Last week sucked, but that didn’t prevent 4 acts from advancing to the next round in America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 23 anyway. Tonight’s wild card represents the last chance for acts to move to the semifinals. Hopefully it is more entertaining. Each judge has chosen four acts to return. Sharon’s picks: All That, Jake Wesley Rogers, Bandbaz Brothers, and Lindsey Norton. Howard’s picks: Horse, Ben Blaque, Todd Oliver, and Spencer Horsman. Howie’s picks: Sebastien “El Charro de Oro”, Jarrett & Raja, Cristin Sandu, and Andrew de Leon.
In an effort to catch up to Sharon and Howard, which will never happen, Howie wants everybody to know that he’s on Twitter and surfing the web while he’s supposed to be judging.
Spencer Horsman is the world’s youngest escape artist, a worthy talent who just happened to have a bad night with an overly critical judging panel. He’s padlocked and lowered into a tank that is being filled with wet cement. This time he gets a standing ovation. Howie says this trick worked a lot better for Spencer than it did for Jimmy Hoffa.
All That is a clogging group. My problem with them is simple. They were in the finals of season 1, also as a wild card act. Although there may be three different judges now and a new host, surely somebody on the crew remembers and has the ability to prevent recycling acts that are no better than they were last time. Howie and Howard don’t think the audience is going to respond to that performance anyway.
Jarrett & Raja were booed off the stage last time, so of course Howie wants to see them again. Raja and his piano disappear from a box, only to reappear in the crowd. I still don’t get this weird combination of magic and playing music, but the illusion is good this time.
Jake Wesley Rogers bombed with a really bad Britney Spears song. I guess Edge of Glory by Lady GaGa is an improvement, but it’s still his swan song.
Cristin Sandu has an awesome balance act, but his fall eliminated him from contention. He’s returned with his father, who believes his last performance was too dangerous. He lasts longer this time, but he falls again. The most impressive part of that is again he escapes without a scratch.
Todd Oliver has a potentially funny dog ventriloquist act. Irving is running for president, something very easy to make fun of that everybody can laugh about.
Bandbaz Brothers were cut in Vegas. One of them balances the other on a pipe in his mouth, a trick that their grandfather’s cousin died doing. I’m not sure where you take this from here, but this brief act is still impressive.
Sebastien “El Charro de Oro” mixes mariachi with Frank Sinatra. I don’t get the combination, but this kid’s got potential.
Howard told us his objective for the night was to pick people that viewers won’t fast forward. With Horse, the guy who repeatedly gets hit in the nuts, that mission has failed. Time to pause and get back to The Glass House finale, which was preempted by a preseason football game, a testament to the show’s ratings or lack thereof. I’d even rather watch another of Erica’s humiliating meltdowns.
Lindsey Norton is the perkiest dancer this show’s seen, and she mixes a bit of contortion in for good measure. Good dancer, but it’s not clear whether it will be enough.
Andrew de Leon was the early frontrunner who blew it in Vegas. I remember liking him before, but that performance won’t stick with me.
The final act of the night is Ben Blaque. This time he turns the arrows on himself, shooting an apple off his own head while blindfolded with the sound of bells as his guide. Surely this time that was good enough for you, America.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 25, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.
It’s exciting to have back Andrew De Leon and Spencer Horsman. The wildcard round went better than the YouTube auditions which were a nightmare. I’m glad both these guys have a second chance in the semifinals to get back into the game.