Welcome to Pure America's Got Talent

This was without a doubt the absolute best quarterfinals performance of America’s Got Talent history. What kind of pisses me off is that I think that the producers did this on purpose to add to the drama. It’s just unfortunate, since a dog act went through last week and so many incredibly talented groups below got sent home. Ok, I’m glad I got that off my chest.

Now on to an analysis of the pairings and who was sent home.

Jeffrey Ou won over Bri
This was the heartbreak of the night. No one wanted Jeffrey Ou to go home since he had technical difficulties that made it seem unfair. However, Bri did a nice performance too. I think Bri has a good future. Piers was right about her being kind of like a Katy Perry or Amy Whinehouse(sp?). Bri just needs the right opportunity. Too bad it wasn’t America’s Got Talent. That said, I’m happy to see Jeffrey Ou perform again.

Lawrence Beamen won over Jay Mattioli and Dave Johnson
This was the least amount of surprise for the night. Dave Johnson choked. Jay was a bit amateurish. I still say Lawrence Beamen is overrated.

Mario and Jenny won over Marcus and the Serenades
I was happy about this one. Marcus kind of disappointed me. The Serenades were still horrible and I think it was the wrong song to show off Marcus’ talents. I don’t know why I like Jenny so much. Maybe it’s just how hard she tries to perform that I love. I like passion and heart and she has it. I’m not sure where Mario and Jenny go from here though. Should be fun to see. They definitely have vegas in them though.

Hairo Torres won over GForce and U4ria
I was really fine with Hairo Torres and GForce going through. I was sad that one couldn’t go through. I would have preferred GForce, but I’ll enjoy seeing Hairo again too. U4ria was good, but as I predicted too weird for America.

FootworKINGz got picked over Pixie Mystere
I was a little disappointed in the judges pick here. They based it on Pixie’s future. Come on. Base it on talent. Pixie had more talent and had a greater potential as a Las Vegas show. I’d love to see FootworKINGz for a nice 30 minute stop, but not more. It got far too repetitive for me and basically boring after a little while.

Tonight was by far the best night of the America’s Got Talent top 40. Piers was dead on when he said that it was likely the best episode ever in the America’s Got Talent top 40. The sad part for me is that I bet that the producers planned it this way. I hate that since a bunch of great acts aren’t going to make it through and a few mediocre acts made it through on previous episodes of America’s Got Talent.

That said, here’s some of my thoughts about the episode and the videos from the America’s Got Talent quarterfinals for season 4.

Jay Mattioli

Jay did a nice performance. It was basic tricks. I give him credit for fighting back when Piers and the judges said it was basic. The kid has the passion and a lot of people were pissed when he didn’t make it to the top 40, so I give him a long shot to go on.

FootworKINGz

Nice act. The smoke got in the way at the beginning and kind of tainted the act a little. For me the biggest problem is that more than what they did on this show would be pretty boring. I wouldn’t want to go and watch an entire show of this.

Marcus Terrell and the Serenades

Not going anywhere. The backup singers weren’t really much better than his previous ladies.

Dave Johnson

He could never live up to the Hoff song. However, it was nice to see him try.

Bri

Was anyone else bugged by the way her leg was split out. I think she was trying to face the cameras/judges, but it felt awkward. I’m not sure it’s the best song for her, but she has some talent. She just needs the right songs to make her special.

U4RIA Dance Crew

Great great performance. I’m just afraid it’s probably too out there to put them through to the next round. Too bad since it was awesome. Maybe on a different night.

Hairo Torres

Very cool tricks. It’s just too bad he’s a one trick pony. I hope he turns up on So You Think You Can Dance or America’s Best Dance Crew or something.

Mario and Jenny

Great act. Kind of slowed down and had a weak ending. Sadly, it’s such a great night I think they may be left out.

G-force

This wasn’t the best performance. The vocals were bad, but I do think the comparison to Jonas brothers is great. Plus, the 8 year old drummer I just absolutely adore. Too bad they’re on a great night since I’d like to see them again.

Jeffrey Ou

The opening was too long and the dancers weren’t needed. The rest we can’t judge. He deserves another chance for that.

Lawrence Beaman

He’s got talent, but not the way the judges and even Nick gushed over him.

Pixie Mystere

I disagree with the judges. I say more contortion and less dancing. I was glad to finally see a full act from the Pixies

Tonight is the reason that I love America’s Got Talent. A wide variety of great talent. I just wish that the entire America’s Got Talent top 40 had been this good. Then, this season would be soooo much better.

I haven’t had a chance to do a writeup about tonight’s episode of America’s Got Talent where they finalized the America’s Got Talent top 40. However, just because I’m behind I didn’t see any reason that I should post the full list of America’s Got Talent 2009 top 40.

Pete Peterkin (impressionist)
Arcadian Broad (13 year old dancer)
AcroDunk (acrobatic basketball dunkers)
Platt Brothers (Pantomimers, dancers, and acrobats)
Recycled Percussion (percussion group)
David Johnson (Hasselhoff singer)
Thia Megia (14 year old singer)
G Force (dance band of young girls)
Erik & Rickie (8 year old dance couple)
Mosaic (a capella singers)
Texas Tenors (singing trio)
Manuela Horn (yodeling dominatrix)
The Fab Five (clogging sisters)
Drew Thomas (illusionist)
Hairo Torres (break dancing contortionist)
Lawrence Beamen (bass singer)
Kevin Skinner (singer)
Paradizo Dance (acrobatic dancers)
Ishaara (bollywood dancers)
FootworkKINGz (dance group)
Jeffrey Ou (pianist)
Eleisha Miller (singer and pianist)
Mario & Jenny (chainsaw juggler)
Marcus Terrell (singer)
BreakSk8 (break dancers on roller skates)
Voices of Glory (singing trio)
Barbara Padilla (opera singer)
Chris Allison (ate a lightbulb)
Rockin’ Rory (flying disc dog act)
Pam Martin and Viva (dancing dog)
Carol Lugo (62 year old dancer)
Charles DeWayne Dorsey (singer and pianist)
Pixie Mystere (preteen gymnastic troupe)
Grandma Lee (standup comic)
African High Flyers (acrobats)
Alizma (triplet violinists)
Anthony Morigerato & Matt Lucas (guitarist and tap dancer duo)
EriAm Sisters (trio of sisters)
BRI (singer and pianist)
Mia Boostrom (singer)

I think this will be a pretty interesting group of performances. I still think this is a bit of a down year for America’s Got Talent. I don’t see many (if any) real superstars in this list. However, it should still be quite entertaining and fun to hear their stories and see these people live their dreams.

Yesterday I think that the America’s Got Talent world was rocked. My email box and America’s Got Talent twitter account have been slammed with people complaining about those sent home on yesterday’s episode of America’s Got Talent. So, I decided to pay a bit of homage to the three acts which keep coming up over and over.

Tallan Noble Latz
This was the biggest shock for me. He was the 9 year old electric guitarist who rocked the stage and was a pretty big fan favorite. What he was the most was memorable. I couldn’t believe it when he was sent home at the airport. Sadly, I think he was a memorable face and a casualty of America’s Got Talent wanting a bit of a shock factor. Jay Mattioli (magician) was a close second and Ciana Pelekai (little Hawaiian girl that sang) a close third. However, no one has been more revered (at least by fans of this site) than Tallan getting sent home.

Many are asking if anything can be done for Tallan to get back on the show. I think the simple answer is it’s far too late and there’s nothing we can do. Although, I got a short message on Twitter about Tallan performing somewhere else. If I get more details I’ll post them for Tallan fans.

Kari Callin
Kari was really America’s Got Talent trying to pull an American Susan Boyle. Instead, I think Kevin Skinner is going to fill that role. So, Kari had to go. However, many loved her, her story and her voice. I was never personally a big fan. She just wasn’t as good in her performance as above mentioned Susan Boyle. I personally think it would have been an injustice for Kari to go on with all the other great singing talent on the show. However, many people seem to disagree with me. Not really sure why.

The Spiritual Harmonizers
You might remember these post office singers. I loved these people’s stories and the front man was pretty good. However, when I think about the other group singing acts, I’m ok with them not going on. Maybe I’m also biased since I’ve seen some really incredible a capella groups. However, it was a bit of a shock for me that they didn’t make it since they’re story was such a good one.

In other quick hits…
Tony Ferrante couldn’t have left quicker for me. Glad he’s gone.

I was a little shocked the Texas Tenors made it to the top 40. Just seem average to me.

I can’t wait to see what else David Johnson brings. Although, I think it will be impossible for him to do better than his audition song about David Hasselhoff.

I’m still a big fan of G Force even if I’m biased since they first appeared on this site before they made it on the show.

Pete Peterkin is probably my only complaint in the America’s Got Talent top 40. He’s ok, but not great. I think he only made the AGT top 40 because there weren’t any other impressionists and the show needed just a little more variety.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the America’s Got Talent top 40 to start showing their stuff.

I first was introduced to G-Force back in February. Turns out they were good enough to make it at least to Las Vegas on America’s Got Talent 2009. It’s always fun to check out a group before they were on America’s Got Talent. Plus, they showed so little of G-force on America’s Got Talent, that it’s nice to see some full length videos of Emily (11-vocals/guitar), Hannah (9-bass), Olivia (7-drums). Olivia is definitely my favorite.

G-Force live!! The girls first music video recorded January 13th 2008 at The Savannah Bar and Grille in Westlake, Ohio

Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne Performed by G-Force

Now I just hope that The Understudies make it on America’s Got Talent so that we can have a battle of the kid bands.

The second night of America’s Got Talent was a nice step up from the first night. Gave me a little more hope for this season. No doubt there’s still a long way to go, but considering they didn’t even decide to follow the auditions from one city to the next you’d think they’d have made a better season premiere. That said, I still love to see all the stories and the crazy talent on this show.

One of the highlights from night one for me was Arcadian Broad. Maybe I just saw a little bit of me in him. I wish that someone would have taken an interest in me and had helped me to dance. I think I had the energy and fire, but no one to encourage it at that age. Sure, his technique isn’t the best, but he’s only 13 years old. I think his energy and enthusiasm are really going to blow people away. In case you missed it, here’s the video of Arcadian Broad dancing to “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John

My second favorite act of the night was probably Alizma. I actually had previously posted that Alizma was my most anticipated AGT act. I’ll admit that I didn’t know anything about them. I didn’t know they were triplets, I didn’t know they sang. I didn’t even know their name was Alizma. Yes, I’m biased to three beautiful blondes. However, I must admit that they didn’t disappoint. I agree they need to be more like Nuttin’ But Stringz from last year and not sing. Just play the violin. I even liked how they talked over each other. I thought it was really funny. Although the funniest part of this act might have been the Hoff freaking out when they walked on stage. In case you missed it, here’s Alizma’s performance of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” originally by “The Charlie Daniels Band”

Other quick hits:

I thought Drew Thomas the illusionist was good, but I wasn’t as overwhelmed by it as the judges were. I have a hard time watching illusionists on TV though. I want to be there and be able to see it live.

Eric and Rickie were the cutest little kid dancers. Go to a ballroom competition and you’ll see dozens of little kids just like them. That’s so much fun to watch. I loved when they asked them about being boyfriend and girlfriend too. Hilarious.

I was really happy to see G-Force on the show. Turns out I first saw G-Force back at the end of February. Glad to see that someone that read the site during the America’s Got Talent auditions made it on the show. I wonder if anyone else will make it on the show that I talked about on here. I’ll be posting more of G-Force’s videos soon since we saw little of them on the show. The little girl on the drums(her name’s Olivia and she’s 7) is just so incredibly cute.

I’m not sure what to think about Comic Bots. That was just weird to watch, but impressive at the same time.

Then, of course, Manuela Horn, the yodeling dominatrix. There’s just not much I can say about that.

I’ve previously posted a bunch of people’s Americas’s Got Talent audition videos. A bunch of great talent. I think they also appreciate those people who provide them feedback on their performance in the comments. Feedback (both good and bad) is the best way to improve so that you do better in the audition.

AJ recently wrote a comment on this site asking for me to post his band’s video. AJ is part of a group of young men who make up The Understudies. The following is a video of The Understudies covering Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes.

Let the members of The Understudies know what you think of their band. It’s kind of fun to see a group of young people have a band. I think that might be something we haven’t seen on the show before and something the producers might like to have on the show.