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America’s Got Talent Season 12 Champion Crowned, Vegas Show Line-Up Announced, and an Interesting Observation…

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the newly-crowned America’s Got Talent Season 12 champion, Darci Lynne Farmer! Check out the Access Hollywood interviews from last night and this morning below! (Love how Terry Fator pops in to congratulate Darci!)

Darci will be headlining this year’s AGT Live! On Stage show in Las Vegas this November 3-4. The pre-sale for tickets is happening now with the code TALENT. Darci will be joined in the show by Season 12 runner-up Angelica Hale, third place finisher Light Balance, and top 10 finalist Preacher Lawson.

Can’t make it to Vegas? Tomorrow I’ll be doing a roundup of other upcoming performances from some of the Season 12 contestants, in addition to a countdown of what I thought were the very best performances of the season. But for now, something has come to my attention I think might make for some interesting discussion. Right after the Season 11 finale last year, Sophie (who you may remember from the livestream we did together last week) posted the following theory on Reddit:

Now, ventriloquism – let alone singing ventriloquism – is not the most common talent. Yes, it’s the second-most common winner category on AGT, but we haven’t had nearly as many ventriloquists on the show as, say, singers or magicians. I think the rarity of it might be the reason people tend to latch onto the ventriloquist acts on AGT, since it’s one of those skills we don’t see many other places in mainstream entertainment. Still, Sophie correctly predicting such a niche act winning Season 12 (before auditions for the season even started) makes me wonder if this “10 year cycle” theory may prove to be true. Let’s look at the winners from Seasons 3-10 to see what might be in store for the next eight years! (And yes, at this rate I do think the show has a good chance of sticking around for that long. Ratings were UP this season; that almost never happens in television these days!)

Season 3: Neal E. Boyd (Pop Opera Singer)
Season 4: Kevin Skinner (Country Singer)
Season 5: Michael Grimm (Singer-Guitarist)
Season 6: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. (Jazz Singer)
Season 7: Olate Dogs (Dog Act)
Season 8: Kenichi Ebina (Dancing Mime)
Season 9: Mat Franco (Magician)
Season 10: Paul Zerdin (Ventriloquist)

If the pattern continues, it looks like we’re in for a few more years of singers winning, which I’ve kind of been expecting anyway, since so many people are itching to sing for Simon and possibly get signed by SYCO. I think as long as he’s on the judging panel, there will continue to be a lot of singing acts who audition for AGT. At least it’s looking like they’ll come from different genres for the most part. 😛

After that we’d have a dog/animal act win, which would also make sense; Sara & Hero were one of the biggest underdog acts (hehe) going into the live shows this season and they made it all the way to 5th place. And then we’d have a really unique and “out there” winner, followed by another magic act (I seriously can’t believe we’ve only had one win the show so far) and then a fourth ventriloquist champ (I guess by that time the cries of “ventriloquists always win!” will have died down).

Of course, this is all speculation, but it’s kind of an eerie coincidence Season 12 played out just like Sophie said it would! What sort of acts do you think we’ll be getting on AGT in the coming years, and which types do you think the audience might get behind to win?

September 21, 2017 I Written By

I'm obssessed with the entertainment industry, especially offbeat and nerdy things as well as those that involve live performance. The only thing I love more than geeking out over the things that entertain me is sharing in my excitement with others who share the same passions. America may have talent, but Canada has an up-and-coming blogger who is ready to take the internet by storm!

PureAGT Season 8 POLL: Did Catapult “Rip Off” Silhouettes?

Whilst browsing around on YouTube for a clip of Catapult’s performance on last week’s premiere, I noticed something odd: almost every video of them posted had a slew of comments from angry viewers claiming that they had “ripped off” season 6 runner-up Silhouettes.  Here’s a video of them to jog your memory:

A few overseas viewers also accused Catapult of copying Attraction, the winner of the most recent season of Britain’s Got Talent:

Now while I agree that all three acts are very similar, I also think that there’s very, very few acts on any of the Talent franchises that are truly original anymore – I think it’s all been done before, and everyone’s just trying to make their mark and somehow put a fresh spin on their act.  So to really accuse any of the three of “ripping off” one another? Not really fair, IMO.  If you’re going to call out Catapult for copying Silhouettes, then you may as well call out Lightwire Theater from last season for copying Team iLuminate from season 6, and Angela Hoover for copying season 6’s Melissa Villasenor.  Almost every act shares some similarities with a previous act.

Truth be told, I was never really wowed by what Silhouettes did – just seemed like a lot of running from place to place making shapes while some schmaltzy song played.  What I like about Catapult, though, is that they actually create pictures that move, and tend to tell a story – Silhouettes seemed like they just went with a theme, as opposed to an actual narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.  Haven’t really had a chance to compare either of the two to Attraction, beyond the video I posted above, but all three appear to have different strengths & weaknesses.  But what do you think?

June 10, 2013 I Written By

Ultrasound specialist by day, entertainment blogger by night - with some amateur dancer, hair & makeup enthusiast, crazy cat lady, recreational chef, and Donnie Wahlberg/Norman Reedus fangirl peppered in to make things interesting ;-) Check out some of my other work over at puredwts.com!

America’s Got Talent Blast from the Past: Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

I love watching talent reality TV shows, and at the end of each season I always wonder if the winner is actually going to make something of themselves. I mean…it really seems pretty hit or miss most of the time. With the premiere of America’s Got Talent quickly approaching, it got me thinking about the past winners and if they are successful still, or if they’ve gone back to pre-AGT lives. Over the next few days, I’ll dive back into the past and see which winners of America’s Got Talent are still going strong, and who (if any), have, well, fallen out of the limelight and back into the shadows.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., the winner of AGT 2011 and jazz singer from West Virginia, was the whole package last year. He had a touching back story (remember — he was homeless at the age of 19) and a soft, crooning voice who made it through the competition singing songs from famous crooners such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Let’s revisit the song that helped Landau triumph over his competition last year?

I don’t know about you, but his voice sure gives me the chills. There was some great competition last year, especially when it got down to the final four, but I’m glad he ended up winning. So how is Landau Murphy doing today?

Well, it seems pretty well. Especially considering where he was a few years ago. Not only did Landau release his first album, That’s Life, this past November, which hit #34 on the Billboard Top 200 and #1 Jazz album on Amazon, but he has been doing shows across the country since, many of which have been sold out. He also has been giving back by appearing in public service announcements for the Red Cross and in several benefit concerts. On May 6th, Laundau received an honorary Doctorate of Music Degree from the University of Charleston.

So even though Landau doesn’t seem to be charting any top selling lists lately, he seems to be doing pretty well for himself.

If you can’t get enough of Landau, he currently is touring the country. Check out his tour dates at http://www.laundaumurphy.org for more information!

May 9, 2012 I Written By

Katie Clark is a journalism student at Brigham Young University in her senior year. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado, and hopes to move back there after graduation. Reality television is her favorite to watch, and has enjoyed writing about America's Got Talent and A Chance to Dance. She is a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys writing (especially blogs), cooking and sewing (while spending far too much time on Pinterest finding inspiration) and being outside with her husband and son.

Congrats to Landau Eugene Murphy! – America’s Got Talent Season 6 Winner

I’m always happy when I’m able to predict the America’s Got Talent Winner. Landau just had too many fans swooning over him. He’s got a great voice, so I’m not disappointed by him winning at all. Now I just need to find a way to get tickets to the AGT Las Vegas show.

I was also struck by this comment that someone sent me through our contact us form:

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., I just want you to know that there is a 65 year old white man who grew up on a cotton farm in Arkansas who has been pulling for you since you sang your first note on AGT and I was as happy as your were when you won. I hope you reach the top and stay ther and continue to be as humble and as real as you are now. You are an inspiraton to everyone who has watched you take this incredible journey and a credit to every hard working person in this country. Man, you owned that stage!

Congrats Landau Eugene Murphy!

September 15, 2011 I Written By

America’s Got Talent Finale Red Carpet Interviews

Finale Red Carpet: Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Watch him talk about winning first place!

Finale Red Carpet: Stevie Wonder
Watch him talk about his duet with POPLYFE.

Finale Red Carpet: Patti LaBelle
Watch her talk about her favorite act, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

Finale Red Carpet: POPLYFE
Watch them talk about their AGT experience.

Finale Red Carpet: Jackie Evancho
Watch her talk about going from contestant to guest performer!

I Written By

America’s Got Talent 2011 Winner

Time for me to use my magical abilities and predict the winner of America’s Got Talent 2011 winner. I must admit that this is quite possibly the hardest America’s Got Talent winner that I’ve ever had to predict. In the past, it’s usually been quite clear who was the favorite. This time all 4 acts are pretty extraordinary and I’d actually be fine if any of the top 4 acts win. I love when that’s the result.

Now for my AGT 2011 Winner: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.

I think that Team iLuminate will be up there with Landau battling for the last spot and the producers will love that Landau wins and not the amazing Team iLuminate.

Watch for POPLYFE to be sent home first. It’s too bad that I was right about the song choice. They should have chosen a song that featured her choice. I hope she gets picked up and we get to see her sing again. I’d pay to hear her sing.

Then, that means Silhouettes are going out next. I just hope they don’t flash any of the little kids crying. I tried to tell my wife that the little girl they showed was blind and started crying before I could even tell her.

There you have it. I predict another singer: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. will win. He does have a fantastic voice.

Who else is excited for the special performances by each act?

September 14, 2011 I Written By

America’s Got Talent 2011 Finalist Videos and Terry Fator

In case you missed it last night, here are the videos of the America’s Got Talent finalists and also Terry Fator’s performance as well.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. Performs

Team iLuminate Performs

POPLYFE Performs

Silhouettes Perform

Terry Fator Performs!

I Written By

Some America’s Got Talent Finale Performance Predictions

I’ll save my predictions for who is going to win America’s Got Talent 2011 until later. Instead, now I’ll make some predictions about the America’s Got Talent finalists performances tonight.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. – Much of the same. His voice will rule. He will smile. The old people will swoon and he’ll get lots of votes.

POPLYFE – I think they’re going to make a poor song choice. It’s going to be a disappointment since it will feature the band and not be a great song for the lead singer’s voice.

Silhouettes – A few moments of beauty, but with nothing all too spectacular. However, the kids smile after their performance will still steal my heart and many others. Regardless of how they do, what an amazing story.

Team iLuminate – Another exciting performance. Some unexpected choreography and lighting. It won’t be so wow that we can’t stop talking about it, but people will still love what they do.

Interesting. I didn’t realize this was what I was doing, but I’m basically predicting a bunch of solid, but less than sensational performances. I guess that’s the problem with 2 dance acts and 2 singing acts. How do you up your game in those 2 genres? It’s much harder to do that.

Of course, I hope I’m proven wrong and something blows me away!

September 13, 2011 I Written By

Il Divo on America’s Got Talent, Stupid Viewers and Howie Mandel Naked

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I really enjoyed the performance of Il Divo on America’s Got Talent. It was a full scale production with some great singers. I loved it. In case you missed it, there’s the video below.

Il Divo Performs!

Turns out, some viewers didn’t agree with me and hated their performance. However, their response says it all. Here’s one example (although there were others that said something similar).

I thought it was America got Talent Not Mexico got talent, hated the group that sang the mexican song!!!! was not a good pick for the show that is titled America!!!!

Really? Did they say Il Divo sang a Mexican song? Really? First, that was Italian, not Mexican. Second, the idea that American’s don’t enjoy and don’t represent other cultures is just silly. America is the melting pot of cultures. I like to describe America as taking the best from every culture and enjoying all the best parts of the other cultures. One of those is Italian music. To say singing something in Italian isn’t American is just stupid. Hopefully this person is in the minority.

Even more viewers complained about Howie Mandel being naked on the show with many remarking that America’s Got Talent is a family show. I actually agree with them wholeheartedly. It was poor taste on the producers part and should have never happened. They could have made the joke with just the door shot. The naked Howie Mandel was inappropriate, unnecessary and terrible TV. Seems in line with the theme throughout this AGT season of the judges being terrible.

September 8, 2011 I Written By

My America’s Got Talent 2011 Finals Predictions

I tweeted out my predictions for tonight’s episode of America’s Got Talent. Only 4 acts will make it to the America’s Got Talent 2011 finals. Which 4 acts do you think will make it? Here’s my thoughts (using my tweets).

My America’s Got Talent 2011 Finals Locks:
pureagt Pure AGT
Tonight’s AGT Finals locks: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and Team iLuminate

My America’s Got Talent 2011 Finals Possibilities:
pureagt Pure AGT
Tonight’s AGT Final Possibilities: Anna Graceman, Landon Swank, POPLYFE, Silhouettes. I’m going to take Anna and Silhouettes.

My America’s Got Talent Final 4 prediction:
pureagt Pure AGT
So my predictions for the final 4 on America’s Got Talent are: Anna Graceman, Silhouettes, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and Team iLuminate. u?

September 7, 2011 I Written By