America's Got Talent: Season 5 - Top 48 (Group 4)

Here's a recap of last week's results show (let me know if you think I should do this in a separate posting from now on):

• South Philly Vikings, CJ Dipper, & Haspop are up first:
• Haspop - Advancing to Semifinals [1/1]
• South Philly Vikings - Eliminated
• CJ Dipper - Eliminated
• Jabberwockeez perform
• Chipps Cooney, Studio One Young Beast Society, & Polina Volchek are up next:
• Studio One Young Beast Society - Advancing to Semifinals [2/2]
• Chipps Cooney - Eliminated
• Polina Volchek - Eliminated
• The Strange Familiar, Debra Romer & Luigi are up next:
• Debra Romer - Advancing to Semifinals [2/3]
• The Strange Familiar - Eliminated
• Luigi - Eliminated
• Mike Posner performs
• Harmonica Pierre, Kaya & Sadie, & Jeremy VanSchoonhoven are the remaining three:
• Harmonica Pierre - Eliminated
• Judge's Choice:
• Sharon - Jeremy
• Piers - Jeremy
• Howie's vote doesn't count, but he would have voted for Jeremy as well
• Jeremy VanSchoonhoven - Advancing to Semifinals [3/4]
• My Predictions: I got three out of four correct.

America's Got Talent Season 5: Top 48 (Group 4)

Airdate: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 [9-11pm]

1. Da Maniacs [Dancers]: This was a pointless dance act, because the dance moves were so basic and generic. As much as I would say it's great to see real people doing this as opposed to stick figures, I don't need to see their stomachs movin' all around.
2. NU Covenant [Gospel Singing Group; performed OneRepublic's "Apologize"]: I didn't really like the lead singer's voice from the start and was hoping the harmony would be better, but, alas, that was not the case. Their voices were flat throughout.
3. Anna & Patryk [12-year-old Ballroom Dancers]: Finally, an act worth watching. Their ballroom dancing was exceptional. My only critique is that the background people acting as diner patrons were distracting from the main act.
4. Lindsey Stirling [Violinist]: And now we're back to the bad ones. She is not a good violinist at all; for most of the song it sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. And why did she have that dorky (literally) costume)?
5. Doogie Horner ["Comedian"]: No...Just no. I did not laugh once. And the dancers at the end with the pig masks were just pain creepy and disturbing.
6. Rudi Macaggi [Danger Act]: That was just too disturbing to see his head come that close to the saw blade. He may advance because of that, but it took way too long to set it up to that climax; because of that, I wouldn't advance him, but he may have a shot.
7. Taylor Matthews [Singer]: I didn't find anything particularly original or unique with this performance. And there were many moments where his voice was shaky. But based on the audience reaction, he may advance.
8. Mary Ellen ["Singer"]: It is times like this when I just want to slap the judges up their heads for even putting her through the initial audition, let alone to this round. She can't sing. She can't play the piano. It sounded like she didn't know the words a couple of times. And she obviously doesn't look in a mirror when she does her hair or makeup. This is worse than Chipps Cooney.
9. Arcatack [Electricity Band; performed Ozzy Osbourne's "Iron Man"?]: I didn't get the point of this band the first time I saw them and I feel the same this time. They are a band, and if they need electricity volts to make it exciting, then that's not good. When it comes down to it, they are a band, and the song was so simple and not grand. And they have the right materials on which means they were safe, so I don't see anything worthwhile.
10. Prince Poppycock [Opera Singer]: I have been a huge fan of his from the start. His voice is so unbelievably brilliant. Normally, I would say costumes and such would be distracting, but with him it works. The only thing I found odd was the juggling near the end for a couple seconds. And I loved that, in the intro video, we finally got to see what he really looks like.
11. Murray [Magician]: The format of the illusion is one we see all the time, but I am amazed and curious as to how the tiger got in the cage. And this is coming from a lover of magic.
12. Strikers All Stars [Dancers]: I was not that impressed. They only had one cool move (that was like the wave). We had a great group last week in Studio One Young Beast Society, and this group has nothing on them.

Favorite Performances: Prince Poppycock / Murray / Anna & Patryk

My Votes: Prince Poppycock [10 votes by phone] / Murray [10 votes online]

Predictions to Advance: Anna & Patryk / Arcatack / Prince Poppycock / Murray

My Season 5 Vote Tracker:

Fighting Gravity: 20 votes

Harmonica Pierre: 20 votes [eliminated last week]

Michael Grimm: 10 votes

Alice Tan Ridley: 10 votes

Prince Poppycock: 10 votes

Murray: 10 votes

Total: 80 votes cast so far

I believe it seems crystal clear which four acts should advance: the four I mentioned above. Anna & Patryk were perfect (and we don't have an act like it this year). Arcatack's act was so extravagant, even going so far as to have to perform it outside, that they are a shoe-in to advance. Prince Poppycock is an obvious pick as well. And Murray better stay in; I say that because the voters of this show haven't always been receptive to magicians in previous seasons. But he is one of the best this show has seen, and deserves to stay in. I believe those are the only four that deserve to advance; there are a couple other acts that may have a shot when you go by the audience reactions (Rudi Macaggi, Taylor Matthews), but just as long as Marry Ellen is eliminated, I will be happy.

Tonight, four more acts will advance into the semifinals. And we will see guest performances by Taio Cruz, and Bret Michaels (can't wait to see Bret perform!). See ya then...