Jackie Evancho Youtube

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America's Got Talent

August 11, 2010

I still think America's Got Talent should have/was only obligated to take one act from the YouTube pool of contestants. Instead, they felt the need to move four acts to the next round, out of guilt? legal obligation? Who can say. But because they insisted on advancing four of these mediocre acts on, instead of just The One (*cough*Jackie Evancho*cough*), my guesses as to who would move on to the next level was proven partially wrong again. Not entirely wrong, just a quarter wrong. Which means most of my guesses were right. And I've got some tips for you to how you can choose yourself some America's Got Talent winners. Not all of them mind you, but a solid 75% of them.

For instance:

1. America loves a prodigy.

NBC

So, yes. I thought Maestro Alexander Bui's performance was boring. And calling himself "Maestro" is not only kinda pompous but brings to mind a particular Seinfeld character, and that makes me giggle. But, yes, he's supremely talented, and from last night's group of 12, he certainly deserved to move on to the next round. Next up, Maestro needs to play something that America can connect with.

2. A well-performed gross-out act can captivate America.

NBC

Dan Sperry (which, if you say it fast enough sounds an awful lot like "dance fairy," which he most certainly is not) is freaky. But that's kinda awesome when we're talking about pulling Pep-O-Mints with dental floss out of one's throat skin. If you didn't see it, trust us, it was kinda cool. Now he needs to bring the Big Gross-Out. Or at least some sort of gross-out that NBC can get past the FCC.

3. Oh, come on, I need to explain this to you?

NBC

Girl can sing. I'm not saying she doesn't also creep me out a little -- let's all be honest here, that voice is just not normal. What I am saying is: see #1 above: America loves a prodigy. And Jackie Evancho is a real prodigy. In case you were unclear.

4. I don't know, America loves Pat Benatar wannabes?

NBC

I had Cute Boy Cam Hodges on my list, but, alas, t'was not to be. Cam and Kristin Young were the acts that the judges had to choose between, and they went with Kristin. CONSPIRACY THEORY ALERT: I think they chose Kristin over Cam, not because she was all that much better than him, because she wasn't, but because they already have a surplus of Cute Boy singers. Anyway! Best of luck to ya, Kristin! Hope you don't have to compete against Jackie again any time soon!

Evolution of Dance

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They split the groups up weirdly on "America's Got Talent" -- and there was one surprising advancing act. Hint: it's NOTJackie Evancho.

Pup, Pizza Pat, Maestro Alexander Bui and Austin Anderson are the first group brought down. I'm rooting for Pat and Alexander, but who knows with the voting public? And the act advancing ... Alexander Bui. Piers is hilariously like, "I am SHOCKED!" It's a tad insulting to the other acts, but funny nonetheless.

Quick Change performs and it's pretty cool. I've seen them live at a minor league baseball game and they're fun. I especially like the changes under the glitter.

Now we have the Evolution of Dance, which is also awesome. It's too bad this was so short because in the original YouTube video he does a lot more dances.

The next group is Dylan Plummer, Dan Sperry and Booker Forte. It should probably be Dan Sperry out of this group. And then it is. Yeah, that's cool. He deserves a chance to do a bigger trick.

 The next performance is the Taiwanese Whitney Houston, Lin Yu-Chun with "I Will Always Love You," a song I personally detest. But the vocal is impressive. 

The next group of contestants is Ryan Rodriguez and Jackie Evancho. Oh, well. Duh. Can we just skip this one? Who thinks he will beat the little girl with the big voice? Nobody. Yeah. Howie asks Jackie to sing a note after she advances, thus hopefully quieting the rumors that she is lip-syncing.

Plutonic, Cam Hodges and Kristina Young are the last group. I hope it's Plutonic that goes through, but at least Kristina should go home before the judges' pick. And then Plutonic goes home first! Did not see that coming at all. Well, Cam should advance then.

After the judges deliberate, Howie sends Cam through, then Sharon sends through Kristina (which surprises me) and then Piers picks Kristina?!  Wow, that is a surprise!  Huh.

So next week is a Wild Card show where they are bringing back Michael Grasso, Connor Doran, Swing Shift Side Show, Kruti Dance Academy, Michael Lipari and Ashleigh Dejon, the Hot Shot Tap Dancers, RNG, CJ Dippa, Harmonica Pierre, Anna and Patryk, Doogie Horner and Rudi Macaggi. Drats, I thought we were onto the semi-finals. Fooled again!  

And in case you missed it, here's Jackie's performance from last night:  

Dan Sperry

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Dan Sperry Magic Trick on America’s Got Talent

Well, Dan Sperry was definitely the spectacle of the night. He’s so much better than Murray the magician who already made it through. Dan Sperry is a bit freaky, but that’s kind of the point. That trick was awesome to watch. I wonder what else he has to perform.

In case you missed the video of Dan Sperry, you can check out his YouTube audition below. It’s better than the live one since it’s one camera angle (better for magic) and because you don’t have to see Howie and Sharon off their rocker.