"America's Got Talent" Semi-Finals & Results Part 2

The second set of twelve performers of the twenty-four fighting for a chance to be in the Top Ten talents on "America's Got Talent" took the stage on Tuesday, August 31 and it was a show to remember. In addition to receiving a million dollars, the winner of season five of AGT will go on tour with other acts from "America's Got Talent" which will be hosted by Jerry Springer.

"X" is the Not the Word on "America's Got Talent" Semi-Finals
The previously buzzer-happy Piers only hit the big red X on two unlucky acts - Haspop the performance artist and pianist Maestro Alexander Bui. I've been a fan of Haspop from the beginning but I have to agree with the judges that the interaction with the giant head on the video screen was a bit too much. Alexander played what sounded like two musical pieces at once - The Flight of the Bumble Bee and some Boogie Woogie tune. It was definitely fast and a difficult piece to play.

This is the X-Free Mediocre Zone on "America's Got Talent" Semi-Finals
Acts that were good, but were not great, were Debra Romer, Nathaniel Kenyon, and Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon. Debra and Nathaniel both looked completely lost without their guitars in hand. It's hard to hide behind that skinny little microphone stand. Debra chose a song that was slow and I thought boring as she sang Garth Brook's "To Make You Feel My Love" while wearing a formal dress. She looked way out of her comfort zone. Nathaniel crooned "You and Me" by Lifehouse, but obviously felt very exposed without his guitar to pick on. Michael & Asheligh played in the clouds like angels. This time it was Ashleigh that was holding on to Michael as their aerialist act swung all around and up and down the stage.

The Shining Stars on "America's Got Talent" Semi-Finals
Alice Tan Ridley, Michael Grasso, Studio One Young Beast Society, Jeremy VanSchoonhoven, Murray, Jackie Evancho and Fighting Gravity gave the best overall performances of the evening. Only five of them will go forward to be in the Top Ten acts of season five of "America's Got Talent." Alice opened the show singing "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. The judges called her performance incredible and sensational. Michael Grasso, the wild card magician, performed the same illusion Murray did with the tiger, only he used a girl in a cage. Been there, seen that. I didn't think it had as much wow factor as the tiger did though. Studio One danced around the stage for a bit before Jeremy took over. This bicycle stunt devil had props on the stage almost higher than the big red X that Piers likes to buzz. Jeremy is performing injured from a fall he took in practice. He has a swollen arm with stitches and an injured hip, but the show must go on, right? After a shaky start he ends big by nailing the stunt that put him in the hospital when he hops his bicycle down the tall prop built to look like a mountain. Sharon begs the audience and home viewers to vote for Jeremy. Murray the magician tells a story of his father and his love of trains. While he is telling this story, a train that is on a platform behind him is hidden by a curtain and hoisted about 5' off the stage. When Murray pulls the curtain down the train is gone. No one seems impressed by this. The star of YouTube and now the buzz and favorite on AGT, ten-year-old operatic singer Jackie takes the stage singing "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli. She gets not one, but two, standing ovations. Frat boys Fighting Gravity get the honor of following Jackie's performance. They have been my favorite from the beginning. If "America's Got Talent" is about finding the variety, and different and unusual acts, Fighting Gravity certainly meets the criteria. This time they have a "brick wall" as a backdrop while the "job foreman" takes control of his "puppets" (for lack of a better description.) The black-lit white "puppets" shine on the black light backdrop and seem to float in the air while performing impossible tricks. The "puppets" perform some skateboarding tricks and slide across park benches that no normal human could possibly do. This is one act that is hard to describe but it is very cool and entertaining to watch. Check it out for yourself here.

"America's Got Talent" Results Show Part 2
America has voted and the votes are in. The last five of this year's Top Ten acts of "America's Got Talent" have been decided. The first four acts called to the stage are Debra Romer, Michael Grasso, Murray, and Nathaniel Kenyon. Michael Grasso is the lone magician that will be in the Top Ten. Next the cast from "Le Reve" took the stage to entertain viewers, but I just hit the fast forward button. Next up on the chopping block are Fighting Gravity and Jeremy VanSchoonhoven. They both receive the good news that they will be going forward. Now singer Jason Derulo comes on stage, but I again hit the fast forward button as I am not interested in that type of music. Why does AGT like to drag these shows out? After Jason, Jerry Springer sneaks up on Nick making Nick wonder if he's been given the heave-ho! No, Jerry is just there to plug the AGT Tour he will be hosting beginning October 1st. The next three acts called to the stage to learn their fate are Haspop, Jackie Evancho and Maestro Alexander Bui. Given America's reaction to her, it's a no-brainer that Jackie is the next finalist in the Top Ten. Now on to the judges pick. The three acts left are Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon, Studio One Young Beast Society, and Alice Tan Ridley. First Michael & Ashleigh are eliminated for having received the least number of votes between those three acts. Now the judges pick between the remaining two. Piers decides on Studio One, as does Sharon. There's no need for Howie to vote, which is good since he has been dubbed a "cultural ignoramus" by Piers.

Top Ten Acts on "America's Got Talent"
There you have it. The official Top Ten acts of season five on "America's Got Talent" are:

1. Anna & Patryk (Ballroom Dancers)
2. Michael Grimm (Singer)
3. Prince Poppycock (Singer/Entertainer)
4. Taylor Mathews (Singer)
5. Christina & Ali (Singers)
6. Michael Grasso (Magician)
7. Fighting Gravity (Entertainers)
8. Jeremy VanSchoonhoven (Dare Devil)
9. Jackie Evancho (Opera Singer)
10. Studio One Young Beast Society (Hip Hop Dancers)

The "variety" portion of AGT seems to have gotten lost as there are 5 singers in the Top Ten, but oh well, that's America's choice. Tune in on Tuesday, September 7, to see these Top Ten perform. Six of them will be eliminated by your votes, leaving four standing in the finals. I'm pulling for Fighting Gravity or Prince Poppycock to win it all. Who is your favorite act?

"America's Got Talent" Semi Finals Live in Hollywood aired Tuesday, August 31 and the Results Show aired Wednesday, September 1 at 9 pm ET on NBC.

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DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION

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America's Got Talent