It’s difficult to get overly excited heading into the second live results show of the 10th anniversary season of America’s Got Talent, because the only way it can truly generate a buzz is if America and the judges get it wrong.
Just like last time, it’s less about who voters like and dislike than it is whether or not we can get it right. Several quarter finalists failed to impress or just plain bombed ahead of five more eliminations. There’s an easy three-tiered approach, with a clear cut group of worthy contestants flanked by a muddled middle and a pack of has-beens or never-was’.
America’s Got Talent Recap: 12 More Quarterfinalists Hit the Stage >>>
Who Stays and Who Goes
So before we get to the delightful filler that is an Emily West/William Close/earth harp collaboration of “Nights in White Satin” and Nick Cannon’s 22-second dramatic pauses, let’s break down the competition and reiterate my on-record predictions.
I agree with esteemed colleague Derek Stauffer that Arielle Baril, Derek Hughes, The CraigLewis Band and Sharon Irving are safe, while Animation Crew, Damone Rippy, Myq Kaplan and DM Nation are about to bid us adieu. But whereas he anticipates the demise of 3 Shades of Blue while Ira and Freckled Sky survive the 6-7-8 bottom three, I foresee the projection dancers being in the clear.
He envisions Uzeyer Novruzov a lock for the semifinals, while I forecast him 6-7-8-ing it up with Ira and the rockers for the final two spots. The end result is calculated to be the same, though, as I also conclude that the band has performed for the final time. But if they sneak in, it might be at the expense of he who has many varying-lengthed ladders.
Do you agree? Who should be sticking around in the Big Apple, and who do you think is saying adios?
You can read Derek’s explanations by CLICKING HERE, and many thanks to Thesaurus.com for all the great “predict” synonyms.
And on that note, on to the show! Remember, we’re watching live along with you, so keep the comments coming!
The Live Blog Begins Now
(As Nick runs through a recap of the night and all the mixed reviews, I’m left wondering how they fill out Radio City Music Hall for a one-hour results show? I can’t imagine huge crowds are lining up to spend hours watching one or two performance and some results. They must incorporate several other forms of entertainment, or perhaps a gift-card incentive, like reduced admission to a Rockettes show. If anyone has any insight, please let us know.)
Then it’s time to find out which acts are up for the “Dunkin’ Save,” and Ira, 3 Shades of Blue and Freckled Sky are all on the chopping block. So kudos to Derek for an accurate call, and the judges may actually have a tough call at the end of the evening.
The First Results Revealed
But first, it’s time to see what’s, err, brewing in the Dunkin’ Lounge. It was a tense night for a lot of folks, but then Heidi Klum stopped by to blow off some latte steam with the performers. And she eats a donut hole. Yum.
Nick calls out Damone Rippy and Uzeyer Novruzov to learn their fates, and no questions here.
Uzeyer Novruzov is in the semifinals
Uzeyer is a delightful bundle of grateful tears, and then Mel B. encourages him to stick with the ladder instead of trying something new. (Try something new, Uzeyer! My nerves can’t take it! Don’t listen to her!)
Next up are DM Nation and Arielle Baril. Hmm.
Arielle Baril is safe
But man, some of those DM Nation ladies are super hot when they look human.
Meanwhile, the “Dunkin’ Save” vote percentage is 34-33-33, so it’s still wide open. I voted for Ira, just because I think he’s going to need all the help he can get.
Then Howie, Mel and Heidi head to Madam Tussaud’s and pretend to be wax figures in order to mess with unsuspecting Times Square tourists as part of a faux America’s Got Talent exhibit.
A Giant Voice and Giant Harp Take Over the Stage
The season 9 runner up and the Season 8 finalist are teaming up for an exclusive performance of the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin,” which is a cover off Emily West’s new album. For his part, the earth harp has recently been added to the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest playable stringed instrument.
It’s a match made in heaven, as Emily shows off the chops that it takes to win this competition, and I think she just put all the singers on notice that they need to step it up. There hasn’t been a person on stage this season who can hold a candle to her. Her voice is simply stunning.
The Results Show Actually Delivers Results
Back to the reason we’re tuning in, as Nick summons Sharon Irving, The Craig Lewis Band and Animation Crew. Uh oh, I hope we’re not in for a stunner. Cue the half-minute pause…
The Craig Lewis Band is safe
Howard tells them to keep doing what they’re doing.
Sharon Irving is safe
Whew. That would’ve been crazy, right?
Derek Hughes and Myq Kaplan are summoned for the final based-on-last-night’s-votes reveal.
Derek Hughes is safe
Twenty minutes and two commercial breaks to go…
Last Call for Dunkin’ Votes
Nick brings out Ira, 3 Shades of Blue and Freckled Sky and reveals that there were just 450 votes separating the top two.
Ira wins the “Dunkin’ Save“
I’m not sure what’s more fun than watching a puppet and his puppet mom celebrate something. Now they have to get back to putting on a skit.
And so it’s up to the judges to choose between the band and the dancers, as well as whether Derek and I achieve prediction perfection (him a little more than me, but I’ll still take seven for seven).
Mel B. chooses 3 Shades of Blue
Howie chooses 3 Shades of Blue (based on song choice. Yuck.)
Howard chooses 3 Shades of Blue (but he urges them to rock harder)
3 Shades of Blue is safe
Freckled Sky is eliminated
And there you have it. We were close, but this isn’t horseshoes, and 3 Shades of Blue lives to rock another day. It’s a shame Freckled Sky is out, because they have the potential to marry the visual and the technical in perfect storytelling fashion, but that future will have to play out of a different stage. We’ve got 14 of our semifinalists locked in with just one final group of 12 to take the stage for your votes. Be sure to watch along live with BuddyTV as we wrap up the quarterfinal round of the anniversary season.
Are you happy with the results, and did America and the judges get it right? Or did one eliminated act deserve to stick around?
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8pm on NBC.
(Image courtesy of NBC)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
Emmy-winning news producer & former BuddyTV blogger. Lover of Philly sports, Ned, Zoe, Liam and Delaine…not in that order
