The first week back from the Olympics, "America's Got Talent" held its YouTube round, with 12 online contestants competing for votes.
First was Clint Carvalho and His Extreme Parrots. His bird, Kitten, made an impressive entrance from across the street, into an open door, and then to the stage. Sharon Osbourne called him the bird whisperer.
Reverse Order, a pop-rock band, did Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl," which made no sense for a male vocalist. Howard Stern, who's wanted a band to compete, said they need to refine their act. Howie Mandell felt like they were just acting like a rock band.
Rudy Coby, an illusionist and friend of Marilyn Manson, turned a puppet into a giant marionette. Howard and Sharon called it boring, while Howie found it exciting.
7 in Unison, a dance act, did a jazz routine to "Give Me Fever" in front of metal scaffolding. Howie buzzed them for not wowing him. Howard summed it up: "It was 90 seconds; it felt like 90 minutes."
Drew Erwin, a football player who turned to music after breaking his hand, got shouty on his version of Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn." He's attractive, though, and might win younger voters. Sharon called him terrific for 16, but Howard thought he should pursue football.
Stand-up comedian Melinda Hill fell flat after a few jokes. Howie and Howard agreed she was better on YouTube.
Eric Buss, a performer who defies description, shot pop-up snakes from handmade contraptions to music. Howard called it a colossal waste of time.
Romeo Dance Cheetah, an air guitarist, descended to the stage on a lit platform and undulated in sparkly red tights surrounded by pyrotechnics. Howard didn't feel air guitar was a talent, and Howie said he'd spent too much time perfecting air guitar.
Puck, a magician, made a handkerchief "dance" into a jar and back. Howard has seen similar acts, but thought he performed well. Howie predicted he'd be voted in. Sharon thought it should be bigger.
Bria Kelly sang an upbeat country song, "Gunpowder and Lead." Sharon thought it was a little shouty, but Howie called her the stand-out performer.
Carillon player Cast in Bronze, wearing a gold bird mask, performed "Carol of the Bells" with a backing track. Sharon held up a paddle with an "X" on it, since the performance was outside. The other judges followed suit. Sharon couldn't decide if she was at a supermarket at Christmas or was watching Quasimoto. Howard said, "If Hell had a musician, you'd be it."
Academy of Villains, a theater-based dance company, wore red gloves to draw attention to their hands. Sharon felt they made the YouTube auditions worth it. Howie thought they'd saved the best for last.
