America's Got Talent - More Performances from the Top 20 (Episode 315)

For Donald Braswell, it's AGT or "Evil Dead - The Musical"It's day two of the three-day talent extravaganza that is "America's Got Talent." Yep, the last ten acts in the top 20 are performing in hopes of landing a what, according to what I understood last night is a "one night only" gig in Sin City. Since there's no eliminations tonight, NBC has decided to bring last season's winner, ventriliquist Terry Fator, back for an "exclusive performance." (Which begs the question - Whatever happened to season one's winner, Bianca Ryan, anyway?) Last night Piers thought there were two or three outstanding performance and adds that "it's not a tea party anymore." Sharon said that in her opinion, there are five standout acts she hopes to make it to the end. Hoff says tonight's acts have to raise the bar, be in the zone, (insert your favorite showbiz cliche here.) Piers says the winner stands up along with the biggest stars in the world. Sinatra. Presley. Zooperstars! I don't see it. In the mandatory, time-filling montage, the remaining competitors tell us how much they want to win and perform in Vegas (who's going to say "Naah, I'd rather head home to my small town and scrape by"?) This leads into a mini-documentary on Terry, telling us how much his life had changed since winning (Wow, his name's on the side of the Las Vegas monorail!)

Terry takes the stage first, with Winston the turtle. The turtle sings a little Marvin Gaye for Sharon, "'cause she's so cute." He busts into a rousing version of "Let's Get It On" and again proves to us why he was last season's victor. Terry then brings out Maynard Tompkins, his Elvis impersonating puppet to treat us to a little "Viva Las Vegas." Actually, Maynard has more charisma and stage presence than "hunky Elvis" Joseph Hall, who's performing tonight. He had better watch his back. And, in less than two minutes, he's done. Saving it for Vegas, are we, Terry? Jer-ry chats with him and, for the billionth time, he tells us how much his life has changed since he won (we get it already!) For yor Fator Fans, his show opens on February 14th at the Mirage. He's even has a book coming out, called "Who's the Dummy Now?" (I hope he's kidding.)     

Following Terry's (way too brief) performance, we're treated to a group of dance teachers whose motto is "you don't do hip hop, you are hip hop," Sickstep. They escaped elimination by the skin of their teeth last week and said "it wasn't pretty." They have given up work and relationships to follow their dreams and say "there's no plan B." They want to win for their students and with tonight's performance (which is "more difficult than ever") they are pushing themselves with more stunts and tricks. Did their hard work pay off? They emerge from the audience and wings with flashlights to the music of the Jacksons ("Blame it on the Boogie.") There's a lot going on, but these guys are really good. I wish the cameras would just stay still on a wide shot of the stage, so I could take it all in. Piers buzzed them (although we didn't hear it, more technical difficulties) because he didn't think this was better than their last performance. He didn't think they were in synch with each other and they have to "tighten up" if they want to play in Vegas. Sharon loved their energy and choerography but says she wants to see more gymnastics. Hoff says he knows they're going to be voted back. He says they "got Hoff" tonight because they brought more attitude. I always wondered what and act had to do to "get" Hoff. Now I know.

Donald Braswell is getting better looking to me every time I see him. Sharon thinks he's "dated" and is wondering if he can be relevant to today's audiences. Donald thinks he was brought back for a reason. He sings "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera." He does have a very musical theater delivery, he is a little old-fashioned, but is still a really talented singer. I just don't know if there's room for he and Neal "the front runner" Boyd in the finals. Piers says he is beginning to "hate the sight of him", which elicits loud boos from the audience. When given the chance to finish his thought, he goes on to say that every time he comes back, he does a better job and reminds him that they originally sent him packing. Piers says he's the "Rocky Balboa" of the show. Sharon thinks he made a wise choice with his song but wants him to sing something more up-tempo and light - she wants to see "zazzy personality oozing from him." I don't know what "zazzy" is, but I'm not into oozing in public. He's the underdog of the competition, and I'm sure he'll be in the top ten.   

24-year-old Joseph Hall brings us "Elvis at his very best." His last performance of "Jailhouse Rock" didn't wow the judges. Piers thinks he may have "peaked" with his first performance. Hoff says he's young and could crack under the pressure to entertain. Joseph said he's been doing everything in his power to work on his act - listening to Elvis, watching Elvis, eating peanut butter and banana sammiches, okay, I made that last one up. Sharon said he lost his intensity and needs to bring it back, he needs to take control of the stage or it will be the end for him. Joseph is clad tonight in the late-era Elvis white jumpsuit and croons "Suspicious Minds." Sharon looks puzzled. I liked him better as '68 comeback Elvis. Like I said before, Terry's puppet was better. Joe had some of Elvis' moves, but it's just not working for me anymore. And no karate? The martial arts were an integral part of Vegas Elvis. I guess I'm alone in thinking it was a so-so performance. Piers says "Elvis is back in the building." He noted that the swagger and confidence were back. I didn't see it. Sharon said he was "packing it" tonight (well...that jumpsuit was a little tight). She said his performance was "great fun" and made her smile, he looked fantastic and was "what the show needs." Hoff told him he sounded so much like Elvis that he thought it was a track and noted that Joe was noticeably thinner than the real Elvis. Thanks for that astute observation. I guess that's why they keep you around, Hoff. Did I hear the same thing as the judges? Maybe I should get my ears checked or something. I like my Frank Sinatra impersonator better.

The musical Taubl Family are back for another performance. Hoff says that song choice is important for them. They've got a new song for tonight and it's (of course) the "hardest thing" they've done yet. Sheesh. Can't just one act say, "I'm just coasting through this round, because I think I'm already Vegas-bound" or something like that? As for the Taubls, I didn't really like their rendition of "The Sound of Music" when we first saw them, so I didn't have overly high hopes for tonight. They take a different approach tonight, leaving one of the daughters to sing a large portion of the song (which I don't recognize - anyone?) Tonight, they're just average, and they sound off-key or flat. I'm sure a lot can be attrubited to nerves, especially because we haven't heard this girl sing lead before. Piers buzzed them, but after he did, the whole clan chimed in and they sounded infinitely better. Piers said he buzzed because the first half of he act was boring but thought when they got together with their harmonies in the second half that it was terrific to listen to. Sharon disagrees and said it was a bit "iffy" at the beginning (which is exactly what Piers said - listen, Mrs!), but said once they warmed up, they were great. Hoff said it was "squirrely" at the start, but their power is as a family and implores them to "stay together," as he feels that's their strength. Sadly, I don't think they'll have a chance to show off their strength on this show again.

Sarah Lenore says Vegas needs a new country singer, and she thinks she's the one to fit the bill. She admitted she was "overwhelmed" during her last performance. Sharon says that if she could control her voice (and not shout), she could make it to the top ten. She chose a song that's a "test" for her and she's nervous. And when she's nervous, she gets loud, so it's going to be a challenge to find a "softer edge." She's testing herself tonight with Leona Lewis' song "Bleeding Love". She's got more confidence and stage persence than her main competiton, Jessica Price, but she's also just kind of blah. I think she was too worried about getting too loud this time around. Piers said it was a very brave song choice and sang it well, but not brilliantly. He thinks she needs to stick with the country tunes, because this song exposed where her weaknesses lie. Sharon also said she was brave, but was unable to make the song her own. She doesn't think they've seen the best of her yet. Hoff "crosses the line" and says that was the wrong song for her and America needs to being her back for another try. I think it's past second chance time.  

Virtuoso violinists Nuttin But Stringz perform for their cousin who died in the streets of New York. Piers said they have become the act to beat and can't imagine how they can top themselves. The boys promise a "risky" performance. They're going to keep fighting and make it all the way to the finals. I think these guys are really good - my only complaint is that the background music drowned out their awesome violin playing (and the zombie dancers are distracting), but the boys turn in another inspired performance. Piers said they did an "extraordinary thing", bringing two completely different worlds together. He went on to say they were "electrifying, intense and passionate." Yeah, what he said. He still thinks they can win because they deserve it. Sharon liked that they tailored their act to a younger crowd and said it would be an "injustice" if they didn't come back next week. Hoff had a four word review - "Nuttin But the Finals!" I wish Hoff could judge everyone in four words, it would make my job lots easier.     

Well, it's time for the moment I've been dreading, the return of four-year-old Kaitlyn Maher. She's been working "weally hard" for her performance this week. Piers says she has a good chance of getting into the top ten. Tonight, she sings "Beauty and the Beast". I'm not completely cold-hearted, she's a cute kid, but I don't think it's fair for acts who have been busting their humps for years to have to go up against a little girl who has been slaving away for...months at least...to achieve stardom. At least she didn't play up the lispy thing as much this week. That being said, two minutes of that is way more than enough. Piers says she never makes mistakes and never forgets the words. But then he plays beast to her beauty, saying that she's not quite ready to be a queen yet, she should be content being a princess. Sharon thought she sang beautifully and loved that she added some movement to her routine. She then asked Kaitlyn to tell her "little girl" Kelly - a big fan - (ummm...) to "cheer up." Hoff loves Kaitlyn and says what's important is that she's "brought America together." She just makes people smile. Except me (and my equally cynical husband.)

The Tapping Dads are another act who almost headed home last week. The boys were so proud to see their daughters, the most important people in their lives, smiling in the audience. Piers criticism made them want to work even harder. They're not doing it for Piers, they're doing it for their daughters - and every daughter in America (so they're doing it for me too, thanks guys!) Sharon loves them, and doesn't care what Piers says about them. They get up at the crack of dawn to learn new steps for this week's routine. Let me guess, it's the most challenging performance of their lives, right? The boys did seem more polished tonight, hell, Piers didn't even buzz them! They admittedly aren't the world's best tappers, but they wisely put their best Dad front and center. And damn, they are quite entertaining. Piers didn't think their dancing was "massively better" but noted they looked like they were having fun. He said they were beginning to get to him, which isn't a bad thing. Sharon also said their dancing was getting better and that they would be "fantastic" in Vegas. Hoff was so glad he didn't vote them off said and that Fred Astaire was rolling in his grave because they were getting better.

"Quiet shy guy" Eli Mattson is reportedly getting fan mail from all across the nation. He says being in the top 20 is a dream he doesn't want to wake up from. He's trying to take things just a little but further. He promises a "monster of a song" and as always, it's a big risk for him. The monster song is Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You", which I'm not familiar with. You would never know it was hers, because he made it sound like an original composition. He's a great piano player and and he's really enjoyable to listen to. Of course, I loved Taylor Hicks, so maybe I'm not the best judge. And, hey, if he doesn't win this, he could do an Elton John tribute act in Sin City. Let's leave it to the pros. Piers says he could sing any song and do it his way (hinting that the singers are given a short list of songs to perform. I wonder if that's the case?) He added that he'd buy his album first out of all of the singers left in the game. Sharon said he sang with great emotion and passion, she noted that he has to watch his intonation in his lower register but looks forward to seeing him next week. Hoff tells Eli that with his emotional delivery, he really is the "Piano Man."   

Last up is baton twirler Jonathan Burkin, whose dreams of fame may interrupt his pursuit of a business degree in college. Jonathan says it was "mindblowing" to hear Hoff tell him that he's the best baton twirler in the world. After Piers noted that he never made a mistake, he felt added pressure for this week's performance. He gets added points in my book by doing The Who's "Pinball Wizard" (as performed by Elton John from the movie version of "Tommy" - possibly one of the best covers ever, but I digress.) Again, he doesn't miss a beat and pulls off a flawless performance. Piers was sure he was going to drop a baton. The only problem he's got is his competition - but, barring that, he's the best baton twirler he's ever seen. Sharon says there's always comeptiton but there's only one baton twirler and he's unique. Hoff says he's "too good" and will be back next week.

It's another tough call tonight. I do believe it's going be Eli Mattson, Donald Braswell, Nuttin But Stringz, Jonathan Burkin and Joseph Hall (even though he didn't do it for me this week) - but I'm not counting The Tapping Dads out yet. We'll find out who made the cut and the top ten tomorrow night.