Scorches, Surges, Shattered Vases, and No Shortage of X's Set Off Semifinalists' Selection on America's Got Talent

The moment at last arrived for the first 12 semifinalists to show off their best last night for America's Got Talent. An elite group managed to sail over the ever-rising bar, while most somehow felt it was another round of first auditions. So would anyone take the night?

Anna and Patryk brought their ballroom brilliance to the stage again with a Spanish dance sizzle to Lady Gaga's Paparazzi, and were flawless once more, with Piers Morgan praising that they "behaved like stars" and Sharon Osbourne giving them props for their already solid fan club. Christina and Ali hit some big notes in their number that would make Mariah and America proud, but some other notes were missed, and the heaping helping of inspiration they offer in the battle to rise above cystic fibrosis may not muster enough votes, but the "big eyes" that get to judge Morgan get to the audience of 115 million, too! Magician Antonio Restivo sold his car to find funds to create his "freedom amidst the flames" spectacle, and showed why his act is already big enough for the Strip in Vegas. Future Funk slid down slides to spin and shake for the crowd, but it wasn't enough to keep Piers' palm off his buzzer. Sharon Osbourne was right when she commented that these two cutie pies needed their own sitcom. I hear the phone ringing, and it's Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel calling! Taylor Mathews took to the ivories last night, performing Show Me What I'm Looking For. His easy voice and sweet smile were invaded by a touch of nerves, and Howie Mandel said the wow moment went missing, but the squealing girls could still be heard. Like the upturned wave of his haircut, the wave of Taylor's rise to bigger heights won't be cut just yet, however the votes fall. Connor Doran sailed his kites to the glow of Fireflies, and while Piers pontificated that the young man's inspiration was sacrificed by the pop song, Sharon seemed swayed with the audience that the fun and fanciful can still be inspired, and I say, indeed!

Magic man and Marilyn Manson protégé Dan Sperry recruited Nick Cannon for one of the worst displays of sawing away limbs ever, all for the sake of his spooky signature. Nothing about the performance worked, and the only one who still loves this dark side devotee is Howie Mandel's therapist, who's raking in big bucks from all the extra sessions. Kristina Young told in her profile piece how she had reconciled with her father after three years because of her AGT appearance, but reminiscing must have cut into rehearsal time, because she was swallowed by her stripped-down stanzas of Poker Face, and triple-X'ed by the panel! ArcAttack gave new definition to "electrifying" again as they portrayed fencing Frankensteins bringing their bride back from the dead. Piers dubbed them "weird little freaks" but also "best of the night". None of these guys is giving up their gig with technical explanation, and simply put, there has never been an act like them! Michael Grimm sang You Can Leave Your Hat On with soulful sexiness that belied his battle with illness right up to taking the stage. He has what it takes to be a star, and the bravos should have him better in no time. AscenDance went up tempo last night, scaling a city skyline in their routine, but the touches of romance and mystique were absent, however daring and precise the moves. Another X arrived, but will the votes?

Prince Poppycock closed the show with an absolute showstopper of a performance! Taking on Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody with virtuoso vengeance, the Prince pranced, primped, and shattered vases all the while in perfect pitch! His ovation was as vivacious as his oratorio, and the judges were swept away in the moment. Sharon Osbourne named him "the male Lady Gaga". I'm not sure you can fit a name to him. I'm not sure I'll be buying tickets to see him, but do I call him a mega-talent? You bet I do!

Five semifinalists get their votes for the finals Wednesday!

Source:

America's Got Talent telecast, August 24, 2010 NBC TV.