By  Arthur Perkins
 
It was an unusual night at the America's Got Talent Quarterfinals. Another 10 primary acts plus 2 wildcard acts performed. The mood was set early when with the luck of the draw the first 3 acts were scintillating and then closed with Mario and jenny and Lawrence Beamen performing last to wow the crowd. Let's get to it.
 
1. First up was the Footworkingz - David says using one of his favorite cliches "You're on your way to the top." Piers says brilliant choreography and calls them one of the best dance groups. I agree.  Y (for Yes)
 
2. Marcus Terrell and the Serenades -  Marcus has been forced by commentary of the judges to abandon his original backup group of 3 female singers and get one that sings better (even though the original group was a bit better looking). These ladies can sing and grind. Marcus has a very pure and easy to enjoy voice. This was entertainment  at its best and the judges and audience knew it. Y.
 
3. Pixie Mystere - I had previously thought this group to be overrated, but not any more. They were brilliant last night with their synchronization, 6 dancer gymnasts all moving as one. It is a no-brainer to say they are going to the semifinals. Y
 
Wow, 3 acts and 3 of the 5 slots already filled. What can be ahead? Let's find out.
 
4. Jay Mattioli - he is a magician/illusionist who got in by wildcard and he did some good tricks. The problem was that they judges and the audience have seen them before. My guess is that Jay was planning ahead and saved his better stuff for final rounds. However, he isn't going to make it there. His stay in AGT is over as I expect him to be going home tonight. N (for No)
 
5. Bri - this 17 year old was not very impressive to me. Piers says she "has the right package" and the judges are generally favorable. I am putting Bri on the Bubble but I don't think she will make it. B
 
6. U4Ria Dance - another wildcard entry, they did fine but in the shadow of Footworkingz they really have no chance. I am rating them on the bubble anyway because they performed well enough to deserve that. B
 
7. Dave Johnson - who could forget his first performance, a sly comedic turn stating his love for David Hasselhoff. Last night he performed a similar spoof on the Golden Girls. It was good in the ha ha type but it was not good enough to move ahead in this competition. He's gone as certain as the fate of anyone in this round is. N
 
8. Hairo Torres - Sharon had the best line of the night with "You came out looking like Jerry Lewis on acid". David says "weird but interesting." He's not out, but he is hanging by a thread that is most likely to break tonight. B
 
9. G-Force - 3 cute young girls ( with one barely a teen and the others younger) play guitars or drum and sing. Piers says and I agree that their guitar playing is very good, the drumming is excellent and the singing is in need of help. Right from the beginning the oldest one was noticeably off pitch. They are gone.  N
 
10. Jeffrey Ou - he started with Pachabel's Canon and a traditional pianist uniform. After about 30 seconds he morphed with an onstage costume change to a more pulsing uniform and the music changed to Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting." It was OK, but the live audience, judges and home audience all missed his piano playing when one of the dancers supporting him kicked out the line feeding all. Nick Cannon pleaded with the home audience to only judge Jeffrey on the first 30 seconds. Even if they do that, he is going home as his act just isn't good enough.  N
 
11. Mario and Jenny - he did not juggle operating chain saws this time, just very bulky guitars; Jenny got kudos for her ballet dancing and juggling. Piers says this act belongs in Las Vegas and David says they can win. I don't think they can win against the competition, but I think they will get the #5 slot and have to undergo a judges' vote to reach the Quarterfinals. They should beat any of the potential #6 teams.  Y
 
12. Lawrence Beaman - he chose "You Are so Beautiful" to sing and did a fabulous job of it. David was impressed by his versatility. I was impressed by his voice, which is smoky in the low register yet pure when he goes high.  Piers say "you are the new Barry White." Sharon says fantastic. He is going to the semifinals and probably beyond.  Y
 
So, I have 5 clear Yes acts, 3 on the Bubble, and 4 No acts that I predict are going home tonight. Footworkingz, Marcus Terrell, Pixie Mystere, and Lawrence
Beaman are the front-runners and Mario and Jenny are good enough to join them. Bri, U4Ria Dance, and Hairo Torres are on the Bubble. I don't know which will make one of the #5/#6 slots to compete against Mario and Jenny. Jay Mattioli, Dave Johnson, G-Force and Jeffrey Ou are going home. One more quarterfinal round is scheduled for next week before the semifinals start Sept. 1.

For more Americas Got Talent Links visit Sirlinksalot.net