve talents other than singers and dancers. Too many dancers and singers were put through to begin with. The only other dancers that should be put through are the Beale Street Flippers.

On top of that I have to say that I think the wild card acts idea was planned from the beginning. I want to know how else an act that was part of the large group dismissed right away in Vegas was one of the acts chosen. I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged by the judges and show in order to bring more drama to the show.

If I had to chose my five acts to move onto the next round I would select: