39 replies to this topic

[TWoP Gadget]

Jerry Springer hosts week three 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.

[aquarian1]

Well, I've already forgotton half of what I saw. That can't be good. Of course I remember the kid they just ended on. Another kid I wouldn't have put through. Ugh!

Let's see - what do I remember? Sword swallower, really bad pole dancers... ... ... I swear I had this on for it's full 2 hours, no switching. Oh yeah, country girl with strong southern accent - not bad. Another girl w/guitar that I thought was over rated... ... ... hmmm....

[MdMaxx]

That country singer sucked and didn’t deserve to go through.

I didn’t really care for the dance team. Too many damn people to concentrate on. So much agreement with Pierce on the awful make up and clothes.

How adorable was that monkey? He even stuck his tongue out.

How obvious is that the audience is fake?

“You look like a lump of cheese.” Best. Line. Of. The. Night.

Runner up? “Two donuts fighting each other.”

Another kid I wouldn't have put through.

Seriously. That was not good. I'm getting really sick of all of these singers.

[CRFTony]

Man, a precocious, autistic kid singer... Just give him the million dollars if they put him into the finals.

Edited by CRFTony, Jul 1, 2008 @ 10:13 PM.

[bigmomma01]

Little David - I'll be curious to see if he can sing anything else. Not to smart of The Hoff to buzz the sword swallower while he had a sword down his throat. Are we ever going to get to the show, these auditions are going on forever!

[pink scare]

I missed the beginning of the guitar-girl's sob story. I thought they said her father walked out on the family, but then after the performance she talked about him like he died?

I liked the Sinatra impersonator and the four tap-dancers. I thought the brother-sister salsa dancers were totally overrated--they just moved their arms really fast.

The only act they showed tonight that I'd pay to see in Vegas is Sinatra. He was spot on, and since I can't see the actual Sinatra any more, I'd shell out a few bucks for a close approximation in a swanky lounge with an Old Fashioned in one hand and a cigarette in the other. That said, I'm sure he won't make the next cut. It sure seems like they send a shit-ton of people to Vegas.

[bigmomma01]

I thought the brother-sister salsa dancers were totally overrated--they just moved their arms really fast.

Agreed. I kept waiting for them to really start dancing. They needed to use the stage better too. Like you I also liked the 4 tap/clogger dancers.

[turtle73]

While I think the little kids (tonight's and the one who sang Somewhere Out There) are darling, I don't want to hear them every week. I get irritated with itty bitties singing. Georgia girl country singer? First of all you show your ignorance by saying you don't know how far you came? Couldn't you have just said "well it is three states away" instead you sound like a bumpkin. She sucked as a singer too. Her personality wasn't "cute" it was annoying as hell. As a proud southerner people like her with the syrup and biscuits routine piss me off.

While the Southern Belles cloggers were good (and they are cloggers not tappers which is what Riverdance is, Irish tap) I get irritated with clogging because it is the same thing over and over. There are 12 steps to clogging and that's it, it just looks good because they do it fast.

As for the Beyond Belief Dance Company, if they performed that routine at a National Dance competition like Hollywood Vibe, Jump, Pulse, Nuvo, etc they might be lucky enough to get a Gold. There was nothing impressive about it but because there were so many on stage it was hard to pick out mistakes and such. Kind of like cheer competitions, the huge groups can make more mistakes and not be very impressive because judges are having to watch so many different ones, whereas you can see more technique and mistakes in a small group.

Call me a freak but I LOVED George the Giant, I was amazed at the milk and I am loving Alabama sword swallower. I was a bit miffed I didn't get to actually see Busty smash the cans!

[Queszocoatl]

So sayeth aquarian1:

Of course I remember the kid they just ended on. Another kid I wouldn't have put through. Ugh!

I completely agree and I'm not ashamed to admit that I would've said no if I were one of the judges. I would've needed a police escort out of the building but I couldn't, not in good conscience. The singing was marginally good but not great. Has he overcome some long odds to get on that stage? Sure. And I applaud him for going onstage...I know that at 10 I...well, kicking and screaming, 'nuff said. But there are plenty of other decent acts out there who probably deserved this shot more than he did. Soooo we send him off to Vegas where he says adorable things like "I've-never-seen-a-slot-machine" and watch the "fun." Meh.

[kookybloo]

Barf to the underage dance troupe dressed like whores. And how gross was their manager, with his harem of child prostitutes and his "kept boy"? Note the age range was 12 to 17 - "You're legal? Too old! Go home, Grandma!" [/Simpsons]

[MoreRidonkulous]

That country singer sucked and didn’t deserve to go through.

"Hi, I'm Kellie Pickler's almost identical cousin! You may know me from such shows as America's Got Talent, and America's Funniest Home Videos. Okay, not actually that last one, but it sure feels like it!"



And gee... another little kid who gets through on "cute" and sob-story. I mean I'm human (sort of). I thought he was cute, and his story touching. But I know when I'm being manipulated.

Along with Faux Potts, this show really seems to be about recycling. Just throw it away! We don't NEED to see it again!

Edited by MoreRidonkulous, Jul 1, 2008 @ 11:21 PM.

[ChaiTea]

Enough is enough. No more singers. Especially country music singers. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but WTF? It's not American Idol. Why *NBC* isn't anyone *NBC* listening, NBC? Hmm...maybe they've been deafened by too many "I can't make you love me" renditions. And for the record, NBC, you can't make me love you either. And for the record, please stop trying.

I was shocked that the child-harem dance team made it through. They were mildly palatable. At best. The choreography was over the top and far too busy. You could see Piers and Sharon looking on in confusion and uninspired. I realize it's editing, but really. How? HOW did they get through?

I was not surprised to see George the Giant move on. Piers was right - where else would you find a 7 foot human firecracker? That's what this show is all about. Good on him.

For the love of God - WHY did they WASTE so much time voting on Ms. Teen Georgia? I could see bantering for a minute or two for the sake of drama.. but it just dragged, on and on and on... and then it's interrupted with a commercial-suspense break? She's a singer. A very dumb singer. Good, but not worth a million dollars. Move her on, watch her lose, watch her cry and be done with it already.

Thumbs up to...
The Southern Belle cloggers were a big surprise. Frank Sinatra guy was SPOT ON. I wouldn't mind if he won, as a matter of fact. And yeah...I totally fell for the precocious singing autistic kid. I know, I know - he shouldn't go to Vegas, but...I fell for it. Shoot me. The Salsa dancers were good...but if shows like "Dancing with the stars" and "Do you think you can dance" weren't popular right now, they would not be either.

Finger down the throat to...
The pole dancers, the 22,000 child harem dance troupe, "mr. smoking" boy-stripper, belly role dude,

And o.m.g. I felt like projectile vomiting after seeing that disgusting side show... "watch me crush objects with my breasts" - really, NBC? I mean...really? Positively stunning. That was a vile miscarriage of entertainment. At least the editors had the good sense to censor her. It's one thing to use your breasts as circus mallets, but she could have done it without showing her nipples.

[MDKNIGHT]

Liked the cloggers a lot and I thought the 20 strong dance team was good but I agreed with Pierce that the costumer and makeup person should be shot because they DID look like hookers and that isn't right esp for minors.

I soooo expected Frank Sinatra to be some old deluded guy who just THOUGHT he could sing, like that poor soul who did Ozzy. Then he started singing and I closed my eyes and said Damned if he doesn't sound JUST like Frank. That dude DESERVES to be in Vegas. I agree with however said they'd pay to sit in Vegas and listen to him do a Frank Sinatra act. He seems personable. I'm sure he could think up patter and a decent act. I've certainly seen worse in Vegas and I'm sure he'd enjoy himself.

They should have a separate category and a separate vote for kid acts. I think that they should have "kid act" "singers" "dancers" "variety" as four different competitions going on at the same time. I understand they wouldn't want to shell out 4 million dollars but they could shell out a smaller amount (250,000 each if necessary) and people would STILL audition and they'd have a better shot of winning. I don't think they'd get less talent on because people want to be on tv and besides some are doing it just for the exposure.

Kelly Pickler 2.0 won't win but I honestly didn't think she was bad.

That 24 yo abandoned daughter looks like she's 16. Good Lord I could see the pain in her eyes. I really did like her voice and hope she lands on her feet regardless. Oddly I worry dad will crawl out of the woodwork to squeeze her for money. Poor thing.

Loved the contortionists although we didn't get to see much of them. Another reason why this show should have categories. The Giant, the sword swallower and these guys should be battling each other, not traumatized singers and autistic moppets. Come to think of it when they get voted off they should joing up in thier own side show. I'd pay to see THAT too.

[sundodger78]

Geeze, what the heck is up with The Hoff? I know; a loaded question. I mean in regard to the sword swallower. What, you squeal like a little girl because it's scary? And that's insulting to us girls. But, what does he do? He buzzes the guy right in the middle of swallowing the damn sword! Are you REALLY only working on one brain cell to do something as stupid as that? WTF! Didn't the guy tell you, Yes, people do die doing this? Geeze.

[Vermicious Knid]

We've already got an excellent Sinatra impersonator in Barbra & Frank: The Concert That Never Was. The acrobats will at least be in the right place to try out for Cirque du Soleil if they don't advance.

Definitely Kellie Pickler 2.0. But if she can take a mediocre singing ability and the 'aw shucks, Ah'm just a Country Girl' schtick and turn it into a viable career Holly has a good chance too. I'm thinking a lot of the singers that turn up for this probably failed to get on AI or Nashville Star.

Gads, a pwecious widdle boy to join the pwecious widdle girl. You know that sound Bill the Cat makes? I'm making it now. Maybe the dog will mistake them for frisbees and eat them.

[Eire75]

I really liked the Shaolin guys this week. My ex has done Shaolin Kung Fu for most of his life, so I impressed myself by naming the weapons they used. Last week, I was on the phone with the ex when flamey brick breaking guy was on. I thought I'd have to drive over to his place and clean up brain goo, his head aobut exploded.

Enough with the damned kids. Maybe I'm turning in to the grouchy old lady on the block, but cute only goes so damn far. Stay the hell off my lawn too.

So, accodring to my formula for AGT, we now have:
Blonde girl with guitar
Musical family with creepy Duggar qualities
Singing kid(s)
Magic act we've all seen before
Drag queen
"burlesque" act

What are we missing to make it an official season here?

[MiniDriver]

I thought that kid who sang Ben was 4-5, 6 tops. 9??? I know he's autistic, but he looks and sounds a lot younger than my 6-year-old nephew. Tell me he's not really 9.

[kymom]

I thought that kid who sang Ben was 4-5, 6 tops. 9??? I know he's autistic, but he looks and sounds a lot younger than my 6-year-old nephew. Tell me he's not really 9.

I thought the same thing! He was very adorable, but he did seem very young in his voice and size. He was even missing his front teeth like my 6 year old.

For the record, I do not think that he or the 4 year old girl should have moved on. Neither were fantastic singers even though they were very cute. This is not "America's cutest kid"

[Jennionthefarm]

Does anyone who knows more about autism wonder about the 9 yr. old boy's diagnosis? I'm no expert but thought generally people with autism don't like to be touched in general, let alone let Jerry Springer carry them around and hug him? I loved the proud mom more than the kid. My husband missed the explanation and just heard the singing, he was more than amazed when the kid got through.

Seriously are there no people associated with the show who heard the crowd chanting "Bullshit" during the Cotton Eyed Joe line dancer? Surely someone associated with the show would have known to be listening for that and edit it out. And is Line Dancer Guy really so stupid that he doesn't realize that line dancing isn't impressive when it's not, duh, in a line? Yes, yes he is.

The scary yellow couple made Donnie and Marie look like raving crackheads.

As far as Jerry's role I think he's supposed to be the greek chorus.

Edited by Jennionthefarm, Jul 2, 2008 @ 11:08 AM.

[tonkacat]

Does anyone who knows more about autism wonder about the 9 yr. old boy's diagnosis? I'm no expert but thought generally people with autism don't like to be touched in general, let alone let Jerry Springer carry them around and hug him?

Not all Autistic hate to be touched.

I hate this season. I have the fake audience. I hate the acts. So far I haven't seen anything to keep me watching the show after the auditions are finished. If they don't go back to the old auditon format next year I may not watch the show at all then.

I am hoping they have a wonderful, knock me off my feet audition they are waiting until the last minute to show. I realize we can't have a Terry Fator every year but at least find some people with talent.

Why are they putting so many acts through?

[madjad]

Dear Fastest Salsa Dancers Evah: We have seen So You Think You Can Dance. Don't lie to us. Also, in order to be really good at Salsa, you should have been moving your feet in a salsa-like manner even when you were spinning your partner. It was most egregious when the sister was standing by the brother. Just standing. Nigel would have been horrified.

Dear Stephanie: Your husband is gay. I'm sorry you are so utterly lacking in gaydar, but it's true. If you are not lacking in gaydar, you are the most accommodating hag ever!

Dear Lulubates: Busty Hart crushed the beer cans by picking up one of HER cans with her two hands and wacking it down on the beer. It made me feel scared, sad, traumatized and bruised all at the same time. Also, this denotes a certain lack of showwomanship. Had she jumped up and down or danced or something in order to accomplish the wacking, I'm sure it would have made it through to Vegas. Did you notice how the Hoff AND Pearce both looked mesmerized when she walked out on stage. I thought I even saw a little drool on the Hoff's chin.

[junemeatcleaver]

What focus group "help" NBC decide that the over-the-top audience was a good idea. It's like someone at AGT watched an episode of Jerry's daytime show with its audience and their fake, prompted jeering, and thought it was a good idea for AGT. Terrible.

[Counse]

Dear Fastest Salsa Dancers Evah: We have seen So You Think You Can Dance. Don't lie to us. Also, in order to be really good at Salsa, you should have been moving your feet in a salsa-like manner even when you were spinning your partner. It was most egregious when the sister was standing by the brother. Just standing. Nigel would have been horrified.

I happened to catch this show because SisterCounse loves it and I was hanging with her last night and LORD. At first I thought this show was like the Gong Show but then they mentioned the million dollar prize and I was like. . .LORD.

But WORD on the salsa bro/sis team. I was NOT impressed. They didn't DANCE! They spun a lot and then did the arms flashing thing but they didn't DANCE. There was no choreography unless you count spinning 'round and 'round in the SAME SPOT choreography. They barely moved from that giant 'X' on the stage. How is that DANCING?

Also? The sister's eye make-up looked like she had two black eyes. I didn't get the big fuss made over them but then I don't 'get' this show in general.

[Ellistrae]

Does anyone who knows more about autism wonder about the 9 yr. old boy's diagnosis? I'm no expert but thought generally people with autism don't like to be touched in general, let alone let Jerry Springer carry them around and hug him? I loved the proud mom more than the kid. My husband missed the explanation and just heard the singing, he was more than amazed when the kid got through.

Actually, I did wonder about his diagnosis. Apparently, he has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is an Autism spectrum disorder. But he seemed way too outgoing and generally comfortable with the situation for me to think that it is a very severe case. He didn't seem the least bit fazed by anything going on around him and had no problem hanging all over a complete stranger. Heather from ANTM had Asperger's and seemed much more socially awkward than David did, and she was significantly older. But who knows. One of my cousin's children had some behavioral symptoms of autism that were much more severe than David's seem to be and he wasn't even diagnosed with an Autistic disorder, it was determined to be something else. So yes, it did seem odd to me, but without knowing the whole story instead of what is presented in just a few minutes, it's hard to know. It doesn't really matter as long as they get rid of him later based on his talent or lack thereof. Yes, he's cute, but his singing was really nothing spectacular. Just pretty ordinary "little kid" singing.

[dbklmt]

I missed the beginning of the guitar-girl's sob story. I thought they said her father walked out on the family, but then after the performance she talked about him like he died?

She did say that he walked out on the family. Did I hear wrong or did she say her father was a minister? If so he's the real epitome of hypocritical family values. She was so ordinary and not worthy of moving on to Las Vegas. I will NOT vote for a singer. That's why they have American Idol, Nashville Star, etc.

Call me a freak but I LOVED George the Giant, I was amazed at the milk and I am loving Alabama sword swallower.

I'm a freak too because I also loved George the Giant although I'm not sure I'd want him to win or he could. Like Piers I just want to see what he'll do next. And I loved his munchkin wife. I think she should be his assistant in the next round.

As for the Alabama sword swallower I couldn't watch him and I'm not happy that I'll have to go out of the room again when he performs in Vegas.

I thought that kid who sang Ben was 4-5, 6 tops. 9??? I know he's autistic, but he looks and sounds a lot younger than my 6-year-old nephew. Tell me he's not really 9.

Unfortunately that's how they look and sound. I have an autistic relative in my family who's also nine and he hugs just like that and talks the same. Some don't talk at all so I'd say he's a fair representation of an autistic child. That being said I'd still never vote for him to win.

Does anyone who knows more about autism wonder about the 9 yr. old boy's diagnosis? I'm no expert but thought generally people with autism don't like to be touched in general, let alone let Jerry Springer carry them around and hug him? I loved the proud mom more than the kid. My husband missed the explanation and just heard the singing, he was more than amazed when the kid got through.

And that's what I thought too. When I first met my nephew's son he was really off the wall and did not like to be touched, but then with therapy and there are options open to them it changed. The next time I saw him probably at six years old he came up and hugged me which shocked me. Just last week I saw him at a family wedding and the hugs are still the first thing he does when he greets you. I think with autism there are degrees of severity and I'd say the boy on AGT and my nephew's son are not quite as severe as others.

ETA:

Actually, I did wonder about his diagnosis. Apparently, he has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is an Autism spectrum disorder.

And that's what my nephews son has been diagnosed with. It's definitely a milder form of autism.

I hate this season. I have the fake audience. I hate the acts. So far I haven't seen anything to keep me watching the show after the auditions are finished. If they don't go back to the old auditon format next year I may not watch the show at all then.

My sentiments too. Why ruin a #1 rated summer show with all these changes? Better end the auditions next week and move on to Vegas or I'm done. I can't say that there's one person that I've seen so far that I'd actively vote for or want to win.

Edited by dbklmt, Jul 2, 2008 @ 2:57 PM.

[LoneHaranguer]

Definitely Kellie Pickler 2.0. But if she can take a mediocre singing ability and the 'aw shucks, Ah'm just a Country Girl' schtick and turn it into a viable career Holly has a good chance too.

She just needs to lay off doing other people's signature songs and find something to do while she's singing (she seemed a bit lost on the stage).

BTW, is anyone else getting the impression that a lot of talented people chose to fly to L.A. for their auditions, rather than places like Dallas?

But WORD on the salsa bro/sis team. I was NOT impressed. They didn't DANCE! They spun a lot and then did the arms flashing thing but they didn't DANCE.

You've got a couple in flashy costumes featuring a good looking girl spinning around in a short skirt, and neither of them fell over; as far as the producers are concerned, that's good enough for now.

Geeze, what the heck is up with The Hoff? I know; a loaded question. I mean in regard to the sword swallower. What, you squeal like a little girl because it's scary? And that's insulting to us girls. But, what does he do? He buzzes the guy right in the middle of swallowing the damn sword! Are you REALLY only working on one brain cell to do something as stupid as that? WTF! Didn't the guy tell you, Yes, people do die doing this? Geeze.

I think he really tried to buzz between swords, but wasn't fast enough.

Busty Hart crushed the beer cans by picking up one of HER cans with her two hands and wacking it down on the beer. It made me feel scared, sad, traumatized and bruised all at the same time. Also, this denotes a certain lack of showwomanship. Had she jumped up and down or danced or something in order to accomplish the wacking, I'm sure it would have made it through to Vegas.

To what point? Do exactly the same next time? I've seen her on other shows and that appears to be it for her act.

[tominboston]

What focus group "help" NBC decide that the over-the-top audience was a good idea. It's like someone at AGT watched an episode of Jerry's daytime show with its audience and their fake, prompted jeering, and thought it was a good idea for AGT. Terrible.

You're not kidding. I still find this show pretty funny at times, and occasionally there's even an act with real talent, but the raving loonie audience has gotten very annoying. The Jerry Springer connection occurred to me too. Do viewers actually enjoy seeing odd but harmless people hooted off the stage?

[ChaiTea]

is anyone else getting the impression that a lot of talented people chose to fly to L.A. for their auditions, rather than places like Dallas?

I agree - Dallas really had nothing to offer. And Atlanta had 1, I think. Hmm... If I was very good, I would audition somewhere the talent pool is historically lacking... so I'd really stand out.

I wonder if anyone actually used that strategy?

Do viewers actually enjoy seeing odd but harmless people hooted off the stage?

Good question!! I'm annoyed - just because Jerry Springer hosted the shows doesn't mean viewers WANT a Jerry Springer-audience experience. The hooting and hollering audience lowered the standards of AGT. Especially with contestants like Busty Hart.

Did anyone notice Piers shooshing the audience?? He looked REALLY annoyed by it, too. >:(

As did Sharon a few times. You can't hear the judges speak when they begin speaking. It's always a few moments of them competing with the audience - so we get: "blah blah blah blah... and that's what I think of your act!" UNbelievable.

I WANT to hear the judges. This audience participation idea has sunk this season.

[AuntMizbehavn]

So, accodring to my formula for AGT, we now have:
Blonde girl with guitar
Musical family with creepy Duggar qualities
Singing kid(s)
Magic act we've all seen before
Drag queen
"burlesque" act

What are we missing to make it an official season here?

Well...according to my calculations...we're missing Leonid, the Magnificent.

[AmyGal]

I am a clogger. I am TOTALLY impressed with the Southern Belles. I have actually seen them perform at a Clogging Convention. I can only imagine how much they practice. I was glad to see them make it through.