The quarterfinals concluded in America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 25 with a series of bad decisions by America. Tonight the first 12 semifinal acts perform: Turf, The Scott Brothers, Edon, Eric Dittelman, Bria Kelly, Todd Oliver, Tom Cotter, Joe Castillo, Academy of Villains, Andrew de Leon, Donovan & Rebecca, and William Close.
I found Andrew de Leon underwhelming last time, though he initially seemed to be the one to beat. Ave Maria is a much more appropriate song choice than whatever pop song he tried to make opera last time. Howie’s worried about his lack of formal training, and Howard shares that concern. Sharon suggests he change his goth appearance.
Todd Oliver and Irving the talking dog have proven to be hit or miss, though the act was brilliant last time. Their routine for the evening is a talk show. Good. I suspect Tom Cotter will be better.
Donovan & Rebecca are a dancer and singer turned acrobats. As per Howard’s request, they want to showcase her strength and ability to lift her large husband, while at the same time being sexy and graceful and wearing high heels and leather. Howard may be impressed by their live performance, but he thinks they’ll get lost on TV.
Edon sings What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. I don’t quite get the crowd’s reaction, but Howie calls him the best singer in the competition. Howard, however, was a little bit bored.
I’m not sure how the Scott Brothers got this far, and tonight did not change my opinion. Twist & Pulse they are not. The judges don’t think that was sufficient either.
Eric Dittelman is going to read Howard’s mind as he colors. Impressive and mysterious as always.
Dancer/contortionist Turf talks about how he’s adding more dancing to his act. I’ll take his word for it. Howie really wants him to go all the way, but Howard has seen it all before.
Bria Kelly says she’s a country singer, though I don’t recall her having performed a song from that genre, continuing that with Pink’s Perfect. Sharon didn’t feel the emotion. Howie thinks her luck of being in the very lame Youtube show with no competition has now run out. Howard is a somewhat tepid supporter, but he says she’s the best singer of the night.
Sand taught Joe Castillo to see in a new way. Howard returns to his criticism that he’s seen this all before, but this time I disagree. This art and corresponding stories is original and well worth watching. It’s also a nice change of pace from the typical division that faces the country more now than in a long time.
William Close returns with his new baby, wife, and four new instruments. As awesome as I thought this was at first, I’m not so sure any more, particularly as the stage gets more busy. But the judges watching it live again all give him a standing ovation, calling him their favorite. Howie hopes people can sense what’s going on through the TV, but as great as this probably is in person, that’s ultimately the flaw in a show like this.
Tom Cotter is the second comedian of the night. He asks a judge to pick a random subject from the list he provides. Howie’s not sure he’s serious, but he’d like to hear about college. The impressive part is that he seems to have prepared eight separate bits, each of which I assume is just as funny as this was.
Academy of Villains close out the night. They lost a dancer during rehearsal due to a broken kneecap. Despite being a large group of 30, they have put together perhaps the best choreographed dance crew of this show. Howard, though, finishes by raining on the parade, saying it was too similar to last time.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 27, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.