It's finally here.
After 7 weeks of watching some of the best (and most horrible) talent the United States had to offer, the best (or those that fascinated the judges and pandered to the audience the most) were chosen to compete against each other on a bigger stage in front of the entire country, hoping their favorites go on to the highest stage of them all, the stage of the Live Shows at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Who will shine and rise? Who will crash and burn? Let's find out, as it's time for Part 1 of...
The Judge Cuts.
After the open, in which the producers suddenly think we’ve either forgotten the names of the judges, or that they’re continuing to hype them up like they star in the one show NBC actually bothers to promote. And if that wasn’t enough, during this stage of this season, for the first time, they’re joined by a special guest: an actor...who starring on another show on NBC. That’s it.
(I can’t hype up something that’s hyped up to the heavens)
This week, that actor is Neil Patrick Harris--best known for his starring roles in Doogie Howser MD and How I Met Your Mother. He will be making his big return to TV in the fall, hosting a variety show on the Peacock called Best Time Ever. (come on, I can think of a better name that fits more.)
Now that the over 4 minutes of eye-rolling judges filler (and even more eye-rolling product placement for Dunkin’ Donuts) is over, let’s get to what should be the real stars of the show: the acts.
These acts have worked their entire lives for the moment of reaching the Auditions stage, and getting the okay (or “Yes” in this case) to go this, the round where they must impress the judges a second time (this time, along with another studio audience) to get the round of “Yes's” that will officially take them to the Live Shows in New York City.
While few others have gotten better shots to make it there, these guys will have to give it everything they’ve got to get to that round.
After an actually hilarious bit with Neil pressing his Golden Buzzer,
The first returning act is the FreeLuminate Dance Company. Their audition was one of the best I’ve seen this season, so I didn’t hope much that they’d get the okay; I knew they’d go. But their act here was worthy of the ascension anyway. It is a geniusly beautiful recreation of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, with a third member portraying the Devil, and a use of some of the Seven Deadly Sins. It was dark, intense and powerful, yet beautiful and breathtaking. Their dancing was amazing and the graphics and story were straight perfection. I just loved everything I saw, and immediately shows how FreeLuminate has become one of the best acts of this season. Well. Done.
--
Next up is Paul Ponce, the juggler who got into his career at the circus because of his parents, &
His parents Silvia Silva and Viktor (whom I’ll refer to from now on as Viktor Volt), the act involving shooting arrowing into balloons, have been circus performers since they were children, and has inspired their own child to take up circus performing.
They are a family who’ve came to AGT to compete...against each other?
The Juggling-and-Shooting Alliterative Same-namers have had really good auditions:
Paul’s audition juggling boomerang hats across the audition stage and judges desk was awesome,
while Sylvia and Viktor Volt’s act was mindblowingly awesome, with balloons being shot every time. But...
“Viktor, are you still alive?!”
"Of course, I'm still alive."
“Oh yeah, he’s still alive.”
so let’s see what Paul’s come with this time. Balancing a ball on his head.
Honestly, it wasn’t good. He was messing up more than once, including the start (if the ball hitting ground first and his actions around it were an indicator), he had so much trouble keeping balance, and he had to move around the stage to keep perfect. Even with nice brief shots of showmanship (like using a rope to have it single-dutch), it wasn’t impressive or awesome enough to get a good rating from the judges (or me, apparently).
It’s obvious he won’t be going through. What a letdown.
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Meanwhile, Silvia and Viktor Volt are trying the shooting-the-balloons again, this time she's by herself, and the object is apples.
It was just as suspenseful and chilling, yet great as the last time.
--
After that are the Chapkis Dance Family. 28 members, 14 to 35 (call the eldest the Vanilla Ice)
I haven’t noticed them during Auditions; probably because they’re one of the many acts that got a small piece package during one of the episodes, so you can’t blame me for that.
They’re gonna dance… . That was great; the energy exhibited from all the members great and their moves (synchronized or chain reaction) were fantastic. I hope these guys--if they move on--do a lot more this, because I certainly get a kick out of dance groups with moves like that.
--
Skipping the “professional cuddler” (I don’t even know why she even made it past the auditions!),
along with the acts that got a short piece package waiting for them,
we go to Alondra Santos, the 13-year-old singer with the pipes of a grown young adult (seriously, kid can sing).
For this re-audition, she comes to the stage in a beautifully awesome billowing dress to sing a lovely Spanish ballad, "Cu-cu Ru Cu-cu Paloma".
Her voice is just wonderful to hear the second time, and her spirit, like Neil said, is “wise beyond your years”. She seems like a cinch to make it to the Live Shows.
--
Two magicians walk into a soundstage. One gets the title of the better one.
The first is Michael John.
After his first audition where he uses card trick as an excuse to kiss Mel,
he returns here, coming in with a coin and a can of soda, and leaving a nervous wreck who needs to rethink his dreams.
It was slow and painful to watch, and it was clear from the sound and tone of his voice at the start-- that he was nervous as crap. For a magician to make an impression, he has to keep the audience engaged and keep it going as quickly as possible. They can’t be patient...or don’t want to be. Seriously, NPH is a magician himself; I had a feeling he might’ve gotten bored at this too. It was a really good trick, but the timing was just really off. He needs to fix that if he goes to the Live Shows He needs a character, too.
Fortunately enough, the other magician has just that and a lot more.
He’s Piff the Magic Dragon.
He wowed everyone--and I mean everyone (me included)--during his audition. He surprised us with his magic, and kept us laughing with his tailor-made snarky, wacky, humor. Putting them together in his brand made him a true-blue hot commodity (ironically he’s green).
This time around, for his second turn-out, he brought a friend along for his audience: his magic dog, Mr. Piffles (he’s not a really a dragon; just a dog in a dragon costume).
He certainly raised the stakes even higher this time, and for good reason. He’s talented and funny. His magic skills are very impressive and his irreverent humor just keels me. You’d think he’d say something, but he’ll say something else, and that’s what makes him awesome. He is a perfect hybrid of magician, comedian and dragon--perfect recipe for one of the best acts right there.
So yeah...he’s going to Radio City Music Hall. Yep, Neil pressed his Golden Buzzer and let The Piffman go all the way to the RC. He deserves it.
Nick mentions in VO that Piff would be on Access Hollywood Live for his thoughts on his amazing act and even amazing look on his face when he learns he’d be going to the Live Shows. Here it is:
-- Remember Myq Kaplan? No? Me neither, but I’m regretting it now. Because he’s really funny. His content on romantic relationships--and why he sucks at them, going out on a date and philosophy just made me laugh very good. I like him and I hope he goes through. -- After a package of singers who sound much better for a cruise ship or a lounge, We meet 3 Shades of Blue. They performed “Fairly Local” by twenty one pilots. It was a great payoff. These guys remind me positively of Imagine Dragons: these guys are also a rock band with a very cool pop-rock band sound, and can make crowds go wild. I wish these guys luck. -- After some more acts we know aren’t going through, and Grand Master Qi Feilong (no comment), we get to the final act of Part 1 of the Judge Cuts, Samantha Johnson. Here, she sang Sam Smith’s recording of emotion, pain and loss “Lay Me Down”. And...that was just beautiful. Her vocals were perfectly entangled in true raw emotion and passion from every single line in the song. It’s like she’s a natural born singer from that moment. If Sam himself heard this, he would be very proud...just like I am. --- Okay, before we get to the results, let me state: I knew all of the acts going to the Live Shows would be going before Nick read the results. I figured from a mile away that at least some of them would go just from the strength of their auditions, coupled with the strength of their performances this week. This, coupled with the short sightings of other acts, and acts that didn’t do well the second time around, made my thoughts on the first week of The Cuts set in stone. Only one result truly shocked me, as I didn’t expect her to go home. And Now to the Results: FreeLuminate Dance Company Sylvia Sylvia & Viktor Volt Chapkis Dance Company Myq Kaplan 3 Shades of Blue Samantha Johnson Piff the Magic Dragon (Golden Buzzer choice) The Acts I Like are Going: All of them
I was shocked as hell when Alona was not going to the Lives, as, at first, I thought she was way better than Samantha Johnson. Don’t get me wrong, I thought Samantha was very talented as well, but I felt that Alona should go through because of her talent at a young age. I knew she wouldn’t make it to the end of competition, but I hope she would make it to the bigger stage.
(I hope to God that she’ll be chosen later in the competition as a Wild Card Pick, because her talent should not go unnoticed for so long.If not, then...oh well. I wish her luck in life.)
But after a second listen, I’m really glad Samantha is going, because her talent is a godsend to hear and a catalyst for her to be a perfect act to be seen during the Live Shows.
Other than that, from watching this week’s start to the Judges’ Cuts, the writing on the wall was clear for many of the acts the second they step on stage. It was obvious from the editing to the other acts’ performances that make this episode rather anti-climatic, no matter how many cuts to commercial there were or how many random song the show will play obnoxiously.
That doesn’t mean that this was bad. I enjoyed watching very much. The acts I liked, along with some I don’t follow, put out great showings, and make this season more enjoyable and exciting as it passes. This was a great start to this part of the season, and I hoped that it would go as great as we go along to the next Part.
Neil was a great temporary addition to the team; his humor was priceless, his charm was perfect the choice for his pressing the Golden Buzzer was amazing and can do great in almost anything (at least in TV and life).
And that will do it for the First Part of the Judge Cuts. 20 acts came in and seven walked out with a slight victory in going to the Live Shows. The choices the judges have made in getting there were brilliant and all of them are absolutely awesome in their talents. I can’t wait to see what these guys have coming at us during the Live Shows. especially FreeLuminate, Myk , Samantha and Piff. Wow, what a season this is going to be.
Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you soon for Part Two of America’s Got Talent--the Judge Cuts.
See you then.
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