America's Got Talent: Season 5 - Semifinals Part 2

Last week's results show recap:

• ArcAttack, Dan Sperry, Future Funk & Kristina Young are up first:
• ArcAttack - Eliminated
• Dan Sperry - Eliminated
• Future Funk - Eliminated
• Kristina Young - Eliminated
• Recycled Percussion performs "Barracuda" - Their Vegas show starts on August 30 at the MGM Grand
• Jimmy Fallon does celebrity impressions, changing to a new one every ten seconds.
• AscenDance and Anna & Patryk are up next:
• Anna and Patryk - Advancing to Top 10 [Prediction: 1/1]
• AscenDance - Eliminated
• Kylie Minogue performs "Get Outta My Way"
• Michael Grimm, Prince Poppycock, & Taylor Mathews are up next:
• Michael Grimm - Advancing to Top 10 [2/2]
• Prince Poppycock - Advancing to Top 10 [3/3]
• Taylor Mathews - Advancing to Top 10 [3/4]
• Antonio Restivo, Christina & Ali, & Connor Doran are the final three acts:
• Antonio Restivo - Eliminated
• Judge's Choice:
• Piers - Christina & Ali
• Howie - Connor Doran
• Sharon - Christina & Ali
• Christina & Ali - Advancing to Top 10 [4/5]
• Connor Doran - Eliminated
• My Predictions: I got four out of five predictions correct

America's Got Talent Season 5: Semifinals Part 2

Airdate: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 [9-11pm]

1. Alice Tan Ridley [Singer; performed "I Have Nothing"]: It is hard to tell how she might stack up against the rest of the acts tonight, but she started the show off on a high note. Her voice continues to be extremely strong as always. And this big song allowed her to show that off.
2. Haspop [Dancer]: He came into to semifinals as one of the strongest dancers. He did have some basic moves, which I do criticize dancers here for, but he made up for it with the relationship between those moves and the music. At the end of the night, though, I wonder if he will be remembered. But he is fun to watch.
3. Maestro Alexander Bui [Pianist]: If I remember correctly, the judges last time wanted him to do a more current song if he made it through (or at least Sharon said that), and he didn't. But no matter, he is extremely talented. I don't know how he can move his fingers that fast.
4. Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon [Acrobatics]: It wasn't as grand as last time, which was a bit of a letdown. Because of that, I'm not sure if I will remember the performance. But they are still really talented, no doubt. And the music (Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love") and cloud background meshed well with their moves.
5. Michael Grasso [Magician]: He is one of my favorite magicians on the show. At first, it seemed like just your regular disappearing act. But I was blown away to see that he and the woman had switched places somewhere along the way and we didn't know. And to see him appear behind the judges was impressive (and I loved Sharon's reaction). Best act so far tonight.
6. Debra Romer [Singer; performed "To Make You Feel My Love"]: It is hard to say anything bad about her because of her back-story (and the emotional song). But when it comes down to it, her voice is not very strong and for that reason, she should not advance.
7. Studio One Young Beast Society [Dancers]: I am not usually a fan of dancers on this show, so it was a big deal for me in the quarterfinals to say they were one of my favorite dance groups on the show. And there were definitely times during this performance that I was impressed, which may get them to advance.
8. Jeremy VanSchoonhoven [Bike Tricks]: After seeing in in the intro video that he got injured in rehearsals on the final jump, I was rooting for him to do well. As he was about to attempt that final jump in the actual performance, my heart was pounding, hoping he would make it, and he did! On the bad side, he and his bike did fall early on one of the simpler bits. I'm surprised Piers didn't buzz him on that. But after his rehearsal injuries, I believe that everyone is supporting him. So while I wouldn't normally want a bike trick act to advance, he may have the support that very well could take him to the Top 10.
9. Nathaniel Kenyon [Singer; performed "You and Me"]: He may have stronger vocals than Debra Romer, but he still doesn't have the strongest when compared to the other singers on the show. And I don't think he has done or can do enough to make it farther.
10. Murray [Magician]: In the intro video, Murray said that there is probably only room for one magician in the Top 10. He is probably right, and if so, he won't be the one making it. Michael Grasso was solid from start to finish. Murray, on the other hand, talked too much, leading it to be too long of a set up. The vanishing train was in a way anticlimactic, because it was obvious he was going to vanish it. And he didn't bring anything new to the trick; we have seen this done hundreds of times it seems.
11. Jackie Evancho [Opera Singer; performed "Time to Say Goodbye"]: Once again, I have never seen someone as young as her with that much talent. I don't really have anything bad to say, just a couple of notes: Did anyone notice the way she was moving her fingers? It seemed like she did that to help her remember the notes to hit. Also, was it just me or did she cut her final high note off early? To me, I thought that she might have lost her breath and had to stop the note. But it wasn't that noticeable, and didn't detract from the performance.
12. Fighting Gravity [Black Light Act]: Coming into this round, I knew they needed to step it up and not get repetitive. And they definitely brought new elements to the stage and kept it fresh and a unique experience for us. I want to see an entire show of them!

Favorite Performances: Michael Grasso / Fighting Gravity / Jackie Evancho

My Votes: Michael Grasso [10 votes by phone] / Fighting Gravity [10 votes online]

Predictions to Advance: Alice Tan Ridley / Michael Grasso / Jeremy VanSchoonhoven / Jackie Evancho / Fighting Gravity

My Season 5 Vote Tracker:

Fighting Gravity: 30 votes

Harmonica Pierre: 20 votes [Eliminated]

Jackie Evancho: 20 votes

Anna and Patryk: 20 votes

Prince Poppycock: 20 votes

Michael Grasso: 20 votes

Michael Grimm: 10 votes

Alice Tan Ridley: 10 votes

Murray: 10 votes

Total: 160 votes cast so far

There are two acts that are guaranteed to advance into the Top 10: Jackie Evancho and Fighting Gravity. After that, I would say that Michael Grasso has a pretty solid chance of making it (Murray, the other magician, paled in comparison to Grasso, so he won't make it). After that, the remaining two spots could be a combination of any of these acts: Alice Tan Ridley, Studio One Young Beast Society, Jeremy VanSchoonhoven, and Nathaniel Kenyon. I believe that Alice will make it as well, but performing first could go against her. And as far as that final spot is concerned, again it is one of the acts I just mentioned. I narrowed it down to Studio and Jeremy. I ultimately am going with Jeremy because he will get the sympathy vote from his rehearsal injuries.

If you want to audition for season 6 of America's Got Talent, the first three audition cities were announced during last night's show. Those first three cities are Denver, Los Angeles and Chicago, and will take place in October.

Tonight, five of this week's final semifinals group will advance into the Top 10. The guest performers for tonight's results show will be the cast of Le Reve and singer Jason Derulo. See ya then...