Thursday, September 10, 2015

AGT X Weekly Review: Live Shows and Results -- Semi-Finals Part 2 - FLABS



Hey everyone. It's AGT Review time once again.
The Semi-Finals have come and gone and all the acts had to give their all to continue. Once again, only five acts will go through to the Finals. So let’s check out my thoughts on the acts that may move on or go home a bigger and better act for the future...

Starting of the group is 3 Shades of Blue. They performed AWOLNATION’s “Sail”, which is great.


I felt like this was their best performance, because this song is perfect for them to cover.
Chains” is not a song for a rock band, let alone this one, to perform live. This one is just perfect and shows off their strengths as a band, and removes their flaws. Back then, I wasn’t a fan of them, because of how they were taken to the finals by the judges, and gotten this far. But now, I think I can find them a real good act. This was the best performance ever, even coming from me.
Howard was surprisingly critical of this performance. He said it felt “karaoke-ish” at times, and was seemingly disappointed in them. This is surprising because, he’s been supporting them since their audition, and wanted them in the Live Shows, even if I didn’t. Now that they’re actually better, he’s gonna criticize them? Why?
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Next, Gary Vider returned for round two of what made him great--being the most boring-as-balls funny-man on Earth.


I thought the pauses were time-killing, and not in the good way. The first time, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. But with repeated viewings, I’ve warmed up more to it.
And then there’s “Boobasipi”. Yes, he joked about Mel’s tits on live television. That was brilliant.
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Alondra Santos continued to kill her performances, and this one is no exception.
This one brought the fun, excitement and even a little fiesta. I’ve always enjoyed her performances, so this is her most exciting and enjoyable. And to think, she was once eliminated during the Judge Cuts. Amazing.
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Freelusion returned with one of the most shockingly visually incredible sights you'll see this season.


At the end, a monster appears, not only in the act, but also through it to walk across the Music Hall, coming close to attacking the judges. (Howie looked like he was about to haul ass, too) And he looks like Nick.
Howard made a good point, which I also agree with. The group was just flopping around this time, unless the last time where they danced much better and put more passion and effort into it. This was just meh. The only thing about it that was A downhill if I've seen it.
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Alicia Michilli, queen of lasers.


The Detroit native performed one of my all-time favorite classics, Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”.
Her voice was on-point all the way, every note she hit with perfect highs and lows. Plus the instrumentation was absolutely perfect; I loved the sounds of the original, but this take was just as wonderful.
If anything this was the second best performance.
Howard is right, though. As great as it was, it just wasn’t enough to give her that push to the finals
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Piff the Magic Dragon returned next, and our hopes and dreams of his return to what he known for have come true.


He returned to form, true form. His snarky, smarmy humor was on-point, Mr. Piffles was still cute, the magic was awesome. Speaking of the magic...Oh, my God.
He used a toaster to reveal the card Melanie chose (Three of Hearts), and ate on it to show the card Howard said (Ace of Clubs). But here's where it gets mind-blowing. He flicked his deck to the TV, asking Mr. Piffles to catch the card Heidi chose (Seven of Diamonds), but it's obviously not happening. But...one card stuck to the screen. Piff runs out of the building...and then to the resort Piffles was...and picks the cute doggie up...And he grabbed the fucking card through the fucking TV!!!!
I’m--I--uhh... Best Act of the Night.
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Daniella Mass sang an operatic version of "Crying" by Roy Orbison.


Just looking at the setup was enough to make me cry already. But then came her voice.
She really gave it her all, and it showed. This is simply another great performance.
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And now, Uzeyer Novruzov with his next act with what could be his mistress, his 15-foot ladder.
His act started off great, coming down from the stage before spinning himself on a large Cyr ring, which was a really cool side. He then took to the big one, doing what he did last week as a reminder. Then, he grabs two small rings.
Unfortunately, this is where the act ends.


Uzeyer falls off his ladder (15 feet high!) and hits the stage floor. Thank God he survived. That was really scary. And it was heartbreaking, too; seeing his journey possibly end so terribly.
It’s really heartbreaking.
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Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin continues to be a spectacular, incredible and all-around genius and entertaining act. This time, he’s not joined by a puppet. But that doesn’t stop him from playing with the thing he chose to play around with...Howie.


My God, this is definitely up there with his performance with his puppet . Using a moving mouth to do the action and Watching Howie act like a damn fool in the process was just freakin’ side splitting! And looking at his eyes while this goes on just make it even more hilarious.
And Howie is a great dancer, too. Perfect to be a Riverdance reject.
This is also the Best Act of the Week for sure.
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And finally, singer Sharon Irving ended yet another show on another high with her cover of John Lennon’s beloved icon “Imagine”.

This was a real good performance, but I think it wasn’t her best. I won’t say she ruined it (because she didn’t), but she didn’t put in as much effort as her last performance.

At this moment, I want to address something that is irritating me:
I usually grab the videos for the acts’ performances on YT. And sometimes I scroll down to the comments section to see what other people think of them. Sometimes they are negative; that’s fine. But the problem I have with them is that people want the singers gone completely from America’s Got Talent. They want all singers to be removed from the show entirely just because they’re singers.
Umm, I have a question: What does the title say? America’s Got TALENT. Singing is a talent, just like acrobatics, magic, comedy, dancing, stunts and ect.--all the other talents featured. You all are treating the singers as if they’re a higher class than the other acts, like they mean more to the producers than all the other acts, which you seem to love more--when they are given just as much equality as the singers. I was like you all before, but now, I’m more appreciative of the singers. Yes, there is another singing competition shows (one being on the same network no less!), but so what? AGT is still a talent competition show nonetheless, and jettisoning the singers would be unfair to those who want a chance to have their dreams realized, and those viewers who actually aren’t fans of the more high-calibre acts. Whining about kicking them all off the show makes you all look immature, childish and pathetic. If there is an act you love that is not a singer, then show all of your energy for them. Constructive criticism is fine, but Negative criticism is just unneeded and cruel.
Leave the singers alone, and just enjoy the rest of the show.

Okay, now that the bitching is out of the way… it’s time for the last eliminations before the big time.
At the start of the Results, Uzeyer didn’t even have a light shone on him during the Dunkin’ Save. Damn.

Anyway, in the first result:

-3 Shades of Blue and Daniella Mass were chosen, with (shockingly) NEITHER of them going through. This was a huge shock, but not that surprising. I’ll explain later.
-Piff the Magic Dragon beat out Alondra Santos to capture one of the first spots to the Finals. It’s not surprising to see him go, as he was awesome, but it’s heartbreaking for Alondra to end her journey this far. But I know she’ll do great in the future.

Next result has just as much surprises:

-To my shock & disgust, Stevie Starr The Professional Regurgitator took the second spot over Alicia Minchilli.
Shame
-Paul Zerdin will be sitting comfortably with Spot #3, which I’m so damn cool with. The dude is so talented, it makes me believe he might have made a deal with Devil to have this much talent exhibited on stage. He’s a master of his talents and switches it up every time to huge success. He deserves the spot. Meanwhile, Sharon Irving left the competition a stronger singer.

And finally, the result of the Dunkin’ Save.

Uzeyer Novruzov beat out Freelusion and Gary Vider for his redemption, staying in the competition. This causes Vider and Freelusion to hope that the judges will choose either in the Judges’ Choice. This ends up being a deadlock tie, with Nick relying on the Second place vote from the Dunkin’ Save to reveal the final spot. It’s Gary Vider who wins it.
Vider is a very funny guy and I’m happy for him to get the final spot, and at the same time, sad to see Freelusion go. They’re also a great act that has some much talent and potential for a great career in entertainment.

And now, my reasoning for not being shocked too much:
Only FIVE ACTS will be moving on to the next round, so you have to expect some shocking eliminations along the way. So as sad/angry/rageful/wanting to slam the TV as you can be, you should realize that, no matter what, your favorite act(s) will be eliminated at any point in the final stage. You just gotta realize that.

To recap:
Leaving:
3 Shades of Blue
Daniella Mass
Alondra Santos
Alicia Michilli
Sharon Irving, and
Freelusion
Moving On:
Piff
Paul Zerdin
Uzeyer Novruzov
Gary Vider, and
Stevie Starr, The Professional Regurgitator

Suit Up! with Nick:
Hopefully, if the eliminations have gotten you down, this segment will cheep you up a bit.

And that’ll do it for the Semi-Finals.
Next week, it’s crunch time. THE FINALS. The biggest, best, brightest, and burp-iest acts will return to give it their all on the grand stage. Who will shine even brighter, and who will fall even harder under pressure? Find out Next week.
Oh yeah, and another thing…


...just saying.

Good night, guys!

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