Silhouettes, Daniel Joseph Baker, Steven Retchless, and the Smage Bros. advanced to the next round in America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 16. Tonight 12 more acts perform: Summerwind Skippers, SH’Boss Boys, Mauricio Herrera, Seth Grabel, Poplyfe, Ian Johnson, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., Purrfect Angelz, Monet, Captain & Maybelle, Lys Agnes, and Professor Splash.

Howie warns us not to try this at home. Even the singing (and more singing).

Summerwind Skippers jump rope. To that mix tonight, they’re adding dancers and a disco ball. Cool enough, I suppose, but I agree with Howie. Really good, which is not enough. Piers was happy to see they’ve improved and made skipping sexy.

The SH’Boss Boys are little wappers. Bonus points for cute, the reason America will use to vote for them. Sharon wants to hug them, but she realizes she’s got cooties. They are shocked to find out people can get to 55 years of age, like Howie. Piers suggests they drop the singing and stick to rapping.

Mauricio Herrera is guaranteed at least one buzz from Piers. Sharon buzzes as well, but we can count on Howie to let this ridiculousness continue. If Piers were staying at a hotel where Mauricio were singing, he’d go back to the room and pack his bags.

Seth Grabel dropped his prop in Vegas and then proceeded to blame his assistants. Hopefully tonight he’s less of an ass. He gets strapped up and blindfolded, then he’s suspended above what we are told is boiling hot tar. After escaping, he’s shot out of a cannon into some water. Howie hopes he can come back. Piers calls it bigger, better, faster, and slicker.

As bands go, Poplyfe is okay I guess. Sharon hopes America brings them back. Howie makes an even stronger pitch on their behalf. Piers finally sees the point of the band.

Ian Johnson is a yoyoist. A geeky talent if ever there were one, but his skills are impressive nonetheless. Piers buzzes. As exciting as that was considering what it was, he still found it boring. Howie believes he’ll probably be the best yoyo person in the world, but his question is whether it’s a headline act.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. returns with more old school singing. That gets him a standing ovation from two of the judges. Howie thinks he could go all the way.

Purrfect Angelz can be forgiven for their stupid name because they’re former NFL/NBA cheerleaders who wear limited clothing to show off what their doctors have given them. Piers buzzes. Didn’t see that coming. He thought it was better than Vegas but not good enough. Howie says this is the best Hooters he’s ever been to. Sharon had fun but asks whether it’s worth $1 million.

Monet has one name already at age 12. Howie senses her passion, even if she doesn’t hit every note. Piers didn’t buzz her because he sees promise, in 3 or 4 years.

Captain & Maybelle are freaks and happy to be so. I can’t tell where their tattoos stop, and I don’t want to know either. He hooks a pot through his tongue, then she puts it through her nose, in each case wildly swinging it around. Then a tea kettle attaches to his eyelids, and the judges cower in fear and/or disgust. Piers calls them the two most disgusting people in America.

Lys Agnes is an opera singer with a great shot, assuming America gets it. Piers thought it was great, but he wasn’t moved. Sharon, however, was moved, and so was Howie.

Professor Splash is going to dive from over 36 feet high into 12 inches of water. As impressive as this is, how do you make it a 90 minute show? He specializes in fire, so we’ll see that next time.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 18, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.

The second set of 12 acts performed in America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 15. Tonight 4 more will go through based on America’s votes.

The Rhinestone Ropers, Thomas John, and Silhouettes go first. Two acts that just did awful compared to one that really shined once again. Needless to say, Silhouettes advances.

Steven Retchless, Attack Dance Crew, and Geechy Guy go first. This result is obvious, albeit perhaps less obvious. Howie says the dance crew is out, but Piers thinks they’re the most talented. Ultimately, it’s clear that the best talent is Steven, who is going to the next round.

Daniel Joseph Baker, Dani Shay, and Dylan Andre are up. One singer shall survive. Tough to call. Dani clearly blew it, but I can see arguments for the other two. Daniel is in the semifinals.

Smage Bros. Riding Shows, Mona Lisa, and Landon Swank are going for the judges’ votes. Mona Lisa’s out, but the other two both have a shot, though Landon’s got a bit of an uphill battle without Sharon’s support. The end of another singing act will put it the judges to vote for another variety act to get through. Sharon votes for the Smage Bros. Piers votes for Landon. With the deciding vote, Howie votes for the Smage Bros. I’d rather see the magic act.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 17, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.

Snap Boogie, Sandou Trio Russian Bar, Anna Graceman, and Miami All Stars were the first group to join the semifinals in America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 14. Tonight 12 more acts compete for America’s votes: Attack Dance Crew, Dani Shay, Geechy Guy, Daniel Joseph Baker, The Rhinestone Ropers, Dylan Andre, Landon Swank, Smage Bros. Riding Shows, Thomas John, Steven Retchless, Mona Lisa, and Silhouettes.

Attack Dance Crew are a group of dancers that Howie doesn’t get. Piers likes the look and some of the movements, but he wasn’t too keen on that. Sharon agrees. They don’t stand out. Howie still doesn’t get it. They’re like cheerleaders, only not good at that either.

Dani Shay is the female Justin Bieber who forgot the words to her own song in Vegas. Without the Bieber bit, which was classic, I just don’t get it. Sharon calls that amazing and pure. Howie again doesn’t like her song choice. Piers thought it was a good performance, but there were some off notes, again going back to song choice.

Geechy Guy is the comedian who’s the third one over on the evolution chart. Piers hates him and his one liners. He’s escorted on stage by two woopie cushions. He’d give his right arm to be ambidextrous, and he thinks the place is haunted because he got booed last night. It’s not long before Piers buzzes him. Howie doesn’t know if that was enough, but he thinks he’s a very good comic.

Daniel Joseph Baker is a diva and proud of it. For someone who only sings in his living room, he’s quite the performer. Piers sees the fire in his belly, although the singing wasn’t perfect. Sharon adores the fierceness.

The Rhinestone Ropers add a horse to the mix. Piers buzzes. Evidentally, he’s thinking the same thing I am. If this horse trick show were their first performance, they wouldn’t have made it past the auditions. Sharon thought of that as a kids’ birthday party. Lucky Joe, not so lucky.

Dylan Andre’s mom was offered a singing contract when she was young, but her father didn’t let her sign. He hopes to pick up where she left off. Howie thought that was good, but he can tell he’s only been doing this for a year. Piers wouldn’t buy that album, although he could listen to it in a bar.

Landon Swank used his rehearsal day to fix his broken props. He starts off by having Nick sign the front and back of the double mirrored prop. Then he steps through it, followed by a reveal that it’s still intact. Piers is impressed that these things he does may be simple but are tough to figure out. Sharon is confused. Howie wants more presentation.

Smage Bros. Riding Shows had a difficult rehearsal, but I suspect they will pull off their motorcycle tricks on the live show, without killing the one guy (not a brother) who basically serves as a prop. Sharon was excited by that. Piers just got woke up.

Thomas John started juggling to meet women. That’s not working out too well yet. He drops one of his batons, which is an instant buzz from Piers. After seeing him drop them again at the end, Sharon follows suit. Howie was at least entertained.

Steven Retchless is a pole dancer, which is both different and more entertaining than it may at first seem. Piers buzzes, but Sharon gives him a standing ovation. After getting booed by Sharon, Piers explains that there’s a reason there are no male pole dancers. I’m not sure what that reason is, however, as Piers is again interrupted by Howie.

Mona Lisa got kicked out of home at age 16 by their mom who viewed that as supporting their dream. Sharon thinks they have it all going on. Howie has nothing critical to say, but will it stand out? Piers felt it was safe but lacking.

The Sing Off? In the fall? Apparently NBC now plans to beat me over the head with singing.

Silhouettes came into tonight as the ones to beat. Their act for the evening, American Pride. Hard to go wrong with that. In it, they create shapes of famous American landmarks to the tune of God Bless America, resulting in a standing ovation from all. Should have saved that for the finals. Piers calls it genius and world class.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 16, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.

The first 12 acts performed in America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 13. Tonight America’s votes will determine who advances to the next round.

The Fearless Flores Family, Snap Boogie, and Duo Aero are the first trio. Piers thinks Duo Aero should go, but he’s surprised by the other two both being there together. I’m not. It’s clear that Snap Boogie is safe.

In other news, Avril Lavigne is apparently still a singer.

Squonk Opera, Sandou Trio Russian Bar, and J Chris Newberg are next. Considering one of these acts is awesome and the other two suck, it comes as no surprise that Sandou Trio Russian Bar is safe.

Dezmond Meeks, Echo of Animal Gardens, and Anna Graceman are up next. Another slam dunk here with Anna Graceman advancing.

Miami All Stars, The Fiddleheads, and Those Funny Little People are the last group. The obvious result here is that Those Funny Little People are out. Beyond that, I didn’t have a clear favorite, though I’d like to see The Fiddleheads get a second shot. The judges will now decide between the other two groups. Sharon votes for Miami All Stars. Piers does as well. Miami All Stars is the fourth semifinalist.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 15, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.

Following the reveal of some portion of the top 48, it’s time for the quarterfinals. Tonight the first 12 acts perform: Miami All Stars, Dezmond Meeks, Those Funny Little People, Fearless Flores Family, Squonk Opera, J Chris Newberg, Snap Boogie, Echo of Animal Gardens, The Fiddleheads, Duo Aero, Anna Graceman, and Sandou Trio Russian Bar.

Miami All Stars picked a song to dance to. That song has been denied for legal reasons, so they’ll have to work out something new with a few hours until show time. Piers felt they were sexy, fun, vibrant, and colorful, just like him. Sharon enjoys the men dancing like real men. Howie takes the time to use the two Spanish words he knows.

Dezmond Meeks is an over the top singer and piano player, but there’s no denying his talent. He sings something resembling Satisfaction. Sharon loves what he does but warns him about potentially crossing the line and being too cabaret and cheesy. Howie agrees but thinks he did cross the line. Piers thinks he is a cabaret act, which is the whole point.

Those Funny Little People made it through over Piers’ dead body. Needless to say, while I try to figure out the point of the act, Piers buzzes them. Then it starts raining men wearing swimming floaties to join their singing/dancing performance, of sorts. Howie and Sharon mainly love them on the basis of how much Piers hates them.

The Fearless Flores Family will be adding one more motorcycle to the mix, as the kids are joined by their mom. I don’t know. It’s still cool but a little bit more of the same. Piers liked that they stepped it up, but he’d like to see Howie in the middle next time. Sharon wonders: where do they go from here? Can an additional motorcycle really add that much?

Squonk Opera is an act that readily embraces their weirdness. What the hell is the point of this anyway? Piers doesn’t know either. Sharon joins in the buzzing. There’s singing, strange close ups of piano playing, a woman sitting on the moon, and a man dressed as a cherub. Sharon doesn’t like her head being messed with. Howie quite enjoyed feeling like he’s on drugs. Piers thinks he’s gone to hell.

J. Chris Newberg is the singing comedian. Hopefully tonight he’s funny. Piers buzzes as promised. Mildly amusing but still not funny. Howie thinks he’s funny for some reason. Piers didn’t care for the startling inappropriateness.

Snap Boogie’s a street dancer from Boston. He gets injured during rehearsal but is going to try to work around it. As good as he is by himself, I’m not sure what these creepy ninja backup dancers are supposed to add. Piers could see that performance in Vegas tomorrow.

Echo the parrot crashed and burned in Vegas. Let’s hope tonight is better. With the moral support of his girlfriend Binky, Echo’s back to what we saw in the first audition. Howie wonders whether this is a million dollar act or a really good birthday party. Piers found him funnier than the humans we’ve seen so far.

The Fiddleheads are a bluegrass band. Their main concern is the performance aspect because they’re comfortable their music will be good. Billie Jean bluegrass? Compared to the evening’s earlier song, this works much better. But not for Howie. Piers thought the song choice was fine, but it was just too big for the lead singer. Sharon didn’t like either the song choice or the way they dress.

Duo Aero is a trapeze act. I’m not sure this is worthy of its own show, but there’s definitely a place for them as part of a broader group. Piers buzzes because it’s a bit boring and safe. Sharon didn’t care for their retro performance, as compared with the modern couple they were before.

Anna Graceman sings What a Wonderful World while playing piano. This draws a standing ovation from two of the judges. Sharon thought the song choice was odd… but it worked. Howie says Anna’s phenomenal, and now AGT means Anna’s Got Talent.

The final act of the night is Sandou Trio Russian Bar. How do they top their previous act that involved fire? Simple. Perform above a bed of nails. Then set it on fire. Howie’s happy she is still alive. Piers calls it the most dangerous and exciting thing in a long time.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 14, which airs Wednesday at 9/8 on NBC.

Part of the list of quarterfinalists were revealed in America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 11. Tonight we’ll find out the rest, or at least most of them.

The first of the standby groups is the magicians. After a couple of rough acts, we get Landon Swank. He floats a box with balloons and then produces a hot blonde from it. Seth Grabel then does a bunch of illusions. Too bad about the mishaps, for which he makes sure to blame the girls who are helping him. So if it went right, would the credit go to them?

Last night, we saw singers and more singers. Tough singers, sissy singers, even singers with chicken pox. Tonight the remaining singers join us as part of the kids acts. First, we see Tanner “Lil T” doing a little dance. Next up, Avery & The Calico Hearts sing another high pitched song, but they acknowledge that not all the notes were in tune. The SH’Boss Boys do some more rapping. Anna Graceman, who for some reason has been relegated to day 2, sings Rolling in the Deep while playing keyboard. Very good, but she also acknowledges it’s not perfect. Still, no way she doesn’t make it.

The danger acts are up next. Tonight’s theme is fire. Fire eating, fire juggling, then the Sandou Trio Russian Bar group not only has someone who jumps on the bar, but does so while holding flaming sticks. One to watch. Pat & Phil, the Smage Brothers, return with their motorcycles.

Large dance groups take the stage first for the dancers. For some unknown (but not good) reason, they’re followed by Sam B, who I fear will make the quarterfinals.

One of the novelty acts says he doesn’t think any of them are going through. Pretty much because they suck. Leonid has apparently decided he’s a dancer. Then we see a juggler, a bodybuilder who thinks he can dance as well as Leonid, and a yoyoer (he’s at least good). And what would the weird acts be without Meet Me at Fairfax and 3rd, the group where one guy sings (badly) while the other one stands on his head until he gets his cell phone rings?

Oh, and since we haven’t quite been hit over the head with this category enough yet, now it’s time for even more singers, a second group of male singers, including Dylan Andre, Mauricio (who the judges admit is a joke), and Daniel Joseph Baker.

Now that the singing is over, it’s time for the decisions. The Smage Brothers, Sandou Trio Russian Bar, Avery & The Calico Hearts, SH’Boss Boys, Anna Graceman, Landon Swank, Seth Grabel, Ian Johnson (the yoyo kid), Sam B (really?), some group of dancers with a lot of cleavage, Daniel Joseph Baker, Mauricio (oh, c’mon), and Dylan Andre are headed to Hollywood.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 13, which airs Tuesday at 8/7 on NBC.

The auditions concluded in America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 10 with a mix of poor and moderately entertaining performances. Now we finally get to see some talent as the judges narrow down their choices in Vegas week. Some acts will perform on day 1, some will be on standby to perform on day 2 for the remaining spots, and some will be sent straight home.

Captain Stamp, Rhinestone Ropers, Fearless Flores Family, Team iLuminate, Lys Agnes, Melissa Villasenor, Miami All Stars, Professor Splash, Silhouettes, and Squawk Opera are all unanimously going straight through to Hollywood. I’m not sure if that’s a benefit or not, seeing as they’re losing an opportunity to get some valuable screen time. That leaves 38 places for the remainining contestants.

The danger category kicks things off. Charles Peachock goes from juggling with lights to juggling fire… and then lighting his legs on fire. Kevin Shelley stands on swords but fails to complete his trick of getting concrete broken on his back. The Yellow Design Stunt Team is a group of bicycle stunt riders. Frank Miles puts a knife in 1 of 4 styrofoam coolers. How do they find out which one? He has the judges randomly select coolers, then he jumps on them one at a time. After faking us out and pretending he got stabbed, he reveals that all three judges were right in their picks. Too much? Probably.

Now it’s time for the vocal groups: River Deep, 4Play, and Mona Lisa. All good I suppose, but none really stand out. With their nerves getting the best of them, 4Play is going home.

The acrobats are the next group, featuring tumblers, rope jumpers, trapeze artists, and somehow two pole dancers. All quite good.

The magicians go next. Fantastic Fig and his cat Newton go first. Not good enough, even with the cat. Scott Alexander left Vegas about 10 years ago to raise his family. His illusion is to make a woman disappear and then reappear. Michael Turco also makes women appear out of thin air, but he has a noticeable issue with the door getting stuck on his first trick.

And now the animal acts. Jesse the jack russell performs with a shopping cart, jump ropes, and skateboard. Vegas Birds brings along a macau to face off against Echo. All the animal acts stumble pretty miserably, in spite of how entertaining they were originally.

We’re not out of the woods yet with the singers. Now it’s the classical singers: Necessary Diva, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., and Cindy Chang. Early favorite Cindy is heading home.

With the bands, the singing competition continues. This groups includes BGP, Fiddleheads, Poplyfe, and Lost Boys.

During their rehearsal, Fatally Unique suffers the loss of one of their dancers after she falls face first on the stage. LD Dance also sees an injury, but it’s not enough to keep her from dancing anyway. As with LD Dance before her, the injured dancer from Fatally Unique is not going to let a busted lip and fractured nose stop her. Snap Boogie is also among the dance acts.

It’s been about 5 minutes since we’ve had a singing contest, so now it’s the female singers, including Dani Shay (not Justin Bieber). She sings an original song. Big risk, perhaps too big, as her nerves cause her to stop part way through. The judges warn her not to do her own stuff and want to hear something well known instead.

With Dani thinking of her new song, we take a break from music for a bit. So let’s go to J. Chris Newberg… the singing comedian. Still not funny. And then it’s a beatboxing Obama. Geechy Guy turns things around with some actual laughs, a little bit.

Dani returns to perform Trouble by Ray Lamontagne. I don’t think she’ll ever top her very first performance, but she’s still good.

The novelty acts include some guy with a bunch of ping pong paddles, a Tina Turner drag queen, and Those Funny Little People annoying Piers. Tim Fort (Kinetic King) has a larger exploding stick act.

Hopefully the last singing category they could possibly think of is the male singers (based on the promo, the kid singers get the spotlight tomorrow night). Ryan Andreas and Dezmond Meeks are in this group.

The judges have made their decisions. Geechy Guy and J. Chris Newberg are the comedians advancing. Scott Alexander is the lone magician to make it. Poplyfe and the Fiddleheads are going to Hollywood along with a few of the danger acts. Kinetic King and Those Funny Little People will be joining them. Echo is being given another chance. Mona Lisa is advancing, along with Fatally Unique, Dezmond, and Snap Boogie. Pole dancer Steve is going to Hollywood, but his competing fellow pole dancer is not. Landau and Zuma Zuma have made it through. Unsurprisingly, after they dragged it out for half the show, Dani will be in the next round as well.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 12, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.

Cindy Chang and the Fearless Flores Family capped off a decent night of talent in America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 9. Tonight the auditions conclude.

Avery, Brooklyn, and Cassidy, make up Avery and The Calico Hearts. They’re ages 9 and 10, so it’s no surprise to find them singing Justin Bieber. It’s like Alvin & The Chipmunks. Piers warns them this may not be the right year for them, but the other two judges say yes.

Kevin Shelley breaks boards with his head. I suppose there’s a talent to this, but it’s already getting old watching him go through 40 boards one after another. Sharon can’t see this in Vegas, but the other two can.

Dezmond Meeks is an oversinger/piano player. Thomas John is a juggler, who shows he can play the xylphone by spitting a ball out of his mouth. 4Play is a female singing group that has to qualify their name by saying it starts with a number. If you have to explain it, it fails, but their voices are strong enough that we can ignore it for now.

J. Chris Newberg is a singing comedian. Piers very quickly buzzes him, saying he’s absolutely great, except he’s not funny. For some reason, the other two judges are amused, though.

James David Pitts (”King Diamond”) is unaware what century it is. He’s a performer… at Hooters. It’s not long before he gets buzzed. I suspect we’re about to see Nick jump on stage and pretend he was great. Right on cue. Nick, do us a favor and stop dragging out the terrible wastes of time.

Chicago’s Ultimate Tumblers are, well, tumblers. Cool for what it is, but I’m not sure this is an act that can endure. Then a mishap happens, with one of the guys flipping right into the girl, but she just dusts herself off and gets back up to try the trick again. Howie thinks they have some work on getting the rawness ironed out, but ultimately all three judges say yes.

Manchego is in a robe. It’s really unfortunate and obvious where this is going. After he is done stripping off his multiple pairs of underwear, we’re conveniently greeted with a shot of an audience member with binoculars.

Morton Hyson is a creepy opera singer. Allynn Gooen of Goowin’s Balloowins is a balloon animal storyteller, which the judges don’t enjoy because they’re over the age of 5. Marivana sings, only not really.

Meet Me at Fairfax and 3rd are karaoke singers ages 67 and 81. Or at least one of them’s a singer, while the other one stands on his head. I don’t get it, but the judges are letting them go to Hollywood.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 6 Episode 11, which airs next on NBC.