America’s Got Talent
on NBC
By
Ally Matteodo
Tuesday, August 17th
NBC aired the wildcard round of the semifinals for America’s Got Talent,
this week’s Best of the Week. Part The Gong Show, and part
American Idol, this reality program is a straightforward talent competition
that tours the United States in search of impressive individuals and groups. In
addition to a one million dollar grand prize, the winner also gets to headline a
show in Las Vegas. Anyone, young or old, male or female, can take their act all
the way, providing they have a first-class talent. Once the contestants hit the
semi-finals, America is the judge, and only those acts that garner the most
votes advance to the next round. Nick Cannon enthusiastically hosts this
program, and the judging panel consists of Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and
Howie Mandel. These judges offer their opinions and critiques of each
performance, and in the early stages of the competition, determine which acts
get to advance to later rounds. They are also free to buzz performances at any
point during an act, and if all three judges use their buzzers, the performance
immediately stops, although viewers are still free to vote for them. Twelve
acts performed on the August 17th show: Anna and Patryk, Doogie Horner, Kruti
Dance Company, Harmonica Pierre, RNG, Rudi Macaggi, Michael Lipari and Ashleigh
Dijon, Michael Grasso, Swingshift Side Show, Connor Doran, The Hot Shot Tap
Dancers, and CJ Dippa.
These twelve acts are
wonderful in so many ways. For this episode each judge chose four acts they
felt needed a second chance, and brought them back to Hollywood for another shot
at winning America’s hearts. Michael Lipari and Ashleigh Dijon performed a
thrilling aerialist routine, and eleven year old CJ Dippa sang his latest rap
(one that he wrote himself). Michael Grasso impressed the audience with a
fascinating disappearing act, and Connor Doran flew a kite in magical patterns
set to music. Anna and Patryk, RNG, Kruti Dance Company, and The Hot Shot Tap
Dancers all wowed with their dancing styles and Sharon mentioned that she had
never seen a woman swallow a sword until Swingshift Side Show. Harmonica Pierre
played a beautiful rendition of “Alejandro,” on his harmonica, breaking away
from the traditional blues tunes more commonly associated with this instrument.
This year not only are the acts extremely gifted, but they show a level of
ingenuity and creativity that surpasses the other seasons of this show. These
contestants are dreamers, dead-set on accomplishing their ambitions, and
America’s Got Talent is a testament to these aspirations. All of these acts
bring joy to anyone lucky enough to watch them, and their humbleness and
humility despite their enormous talent is a lesson to us all.
Best TV Show
of the Week
The Parents
Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
