America’s Got Talent – Four YouTube acts are picked for the semi-finals

First up on stage were Gymkana and Powerhouse. Piers mentioned that both did great last night and that he expected both to go through. Only Gymkana gets a spot in the Top 24.

It was then time for two YouTube hits to perform live on stage. First up was Tay Zonday who performed about 30 seconds of his YouTube hit “Chocolate Rain,” which got over 70 million hits. His AGT performance was just okay but you have to admit it’s impressive that such a small man has a deep rich voice à la Barry White! Then it was time for Keenan Cahill who lip-synced his way to up to 300 million views for his various performances posted on YouTube, including his “Teenage Dream” performance. See both Tay and Keenan perform in the clip below.

Before more results could be announced, it was time of OK GO (the band is mostly famous for their performance on treadmills) to perform for us a new song/routine. This time, they were performing a sort of dance routine standing on a glass stage so that a camera would capture their moves from below the stage and up. This camera angle was quite impressive as it gave us a totally different view and understanding of OK GO’s routine. However, the fact that they were sometimes sitting on the glass stage lead to some rather not so graceful camera shots of their anatomy. See for yourself in the clip below.

Matt Wilhelm, TNC Elite, and Aeon, were asked to the stage next. Howie said that he thought it would be between Matt and Aeon. He was right as Matt Wilhelm is the one moving through. Piers commented after the announcement saying that he rewatched the live show and he believes that Matt can go all the way.

YouTube sensation Rebecca Black performed about a minute and a half of her song “Friday”. She sounded a bit off key and out of breath at times. However, we could see that she had fun on stage and that, with experience and training, she has a promising career.

Then it was time for Kalani Basketball Freestyle, Brett Daniels, Kevin Colis, and Breena Bell, to learn if they were moving on or not. The recap clip reminded us that Piers Xed three of these four acts last night. Surprisingly (or not), the only act that he did not X is the one moving on to the Top 24: Kevin Colis.

The last YouTube sensation act to perform was Up and Over It, who also participated in Britain’s Got Talent. The duo performs a dancing routine with their hands and arms and also incorporate tap dancing in the mix. Starting at the 1:20 mark in the clip below, you can watch their impressive routine. They offered the best guest performance tonight.

Finally, West Springfield Dance Team, Beth Ann Robinson, and Gabe Rocks, were asked to the stage. Nick announced that Gabe Rocks was leaving the show. Awwww … we have to say bye to the cutie bulldog who knows how to make fun of Piers. The judges had to decide between WSDT and Beth. Piers voted for Beth. Sharon voted for WSDT. Howie, once again, had to break the tie and voted for Beth.

Moving on to the Top 24 are Gymkana, Matt Wilhelm, Kevin Colis, and Beth Ann Robinson. Only two of my picks are moving on. How about your predictions?

Next week is Wild Card Week. The twelve acts coming back are: West Springfield Dance Team, Landon Swank, The Kinetic King, Summerwind Skippers, Charles Peachock, Yellow Design Stunt Team, Shevonne, J Chris Newberg, Those Funny Little People, Seth Grabel, The Fiddleheads, Avery and the Calico Hearts. I’m glad that the judges are bringing back a few magic/illusionist acts as the Top 24 is lacking people in that category. I’m not happy with Those Funny Little People coming back as they bored me in previous rounds. And who is Shevonne? Probably an act that didn’t get to perform in the Top 48 and that the judges want to see again? Are you happy with the Wild Cards picks? Chime in in the comments section below.

Clacked by Isabelle Carreau
on Aug 11, 2011 @ 02:25 EST5EDT