America's Got Talent Finale Sends a Million Dollar Winner to Las Vegas

The finale for America's Got Talent was a doozy of a show. The finalists were featured throughout the show, and one by one they were eliminated. There were guest stars, both big and well known ones, and surprise no-names. The contest was finally narrowed down to two singers and the winner of the million dollars and a show in Las Vegas was announced. America's Got Talent has announced the winner!

The America's Got Talent finale was sprinkled with big name stars as diverse as Goo Goo Dolls and Usher to David Copperfield. Sarah Brightman performed with little Jackie Evancho, while Lionel Richie joined the amazing frat boys that make up Fighting Gravity. The finalists were featured and the standings were announced near the end of the show, as the four contestants were strung along with nail biting suspense.

Meanwhile, a lot of surprise acts performed as well, in the form of wild and crazy contestants that had been buzzed off throughout the season. One featured ex-contestant was Spongetta, back with her "hit" song "Up in My Studio," accompanied by Nick Cannon. The people who couldn't sing, dance, or maintain even a modicum of dignity came back for one last chance to humiliate themselves before a live television audience, and they did the job with enthusiasm!

After endless commercials, and tons of hyped suspense, the final four were told America's verdict. First of the four to go was Prince Poppycock, the singing French King Louis wanna-be with the pounds of makeup, piles of pink hair and surprisingly good voice. John Andrew Quale, the man behind the makeup, has an unique act, and probably will make it to Las Vegas on his own before long.

The third place act was Fighting Gravity, a group of talented and imaginative frat boys turned entertainment sensations that will rival Blue Man Group. I thought they would place higher due to their originality and huge entertainment value.

Finally after tributes to each of the judges and recaps of all of them together, the first and second place contestants were more than ready to find out America's choice. The million dollar winner of America's Got Talent and the winner of their own show in Las Vegas is... Michael Grimm! As Michael, who looked completely stunned, absorbed the news, tiny Jackie Evancho, with tremendous poise, graciously thanked everyone and expressed the hope that she might perform for them again. I imagine she'll get that chance, hopefully after she gets the chance to grow up a bit first!

Michael Grimm, a very talented and charismatic singer entering the contest to give his grandparents something positive to look forward to after seeing them devastated by Hurricane Katrina, ended up going all the way and becoming America's Choice as winner of America's Got Talent.