This week’s group of semifinalists was overall MUCH BETTER than last week. Much more talent in this group. Here’s some of the outstanding ones:
MICHAEL GRASSO:
- How many magician/illusionists can really make it? But I have to say Michael’s tricks are pretty impressive. I didn’t feel that this one was AS great as last week, but it was still quite cool. And somehow I feel like we should be able to explain how he did it…just because this one had a lot of time where people could’ve moved around somehow…
MURRAY:
- I’m putting the two magic guys next to each other on purpose. Michael or Murray? Which one? Tough call. I can see what Piers & Howie were saying about all the “narration” Murray did…but I feel like that’s part of his act. He always talks a lot to explain stuff. But making a whole TRAIN disappear…come on now…how crazy is THAT?! Pretty impressive. And the silhouette of the train was there all the way up ’til that last minute when he pulled the sheet off…WTH?! HOW DID HE DO THAT?!
*SIDE NOTE: Between Michael & Murray, I might have to go with Murray…only because his stunts involve much more outrageous objects/animals. So far he’s used a mustang, a tiger, and now a train. I mean…all those things are not objects you can just THROW AROUND, but yet he’s able to make them appear/disappear. Michael usually uses humans, which are much easier to “manipulate.” Not AS impressive, imo.
JACKIE EVANCHO:
- OK, I’m STILL QUITE freaked out by Jackie’s operatic voice. I still CAN’T BELIEVE she is able to sing LIKE THAT…AT 10 YEARS OLD! She should be AT LEAST 50 with a voice like that! It’s just…CRAZY. BUT I will say I was LESS freaked out this week, and I actually kind of enjoyed her performance. Mainly because her song choice was AWESOME. “Time To Say Goodbye”…originally sung by Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli. I mean…come on! That’s ONE TOUGH SONG. And it really showed off her range.
- She DID mess up that last note, but I bet the live audience couldn’t even hear it, they were cheering so loud by that point. The judges didn’t point it out, so I bet they didn’t hear it either.
- No matter how WEIRD it is that she can sing like that, it is a GOSH DARN TALENT and she deserves to move on. Oh, but I’m not loving her answers to the questions that Nick asks her – TOO REHEARSED. She needs to start talking more like the 10 YEAR OLD kid she is!
JEREMY VANSCHOONHOVEN:
- I still don’t know if Jeremy’s bike stunts can be a WHOLE SHOW, but I have a bit of a soft spot for him. The video clip doesn’t show the backstory, but to see him take that HUGE FALL in rehearsal, but still be able to pull off that DANGEROUS stunt high up like that…what a trooper! Not to mention he already stumbled on one of his earlier tricks in his act. He has no fear! And he seems like such a NICE GUY. Very sweet. I’m rooting for him.
FIGHTING GRAVITY:
- What can I say about these guys? Their stunts and props were definitely “upped” this time. Very cool with the neon colors (especially in the head guy’s eyes) and skateboards.
- Can’t believe they all “took a break” from college to pursue this! I hope it pays off!
- Very interesting to me how Fighting Gravity was put in the pimp spot…just like Prince Poppycock…and they didn’t put them in the same semifinals group as Poppycock. I’m thinking the show’s trying to “mold” it’s Top 10, don’t you?
August 31, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Wow! What a night of talent! If there is only one magician to go through…hmmm…kinda torn between the two. I like the showmanship or Michael, but as you pointed out, the things that Murray makes disappear is incredible. Only thing about his act tonight was that it sort of bored me. There was absolutely no surprise. You just knew he was going to make the train disappear. Nice story, but still. I thought Michael’s act was neat. The girl got out of the contraption, had “his” clothes on, and then he appears behind Sharon. Sort of predictable, but the difference was she was dress up in different clothes. That’s pretty amazing too. Yes, she’s human, but there’s still the element of quickness…everything happens so spontaneously. The train was huge, but it was hidden almost immediately and there was a lot of time for something to be done since he talked a lot even after it was covered. I think the silhouette could have somehow been “built” into the cloth covering the train to give the illusion of the train being behind the cloth. Both were pretty professional and amazing so it’ll be interesting to see who america puts through.
Jackie is a shoo in and deservingly so. I do think like you do…kinda freakish, listening to a voice like hers come out of her mouth. Sometimes I think (the prior song it was more) her lower notes seem a little back in her throat, but then I hear her higher register and she’s is UNBELIEVABLE. At her age, don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone more impressive and talented. She also has a very sweet face. I do know what you mean though about her answer(s) sounding somewhat “rehearsed.” Don’t know why but at times she seems a bit robotic. Funny because she seems so sincere and genuinely sweet.
Fighting gravity is also a guarentee pick and it seems like the judges really are rooting for Jeremy.
September 1, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Even if Murray’s trick was predictable, just the fact that he can make that HUGE train DISAPPEAR…and in that short amount of time…without anyone noticing anything happened. You can’t just THROW the train on the side. It’ll take a LOT to move it.
Michael’s execution of his tricks are definitely more showy. Yes, the girl was wearing the cape like Michael, but if she was able to “escape” from that cage early on (like from when they covered it with the sheet), she had a lot of time to change clothes.
Definitely different styles going on. I actually would be OK with both guys getting thru, but I doubt that will happen. The fact that the judges raved about Michael but had some criticism for Murray could be the deciding factor.
Yes, Jackie is definitely robotic at times. I actually like her personality SO MUCH better in the pre-taped packages. She seems so much more normal and sweet in those videos. Maybe because there’s no pressure there. Standing in front of that crowd with the camera pointed at you could definitely affect the way you act.