On the road to the semifinals, "America's Got Talent" is whittling 48 hopefuls down to 16. During the July 3 results show, viewer votes helped determine four of the acts that will take one step closer to the million dollar prize.
Results shows point out the weaknesses in the whole AGT process, though. Host Nick Cannon has the unenviable task of artificially cranking up the tension and keeping the audience interested for an entire hour. Cannon drags out the reading of the winner's name so much, however, that it is tempting to change the channel.
Guest performances from Cirque du Soleil and will.i.am are nice, but on a results show, they amount to little more than filler. Viewers want the good stuff, not the fluff.
During the show, Cannon called the contestants out in groups of three:
Michael Nejad, Nikki Jensen, Shanice and Maurice Hayes
This one was fairly easy to call given Nejad's dismal performance and Jensen's lack of polish. America voted Shanice and Maurice Hayes through to the next round. Despite a somewhat shaky duet in Vegas, the father/daughter duo nailed it in New York City.
Stern continued his observations, though. After Nejad's performance, he told the cameras what he thought of the radio host in no uncertain terms. There also was noticeable friction between Nejad and Stern before the results were read.
Stern even took a swipe at Nikki Jensen, saying that she left her best performance back in Vegas.
787 Crew, Scott Brothers, Lil Starr
This grouping was no real accident, given the fan favorite aspects of each. In the end, America rewarded the Scott Brothers for bringing their best to New York City. If they keep bringing fresh material to the stage, these dancing siblings are going to be a tough act to beat.
"This year, the singers are not going to be on top," Stern enthused. "Last night, you guys blew the singers away. Very original."
David Garibaldi & His CMYK's, Jarrett & Raja, The American BMX Stunt Team
This season of "America's Got Talent" favors originality, which helped elevate David Garibaldi & His CMYK's to the next level. Garibaldi and crew painted a portrait of Mick Jagger in their own unique style, making viewers hungry for what they are going to do next.
Judge's Vote: Edon, Distinguished Men of Brass, Todd Oliver
In the final elimination, the Distinguished Men of Brass received the least votes and were sent home immediately. This left 14-year-old Edon and ventriloquist Todd Oliver at the mercy of Howard Stern, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel. In the end, Edon earned the judge's votes and moved on to the semifinals.
Stern still had some parting words of advice for Oliver. "That dog act is one of the most original things I have seen. I wish you would have invested a thousand dollars and got yourself a joke writer who would have written topical material for you," he said.
