July 12, 2009
Lackluster 6th Episode of America’s Got Talent Except Grandma Lee
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Ok, so I think I’ve used the term lackluster a few too many times with America’s Got Talent this year. What can I say, it’s just been good but not great. I’m not sure if they’re just not showing enough quality acts or if it’s that enough quality acts haven’t been showing up. I just haven’t been impressed.
That said, this episode had no one who will win America’s Got Talent this year, but it was a decent show with more entertaining talent than any of the other previous shows.
Grandma Lee might just have been the highlight for me. Although, I must admit that she was funnier during the judges comments than she was doing her set. However, she did have some pretty funny jokes in it. The Krispy Kreme joke was funny. Check out the video of Grandma Lee to see what I mean:
I know that America’s Got Talent wants us to like Barbara Padilla, but she was another walking cliche. Cancer Survivor, lost voice, couldn’t sing again, family etc etc etc. She was an OK singer, but I must admit that I wasn’t really impressed. She has the instrument to be good, but she wasn’t that polished. I was just all around unimpressed with her performance. Piers didn’t stand for it and so he wasn’t impressed either. His comments show that he was just being a pawn to let her tell her story. He’ll be kicking her to the curb in Las Vegas. Maybe some of you will disagree, but I didn’t think she was very good at all:
The fact that these were the only 2 America’s Got Talent videos on the NBC site says a lot about this episode of America’s Got Talent. No one else is really worth mentioning for more than a half a breathe.
AcroDunk – I wasn’t as impressed as the judges. Definitely is an awesome half time show or something like that. I just don’t see it being an entire show in Las Vegas.
Timez 2 – Did this remind you of Flava Flav or was it just me?
Anna Pipoyan – Belly dancers always get Piers and Morgan. At least attractive ones.
Eclipse – I had just told my wife that they’d never had a decent rapper on America’s Got Talent and so I was glad to see that Eclipse was actually quite decent.
Eleisha Miller – Wonderful personality. I’m just not sure if personality counts as a talent in this contest.
Here’s to another week of America’s Got Talent. I don’t know why, but I’m already ready to get to the Las Vegas show where the real talent starts to show itself.
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20 responses to "Lackluster 6th Episode of America’s Got Talent Except Grandma Lee"
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Regarding Barbara Padilla. IMHO – and I am an opera fan, but not an expert – she was good, much much better than either Neal Boyd or Paul Potts, but not great. She had better control than Boyd, better breath support, her expression was better as well, she hasn’t struggled before high notes. Some of her notes were a bit harsh, but many were glorious. One other thing: unlike Boyd, in her case, the tears were perfectly appropriate to the emotions the aria is supposed to express: this is an aria sung by a young girl pleading with her father to help her. She says “I really like him, I’d like to go to bridge Rossa (a bridge in Florence where there are shops) and buy a ring. And if I cannot do it, I am going to go to Ponte Vecchio (another bridge) and throw myself into a river. I am crying, and I am suffering, daddy pity,pity”.
Basically – unlike Boyd and Potts she sounded like a reasonably good opera singer, but I don’t know if she has this special something that would make her stand out from other opera singers performing in small theaters or other voice majors. There are many very good opera singers in the US, much more than jobs. I believe many a young opera singer were they to appear on this show would’ve blown the audience away – people are simply not familiar with the beauty of operatic voices or music and have no basis for comparison.
In all fairness, it’s tough to judge by a part of an aria. This isn’t a difficult aria technically – virtually every soprano voice major (as well as amateurs taking lessons) can do it. But… It is much more difficult, though, to sing it really well: not to just hit the notes but to actually express the nuances, to make it truly expressive.
But… any opera singer who goes on a show like AGT must’ve already given up on a serious opera career. So you cannot expect the best. She is still much better singer that what you hear on these shows.
For reference, here are the links to other opera singers doing the same aria – greats of the past, best singers of the present and a couple of young performers:
Greats of the past:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tofdd1MGdaY – Renata Scotto in the Met performance, subtitled. Notice her expression, nuances.
Maria Callas – probably the most expressive version ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxy4qrnKwVo
Leontyne Price
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9OFIVyQTlE&feature=related
Today stars:
Rene Fleming:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRaMOka3xzo&feature=related
Angela Gheorghiu:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul9OTShQ_rc&feature=related
Anna Netrebko:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ttrJc3dTk
A young singer – this young lady – 17 year old on the video – won Met Council Auditions this year at the age of 20:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTIxSOhr024&feature=related
There are many other videos on YouTube – both stars of past and present and young aspiring singers. But this should give you an idea.
kitty,
I one time had the opportunity to do some computer work in the opera office at a university I was working at. There was a private lesson going on while I was working and I saw first hand how specific this guy was in his teaching of opera. It was incredibly impressive to be in a small room with these 2 singing and hearing him teach her how to do all the nuances you talk about.
I think ever since that experience I’ve been pretty critical of most opera singers since I’ve tried to look at the specifics of their singing.
When I watched Acro-Dunk, I was reminded of the Harlem Globe Trotters, so there just might be an audience for them, Vegas or otherwise. I know they sell out Madison Square Garden in NYC every time they play there (the Globe Trotters that is).
Also, if Eleisha is that little girl who sings and plays the piano, I thought she was charming, but again, not good enough to win. Makes one wonder why her parents put her out there when she has no possibility of winning and now they’ll have to deal with her being so let down when she doesn’t get past Vegas. Such a shame.
So, I agree with most of what you wrote, especially the Flava Flav remark. OMG, that was hilarious!!
I think this is Kevin Skinner’s contest to lose. As far as I’m concerned, he’s locked up first place in my heart. I’ve watched his performance several times since his appearance and I have to say I think his voice sounds better and better to me everytime. In the beginning, I was distracted by the banter prior to his song and then the judges opinions and then the poignant moment when he cried and said he needed a little bit of time. It was very sweet. But, man! That man can sing. And I don’t even like country music, but I’d buy his CD. He’s my this year’s Eli Mattson.
Thanks for your excellent reviews. I look forward to them every week.
Globe Trotters are a special stick that AcroDunk could never compete with I don’t think.
I’m ok with Kevin Skinner, but I really want the trio of sisters that sang the Jackson 5 song to win. They are my favorite so far. We’ll see who else comes out of the woodworks in future episodes.
Heh, heh, John. I see we have a little side contest going here. Let’s see who goes farther. This will make it very interesting!! It’s like on Idol when one of our friends roots for one contestant and the others of us root for another. Makes the “contest” a lot more fun.
P.S. I think you may be right with your comment about the Globe Trotters. I think it will depend on if these guys can do something different every time and actually make the mark every time. The Globe Trotters added a lot of humor to their amazing talents, so you may just have a point there. Time will tell….
I agree. Side contests are fun. At least until you realize that I’m right;-)
AcroDunk is fun and it takes some real practice to do what they do, but like you said, what are they going to bring next that will be interesting?
Kitty, thanks many times over for your inside info on opera singers. I think you offered such great info on the subject. I think where she has it all over Neal Boyd in that he just wouldn’t STOP crying before during or after his performance. Between him and Queen whatever her name was, I was so tired of the tears and the runny noses and the saliva mouths. I was so grossed out. I think you hit the nail on the head with everything you said and I was very grateful for the links you offered to help sort of educate us. You clearly know what you are talking about. Thanks again.
I completely disagree with your comments about Barbara Padilla and I think the comment that Piers made of “a massive, 100% yes!” indicates that he was very impressed. So I guess you’ll be publicly eating crow if she gets out of Vegas?
Kitty, I’ve read other comments from people indicating that she must have given up on a proper opera career or wondering why she went on this show. I don’t really think it’s an “either/or” decision. If I were looking for auditions and AGT was going to be in a city near me I’d go for it. Even if I still had plans to audition for opera companies in the future. AGT can certainly be career changing, but this idea that you have to say “Forget opera, I’m going this route” just doesn’t seem to apply.
I should add that I’m not a singer or a professional performer so maybe I don’t know much about auditions. But I am a big opera fan and I understand vocal technique pretty well. By the way, the posting of all of those other sopranos “for comparison” must be very flattering to Ms. Padilla. They’re certainly all great singers.
Musekit,
He was either really impressed or was playing the storyline the show wants him to play. I don’t think I’ll eat crow if she gets out of Vegas. They’ve spent enough time on her story and there are no other opera singers that I remember, so I won’t be surprised if she makes it through to continue her story and to keep some variety to the show. I also reserve the right to change my mind on her quality, but based on that main performance I’ll be surprised if she makes the top 20 once America starts voting.
I don’t know why, but all of the opera singers seem to make it on this show as well as Britain’s Got Talent. I didn’t think there were that many opera lovers who also watch a show like this (nothing wrong with it, just pleasantly surprised that’s all). There were times last year when Crying Neal Boyd was truly not good enough and yet was put through anyhow by the voters. I don’t think he deserved to win. But then again, I’m a HUGE Eli fan, so you can’t take my opinions as unbiased. Anyhow, when Barbara Padilla started to sing opera, I thought “Oh, no, why don’t they just call this show “America’s Got Opera” and get it over with.”
On a new thread, does it bother anyone other than me about the bogus million dollar prize? If you read the small print (well it’s a little larger this year, but last year you’d have to pause the dvr to read it), it’s a 40 year annuity that is paid out over time or else a substantially smaller amount could be paid out in one lump sum. That’s what kills me when you get these dance troups in. The million dollar prize money breaks down to something like $25,000 a year so when yo have 10 or 20 people in your act, you’re really talking about $2,500 or even $1,250 a year in prize money. Totally bogus. BUT, I love this show anyway and will continue to watch it everytime it’s on. Just got a beef with the prize money and the huge member acts talking about how this prize will change their lives. No, it won’t.
I imagine there are probably at least a dozen or more other opera singers that audition and just aren’t put on the show. They have to have their token opera singers for variety I think.
I agree about the prize money. It feels a bit ingenious when they think that the million would change their lives. Kind of makes me cringe when they say it on the show. Although, I must admit that $25k every year wouldn’t be bad. Plus, if they paid them the full $1 million up front they’d really only have $500k after Uncle Sam did his thing. Like you said, it’s still good entertainment.
Musekit – my reasons for thinking that people who go on such shows pretty much given up on opera are as follows:
. I’d imagine Barbara Padilla is much much more qualified to judge opera singers than any of the judges.
a) By itself shows like AGT/BGT cannot lead to an opera career only a pop-era career. OK, maybe if we had something earth-shattering like a real dramatic coloratura singing Casta Diva (with cabaletta) very well, but anybody who can do that is likely to have made it without AGT. To get an opera career singers need to go the usual way – opera competitions, performances in small opera theaters, young artist development programs.
b) Opera career is very demanding and requires a lot of traveling. It’s unlikely that any of these young singers performing in small theaters even have time to go on AGT or BGT. After all auditioning for these TV shows is time-consuming — they audition for producers first, they wait for hours in line.
c) The whole environment of AGT is probably not very pleasant to a serious singer – being judged by people who know nothing about opera (we don’t even know if the judges are fans, they certainly aren’t experts), not having an opportunity to warm up (as Barbara’s husband mentioned somewhere on the internet), people’s shouting and applauding while you are still singing — a no-no in opera unless you count booing at La Scala
d) Having appeared on this show may be detrimental to a serious career; many an opera professional consider doing pop-era as ‘selling out”. This is a pure supposition.
e) age – these competitors aren’t normally young. I’d imagine it is extremely difficult to start or re-start an opera career at 30-something. By this age most singers have either made it or have given up.
Now, this is just a totally ignorant opinion, you know as much as I do about it, your opinion is as good as mine.
As to the links – I agree it should be flattering to Barbara Padilla to be compared to these singers. But while you and I may know that, most of AGT or BGT audience does not. Every time an opera singer appears on these shows, the audience is blown away. You can see remarks like “why is this person not at the Met?”, “the Met will be calling…”, etc. I thought it may be interesting to those who aren’t familiar with opera to listen to good opera singers – both stars and young singers.
BTW – while people are blown away by a performance of an opera aria on AGT or BGT, small opera theaters are closing all over the US, NYCO is in trouble, an average age of the audience at Met HD Broadcasts to movie theaters is probably 65 (although the average age of Met audience did come down a lot, many young people at the Met). Why oh why aren’t more of those who voted for Neal Boyd last year bothered to listen to real opera singers?
BTW – I do agree with John. I imagine there are many more opera singers auditioning for producers and only a couple of token ones (and with a good background story) are allowed.
John, Stevie Cat – totally agree about the prize. Ridiculous. NBC makes a killing on this show, they could’ve offered a decent prize. Even 500K after taxes is better than an annuity: invested in say municipal bonds at 5% you can get 25K a year tax free and still preserve your capital. I guess they figure the exposure is good enough.
I think the days of Opera are done. Kind of like newspapers. I’ll admit that I’m not a huge fan of Opera. However, I enjoy watching someone like Andrea Bocelli who does a mixture of some opera at times. I think that’s the future. People like him that do a mixture of things.
That said, I think that people were more a fan of Neal Boyd’s story than they were opera singing. Most of the Neal Boyd fans would be completely bored if he sang a full opera…imho.
John – given how people react to any kind of opera singer on AGT/BGT or other talent shows, I am more optimistic. I think some of the people may have liked opera were they to give it a chance. Also, while small theaters are struggling, Met is doing fine. The average age of audience at the Met came down quite a lot in recent years. Before Gelb (current Met director) came in, the average of audience at the Met was in the 60s. But his various initiatives – HD broadcasts, Times Square broadcasts, etc. did bring young people in. I saw many very young people at the audience last time I was at the Met, and the average age was down. Also – there are still many young people going into opera.
BTW – Bocelli is NOT an opera singer or at least a very mediocre one. He is a POPera singer and his various attempts at singing in operas – small theaters, no major theater has or will ever invite him – were far from stellar. His voice is simply not big enough and he lacks technique.
As to full operas – I would imagine if people had learned more about opera, some people would indeed not be able to sit through the whole operas and enjoy it. At least some of the operas. Others – not so. Keep in mind that not every opera fan likes every single opera. We all have our likes and dislikes. Sometimes people hear one opera and say – oh I couldn’t sit through it. But were to listen to something else, maybe something more appropriate for “first time”, they’d be enchanted.
As to you – I challenge you to listen to these opera fragments and say if you think these should disappear in favor of something like POPera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUF9xL9UJH0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BZSqtqr8Qk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YknotAt24dQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf4c8uREO3U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qt9vyqrVqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMBq4QDPhk8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2jXjIvn4Ew&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUlLC6I_jgE&feature=PlayList&p=F5F5C0DEB681B108&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=22
Like I said, Andrea Bocelli does some opera. POPopera sounds about right. I think that’s the future of it.
My personal opinion is that ugly fat people who sing like opera in inappropriate places have given Opera a bad image. Opera needs a bunch of PR work to help dispel the myths.
That said, it’s still my dream to go to La Traviata at the beautiful Teatro di San Carlo with my dear friend Luciano who lives close by. Afterwards, go to the Galleria and enjoy un bel gelato.
Kitty, thanks for the links.
Agree about the PR. Met is doing quite a lot of it – ads, school trips, discount tickets – which is why the age is down. Most of contemporary opera stars aren’t fat or ugly – Fleming, Netrebko, Gheorghiu, Alagna, Florez, Garanca, Harteros, etc. are not fat at all and most are actually quite good-looking as are the vast majority of today’s stars.
The reason POPera is a pale imitation is that most of POPera singers are not capable of singing opera well. Another is that it removes all drama. Not much expression either. Plus opera is about un-amplified voices and the vast majority of POPera singers wouldn’t be heard beyond the first row.
Oh well… Italy is certainly fun.
Hi, Kitty,
I think John was referring to the POPera singers being fat and ugly…he mentioned they were singing in inappropriate places, such as a reality show I guess. That’s how I took it to mean.
P.S. Thanks for your input on the opera scene. It makes for a very interesting read and is actually educating. Now I don’t feel bad that I thought Neal Boyd shouldn’t have won last year!
I’m personally not biased. I’ve never been one that could say I’m country or I’m this that or the other. I like anything that sounds good. doesn’t matter if it fits in some hole. That’s why I think I like POPera singers. They entertain me and that’s all I’m really looking for.
I am biased towards Italy. Lived in Italy for quite a while and speak fluent Italian. I adore it.
I also studied in Italy and speak fluent Italian – Italian literature was my minor, but I completed most requirements for the major (my real major was CS). So Italy has always been my love too.
Stevie Cat – if you are really interested in opera, Met has HD broadcasts to movie theaters throughout the year; they are often shown on PBS Great Performances later on. Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” (Cinderella) shall be on PBS Great Performances around August 15th-16th (12pm or 12:30pm) and August 20th (at 9pm), but local date/time may be different in different areas and TV companies. It’s a comic opera and reasonably well suitable for “first time in opera” (La Traviata or Il Barbiere di Sevilla would be more suitable for introduction to opera, but I think this one OK as well). Elina Garanca is Cinderella and an excellent young American tenor Lawrence Brownlee is the prince.