“America’s Got Talent” [POLL] Who Shined in YouTube Audition Performances?

Last night, “America’s Got Talent” returned from a two-week hiatus for the Olympics with a show that featured YouTube video contestants which received the most votes in the Snapple face-off and it was clear to see that what may appear sensational on video does not necessarily translate to success on live stage as was the case with the Snapple winner, Drew Erwin, who taught himself to play the guitar and sing following a devastating football injury. Even though he is only 16-years-old, he displays talent for singing but showed last night he seriously needs professional training as he lacked voice control revealed by the pitchiness of his performance. The other 16-year-old singer to hit the stage last night was Bria Kelly, who sounded a little better with more stage presence, but her song choice left her reaching for notes and not necessarily the stars.

The show started out with an act involving the flight of the parrot which seemed to wow the judges and audience although this viewer found it fairly uninspiring but on second perception, it could be considered amazing in the fact parrots are often stubborn birds with minds of their own and to have this white parrot named “Kitten” come flying from atop a tall building across the street into a theatre filled with strangers is well…phenomenal…but is it worth $1 million? It was kind of funny though to listen to Clint Carvalho constantly call “Here Kitty Kitty!”

Personally, the acts I found most entertaining and on the same talent level as most of those which have already been processed through to the semi-finals are Academy of Villains (the stellar dance troupe from San Francisco which put on a brilliant show last night using the stage well to accommodate nearly thirty performers in addition to adding theatrics to the compliment) and The Magic of Puck (the magician with a simplistic act but talent which may shine brighter in the next round but who deserves a chance to step up his game). This would be my top two choices to advance. The remainder of the show did not really leave much choice as far as talent prepared to compete at the level necessary to win or acts worthy of $1 million but if forced to choose two additional acts, they would be Clint Carvalho and his Extreme Parrots and Melinda Hill, the comedienne who, according to the judges had fabulous presence on video, but seemed to be unable to hook the audience last night even though she started out well. I say she deserves a second chance to bring her “A” game!

So, America, who did you vote for last night and are expecting to see standing on the stage tonight in the results show which begins at 9/8c on NBC? Vote in our CMR poll for the FOUR (4) acts you think deserve to be in the semi-finals and the tally will be announced in the live blog of the results show this evening.

Image and video clip courtesy of NBC