by Arthur Perkins
 
Last week I wrote this paragraph on 9/4/08 to predict what would happen last night. Let's see how well I did (and how obvious the talent differences are that allowed me to try this):
 
The prediction of who wins the 5 opportunities to continue has gotten pretty routine, as the talent evident to the live audience (composed mostly of the followers of one of the acts performing due to the small size of the auditorium) and to TV viewers like you and me is falling into clearly-a-winner or clearly-a-loser with only a few in the mediocre category. This is an outcome from having too many crappy acts in the competition at this point. They should have been eliminated already and we should be farther along. Anyway, I am going to demonstrate my point by writing the outcome of last night's voting here. I have no special access to the voting results. I just know what I see. Here is what the vote will be when revealed on Sept. 9 at the beginning of the show:
 
The predicted winners are Nuttin' But Stringz, Donald Brasswell, Eli Mattson, and Kaitlyn Maher. The predicted losers are Dallas Desperado Dancers, Flambeaux, Indiggo and Tappin' Dads. On the bubble are Dorae Saunders and maybe Bryan Cheatham (if the audience forgave him for doing the wrong kind of song for his voice). I cannot predict how the judges will vote on the runoff, as none of them were enthusiastic about either one. America's Got Talent will be on NBC 3 times next (no this) week. The regular Tuesday and Wednesday shows will be supplemented by a Thursday 830pm results show.
 
OK, the actual winners from last week's final round of 40 competition were Nuttin' But Stringz, Donald Brasswell, Eli Mattson and Kaitlyn Maher. The actual losers were Dallas Desperado Dancers, Flambeaux, Indiggo and Dorae Saunders. I called Byran Cheatham right for on the bubble and missed the Tappin' Dads. The runoff between Cheatham and Tappin Dads went like this:
 
Piers remembered that the Tappin' Dads performance would turn Fred Astaire over in his grave; he choose Bryan. Sharon debated the merits of both acts in terms of how they would fare in Las Vegas; she concluded that both could perform there and then went with the Tappin' Dads. David had to make the decision and just voted Tappin' Dads. Bryan Cheatham joins the other losers.
 
So, I was 4 for the top 4 and half of the on-the-bubble acts, but this did not require great insight. Let's learn about last night's performances:
 
The Cadence - I think it is absurd that judges motivate/force acts to change and here is a fine example of that. The performance of Cadence was different last night, with much more visible energy and to my ears a diminution of musical values.  Sharon wanted form over substance so that's what she got. The Cadence went for high energy displays that took them away from their drumming. Piers said you listened and are now animals (that's a good thing because it is what Sharon wanted). Sharon said she wanted to see even more "attitude" and predicted they will be back. David used his favorite trite line "You blew me away".
 
Does it sound like I'm getting very tired of the judges, particularly Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff? this show has been on too long this summer with too many unnecessary shows when it should have gotten to the top 20 much sooner (but wants to milk its high ratings). Thank god for Piers Morgan; host Jerry Springer occasionally has something interesting to say or do. The producers of this show will not mess with a tried-and-true formula, but they would have a better show with replacement judges for Sharon and David.
 
Next was Queen Emily who sang "It's Time to Say Goodbye?  " in a black/brown dress that did not have viewers looking at the dress more than her face (witness the red one from a prior time) and in more subdued makeup. Her singing showed the same excellence, with that song being smoother before letting her really open up and go for it. Piers says "you wail" (a high compliment). David said "you're going straight to the top." She is; more about that at the end of this recap.
 
The Wright Kids sang a rock-and-roll song that appeared to me to be composed by Jerry Lee Lewis from its sound. They did well, although the girl just played her banjo and smiled. The two boys did all the lead singing. Piers stated that the lead older boy had improved a great deal since their last performance and the younger one can really twirl a sting bass that is over twice his size. Sharon said that they owned the stage. David said terrific and complimented the way they "took the stage".
 
the James Gang - danced to "Hit the Road Jack". I found it a bit strange because I did not understand it until later. 3 of them were in the front of the stage doing the dancing while the 4th was wandering around the stage pantomiming hitting the road and being rejected by women all over. The act ended with the 4th coughing playing cards out of his mouth with a Jack being kept between his teeth. Sharon said that something was missing (and I think she probably did not understand it at the time either but would if shown a replay). David said it was good hip hop but not as good as their previous performance. I agree with that. I think they're on-the-bubble.
 
David Jens - he finally caused a bad performance with the poor choice of a song. It was designed to start low in his vocal range and that soar. However, it was so low at the beginning that he lost his audience. Piers was brutal (but accurate), telling David that if his choice is between a singing career and a military career, definitely return to the military. Sharon stresses his likeability over his obvious singing talent deficiencies relative to other performers. David Hasselhoff said "you've got the heart." This is rubbish of course as it is a talent competition and consistently demonstrated talent should win over a likeable person with great heart but much less talent.
 
Zooperstars - tonight marked the end of the road for this act. I thought it was pretty embarrassing how amateurish they have become in one week. Piers made a statement about Zooperstars are willing to let themselves be juvenile "griffins" (I listened twice and that what it sounded like). Sharon said that they don't make her laugh anymore (one of the few times I can say ditto for me to something Sharon said). David told them they were "all over the place" and this was not a compliment for their movement. Isn't it interesting how you have to be part of the television audience to decipher what some cryptic phrases used by the judges mean? You can't just read a word-for-word transcript of their dialogue and know what they meant. Anyway, Zooperstars is gone.
 
Neil E. Boyd - he had his usual fabulous singing voice tonight. He sang a song that may have been titled "Momma I thank you" that I have never heard before. It was graceful, it was smooth, it was powerful, it demonstrated everything that you need to know to send him all the way to Las Vegas. Piers said that Neil is going to be a major star and have a brilliant career. David noted that Neil is not just an opera star and of course "he blows me away."
 
Jessica Price - she did not make a good song choice. She got 2/3 through her song before Piers buzzed her. He told her that her song was a bit cheesy, like a TV commercial. Sharon said she needed more confidence and I say she needs more vocal experience. David said that Jessica has more talent than she showed us in this performance. I predict that she should be eliminated, but she is young and pretty and that is more important than talent to some voters so we won't know until the next show tonight.
 
Extreme Dance FX - clogging to rap music. Sharon said it is better than Riverdance (another hyperbole from her). She recommended that these cloggers get back to their roots wearing footwear that makes noise; the sneakers they were wearing were fine for easy  movement, but did not leave enough of an impression. David applauded their attitude. All 3 judges applauded the talent of the lead dancer.
 
Paul Salos - sang "You Can Fly With Me". It was a poor choice of a song and he will pay for that. Piers said it was a weaker performance and asked why. Paul responded immediately that he could not hear the accompaniment on the monitor. David made a typical "have it both ways" comment of "the chemistry wasn't there tonight but you are great".
 
There you have it, 10 performances that will lead to 5 eliminations announced at the beginning of the show tonight. I did not like David Jens, Zooperstars, Jessica Price, and Paul Salos. I think they will be gone after tonight. The clear winners and likely to be the final 2 in this competition are Neil E. Boyd and Queen Emily. Other acts that will make it through are the Extreme Dance FX and the Wright Kids. That leaves the Cadence and the James Gang on the bubble. It is much more difficult to predict the 3rd, 4th and 5th slot from last night because it really could be any 3 of the 4 teams I just mentioned.
 
Tune In to the show tonight at 8pm EDT and come back for my next recap in 24 hours.

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