America's Got Talent

[trentsketch]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 3:48am

Is anyone else watching this season? The live performances start next week and the show actually seems to have embraced the variety show premise for once. It looks like there's a non-singer with guitar/piano act for every singer with a guitar/piano, including performance art groups, stunt performers, and puppetry.

What excites me the most is to see Squonk Opera competing on the show. I haven't gotten to see them perform since Bigsmorgasboardwunderwork over a decade ago. I don't think they'll do too well as they've only shown 15 seconds of their initial audition and their reaction to going to the live shows, but at least we'll get 90 seconds of a polished, innovative act on one of the live shows.

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 11:23am

There are some pretty great acts this year. I was really impressed with Silhouette and the first illumination group (I think they got through).

The last couple of years have been disappointments - I didn't think either singer that won (Grimm, or the chicken guy) were all that great.

I kind of feel like they should adopt a rule: if you can audition for American Idol, you shouldn't be on this show. Older, younger, or a different style is fine.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 12:42pm

I liked the little girl who sang Adele last night.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 2:53pm

The contestant profiles are up and the editing of history is...interesting. Did you know Squonk Opera did their first show in 2003, 3 years after their Broadway debut? http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/contestants

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 12:21am

this is the point in the show that I get pissed off. too many talented acts get eliminated and they throw in some really crappy acts just to have variety. Necessary Diva, Kelsey Nord & Taptastic should have advance. no way Sam B., Dani Shay or Ian Johnson should be in Hollywood.

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 12:58am

I agree with you - but the names mean nothing to me :)

I think they do put some through as cannon fodder. I mean, really, the yoyo guy? Cool, but a Vegas act? I think not.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:14am

Prince Poppycock was robbed last year.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 10:26am

The most annoying judging panel on TV.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:52pm

The show goes live in a little over an hour. Here are the first 12 acts performing:

ANNA GRACEMAN (Singer)
DEZMOND MEEKS (Singer/Pianist)
DUO AERO (Trapeze Artists)
ECHO THE PARROT (Animal Act)
FEARLESS FLORES FAMILY (Daredevils)
J. CHRIS NEWBERG (Comic/Musician)
MIAMI ALL-STARS (Dance Crew)
SANDAU TRIO RUSSIAN BAR (Acrobats)
SNAP BOOGIE (Dancer)
SQUONK OPERA (Band)
THE FIDDLEHEADS (Bluegrass Band)
THOSE FUNNY LITTLE PEOPLE (Variety Act)

Go, Squonk! I'm eager to see Miami All-Stars, Echo, and Those Funny Little People, too. Looks like a great mix of styles for the first live show.

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 7/20/11 at 11:15pm

I know its kind of old, but just wanted to say that the "yoyo guy" Ian Johnson is actually someone I met through his very first audition when talent scouts found him at a variety show (I didn't get through, but I wasn't hurt, as I'm clearly not NBC friendly). I am not biased, but I honestly think you guys should watch his FULL set before making a judgement, as he was only on for like 15 seconds both times. He is, in my opinion, one of the best people performing this year, and I think he does totally deserve to win!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVIRA15hSxw&feature=channel_video_title

Not trying to change anyone's opinion, just stating my own opinion.