Let's be honest, America's Got Talent never was worth the hype. It's often fun to watch, and I am one of the world's biggest fans of the existence of things that help the careers of those who wouldn't have much opportunity otherwise, whether they win or not, but things have gone wrong.
I say that with a truly heavy heart, because I'm quite serious when I say that I love the fact that such shows exist. Some truly talented people just wouldn't get seen otherwise, and there are countless stories of the positive results for those on these kinds of shows, even for some who come nowhere near winning.
As this show has run along at us, we've seen some amazing people and acts, and even among those that really have no hope of making a full-blown Vegas show work, you're glad you got to see a lot of this stuff. Of course, that means you've had to sit through some amazingly bad acts as well, but that's part of the fun.
We've even witnessed a lot of acts getting past the initial audition that really made us wonder, even if there is a viral video sort of appeal to the idea. "Oh, yes," we're laughing along at home, "let me see that again next week." But, at some point it really isn't funny anymore.
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Las Vegas" -- Pictured: Airpocalypse -- Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC
Witness the reaction of some of the contestants who were put into the same group as the air band. I'm at a loss to find the right adjective to describe the fact that some of those real musicians were sent home.
Given the final selection of 48 contestants who will be competing for your votes, the mind boggles at the thought processes of the judges and/or producers. Of course, I'm sure everyone has a selection or two they scoff at, and that's just going to be the case every season, but this time you're somewhat forced to begin wondering on an entirely different level.
Are they stacking the deck, because really they have about ten acts they want to go far, and they don't want many choices similar to those acts? Are certain acts getting through as "dummy" options, and/or are we just making fun of some of these people?
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Orpheum LA Auditions" -- Pictured: Ronith -- Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC
You hate to think that the judges might be putting people all the way to the top 48 as a complete gag, just so that America gets another opportunity to goof on them, but...
Where's the line?
Oddly, in the small glimpses we get into the deliberations, Piers somewhat frequently mentions some spin on, "But, is it a real Vegas act?" A question that ought to be asked, because as much as I am impressed by the talent of some contestants, I can't imagine what it would mean to watch their act for an hour.
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Las Vegas" -- Pictured: Sally Cohn -- Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC
I also feel for cute kids, animals, and old people as much as the next guy, but where was Piers' question when we put through the hand whistler? Yes, well, quite a cute trick, but are you going to pay $75 in Vegas to see hand whistling?
I don't even mind bringing her to Vegas, because if I was a judge on the show, I might be very inclined to say to myself, "Screw it, I'm giving that lady a trip to Vegas, because I can at least do that." But, top 48?
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Las Vegas" -- Pictured: Maricar -- Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC
A few other questionable people made it into the top 48 as well, and while I have my picks -
Well, you might have your own. We aren't going to agree on everything, and there are levels to the madness that are ultimately more acceptable than others. The magicians, for instance, create their own special circumstance. I think the selection could not have gone more wrong, but it is a different kind of wrong.
One guy got in doing a pretty boring, standard trick where he makes a car appear. The joke magician got in, and that's an entire debate on its own.
The rub here is that this guy didn't get in-
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Las Vegas" -- Pictured: Michael Grasso -- Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC
Despite a minor flub in his original audition, his Vegas act was superior to any of the other magicians, and for exactly the reason he stated.
Take another look.
And, even more odd in the magic category...
This guy got through -
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Las Vegas" -- Pictured: Antonio Restivo -- Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC
using Michael's original audition trick. Why the Face?
Not only does it become insulting, to the other acts and the viewers, but someone apparently doesn't realize that there is a significant audience that only exists to try to get Sanjaya as many votes as possible. One or two outlandish acts is a fine enough thing, but many of these acts are ludicrous, and we've come to the point where someone is just plain stupid. If the judges aren't idiots, then they're betting heavy that you are.
I mean, this year they even sent this guy packing -
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Las Vegas" -- Pictured: Carlos Aponte -- Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC
which means they not only sent away one of the best moments from the auditions, but made Howie look pretty stupid for talking up how awesome he was. "You hope for one those moments. This was one of those moments....... Bu-bye."
Unfortunately, a lot of talented people went home so that others with no chance of winning can move on. I'm not sure what the plan is, though as I say, I think it involves one set of people believing another set of people spend a lot of time walking into walls, but whatever the plan, we may find that it has suddenly taken an awkward turn.
Oh, the ratings probably aren't going to suffer much, but watch a few of these ridiculous acts make it quite a ways and put a serious scare into the people who have to cover this act for a year. Want to guess which Vegas suit is really hoping to get roped into headlining the hand whistler?
Are You Screening?
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- 'America's Got Talent': Did the judges get it right? (popwatch.ew.com)
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About Marc Eastman
Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.
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