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.
America’s Got Talent Season 7: Fourth Quarterfinals Top Four!
Wow, Katie’s on a roll this season. From her Power Rankings and Poll she correctly predicted the acts that were moving on to the Semi Finals.
1. William Close
2. Joe Castillo
3. Olate Dogs
4. Eric Dittleman
In a change from the Third Quarterfinals where I thought the talent was largely underwhelming, the Fourth Quarterfinals turned out to be one of the more difficult evenings when it came to talent. Sure there were low points and there were high points but there were a lot of high points in last night’s performances and I for one only knew of two acts that I thought stood a strong chance of making it through to the Semi-Finals but the other two were relatively up in the air.
After watching all the acts again below are my thoughts as to whom is a legitimate “Million Dollar Act” and how far I would like to see them go in the competition.
1. William Close – Earth Harp
This one I think is a no brainer. He’s not only a musician, but he’s an engineer and an artist. Granted the instrument is he most known for right now is the “Earth Harp”, however we did get a glimpse of other instruments that he has created. He expanded his act to include a vocalist and those other instruments, now just imagine what he could do if he built an entire orchestra? He mentioned in the package that his love is building his instruments and yes the “Earth Harp” is thus far the biggest draw and that will always be the biggest draw… but if he starts integrating more instruments to show just what else he has come up with and do it well I see no issues with him headlining a show in Vegas with or without the “Million Dollar” prize… he can do it.
2. Olate Dogs
This act was just non stop trick after trick after trick. Granted once in a while there would be one dog that just wouldn’t do the trick and it wasn’t until a second try that it would… but for the most part this was non-stop fun. Though I had a funny inclination that this is set up to be a bit of a circus act as a opposed to a Las Vegas act. Not that it couldn’t be… but how much more can it grow? If this act can grow into something larger and “Vegas worthy” I say they would stand a chance to making it beyond the Semi-Finals. However… as much as I love the act, I am not entirely convinced.
3. Eric Dittleman
This is an act that would wow you over and over again… but how long until you are ready for the next bit? Thus far he has done a little bit of mind reading and a little bit of predicting where else can he go? This strikes me as an act that is meant more for the little intimate settings as opposed to the large Las Vegas stage. To me… even though I would love to see him on the stage, I don’t think it would suit at all… it is just too difficult, but that’s just me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes it past the Semi-Finals, but honestly I’m not convinced that it would be a good fit.
4. Joe Castillo
If memory serves this is not the first time that a sand artist has come across the AGT stage, but this is the first time that one was able to capture the attention of the audience and judges with his images and storytelling. Very much like Eric, I am not convinced that this is a strong large Las Vegas stage act… this is something I would love to see in a more intimate setting, not only that most Las Vegas shows are at least an hour long. I love what he can do within a couple of minutes but could that actually translate into something over the course of an hour? It’s hard to say.
Since there is a Wild Card show two weeks after the Olympics, below is are the eight acts that didn’t make it through tonight.
America’s Got Talent Season 7: Fourth Quarterfinals Music List
David “The Bullet” Smith
All That
– Ram Jam: Black Betty
Ulysses Singer
– “American Bandstand Tune”
Joe Castillo
Sebastien “El Charro de Oro”
Eric Dittelman
William Close
– The Who: Love Reign O’er Me
Unity in Motion
– Requiem for a dream
Eric & Olivia
– Taio Cruz: Dynamite
Olate Dogs
Lindsey Norton
Horse
America’s Got Talent Season 7: Third Quarterfinals Top Four!
Once again, it would appear that both Katie’s Power Rankings and the Poll from last night coincide with the results of today’s elimination results:
1. Light Wire Theater
2. Jacob Williams
3. The Untouchables
4. All Wheel Sports
After watching the performances again, it felt like the acts as a whole was rather underwhelming in comparison to the previous week’s quarterfinals episodes. From the above I do see potential for the coveted “Million Dollar Act”, below are my thoughts as to how far the above acts could go in this series.
America’s Got Talent Season 7: Third Quarterfinals Music List
MUSIC FROM THE THIRD QUARTERFINALS PERFORMANCES
The Untouchables
– Sergio Mendez: Magalenha
Rock Star Juggler Mike Price
– The Who: Won’t Get Fooled Again
Inspire the Fire
Katy Perry – Firework
Cristin Sandu
– Ellie Goulding: Lights
Elusive
– James Brown: Super Bad
Jake Wesley Rogers
– Britney Spears: Toxic
All Wheel Sports
– David Guetts & Sia: Titanium
Wordspit, the Illest!
Jacob Williams
All Beef Patty
– Deniece Williams: Let’s Hear it for the Boy
Spencer Horsman
Live Wire Theatre
Turf: Is He Really Worth the Hype?
Anyone who has been watching AGT this season knows the name Turf. He’s the street dancer/contortionist that came to the auditions with an inspiring story, and a pretty unique talent. So far, he has flown through the auditions, Las Vegas, and now, the top 48. Here’s his act from last weeks performances.
Among many, he is the favorite to win. For me, I think he’s interesting. Granted, I get a little sick to my stomach while watching some of his act, just because it hurts me to watch a body move like that. I’m not sure if he’s been my favorite act so far (Donovan and Rebecca, as well as Shanice and Maurice Hayes, are the ones I am rooting for), but I do think he has a chance of winning. However, on the flip side, there are some who wonder, what’s the big deal. On my commentary from last weeks performance, the following comment was left by JP about Turf:
This is probably just me, but I need to know something about one act. What does everyone see in Turf? I don’t get it. They’re overhyping him as this great act, but I don’t see it. I’ve seen this type of act before, and he doesn’t do anything that really impresses me. He’s talented, but I don’t think he’s one of the best acts. There generally seems to be act every season that everyone loves but I don’t get, and this seems to be this season’s act. Based on tonight’s performances, I would say Tom Cotter and Donovan and Rebecca are the only two slam dunk acts in the round. After them, I would like to see two of Hawley Magic, Ben Blaque and Tim Hockenberry advance. Unfortunately, I think Turf is going to take one of those spots even though I just don’t think he was as good as the others. Maybe I’m just missing something with his act, but I just see him as good, but not great. He’s below those five in my mind, and might even be below The All Ways (though I have to admit that I generally like rock music, so they were better to me.)
Can someone answer JP’s question — what is it that everyone sees in Turf? Most comments and articles I have seen on this year’s season of AGT really do praise him, and in a way, that might bias some into thinking he’s better and more unique than he really is. In his critique last week, Howard Stern warned Turf about not letting all of the praise go to his head, because there are some other great dance acts this year (specifically, as Howard mentioned, Unity in Motion). While he appears to have a fairly large fan base now, he still needs to continue putting his best foot forward and keep his current fans, as well as win over those a little more unsure. Is Turf going to be able to step it up, and prove he is more than just a good dancer and deserves to be among the winners of AGT? What do you think of Turf? Feel free to leave your opinions, as well as vote in this poll. I’m interested to see what others think of him.
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.
America’s Got Talent Season 7: Second Quarterfinals Top Four!
Another week, another twelve acts were put through the gauntlet that was the second Quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent. Looking at the poll from yesterday it would appear that those that Katie believed would be going forward coincided with the top four from the poll (in order of popularity):
1. Turf
2. Donovan and Rebecca
3. Tom Cotter
4. Tim Hockenberry
Again I agree with the choices between Katie and the poll, so I would say that this was a fair representation of what the general audience enjoyed from the show. Do I think that any of these is a “Million Dollar Act” in Vegas? Personally, not really… but that doesn’t mean that I did not enjoy them.
Read more..
America’s Got Talent Top 48 Auditions
In case you missed or want to watch again some of the acts from the America’s Got Talent 2012 Top 48, you can find the America’s Got Talent Top 48 videos below!
Lion Dance Me: Quarterfinals
Danger act Lion Dance Me is consistently exciting, but the judges are looking for variety as well as skill. Hopefully, Lion Dance Me can deliver.
Turf: Quarterfinals
Turf has come a long way since his days of dancing for change on the streets of San Francisco. Now, he’s hoping to get one step closer to the million-dollar prize.
Read more..
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.