bluepiano

I definitely have not needed all the nudge-nudge wink-wink jokes about her and Simon hooking up in her trailer, his private plane etc. Not something I ever want to think about.. And I guess it goes over kids' heads, but it is supposed to be a family show. (We also get Heidi and Mel B. drooling over shirtless male dancer and acrobats, which is annoying and unnecessary. Can you imagine the uproar if Simon said to a woman dancer, "wow, you have got a smoking hot body.")

They've been pushing Daniel all season, beginning with Simon giving him a "special song" to sing during his first audition. It' inexplicable to me, unless Simon or someone else associated with the show already has a financial interest in him. He's technically a better than average singer by AGT standards, but for someone who is allegedly classical trained he's barely passable. He's kind of the Disney version of an opera singer. More evidence that TPTB have been pulling strings to get him to the final: He was never once called a cruise-ship singer. (But don't forget, the kids love him. He sang Aerosmith!) Courtney appears on her way to being the worst act to ever win this show. (And I say that as someone who couldn't stand to listen to Grace Van der Wal). I mean, this really has to a joke, right? There are singers who incorporate a controlled "scream" into their vocals, but that sound at the beginning of "Born to Be Wild" was literally a scream. Ms. Trailer Nasty actually lives in a very nice Southern California mobile home community near the beach. A lot of Americans would trade where they live for that in a heartbeat. It is not some trashy redneck trailer park. Everything about her routine and stage persona is phony. Big tip off. She' supposed to some kind of "tough broad" but she's constantly breaking into tears. She should at least have the ability to stay in character. (Like Aaron Crow, for example).

AGT has always done this. During his season, they never gave a hint that Kenichi Ebene (still my favorite AGT winner) had performed all over the world, We're always supposed to think that AGT is plucking these people out of obscurity and giving them a career they'd never have otherwise. Even with the kid contestants, there's no mention of their appearances on other TV talent shows. (Courtney's shy act would be less believable if people knew she'd already done that British kids show). But to me, there's been something especially deceptive about the packaging of Glennis because of all heartstrings tugging about how competing on AGT is taking her away from her child. We're not supposed to be judging people on their talent, but rather on their back stories. (Phony or not. I guess Michael Ketterer really did adopt all those kids). Would people not be voting for Glennis if they knew she's recorded a bunch of CDs? Who knows? But it's a very old fashioned concept that she couldn't have had a successful musical career and be a good mother.

Neither Us the Duo or We Three or the Many Many Many of Us (Angel City Choir) went through. The kids' choir didn't make it either. Guess America likes its singers in single servings. (Has any contestant in the history of this show ever had more lives than Daniel Emmett? Has Simon already signed him to a contract? What is going on?) So just how many singers are there in final? Six, I think, and only two variety acts. Is that a new low for variety acts? This show was way better when those numbers were almost reversed. Plus two unfunny comedians. Yes, I know, comedy is subjective, but for me, neither one has told a funny joke all season. Oh I forgot, according to Howie, they're comedians, not comics, so they don't to say anything funny. Because they themselves are funny, so we are laughing at them. I thought that used to be considered "not nice." Vickie invites us to laugh at her for being a the slovenly, trashy, unattractive woman. Sorry, no thank you. Rodney Dangerfield made fun of himself, but he was hilarious. So that can be done. Vickie doesn't have anywhere near the wit or creativity that requires. With Samuel, I guess the appeal is that he's a nice guy who doesn't let having Tourette's get him down. Well, the singer who will probably win this thing (Michael Ketterer) is also a nice guy. I guess this show has become a celebration of niceness, rather than talent. Thank you Vickie for correcting us in case we got you confused with Tyra. Just like you keep making sure we don't confuse you with Heidi. It sure is funny when you do that. Every damn time. I've heard people compare Courtney's "dancing" to James Brown and Mick Jagger. But I think I found her real inspiration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkGTwmJxHA0

The way they've packaged Courtney all season, it doesn't matter that she can't sing. Or dance. It's just supposed to be thrilling that this supposedly shy, introverted girl goes whacko when the music starts. That is the act. That is what we're supposed to find amazing. Actually, I have been at friend's houses when their teenaged daughter does a similar thing to "entertain" guests. She gets sent off to bed. Her James Brown rip-off at least had decent energy. This Steppenwolf rip-off (a song that'd done to death)was really bad. But it doesn't matter. I hate t hat Howie predicted she will win. A way to queer the results. And which judge said they loved her for being "authentic?" That's the last word I would use to describe her. Christina Wells - A lot of unnecessary runs. That's what singers on these shows do to make a song we've heard a thousand time their "own." It was pretty much high level karaoke. Da Republik - I would've buzzed much sooner than Simon. Really boring. More flips and booty shaking. Ho hum. Simon called it "generic." That description could be applied to almost every act tonight. Noah Guthrie - A style of singing I don't like. Every other male contestant on The Voice has that growly voice. It's become such a cliché. Daniel Emmet - I like that he didn't sing in Italian this week. But that's a song that should be sung with sensitivity and feeling, and I didn't get that from him. He gave it the big show-stopper treatment and even on those terms it was really mediocre. Angel City Choir - Fast forwarded through the entire number. Their previous appearances bored me so much I had zero interest. Aaron Crow - It was the exact same trick he did last time, just with different packaging. I'm desperate for non-singers to advance, but it was a snooze. Vicki Barbolak - Since according to Howie she's one of these comedians who doesn't tell jokes, does that also mean she doesn't have to be funny? Someone posted last week that she was probably going to go on stage and say "trailer nasty" for 2 minutes. They weren't far wrong. The "trace the curves" bit was embarrassing. She's already become a caricature of herself. (Heidi - please stop trying to be funny). We Three - The epitome of "generic." Hard to believe they may be in the finals with an act I can hear at any local coffee house. Glennis Grace - I'm so pissed off by the show continuing to lie to make us think she's a stay-at-home Mom instead of a highly accomplished recording artist and a huge star in her native country, that I can't even judge her objectively. (Have they yet actually mentioned she's from Holland? I fast forward though a lot of the introductions) Brian King Joseph - Horrible production. The light show was hugely distracting, and the swelling symphonic accompaniment almost completely drowned out his playing. It's like when they give a singer a 100 voice backing choir and you can't hear them at all. This was after the last appearance with the distracting dancers/contortionists behind him. Cleary the AGT producers don't think that America will listen to (or vote for) a guy just playing the violin. (Even an electric violin). I guess all the production effort and expense does indicate they want to push him through to the finals.

Thanks for the perfect description of what she does, especially the word "spazzing," which was used a lot in my youth but I think is no longer acceptable in this PC age. (Though I myself am seldom PC). And no way does her shtick translate to a professional career. Even with the money to hire a good back-up band, I can't see people wanting to pay to sit through an entire show of soul and r&b covers by a teenager. (I also wonder if she has ever actually performed a full two plus hour live show. That takes a lot of physical energy and stamina. Very different from the 3-4 minutes on stage at AGT or the other TV talent shows she's done).

I actually believe that she legitimately loves this music. I know a number of kids her age who reject contemporary manufactured, heartless pop and prefer to listen to their parents' old records. My issue with her (and the reason I hate the Janis Joplin comparisons) is that Courtney is just not much of a singer. (Which Janis was, above all, despite many people seeming to focus more on the legend of the hard drinking, hard living gal who died too young.) Were Courtney to just stand at the microphone and sing no one would be that impressed. What seems to excite people is how she runs all around the stage (I hesitate to use the word "dancing") as if she were possessed. That's the angle AGT has been pushing from the beginning - the shy, introverted Scottish school girl who, when the music starts, undergoes a miraculous transformation, as if possessed by the spirit of these great old soul and blues singers. We're not supposed to judge her act by normal musical standards, because we're witnessing some kind of mystical, religious experience. To which I say hogwash. I don't think her act is totally contrived just to win talent contents, but with someone that young there usually is a healthy dose of adult manipulation. My guess is that her father has been masterminding her career. It's working so far, but I also don't see any huge potential down the road. There are tons of bands out there covering the music of that era. Once the novelty of her act wears off, and she gets a bit older, I think she'll fade away.

Yes, I was very happy with the results as well. Surprised but glad that Us Duo/Trio did not get to the finals, and also thought that Amanda Mena might make it. Of course Michael Ketterer making to the finals was a foregone conclusion, but glad to see some of the other Golden Buzzers getting bounced. No way did Voices of Hope ever deserve a GB. (Watching tonight, I kept remembering a comment someone posted earlier, that in those brightly colored jumpsuits they look like little convicts.) Now I need to see the Angel City choir fail next week. We will still have plenty of singes in the finals, as I think that Courtney, the guy from Glee, and Glennis are all locks to make it. Thanks God I tape this show so I can fast forward through all the filler. These results episodes are really horrible.

I think that the addition of fire and the roller skating act were totally in response to Simon always telling the variety acts that they need to "step it up" or do something different. Ridiculous and unfair, since he never even tell the singers to do a song in a different genre. That's what's killing this show for me, the double standard between singers and every other kind of act. I'm with you about being contrarian on Zucaroh. I also think they're cheesy, and I hate the use of biblical/historical themes to make their act look like it's something really significant and meaningful as opposed to "mere entertainment." I also get a weird cultish vibe from the leader and his adoring (very young) dancers.

Kind of doesn't matter, because he is going to lose to a mediocre singer who is Dad of the Year. If he even gets to the final, which would require beating out various other mediocre singers with other back stories, including being the first couple in the history of the world to get married and have a child. Sorry, just saying.

Is it possible that Shin Lim could be competing for the save this week? There was something a little off about his pacing. I've loved his previous appearances, but this time I found my attention waning. Two minor quibbles. When he pulls the cards out of his mouth I think about germs, and the hair stroking thing is getting silly. (But as a hetero man I guess I'm not the target for his sexiness). But on his worst day he's still infinitely more enjoyable than any of the singers on this show. The kid choir was boring but annoys me less than Us the Duo, who are super boring, but will probably be in the finals because they are performing the incredible, unbelievable act of procreating. (All the fuss about their impending child reminds me of one of my favorite Onion headlines: "Miracle of birth happens for 10 billionth time.") As for Amana Mena, little girls trying to sing like grown women creep me out. Please go back to American Idol. Apparently. Sorry guys, I am not filled with awe and wonder. I'm just bored. And this is one of those rare times I agree with Simon. The music was super annoying. I cannot believe that Front Picture and the Human Fountain got wild cards over the amazing father-daughter acrobats. The husband-wife team are lovely to watch on the trapeze, but to me the fire contributed nothing, and was just done to appease Simon. Didn't need the roller skating either. (It was not as good as the brother-sister roller skating act from last year). But they did get the memo about sob stories and are amping up the use of their two year old to get votes. Why does Samuel J. Comroe seem to always be on and off in a flash? It felt like he was by far the shortest act of the night. It's almost like they want him voted though to the finals but are concerned that he can't sustain his act for more than a minute.

The parking hassles were obviously scripted, given the way that the police or local officials just happened to show up as if on cue (because they were) and acting like they didn't know a show was being filmed. As with all "reality' shows, we're not supposed to think about they're being camera crews and production people all over the place. A few seasons back on "Food Network Star" there was a woman from New England (Michelle?) who did some variations on traditional New England dishes that did not involve seafood. But of course she also did the obligatory lobster roll and clam chowder.

Yeah, those crazy kids today sure do love their Aerosmith. Almost as much as they love Benny Goodman.

I was confused by the wing guys thanking Tyler for his mentoring. From what they said, it sounded like Tyler had been giving them cooking lessons prior to the start of the season. If so, then I guess Food Network really was invested in their success, due to the tie-in with Worst Cooks. Arguably that's favoritism, but who really cares, since this is just another silly FN show. I like this show a lot better when the competition is between actual professional food trucks. Than it's not just people looking for their 15 minutes of TV fame. And we learn something about the business of running a food truck. Nothing this season seemed to be connected with the reality of the food truck business. Apparently the Just Wing It guys were pretty good cooks. I don't know how contestants for Worst Cooks are chosen, and I've never watched that show, but if you want to be on TV it would be easy to fake being a bad cook when you're really not. Serving various kinds of wings is actually a good concept for a food truck, and I could see that being successful. Not so with New England Grill. My city has a ton of food trucks, and I can't remember any with a sea food concept. Other than fish tacos, it's not easy-to-handle street food, and I think people would have concerns about freshness. Nothing will get you sick faster than eating spoiled fish. Overall, a pretty bland season. It was also strange to me that they made a big deal out of the western theme, because it seems to me that every season most of the episodes take place in Southern California and the southwest. It would actually be more of a novelty if they shot a season in New England or the Great Lakes region. That would increase the likelihood of encountering bad weather (even in the summer, with thunderstorms and sweltering heat/humidity), but that might actually add some interest. Though I'm sure that the production company doesn't want to deal with the hassle and potential extra costs. This show is in definite need of some retooling, or at least going back to being a competition between actual professional food trucks.

The singing is sort of an afterthought. It's all about the back story, and clearly that's what people are being told to vote for. AGT isn't really a "talent show." It's a soap opera with entertainment. I'd take the quick change duo, the father-daughter acrobats, the trained cats, as well as several other variety acts I've probably already forgotten. The worst thing is that not only has this turned into a singing competition, but the singers are for the most part just not that good. Some of the singers on The Voice are also introduced to us with a back story, but then it generally gets dropped. We don't keep having it thrown in our face as a reason to vote for them. Don't forget, this show loves little kids. It can never have enough "cuteness." Actually, when I saw Zucaroh on stage during the eliminations, I was struck by how many little girls there are, something you don't always see during their performance. So I guess they could be considered a kid act, at least in part. I wonder if "Hans" has other characters that he plays?. If so, I think that would make him a more viable act for a full show. I would really get tired of watching the Hans thing for more than about 20 minutes.

The public has been watching singing competition shows for so many years that they're conditioned to always vote for the singer (solo or group). They don't even have to be that good. Everyone can relate to singing. And many people have a fantasy of singing in front of an audience, even if it's only at the neighborhood karaoke bar, so there's an element of identification. But vey few people have a clue of the countless hours of training, conditioning, and rehearsing required for some of the variety acts, or can relate to the strength and skill involved. Also, since TPTB obviously thinks that singers drive ratings, they stack the deck for singers. The judges act like every singer has the most amazing voice they've ever heard. Plus, many of the singers have sob stories or emotional back stories. So even if people are not wowed by a given performance, they will still vote for the singer who has a dead or dying relative or has adopted multiple kids or overcome illness, bullying, fat shaming etc. (Or are having a baby. Wow! No one's done that before). And has been often pointed out on this forum. the variety acts are always told they need to "step it up" or "surprise us" or add danger. It plants the idea with the audience that even if a variety act performs flawlessly, if it wasn't substantially different from what they did previously they've failed. Meanwhile, singers just have to sing another song. They're not even told they need to chose a song from a different genre, in order to show their versatility or "surprise us." I also feel like the electric violin player is getting by on the back story of his crippling nerve disease. (Hopefully this is not something being exaggerated to manipulate the audience). And no way IMO the comic with Tourette's even gets on this show based on his material. While deliberating between Aaron Crow and Future Kings, Howie said that this show is about community, family, and positive messages. Notably, he did not say it was about talent. At least he was being honest.

I disliked them right from the start, with the whole cutesy "we're so in love" shtick. To paraphrase you, it's not like 900 million other couples aren't in love. Then the seemingly perfectly timed pregnancy. Now that they're pimping out their fetus with public sonogram exhibitionism my dislike has become full blown hatred. But they are likely to be around for the duration, now that all of America has been invited to act like their child's Godparents. So many mediocre singers trading on sob stories. At this point I'm basically for anyone who isn't a singer. Check that, anyone who isn't a singer, a comedian, or a hip hop dance troupe. (All the hip hop dance troupes on this show do the same moves, including Future Kids. I think they're really counting on that little kid to get them votes.) On the fence about Hans. As he said himself, he's not much of a singer or a dancer, and the whole thing feels to me like a Sascha Baron Cohen routine. But I didn't fast forward through him, as I did with many of the other acts. (especially the singers). But please Heidi, stop speaking German to him every appearance. He is not German. Everyone knows that. I still can't figure out if she thinks she's being funny, or if somehow. incredibly, she still believes he's really German. (Someone must've told her he's not by now. Right??) I'm pretty naïve about how these big stage illusions are performed, so I was impressed by Rob Lake "transporting" into the audience on his motorcycle. I don't mind that he comes across as sort of a geek (or a charisma black hole, as someone wrote), but he did look silly cavorting with his hot women assistants. (I guess because he is such a geek). I thought the "background" music was obnoxious. We get enough of those kinds of tracks with the dance groups. Aaron Crow does have a charisma, but I think he needs a better act. Actually, nothing he's done this season has wowed me. Than again, anyone but a singer.

Since all they do is make wings they couldn't have gone sweet like the other trucks. I guess the date sauce was really tasty, if we're to believe the guest judges. Having just one item that you only have to vary slightly based on the challenge has been a winning formula in the past, like with the waffle truck that I believe won. (or maybe came in second). Simple is better, and keeps you from trying to get too creative and setting yourself up for failure.

Moo shu is a Chinese dish, chopped up chicken or pork and veggies wrapped in a thin pancake with a hoison or plum sauce. But I don't remember them actually making moo shu. Their concept seemed to be anything vaguely Asian. (Since obviously none of them were Asian, so it would've been interesting to have some discussion about why they went that route). What on earth made the one New England guy think exposing his overweight, hairy body would whet anyone's appetite? Between him and the woman screeching and calling everyone "sweetheart" and so on, I would have given that truck a very wide berth. The men seem to be good cooks but I don't like any of them. Even worse than "sweetheart" is when she calls random total strangers "my love." It's fake sincere and creepy at the same time. Also creepy was when one of the New England guys said to a woman that if she buys their date dish she'd also get a "date" with him. In this "me too" era that seems really inappropriate. I agree their food has generally sounded good, but I really hope they don't win. Especially because it would mean listening to Christine shriek her head off. The prices charged by the trucks on this show have always been way out of line, and the only reason people would pay those prices is because it's a TV show. Also, I've eaten at tons of food trucks in several different cities, and have never been accosted on the street or had someone yelling at me to buy their food. This show does not in any way accurately portray the real food truck business. I don't see them as actually wanting to run a food truck. which is a tough, competitive business. Same with New England Grill. I was sorry that Chop Shop got eliminated, because they felt to me like the only team actually doing this to get into the food truck business, instead of for money or their 15 minutes of TV fame. (That said, I could see a wing truck as being successful. It's an easy to grasp concept and Americans love their wings).

As someone pointed out in the live performance thread, probably because being from The Netherlands does not have that aura of Third World poverty chic this show seems to love. (Da Republic, the dance troupe from The Philippines). Also, I believe she's one of the this year's Chosen Ones by the producers, and they may be afraid that not being American will cost her some votes. Or, maybe the producers just think that Americans are so dumb they will be confused by a woman from The Netherlands who does not look like a grown-up version of the little blonde Dutch girl. After reading some of the posts here about her long, successful musical career, I did finally Google her for more information. And found some pretty racy pictures, at least by the standards of this "family show," and the stay-at-home Mom (fake) narrative about her they've been pushing.

That's a great description of what was happening UNTIL the judges went nuts for that stupid dolphin shtick and tried to convince us that YD is a great act after all. It was one of the most bizarre things on what's shaping up to be the most bizarre season of AGT ever. Because judged as "just a comedian" he's not in the least bit funny. On AGT, once an act is introduced via their sob story (disease, disability, dead relative, age) that sticks with them for as long as they're on the show. So they can never be judged solely on the basis of their performance, which they would be if this show were truly about talent. In reality, it's some kind of feel-good, faux humanitarian updating of "Queen for a Day." (for those of you old enough to get the reference.)

What kills me about all the singers going through is that none of them are that good. Apparently large portions of the viewing public can only relate to singers, and not recognize talent in other kinds of acts. Not that there's actually been a huge amount of talent in the variety acts either this year. My favorite act, the father-daughter acrobats, didn't even get put into the lives by the judges. I continue to believe that they intentionally put through horrible Gong Show type acts like Yumbo Dump because they don't want there to be any real competition for their beloved singers. Two completely mediocre choirs and two completely unfunny comedians in the semi-finals. Oh joy. It's been a frequent subject of discussion on this forum over the years, and I personally have never cared much that so many of the acts are not American and have competed on other countries' Got Talent shows. But with the dancers in Da Republic repeatedly saying they are doing this for their country, it is getting a little ridiculous. In years past, many of the foreign-born acts were at least now living in the U.S. as they pursued their show biz careers. But not the case with several acts this year. Exactly. And Simon never tells them that next time they need to add fire.

Even more disgraceful that the production goofs was the behavior of the judges. I realize that after all these years they legitimately don't like each other, but you'd think that for the mega millions they make, they could at least summon up a degree of professionalism and not act like kindergarten brats. The producers should read them the riot act. (Though I guess that when someone has more money than they can spend in several lifetimes, being fired isn't much of a threat). Thanks God I tape this show and can fast forward, but there were almost no acts I could stand watching start to finish. I generally always fast forward through the singers on this show. I stayed with Samuel Comroe through his entire act, waiting desperately for one funny line, and it never happened. I think that after too many years on this show Howie Mandel has truly lost his mind, because I believe he was serious that a couple of fat guys wearing stupid dolphin masks was some kind of "important" and serious statement about preserving the environment. Watching all the judges praise that ridiculous dolphin mask spectacle was embarrassing. Maybe they were just trying to find a reason to justify putting this terrible act into the lives. Why buzz their first three "sounds" when it was the same crap they'd been doing all along?

I'm sure you're right, because you sound very knowledgeable and way more up on this stuff than I am. But this really depresses me. I know fantastically talented musicians who have been out there for many years and are still struggling to get bookings in anything larger than a bar or 200 seat community theater.

The producers of this show make a mistake if they think that views on YouTube are a reliable indication of an act's commercial potential. The internet is sort of its own world. And I suspect that many of the people who sit in their house endlessly watching YouTube videos are not the audience that goes out and pays to see live entertainment. You can watch all the YouTube videos you want for free. (other than paying your internet provider). Concert tickets these days typically start at $50 per ticket, plus service fees. There are cat videos and videos of people injuring themselves in stupid ways that go viral and get 10 million YouTube views. So I don't necessarily think that massive internet popularity means a whole lot.