Let’s Stop the “Will This Act Work in Vegas?” Line
I think it’s lame that the judges mention that they need to carry on a show in Las Vegas. I think this is by design, but they need to stop it and find a new line. First of all, why should they hold the act to this standard. It’s not like they are really getting a headline show in Las Vegas if they win. I live in Las Vegas and I never saw Kevin Skinner’s name on any billboards or any headlines.
Plus, if this is the standard, then half of the top 48 wouldn’t be there. The might be extremely talented, but they don’t stand a chance of having a show in Las Vegas. Plus, the show wants to have a nice variety of talent. This stands in opposition to the idea of finding the best Las Vegas act. So, you can’t have it both ways.
I like in Britain’s Got Talent where they get to perform for the Queen. Works out much better I think. It’s a great story and provides for the variety of acts that the show wants. Especially since it’s the Queen’s Royal Variety show.
America’s Got Talent needs to find a new line. It’s just never fit very well.
This “Vegas Show” thing was only added in the past few seasons. The prize used to be just the lame, phony $1,000,000 prize for a couple of years and then one year when we wised up to the small print that it was being paid out over 40 years making the actual prize $25,000 a year, they added a “headline” show in Las Vegas. Then that additional prize started to take on a life of it’s own sort of becoming the “real prize” since there was no money really to speak of. And then they started judging EVERY act by whether or not they were Las Vegas worthy.
The show is more about public exposure in the hopes of being discovered than anything else now. At least with American Idol, they get a record contract and get promoted by the record companies. It’s a real chance at a real start.
The way I look at it, this show is just for pure entertainment value to us than any real life changing events for the contestants. Although Nuttin’ But Strings is doing really well and Terry Fader is too. But still, all they really needed was to be discovered. And this show enabled that to hapen.
Same as when someone doesn’t win American Idol, but they become bigger stars than the winners, i.e. Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson.
Everytime one of the constestants says “This means EVERYTHING to me”, I think “Ah, that’s too bad because chances are it’s not going to change your life one iota.”
I agree that Vegas line should be dropped. StevieCat is right that it’s been added so that they have something better than 25K a year which is nice but not life-changing especially as you need to take a lot of time off to be on this show, enough time off to risk your day job.
But this line really messes up voting. I saw people say – yes, such-and-such is talented but is not a Vegas act. Many viewers take Vegas line seriosly enough to base their voting decisions on it.
I think they should come up with something better like a prize tailored to talent. A CD deal and a tour for singers, something for other acts (not sure what, but I am sure the powers-that-be can figure it out).
Oh, and I absolutely hate the line “it makes EVERYTHING to me”. It’s not exactly the life of the firstborn we are talking about. Everyone wants a chance to be famous and everyone wants a chance to earn a living doing what they like. In all fairness, what else can you answer to “what it means to you?”. Silly question, silly answer.
You’re right, Kitty. What else can you say to that silly question? Some of them even say “i’m going to buy my mother a house.” No, you’re not. Not for $25,000 a year you’re not.
They need to get rid of that question and get rid of the Las Vegas prize. I like your idea, Kitty. A tailor made prize for the act that wins.
but…this is everything to me….lol
“Some of them even say “i’m going to buy my mother a house.””
The best answer to question “what you’d do with the money” I heard on some pilot ABC game show which run a year or so ago for a few weeks. I forgot what it was. The guy answered something like “I’ve always wanted to buy a pirate ship”.
A pirate ship? Oh, that’s hilarious!!!!
Anybody notice the new prize added this year? A tour and then they clarified the one headline act performance in Las Vegas?
What….have they been reading our blogs?????
I did hear that. I’m interested to learn more about the tour. Plus, I need to find a way to get tickets to the Vegas show at Planet Hollywood.
I think a tour is better than a Vegas headline show anyway.
A tour is a whole lot better as it gives more exposure, more newspaper reviews, etc. Also, I assume people get paid for the tour, right?
But they still should clarify Vegas thing on TV because there are some people who do vote based on which act would be better for Vegas rather than the act they think is more talented.
Thank you! I noticed that change from “headlining act” to “national tour including a stop at ceasars palace in las vegas” last night (tues 7/20).
Also funny about buying mom a house with no down payment and $350 a week after taxes!!! Sorry mom!
I bet Kevin Skinner could be a small shack in the little town he’s from with that much.
It was good that they changed it to a National Tour.
Mississippi boy (forget name but he was the best singer by far, and appeared last on 7/20) might be able to afford a used FEMA trailer for his gramdmother.
This show is a crock, but I can’t stop watching!
Michael Grimm. Don’t be confused. He’s been living in Las Vegas and playing in pretty big shows for a while now: https://pureamericasgottalent.com/2010/06/02/michael-grimm-videos-before-americas-got-talent/
I bet FEMA trailers are a good deal right now.
Yes, you can’t get too worked up about the “competition” aspect of it. You just have to enjoy the entertainment of it all.
Thanks John, Michael gets some pretty good gigs for being a “Little bar and restaurant” singer.
What do you know about Christina and Ali (or AlexaRae or whoever)?
Exactly.
I don’t know much about either of them. I just know I love Christina and Ali: https://pureamericasgottalent.com/2010/07/13/singing-sisters-and-cystic-fibrosis-cf-on-americas-got-talent/
If they continue, then I’m sure we’ll find some local articles on them soon.
I agree there is no really great prize here. The national exposure and the hopes of being spotted by someone who matters is probably why they do it.