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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 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!

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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

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

Thoughts on First 5 America’s Got Talent 2011 Finalists

Time for some thoughts on the 5 acts making it into the America’s Got Talent Season 6 finals. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Lys Agnes – I’m not much of a fan of Lys Agnes at all, but AGT viewers seem to like the operatic type of voice for some reason. So, she has a chance. Although, I’d say it’s probably a small chance. Doesn’t hurt that AGT is propping her up in the production of the show. I do wish she’d go back to the braided hair. The braids were sweet.

Miami All Stars – What an exciting group to watch. Their semi final act had some really amazing non-stop action. I’m afraid that they’re probably going to slip in the finals and not be quite as explosive and interesting. They’ll have an enjoyable performance, but not likely enough to win.

PopLyfe – I still feel like Piers was right in the beginning that the lead singer of PopLyfe is the star. Sure, the rest of the band has been an interesting package. The band without the lead singer might have even made it to the quarterfinals on their own. However, the lead singer is really truly the star. Her voice is fantastic. If they stop worrying about propping up the band and highlight her awesome vocals, they have a great chance of winning.

Team iLuminate – Incredible group. Unbelievable mix of technology and dancing. If they don’t win, it will be because America is lazy. However, they are so incredibly good that they might still win even with America’s laziness.

West Springfield Dance Team – This team should just enjoy their final performance. They’ve been the last one in for too many weeks in a row. So, they have basically no shot of winning it all based on just a popularity vote. That’s ok though. They’ll enjoy their final performance and bring something interesting to the show. Their choreographers need to do a group routine on SYTYCD.

Did anyone else notice that 2 singers and 3 dance groups made it through to the AGT Finals? Obviously America loves music and dancing. It should be obvious. We have dedicated dance (SYTYCD, ABDC, DWTS) and music (AI, The Voice, X Factor) reality TV shows. Sucks to be a variety act going up against something that America loves so much.

August 25, 2011 I Written By

America’s Got Talent Semi Final Videos from Acts in Finals

I thought that many of you that missed the AGT 2011 semi final performances might enjoy watching the video of the acts that made it to the finals. So, enjoy:
West Springfield Dance Team Takes the Stage

Team iLuminate Takes the Stage

Miami All Stars Take the Stage

Lys Agnes Takes the Stage

POPLYFE Take the Stage

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Final 4 Acts Going to America’s Got Talent 2011 Semifinals

Time to look at the final 4 contestants that made it to the semifinals of America’s Got Talent 2011. Check out my analysis of the other AGT 2011 semifinalists. The biggest surprise of the night was that no singers made it through this night. Don’t worry though, 2 of the acts were dance groups. Although, Team iLuminate is so much more than just dance. I was sorry that Taylor Davis didn’t make it through. He’s one of the only singers I’ve enjoyed this year. I’d have liked him to do well. I guess I also love to see humility rewarded.

Now on to the last 4 AGT 2011 semifinalists:
Zuma Zuma – I was impressed that they took their act to the next level with the poles. Makes me wonder how much they’d practiced on the poles. It was a little hard to watch since the special guests did a similar act. Knowing that other pros do it already is a little bit of a downer. Although, I love their spirit and I hope they find something great to show in the semifinals as well.

Melissa Villasenor – I can’t figure out what it is that I love about Melissa, but I have this emotional (good emotional) reaction whenever I see her on camera. I’ve loved her ever since her audition. Last night wasn’t quite as good as her audition, but I’d still like to see a lot more of her. There’s something fantastic about her that makes me want to watch her. I honestly can’t figure out the secret. Either way, I’m so glad she made it through.

Fatally Unique – Hard to argue with their story and America loves a good story. Unfortunately, in the semi finals the storyline groups usually get sent home. I love Fatally Unique’s heart. Their choreography and dance skills aren’t over the top amazing, but their heart is beautiful to watch and enjoy.

Team iLuminate – Piers was dead on when he said it was a million dollar act. This could be produced into a million dollar Vegas show very easily. The only reason it won’t be in Vegas is if they decide to do it in LA or NY instead of Vegas. However, it fits Vegas perfectly. Add in a bit more choreography and time to program and perfect the lights with the choreography and I can see a very long running show using this technology. As a nerd lover of dance, this is right up my alley too.

August 4, 2011 I Written By

America’s Got Talent Top 48 Performance Videos

Team iLuminate Performs!
Team iLuminate takes the stage!

Fatally Unique Performs!
Fatally Unique takes the stage!

Yellow Designs Stunt Team Performs!
Yellow Designs Stunt Team takes the stage!

The Kinetic King Performs!
The Kinetic King takes the stage!

Zuma Zuma Performs!
Zuma Zuma takes the stage!

Melissa Villasenor Performs!
Melissa takes the stage!

Taylor Davis Performs!
Taylor Davis takes the stage

August 3, 2011 I Written By

America’s Got Talent 2011 Premiere Video Highlights

Check out some of the best acts from the premiere of America’s Got Talent 2011.

Ep. 601: Team iLuminate!
These dancers use a light show to blow the judges’ minds!

Ep. 601: Rapping Kids!
The SH’Boss Boys prove that children can rock the stage too!

Ep. 601: The Fall Guy
One contestant shows anything but grace under fire when he falls off the stage!

June 3, 2011 I Written By