31 replies to this topic

[TWoP Gadget]

Jerry Springer hosts week two of this variety competition series which features a colorful array of hopeful future stars as they compete for a chance to win a one million dollar prize and become the most talented act in America. Celebrity judge panel, David Hasselhoff ("Baywatch"), U.K. TV personality Piers Morgan (“Celebrity Apprentice”) and the queen of rock 'n roll management Sharon Osbourne ("The Osbournes") determine which contestants advance to the “Vegas Callbacks.”

[bigmomma01]

Whoo hoo, Elvis impersonator is from my home town. As soon as he came on the screen, I said to my husband, "I know him, he's from here! Had not heard any scuttlebut around here, that he was auditioning. It was a long 3 hours of auditions, can't wait until they get to Vegas.

[MuppetCoat]

Flipping through and caught Elvis - the guy's hot, has a nice voice, decent hips but he needs to work on his footwork. There are *so* many Elvis impersonators out there, I feel like I've seen better.

Edited by MuppetCoat, Jun 24, 2008 @ 10:08 PM.

[ngcskate]

I've definitely seen better Elvis impersonators. That guy didn't sound like, move like or even much look like Elvis. He was doing karate moves that Elvis didn't do until the 70's, while dressed as Elvis from the 60's.

Was I the only one who didn't think the Pendragons should have been allowed to audition? They are very well known magicians, and have appeared on TV many, many times. Give someone new a chance!

[Jamie81]

ngcskate I thought that was really weird, too! I remember seeing the Pendragons on magic specials years and years ago. And I agree re having seen better Elvis impersonators. Sharon's reaction to him was pretty cute/funny though.

A blues singer from where I live (Kat Williams) was supposed to be on the show tonight but I was back and forth from the tv and I missed her!

[BoDiva]

I think the Pendragons is the comeback angle.

I really wish Jerry Springer would disappear. He adds absolutely nothing to the broadcast. What a tool.

Grinder girl was nothing compared with the grinder girl from the Letterman show.

Meh night. The four kids who sang and danced were good and the first guy who sang and played the piano might be good if we could hear something original to know if he has anything to offer other than a pleasant voice and soulful eyes.

[bigmomma01]

Grinder girl was nothing compared with the grinder girl from the Letterman show.

My thoughts, exactly, although we haven't seen the Letterman grinder girl lately!

[devans00]

BoDiva
...the first guy who sang and played the piano might be good if we could hear something original to know if he has anything to offer other than a pleasant voice and soulful eyes.

Hey, there are established entertainers who bring less to the table than the Billy Joel Jr. guy. I hope he lasts a while although I think he'd lose to the opera guy from last week.

[BoDiva]

I think he's better in his genre than opera guy is in his. My only problem with his voice is the tendency to try to growl or kind of swallow the sound too often. But that may have been song choice more than anything.

[Sarraghina]

Was I the only one who didn't think the Pendragons should have been allowed to audition? They are very well known magicians, and have appeared on TV many, many times. Give someone new a chance!

I didn't watch all the show last night, so when I read the recap, I was astounded! I called DH and all I could say was, "the effing Pendragons?" Of course they did the subtrunk routine (the name of that trick) - it's their signature move. But yeah, they are WAY big and it's surprising that they felt the need for this show. The only thing I can think is they want to headline in a show here in Vegas - meaning they don't want to tour from gig to gig as much anymore. They want Lance Burton levels of notoriety and stability or something. (After watching it on another site - ahem! - I think they need a bit of a make-over, though. Jonathan, granted he recovered from a stab to the heart, looked a little puffy and pasty and his hair isn't the full, lush 80s hair he had previously.)

DH like Piano Man - he commented on his tone. I didn't think the song was right for his voice, but I liked his phrasing and interpretation. He had the appearance of being strung out, though, with the shadowed eyes, gaunt face and yellow teeth. Could just be a smoker, but my brain didn't go there first.

Edited by Sarraghina, Jun 25, 2008 @ 10:31 AM.

[NuveenaN]

Was I the only one who didn't think the Pendragons should have been allowed to audition? They are very well known magicians, and have appeared on TV many, many times. Give someone new a chance!

I didn't watch all the show last night, so when I read the recap, I was astounded! I called DH and all I could say was, "the effing Pendragons?" Of course they did the subtrunk routine (the name of that trick) - it's their signature move.

Saying that The Metamorphosis is the Pendragon's signature move is an understatement. DH and I were calling BS pretty much through their entire act. AGT isn't a true amateur contest, but the Pendragons have been successful professional magicians for 30 years. Obviously a lot of other people remember them as well, and I don't think it will look good for AGT to promote an act that had a career for decades prior to the show. I'd much prefer a "plucked from obscurity" storyline to a "comeback" storyline.

[turtle73]

Last night's show was extremely boring. No one really stood out to me. Last week's talent was much better. At this point the dancers (the extreme tap group) are the only ones I'm really rooting for. Flame twirling dude was good but that act will get old soon. I really hope next week's talent is much better than last night's otherwise this is going to be one boring season.

[tonkacat]

Am I the only one who feels cheated this Season? I don't like the new format. I would like to see more of the acts than just a second or two of most of them. They should stick to one city an episode.

[Sarraghina]

Pulled the following off of Wiki regarding The Pendragons:

Their show includes a number of illusions with which they have become particularly associated, including Interlude, in which a woman crawls through a man's chest. They were the first artists to perform this trick. The Pendragons are revered by fellow magicians for their version of Metamorphosis. This illusion won them a place in the 50th edition of The Guinness Book of Records, under the heading of the "Fastest Transformation Illusion". Another ground-breaking illusion is Clearly Impossible, a sawing in half trick designed by Jonathan. It's distinctive feature is a transparent box that allows the audience to see Charlotte from head to toe throughout the trick.

I forgot about Interlude....watch for it as their next trick....

Charlotte was the first woman to receive "The Magician of the Year Award" from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) in the USA. Together The Pendragons have won the prestigious award twice, a feat that only four other living magicians have accomplished.

They are in a category with only 4 other living magicians (whenever this was written....and I am unable to locate a list online, to see who they are with - Copperfield? Burton? I know both have won once). While I think that people can have been "making a living" at something for years and still try out for AGT, to be considered an elite within your circle/profession? Yeah, that's a bit too much of an advantage. I'll be interested to see how far they go and if their accolades and awards are ever mentioned....

Y'all, I'm such a geek! I actually emailed NBC, "informing" them that I know about the Pendragons and that to allow them to continue without sharing with the audience who they are is akin to having Audra McDonald on the show without telling us about her multiple Tony awards. I don't think they should be kicked off, but I think the audience has a right to know, so they don't get any "why haven't they made it yet - let's give them a chance to headline" votes. Yeah - I don't know why I care either.....

Edited by Sarraghina, Jun 25, 2008 @ 3:32 PM.

[Iguana]

Since I am totally TWoP's bitch, when I saw they were weecapping America's Got Talent, I decided to watch it last night. I now feel dirty, and I want to die.

Since almost every "act" that had a sob story got put through, they may as well have called it "Tell us about your sad and miserable existence, don't fuck it up completely, and we'll give you a trip to Vegas!"

And it's good to know that my WTF? reaction to the Pendragons is for real. At first, I thought it just had to be another couple using the same name, because I remember seeing the Pendragons years ago on various specials. Comeback or no, arrow scar or not, I don't know that they should be able to compete for a shot at a Vegas show when they've been there, done that. But, for me, I guess it doesn't really matter, because the audience is clearly coached to be insane and stupid (arm X's, really?), the judges couldn't find a clever line with both hands, a map and a guide dog, and the "talent" is mediocre at best. In short, show sucks.

[LoneHaranguer]

While I think that people can have been "making a living" at something for years and still try out for AGT, to be considered an elite within your circle/profession? Yeah, that's a bit too much of an advantage.

I wouldn't call what they did last night an advantage. It's the kind of dreck that the masked magician was showing everyone how to do, in order to goad other magicians into raising the bar (not that you needed help to figure that one out). I hope we'll see much better from them on future shows.

Since almost every "act" that had a sob story got put through, they may as well have called it "Tell us about your sad and miserable existence, don't fuck it up completely, and we'll give you a trip to Vegas!"

I know the guy did a decent job, but was anyone else thinking sarcastically at the end "just what Vegas needs, another Elvis impersonator"?

[shipmate]

I like the modern day Von Trapp family. I am a sucker for the Sound of Music.

[BoDiva]

And Jerry sucks most. The overblown reactions. The gasping excitement. There has never been a less genuine host in the short history of reality television. (Or the long history of variety shows. He makes Ed Sullivan seem like a warm and genuine raconteur.)

I like the modern day Von Trapp family. I am a sucker for the Sound of Music.

Cute. But not very good. Way too many sour notes and not a lot of togetherness musically, for all their togetherness as people.

Edited by BoDiva, Jun 25, 2008 @ 6:30 PM.

[Sarraghina]

I wouldn't call what they did last night an advantage.

I actually would - because while some people may now know how to do the subtrunk (I've even attempted it with my DH, when he was an aspiring magician), very few can figure out how they are so darn fast. Even those with the knowledge would have trouble duplicating it. It's like knowing how to do card tricks, but still marveling at how good Tom Mullica was at it.

Knowing how tricks are done (thanks to the masked magician) may take away the "magic" of a magic trick, but there is still always room to appreciate how well someone does it (ie, can they trick your eye?). That's why it's such a big deal to be recognized by people in the magic industry, as opposed to being commecially successful. It's harder to impress the people who know where the wires and mirrors are.

And those who really appreciate the magical arts don't reveal how tricks are done. The masked magician turned his back on the industry by revealing things - regardless of his motives. So, I'll marvel at how good The Pendragons were last night, but won't elaborate on how difficult the trick is to those who don't know.

Edited by Sarraghina, Jun 25, 2008 @ 6:37 PM.

[Paul Servo]

I'm torn on the Pendragons. While yes, they've been on TV many times, hold a world fricken record, and I believe did perform in Vegas before, the metamorphasis is my all time favorite trick and they do it best. But unlike other acts that have appeared on TV before, they are well known and the show is about finding new talent

Grinder girl was nothing compared with the grinder girl from the Letterman show

I don't know, she did a few moves I've never seen Dave's grinder girl do. And I'm a sucker for girls with tattoos and punk rock hair.

It may be the asshole part of me, but I so wanted piano man to suck. Kind of glad I was wrong

My biggest complaint about the show, that act with the girl jumping on that bendy board thing. The camera showed the audience/judges/Springer reaction more than the act itself

And Jerry sucks most. The overblown reactions. The gasping excitement. There has never been a less genuine host in the short history of reality television. (Or the long history of variety shows. He makes Ed Sullivan seem like a warm and genuine raconteur.)

If it makes you feel any better, after doing last seasons AGT and being on DWTS, Springer is no longer doing his talk show and you'll only see him a couple months out of the year now.

Edited by Paul Servo, Jun 25, 2008 @ 8:36 PM.

[WaistLgthBraidz]

I have only watched this show a handful of times, but I got sucked in again last night. I thought the judges were much too generous in letting people through. The gay dancing cowboys didn't really do any dancing, and the grinder thing is not even an act. Also, if I go to the Vegas Strip, it's not to see the Von Trapp family. While they seemed very nice, they were pretty boring.

I thought the Russian bendy tightropy thing was amazing, and the tricks that woman did were unbelievable, but I hope they have something else they do besides that same thing over and over again. [Boy, am I harsh.]

I would love to replace the entire panel with the Britain's Got Talent panel, including the two cute Scottish hosts, Simon C. and the nice British woman.

I agree with those who think the Pendragons should not be on the show. Why didn't BGT just have the [now late] Luciano Pavarotti instead of Paul Potts if they are just going to have professionals audition?

I was wondering if Eli [Billy Joel, Jr.] ever tried out for American Idol, which seems like it gives a lot more exposure to promising singers than this show. I really liked his voice and keyboard playing.

Edited by WaistLgthBraidz, Jun 27, 2008 @ 1:20 AM.

[Sarraghina]

I was wondering if Eli [Billy Joel, Jr.] ever tried out for American Idol, which seems like it gives a lot more exposure to promising singers than this show.

He might have, several times, for all we know. Caitlin, who won Can You Duet (with her assigned partner Will), had auditioned for American Idol, but didn't get past the producers portion (last stop before the judges). But the judges on Can You Duet were blown away by her voice and I think that duet won simply so they could get their hands on Caitlin....

Eli didn't strike me as the type that AI would go for, though....

I hope [the Russians] have something else they do besides that same thing over and over again.

Yeah, that doesn't seem like the type of act to headline an entire show....maybe they could perform at V at Planet Hollywood. What's funny is a lot of acts from V (and other varieties like it) audition for America's Got Talent over the years.

[Anosmia]

I was wondering if Eli [Billy Joel, Jr.] ever tried out for American Idol, which seems like it gives a lot more exposure to promising singers than this show.

I wondered about that myself. Every time I see a singer, comedian, or dancer on this show, I wonder why s/he didn't just try out for American Idol, Last Comic Standing, or So You Think You Can Dance. But maybe they did and failed, and AGT is their last-ditch effort to find success via TV.

I must be incredibly ignorant, because until Tuesday, I'd never heard of the Pendragons or grinding!

[LoneHaranguer]

I'm torn on the Pendragons. While yes, they've been on TV many times, hold a world fricken record, and I believe did perform in Vegas before, the metamorphasis is my all time favorite trick and they do it best.

I have my doubts whether they're really still the best. Although Charlotte is apparently still pretty spry, Jonathan isn't as quick as he once was, and she had a bit of trouble buying him the time he needed.

the grinder thing is not even an act.

It appeared that the grinding was being done in time to music, but the crowd was so loud you couldn't hear it most of the time.

[camom]

I must be incredibly ignorant, because until Tuesday, I'd never heard of the Pendragons or grinding!

Me too. And I now firmly believe that ignorance is bliss, because my life certainly isn't any better knowing about either of them.

[pink scare]

I, too, googled the Pendragons while they were performing because I knew I had seen them before... and I'm not even a magic fan, so that's saying a lot. In fact, if I had name every single one of the magic acts I know, it would be David Copperfield, the Pendragons, and Penn and Teller--that's it.

I have seen the Russian bar act live, and I can't even begin to express how much more impressive it is in person than it translated over the teevee. The performance I saw lasted about 10 minutes and I watched the entire thing with my fingers covering my eyes because I was terrified the woman was going to die. I don't think the group will last long on the show because the voting audience will never experience that feeling--we all know they aren't going to televise a woman breaking her neck.

[WaistLgthBraidz]

In fact, if I had name every single one of the magic acts I know, it would be David Copperfield, the Pendragons, and Penn and Teller--that's it.

There's always Doug Henning, the guy from the Seventies with the big porn mustache, and David Blaine.

[LoneHaranguer]

There's always Doug Henning, the guy from the Seventies with the big porn mustache, and David Blaine.

I think you've nearly completed the list of names for me. Compared with others, maybe it's not such a stretch for the Pendragons to be on this show. Lance Burton would start his TV specials with acts that Copperfield considered a big finish on his, and the Pendragons don't have the showy gimmicks of Copperfield, or the offbeat edge of Penn & Teller. I don't recall much about Henning.

ETA: It's good to give credit to the right person.

Edited by LoneHaranguer, Jun 27, 2008 @ 4:02 PM.

[GracieM]

As soon as I heard Pendragons I said to my husband, "I've heard of them." The name is pretty unusual, so it's something people are likely to remember. I don't think they should be "allowed" on AGT, but if there's not any kind of amateur/professional distinction, there's not much they can do. I mean, why can't Copperfield go on then? He's got talent.

For that matter, any famous music act. Dolly Parton, Bon Jovi, name any American act. Michael Jackson wants a comeback (barf). Or Britney, or the New Kids on the Block. It's a slippery slope. They should have said undiscovered acts or something, although that's still pretty ambiguous.

However, I'll say who doesn't have talent, and that's the editors of this show - terrible! When an act is performing, I don't want to see the audience look amazed. It should be enough to hear their ooohs and aaaahs or cheers or boos. I'm sick of all the cutaways to the judges and the audience reaction, and esp. the frickin' Xs. Stupid.

Plus, they spend waaaay too much time on filler. Enough with stupid clippy bits about the judges. Or the pointless commentary from Jerry. An act that you know will make it through gets a intro story, a chat with Jerry, a chat with the judges, the actual act, then more judges comment, then the vote, then a backstage chat with Jerry again, followed by a sappy musical slo-mo walkaway. Gawd. Tell their story, perform, judge. Move on.

They also waste time repeating stuff in the commercial bumpers. Before the commercial break we see what's coming, after the commercial we get a recap of what we saw, then we get two new acts to see that we actually saw parts of already in the bumper and will see again in the bumper after the commercial. Geez. They could show us five times as many acts if they edited with more skill.

Then we see montages of stuff or voiceovers telling us all the great acts that auditioned - but see little or none of it. This is a show that could really take off - there's no other outlet to see acrobats and magicians and other novelty acts, but the viewers are ripped off with all the pointless filler.

[ChaiTea]

However, I'll say who doesn't have talent, and that's the editors of this show - terrible!

Amen and hallelujah! Those editors need to start splurging on some higher quality crack. It's horrendous!

I honestly don't give a rat's crap what the audience thinks. All that ridiculously loud cheering and equally annoying booing. It's like watching an audition for the Arsenio Hall Show's Dogpound. It just seems so fake, orchestrated, and directed. I can just picture some dimple-cheeked production intern running up and down aisles shouting orders in a really LOUD whisper. "I need more boos! Give me more boos!"

And those ridiculous sap-umentories? Do we really need to see all those epic-length photo collages? Especially of performers who will CLEARLY not win?? Come on....

Really, AGT? Really?

I am so disappointed with this year's show I could vomit. I'll continue to watch in support of Opera guy. (In spite of the criticisms.) I enjoyed his performance immensely.

Otherwise, thank God for DVR. Too bad I can't just fast forward to the finale.