bluepiano

There are actually a number of performers who travel the world doing the "Got Talent" circuit. Even though they're not likely to win it gives them TV exposure and enables them to get booked in other countries. Though I believe that The Regurgitator, who was British, won or was runner-up on Romania's Got Talent. I guess that competing in a smaller country which does haven't as many entrants probably increases your chances.

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You can tell the socially uplifting acts by the way the judges talk about them. Every week Julianne babbles on about how the Ndlovu Youth Choir is saving the world, or showing us the world, or something equally nonsensical. (For the record, I find them generally entertaining and am okay with them being in the final. A feeling I don't have about the Detroit Choir or VOS, who I think have had only one good performance). As a pianist/singer myself, I really admire Kodi Lee's talent, and wish that for once the judges would actually talk about him as a musician instead of gushing about how inspirational he is. Dom unfortunately delivered his weakest performance in the semis, but I still think he deserved to go through based on his "body of work." But I think his real problem is that he's a nice looking, seemingly happy and well adjusted guy. Had he shared on Tuesday night that he used to be 300 lbs., depressed and isolated, and once attempted suicide before he discovered magic which turned his life around, BOOM, instant finalist. (Actually, given the current PC environment, I'm wondering if he sabotaged himself by doing yet another routine about beer, and in a way that could be seen as making a joke about overdrinking. It could've rubbed enough voters the wrong way to cost him even a chance at the Dunkin Save. Really surprised that he finished that low in the voting).

I never watch the result shows, they drag on forever, so getting the news here. Can not believe the Detroit Choir got voted through. Yeah, choirs are HUGE in Las Vegas. And I'm no choir expert, but even compared to others I've seen on this show, they're vocally weak. I believe that all three acts you mentioned are in the finals for reasons that have little or nothing to do with their talent. This year it's apparently all about being socially uplifting. AGT isn't a talent contest anymore, it's trying to save America. Seven out of 10 musical acts in the finals. No magicians, which has been one of staples of this show. Simon was worried we've had two, and now we have zero. (Simon clearly sandbagged Eric Chen). And no variety acts. (I don't consider the "dance" groups variety acts.) Simon always says it's the variety acts that make this show special, because you can't see them anywhere else. At the same time, he's always sabotaging the variety acts by telling the audience they didn't "step it up," while singers can just sing another song, week after week after week. (And it's the exact same kind of song. They're not even pushed to show they can sing other genres). I don't think the show is "rigged" in terms of votes not being counted, but the results are very easily manipulated by Simon and the producers. Maybe there were no truly great variety acts this year, but we had lots of mediocre singers that got pushed through to the finals. I may not even watch next week. Musical act after musical act after musical act. The Light Balance Kids and V Unbeatable have blaring music too. Other than Ryan the comedian, nothing to give the show any variety or pacing. I guess this is Simon's dream top 10. 7 musical acts, 2 dance acts, one comedian. But for me, it's not why I watch AGT.

To me, Julianne's comments are intended to make you see how special she is because she has all these deep feelings. I guess sometimes she might be genuinely moved, but it's hard to tell.

Heidi could make me crazy sometimes with her ditzy comments, but I always felt she was being genuine, and that it was about the acts, not her. Julianne strikes me as the exact opposite. Gabrielle is neither a positive or minus to the show. She's just kind of there. Same with Terry. Sorry, I don't think anyone could ever make me want Mel B. back.

That comment just kind of sailed by but I caught it too. I can't ever remember a final I was less excited about. Not one "can't miss" act in this year's crop, like a Shin Lim or Darcy Lynn. Agree also about this week's show. The dog act is there only because Simon is nuts for dogs. The choir there only to give the show allegedly some kind of spiritual uplift. Musically weak. The guitarist had his worst performance of the year. I would actually just like to hear him do more guitar playing, without drumming his fingers on the guitar body, which makes every song sound the same. The singers do nothing for me, whether slightly chubby kid or grizzled bearded Swede. (of course both will probably go through because they're singers). Emanne did what she always does, which I have to admit is still fairly impressive. She's probably the only singer I've enjoyed this year. Dom Chambers has been one of the few bright spots for me this season. Until this week. It was like watching an aging star who's now coasting by reminding us how good he used to be. "Remember that great beer trick I did." I don't get Alexis Dowis. At all. And the first responder stuff that's supposed to be inspirational feels to me like manipulation for votes. Best of the night - Unbeatable, though I think they still haven't equaled their initial audition, Ryan the comedian, because he actually did some material that wasn't about his disability, and, to my everlasting surprise, Voices of Service. That was a solid vocal performance.

Maybe the weakest group of semifinalists I can ever remember. Even Kodi Lee, who I really like, didn't do much for me this week. Same with Eric. I've been one of the people saying Greg Morton needs to do a structured act and not just a lot of random impressions, but compared to the snoozeville kids singers and violin players he was at least entertaining. (Regarding the kid violinist, would it be bad taste, since he's a cancer survivor, to point out that everything he plays is very simple, and there are kids his age who can actually play Mozart violin concertos?) I feel like more than any season this one is all about the back story and not actual talent. Which makes the whole "is this a Vegas act" a joke, because people in Vegas want to be entertained, they don't give a damn about the back story. Could you imagine any Vegas tourist paying money to hear the Detroit choir, or Ansley Burns, who Benicio, whose songs of teenage angst are all really depressing. Not a fun way to end a night out in Vegas.

A big thumbs up to all your comments. There really is something dreadful about Ansley, beyond all the crying. which I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it's putting a 13 year in a short skirt and cowboy boots and having her imitate grown-up expressions. It felt like watching the talent portion of one of those little girl beauty contests. I'm not surprised that Bir Khalsa didn't go through, but there was something oddly endearing about them. They were actually one of the only "danger" acts I've ever seen on this show that gave me a real sense of danger, and had me on the edge of my seat. Could the guy with the chain saw have been able to see through that flour (or whatever it is) and blindfold? Otherwise, how could he know to stop less than an inch from the big guy's nose? I find Greg Morton staggeringly unfunny. Even when Robin Williams did his rapid fire imitations there was some stream of consciousness connecting them. It wasn't completely random.

I think Greg Morton has to do a real comic routine, because three appearances in a row of stringing random impersonations and movie lines together is enough. This week I was actually bored and hoping for him to stop. Mixed feelings about the voting. Pleasantly surprised that G Force didn't go through. I thought America loves that kind of thing. Also pleasantly surprised that America didn't buy the judges' hype about Sophie Pecora. She's the kind of pretentious, gimmicky, minimally talented person these shows always try to make us believe is an "artist." If you want to see what a real artist looks like, that would be Kodi Lee. I'm all about him for the win. As a pianist/singer myself I have tremendous admiration for his skill. And that's just about his music, not the disabilities. Such a beautiful tone, and he sings with the soul of a Ray Charles, and that's about the highest compliment I can give. Would have much rather the Belles got the save then Ansley Burns. Boy, Simon is pulling out all the stops trying to make her happen. Cute as a button, but that's where it ends. Just not a good singer, even for a little girl. Hasn't she had literally three extra chances now? She may be the first person to literally cry themselves back on to the show.

Totally agree. I respect Micah for picking Subha, who contributed nothing to the wining team. The whole "think strategically, take out a competitor" thing is very overrated. Of course the judges push it to create drama. It really wouldn't have been fair for a cook who contributed to the winning team possibly getting eliminated. I can't ever recall a contestant like Subha. He can obviously cook, but he's beyond useless in any team challenges. Of course, it this show was really about finding America's best home cook, they wouldn't even have team challenges. Fred is such a sweetheart. Staring elimination in the face, he was still hoping for his friend to go through. Did anyone take a look a the "race drivers and their pit crews" that the teams were cooking for? It was so obviously the usual bunch of extra from a casting agency.

That's right. Thanks.

Is there one more week of Judges Cuts? Still haven't seen the blind and autistic piano player/singer, have we?

Another boring night. So three under 14 singers go through. Yawn. As soon as Benicio said he was going to sing an original I know it was going to be a a slow, sad, depressing, introspective song about his feelings, because isn't that what all kids write about? I hate how Simon only uses the "is this a Vegas act" line selectively, because can you imagine a bunch of people in Vegas to party and have fun listening to an hour of boring sensitive songs from a 14 year? 13 year old girl singing "You Don't Own Me" was creepy. Who was Charlotte singing to, her parents? Highly doubt that at 13 she's had a series of relationships with controlling men. Girl can sing, but wish she'd waited 2 or 3 years before coming on this show. But then she would've lost the novelty factor. Really tired of how the judges put through horrible, Gong Show type acts, and then act shocked and offended when they return and do the same thing. Simon is the king of this. News Flash. Jonathan and Kara with a K were horrible in their first auditions. You liked them. It's your fault we had to see them again. Same with Ben Trigger.

Totally agree with you about GForce. Though I will say that I occasionally go to Vegas for work and for some reason beyond me lots of people bring their kids. So I could maybe see GForce as being a "family show" people would take young kids to, From now on when I feel that life's given me a dirty deal I will think about Duo Maintentant. They have to work constantly to stay in perfect shape, train several hours a day (and have most of their lives), one of them a two time Olympian, former Cirque du Soleil artists etc. And they lose a spot in the lives to a chubby guy doing bad disco dance moves, hitting himself in the face with tambourine, and doing a stereotypical Japanese shtick that I imagine some Japanese would find offensive but somehow Simon thinks is hilarious. (Also, he does not play the tambourine well at all).

Actually that was my comment. Sorry to be so petty. I'm not on a lot of forums, but from what I've read I tend to agree with you. Hey, we're all human, and part of our DNA is to be influenced in our perceptions of people by how they look, combined with certain cultural stereotypes or preconceptions. And I think these shows know that, because they seem to cast for certain "types." It may be more obvious regarding how women are treated, but I think it's true to some extent with men as well. Would people be making the same comments about Noah if he looked like Fred, or vice versa? It's not a criticism, just an acknowledgement of how things are.

Much better for me is when he said that his macaroons were "visually unappeasing." He must be attending the Joe Bastiani School of Malapropism. I was thinking that those cookies, however you pronounce the name, are nothing like the Passover macaroons I grew up eating. Or the giant sized versions that you see in bakeries. It's like they're two completely different animals, sharing the same name. The macaroons they made on this episode look to me like sandwich cookies. When I'm wrong I fess up. I had said that Wuta was one of the chosen ones and would be Top 5. If nothing else, I thought that how much Joe likes saying "Wuuuta" would keep him there. He seems like a genuinely good person, and good luck to him with his very worthy goals. Bri seems pretty harmless to me, so not sure why sees seems to be arousing such dislike. She's hardly another Courtney. And isn't calling someone a "Barbie" demeaning? It plays on a stereotype that women who look a certain way are all dumb and superficial.

And Simon did the exact same shtick with stopping the backing track, didn't he? Or was I experiencing some weird case of deja vu. Her breaking into tears was one of many reasons I don't like seeing such young kids on this show. But as others have said, since she's Simon pet project, we'll likely see her again. Agree 100% with all of this. How could Gonzo get picked over the French couple or the two guys doing the high bar act? Has Simon lost his mind? I also thought the singer in the red dress had a huge sense of entitlement that was not justified by her singing. And I'm also getting tired of the "back-up singer finally getting her chance to shine" back story.

I'm completely clueless about what the judges see in Gonzo. Chubby guy hitting his face with a tambourine and doing lame dance moves. Yawn. He was the same this time as his first audition (did not "step it up") and I'm sure will be the same again. Each year it seems there's a one-joke Gong Show type act that the judges inexplicably love. Neither of the singers who went through did much for me, especially the woman. Standard shouter. Yawn. (And "Come Together" may be the dullest song The Beatles ever wrote). I can't believe that not one of hand balancing/acrobatic acts went through. Every year it's the same. Simon says that these are the acts that AGT is all about, you can't see them anywhere else. And then we get singers, singers, and more singers. Yawn. That French couple is beautiful and elegant. Wish we'd gotten to see their whole act instead of a badly edited segment cutting between them and the judges. Would rather see them in the live show than any of the acts they picked. Greg Morton is talented, but trying to cram as many voices into 2 minutes as he can is not an act. It bordered on being annoying, in the way that Robin Williams sometimes was. Does anyone really believe that the Light Balance Kids are doing their own choreography and programming? I'm sure it's all their parents, the original Light Balance. If the programming is a big part of the act, seems almost like cheating. So disappointed by the choices for the finals that I feel like quitting for the year. Of course I feel that way a lot, and then keep coming back for more punishment.

Agree. Sales should be the only determining factor. Having three challenges in the finale was ridiculous.

They said nice things after they won, which is expected and everyone does that. But I thought throughout the season they had more of a "win at any cost" attitude than any of the other trucks.

There's the option to order just an appetizer, though in high end restaurants an appetizer often costs what a full entrée used to. "Small plates" restaurants, based on the Spanish tapas concept, were very trendy a few years ago, though not seeing as many now. I like the idea of being able to try a few different things, though the cost adds up.

Disappointed that NOLA won, though it totally expected. I believe it was preordained from the beginning. I never forgave them for the "Brunch Barbies" insult, or for lying and saying they were serving frozen or prepackaged food. And though I don't think it was brought up, in this last episode they actually used "Brunch Babes" in the name of one of their dishes. I spotted it on their menu board, I don't know if it was another jab, or a way to try to steal their business, but in any case it was really inappropriate. I can't remember any team in this show's history that was so rude and disrespectful to their competitors. I know that it's just one dumb TV show that's not going to change the history of the world, but I hate to see such behavior rewarded.

Gforce makes me cringe with all the scripted cuteness. They've been very well programmed by their parents, like good little bots. And their entire act was about pandering to Simon, who does love his little girl pop groups. When I first saw them I knew they'd make the lives. Now worried they're in till the end. The comedians with disabilities who do nothing but make jokes about their disabilities bore me. I couldn't image sitting through an entire hour act, because every joke is basically the same. Ryan actually has a nice personality and good delivery. Is it too much to hope for that he will come out and do a routine that never mentions his arms? Probably. Glad that Dom Chambers went through. Simon: "you didn't step it up." Hell, he poured a drink out of a cell phone. It's hard to find a magician who does tricks you've never seen before, but he does. I would rather have seen the guy who did the table cloth tricks go through over any singer. I'm a musician and Robert sings in the genre I play and love, but he's musically nothing special. But he's got a sympathetic back story, and that's why he went through. So all that time they gave to Lamont in his audition amounted to nothing. OK. Not a fan of the big acrobatic dance troupes, but do feel that Indian group brings something different. I like that Dwayne Wade gave them his GB, as an athlete recognizing how much work they put into their routine. And just glad that the GB went to someone other than a 12 year old singer.

That brings up an interesting question. Are they supposed to be making the best dish they can, or trying to approximate a restaurant dish? Contestants are sometimes criticized because their portions are too big. Too big for who? I can't imagine anyone ever objecting to being served too big a portion, especially if the food is good. Are they supposed to be emulating the standard in many elite restaurants today, where you are presented a tiny amount of beautifully presented food, but if you have an appetite bigger than a fashion model's, you're likely to be hungry an hour later. My wife and I always joke about the trendy restaurants in our hipster city where you could drop a hundred bucks per person for dinner and feel like you want to stop at Burger King on the way home.