helenamonster

Original airdate: 7/5/20

Honestly, that's sus to me! His comedy is whatever (I rarely laugh at comedians on this show) but the fact that he hasn't managed to make strategic connections and catch a break elsewhere doesn't speak highly of him, imo. On the other hand, this could speak to the "fixed" nature of AGT. Even after 15 years, it's still presented as a place where any Joe Schmoe off the street can get an opportunity to change their life. But as we all know here, people on this show are usually already successful in their field, have performed on other Got Talents, have a large internet following, etc. They are likely scouted via professional networks, i.e. through their agents and managers, which Michael Yo definitely has. So either Michael Yo has a bad reputation within the industry, or this show is not for amateurs. They're not mutually exclusive, but I'm inclined to believe the latter.

Kind of surprised that Michael Yo, who's been in the industry for over a decade (I remember him being a recurring panelist on Chelsea Lately in the mid-2000s) feels that he has to go this route to get his comedy out there. After years of being in this business, he doesn't have any other connections to give him that bump? Pretty weird, imo. As for the female comedian, her national anthem bit was far from original--Maya Rudolph already did it (much better) back in 2006: This woman must have workshopped this bit at stand up sets, etc....nobody told her it had already been done?

Original airdate: 6/30/20

Original airdate: 6/28/20

Original airdate: 6/23/20

Heh, Friends had a couple of those! Winona Ryder replaced Isabella Rossellini on Ross's list, only to show up as Rachel's sorority sister a few seasons later. And the guys were super into Die Hard, but didn't seem to recognize Bruce Willis as Elizabeth's father. I'm sure there were more, but those are the ones that always immediately come to mind.

Just finished: A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight. A pretty straightforward murder mystery, that had a lot going on to keep me interested and plenty of quirky side characters/suspects. Overall I enjoyed it. I guessed the murderer correctly pretty early on, but the circumstances were a surprise enough to not make the rest of the book feel like a waste. My only complaint I actually could have done without the Amanda chapters entirely. I get they were supposed to build up suspense to the night of the murder and connect some details from the other timeline, but overall I don't think they were necessary and that info could have been delivered some other way. I also didn't care about Lizzie's Next up: The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

Originally aired: 6/21/20

This show is so inconsistent with its criticisms. One act is "dated," but an identical act is "fresh." People get asked to sing a second song, or to take an hour to prepare something else. Other people are just "clearly not ready." Sometimes nerves "get in the way," but other times they're endearing. I get whiplash trying to keep up with what's allowed and what's not. I know it's all about creating a narrative to push certain acts (usually ones with a story) over others, but yeesh. "I came here today to tell my story about my dad killing himself." You mean you didn't come here to, like, sing a song? I know the producers told you to lay the sob story on thick but you're not supposed to say the quiet part loud! The indigenous duo were so different and cool, and the woman especially was very likable in her enthusiasm. I'm pleasantly surprised AGT wants to highlight an act like this. I've always loved diabolo since I saw it as part of Cirque du Soleil when I was a kid, so I'm excited whenever it shows up on this show.

Original airdate: 6/16/20

Original airdate: 6/14/20

Only one that really stuck out to me were the "magicians." Maybe I've been by myself in the house too long but they <Mel B> gave me a proper belly laugh </Mel B>

Original airdate: 6/9/20

Grain of salt, cuz it's Michael and all, but he says he'll leave when Colin does. I think Bowen would kill it at Update, but he also seems like the type who has a lot of "guest" type characters, and I can't see them wanting to give that up for him to anchor. We also can't discount them giving it to whoever one of the current head writers is, as that's been SOP for over 20 years.