AGT 2010: Jackie Evancho & Fighting Gravity Glide to the Finals

This week the competition was the highest it's been on America's Got Talent. With a stacked night there were no sure things. Well, maybe one. We'll get to her in a little bit. Nick Cannon got the show started by calling out the first group.

Debra Romer, Michael Grasso, Murray and Nate Kenyon took the stage. My heart sank knowing if even one of these acts went through, one of my favorites would go home. If I had to choose a winning act from these four, it would be Murray hands down. Grasso repeated a trick Murray did earlier, but without a live tiger. Michael Grasso pulled out the win, but likely more due to his sad story. In his intro he told of being a triple kidney transplant survivor. The story wins.

LaReve took the stage for an outstanding performance. Note to all future dance and acrobat groups on AGT: this is what works in Vegas, nothing less. The display of strength was something to behold. Howie Mandel seemed to find a bond with the group of shaved heads saying, "LaReve is French for strong, bald Jew."

Nick Cannon called the second group of semifinalists to the stage: Fighting Gravity and Jeremy Vanschoonhoven. My heart really sank. The look on Jeremy's face said it all, he knew he was had. The best news of the night; both acts were pronounced safe and moving to the finals.

After a less than stellar performance from Jason Derulo, the next group were told their fate. Haspop, Jackie Evancho and Maestro Alexander Bui joined Nick Cannon onstage. Howie Mandel was asked what he thought. Mandel pulled out a new nameplate that said "Cultural Ignoramus". A title given by Piers last night for buzzing Maestro. None of that would matter though, Jackie Evancho sailed into the AGT finals.

Jerry Springer stopped by for the host auditions. Nick Cannon said, "Ya'll just gonna Hasselhoff me on live TV?!" Springer was just on to pimp the AGT tour he's hosting. No worries Nick!

The last group to take the stage for the judges choice were: Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon, Studio One Young Beast Society and Alice Tan Ridley. This was definitely the toughest decision the AGT judges have had this season. Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon were the first eliminated.

The judges choices were singer Alice Tan Ridley or dance crew Studio One Young Beast Society. Ouch, I think Michael Grasso took a spot from a more deserving act. Piers voted first and chose Studio One Young Beast Society. Sharon followed suit, moving the dance crew into the AGT finals. I was happy they moved on, and in this instance it was the right decision. Alice will get a Broadway show or at least a recording contract, I hope.

The AGT 2010 finalists are:
1. Anna & Patryk - young dance group
2. Michael Grimm - adult singer
3. Prince Poppycock - adult opera singer
4. Taylor Matthews - adult singer
5. Christina & Ali - young singers
6. Michael Grasso - magician
7. Fighting Gravity - dance group(?)
8. Jeremy Vanschoonhoven - danger
9. Jackie Evancho - young opera singer
10. Studio One Young Beast Society - dance group

I have to question what group Fighting Gravity falls into. I call them a dance group, but the judges said Studio One Young Beast Society were the only dance group left. Whatever Fighting Gravity does, they do it very well.

The AGT finals start next week on NBC. If you need to catch up on things you can read up on all the acts on my blog: TV Review. If the live audiences had a vote, Jackie Evancho would already be crowned winner. She does deserve it, but this is the best final yet for America's Got Talent. Who do you think is going to take the win this season?