Twelve acts performed this week. Eleven were chosen by the judges and one act was chosen by America over the past weeks. Some viewers — and I include myself in the lot — may think that these performers got it easy as they didn’t go through the official audition / Vegas Hell Week / Top 48 process. However, as it was pointed at the start of the performance show, some of these acts never performed outside of their living room. In an instant they had to go from their living room to the AGT stage with tons of people in the audience and a few million viewers at home!
TNC Elite, clog dancing: This group of dancers did make clogging a bit more hip during their performance set to The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling.” However, Sharon was right when saying that the clogging and the contemporary music didn’t work really well together and that it looked like they were fighting one another. When the music was on, it looked like their moves and clogging were not in sync with the rhythmn of the music. It’s doubtful that they’ll make it to the Top 24, especially after Howie said they were not spectacular and are only “really good on YouTube.”
Brett Daniels, illusionist: This 50-year-old illusionist is on AGT to reinvent himself one more time. His Marylin Monroe-themed illusion was a nice idea but it was poorly executed. Sadly for him, one mistake was not totally his fault as the curtain set to hide the picture frame didn’t totally hide the picture at the beginning and we quickly noticed him pulling a string and then saw the picture change in the bottom right corner frame, thus taking some of the magic away. Check around the 1:50 mark in the clip below. There was too much dancing around and a lot of time wasted during this number. As well, before Marilyn disappeared at the end, Brett even took a few seconds to talk to his assistant with their backs to us and we couldn’t hear what he was telling her — he claimed he told her where to disappear to. Brett believed that high act went well but Piers was right to X him due to the poor execution.
Gabe Rocks, dog act: As you can see in the clip below, bulldog Gabe rocked the house! Not only was he impressive at performing his tricks but the number added an extra element that two of the judges and the crowd loved: making fun of Piers! As expected, Piers Xed Gabe shortly after Gabe and his owner started to make fun of him. Gabe will probably not go beyond the Top 24. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move through to the next round as, as Howie pointed out, Gabe stole America’s heart.
Aeon (known as Aeon Fever on the net), acrobatics: The stage setting was hip and cool but the AGT production wrecked it all by having female dancers look like they should have been on the original Star Trek next to the Orion Slave Girls. Piers Xed the Aeon crew because their performance was poorly coordinated and choreographed. He claimed that at least one person fell at one point but we didn’t really notice that on TV and the guys seem to not agree either. Some of their moves, like the tumbling over the pyramid, were cool but the routine was missing the wow factor and, as Sharon mentioned, it was way too repetitive. Howie liked what he saw.
Breena Bell, contorsionist/dancer: For a 9-year-old contorsionist, Breena was quite impressive. Compared to the other dance numbers already voted through to the Top 24, she still has a lot of experience to get. Piers Xed Breena but he quickly pointed out in his comments that she is a good gymnast who could go to the Olympics but that this is not the kind of act for AGT at this time. I know Breena is a kid and still has a lot to learn, but her act was too repetitive and didn’t seem to be choreographed. She did show tremendous potential and has a great attitude.
Kevin Colis, singer/musician: Not only did Kevin have a nice smile, a cool voice, a great song choice but he sang with his eyes open — a definite plus as most male singers on AGT can’t keep their eyes open while performing (I’m pointing at you Michael Grimm, who won last season)! I enjoyed Kevin’s rendition of Bruno Mars’ “The Lazy Song.” However, Piers was right when pointing out that Kevin’s stage presence was lacking a bit but, after all, this was Kevin’s first real performance on a stage.
Beth Ann Robinson, dancer: If Beth Ann had auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance, it’s a given that she would have been sent through directly to Hell Week. She displayed grace and strength during her performance of a bird getting out of its cage. However, the routine didn’t seem to be that choreographed and didn’t really tell a story that would fit her costume and the stage setting. Piers said that she was technically brilliant. Sharon loved the fact that Beth moved effortlessly. Howie claimed that there is a place here for her … but will America respond to this type of dancing? Well, Howie, did you see the ratings for SYTYCD? I think that speaks to if America can respond to such a dance number.
Gymkana, acrobatics team: One word: WOW! This group was established in 1946 and is composed of people who don’t have experience in such a field. The lack of any professional experience made this performance even more incredible. The members were precise, in sync, strong, and slick. The moves on the ladders were definitely the best parts of this number. The only thing they must tweak: be less repetitive. Check their amazing performance in the clip below.
Kalani Basketball Freestyle, basketball acrobatics: This one-man Harlem Globetrotter, as Howie dubbed him, failed to impress due to at least one mistake near the end. Piers claimed that Kalani did two mistakes but I only saw the last one on TV. Again, production messed up with an act by adding too many things around it. This time: it was the dancers again. The ladies were dressed in bright green dresses and were holding bright green guns to portray aliens since the stage setting was the outer space. The ladies’ costumes were so bright that it distracted way too much from the cool tricks Kalani performed. Too bad. Production should have probably let him perform solo on the stage for his first performance. Piers Xed him.
West Springfield Dance Team, dancers: The Matrix-meets-vampires stage setting and costumes were really hip and cool. I was impressed from the start and expected a flawless and impressive routine. Sadly, I was bored as none of their moves were jaw dropping. It was missing the wow factor. They did show great synchronization and energy. The three judges loved it but Howie reminded them that a tough road is ahead as dance acts have made it through to the next round.
Matt Wilhelm, bike tricks: For the first 30 seconds or so, the act was fun and impressive. But it lost me when it started to be too repetitive — Matt mostly only twirled around — and because we couldn’t see him much as his glow-in-the-dark suit was not glowing enough to properly see his moves, including those that seemed to be done off the bike. Personally, I wouldn’t pay big bucks to see this type of act headline a show. However, it’s definitely the type of act that should be performed at the X Games. All three judges loved it.
Powerhouse, choir: This choir was the inspiration for Glee, which means that America will compare them even more to what we see on the FOX TV series. Powerhouse’s performance of Katy Perry’s “Fireworks” was just okay. The music was too loud compared to the singing and the soloist sounded way off key. The costumes and setting were okay as they fit with the firework theme. It wasn’t a bad performance but considering everyone and I will compare them to Glee, it wasn’t fantastic. Howie, who Xed them during the solo, said that the sound on Glee is spectacular but Powerhouse was just “Glee-lite.” Dear Howie, the sound sucks on AGT and has for years, so even the Glee singers wouldn’t sound like Glee on the show! Sharon was impressed by their infectious enthusiasm while their performance made Piers happy even though it felt like Glee meets Star Trek meets cheese.
My picks: Gymkana, Powerhouse, Kevin Colis, Gabe Rocks. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised is Beth Ann Robinson makes it over Gabe. What are yours?
Clacked by Isabelle Carreau 
on Aug 10, 2011 @ 02:47 EST5EDT
