October 25, 2008
Oh, the things that happen to those who win something like America's Got Talent. Winning a million dollars, as well as a show in Las Vegas, is surely something that will change an amateur performer's life forever. At the beginning of this month, opera singer Neal E. Boyd was named the winner after a nationwide vote, and since then he has gone leaps and bounds.
The performer had a show last week at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and it was a well-attended affair, with around 5,000 people paying to watch him. Outside of shows, the Missouri native is talking with managers and record labels, pretty much leaving no time for himself. He almost didn't make it, even, to ceremonies that his alma mater, Southeast Missouri State University, organized in his honor.
October 7, 2008
Season 3 of America's Got Talent finally came to an end last week, and already the details about the show are starting to slip my mind. I still remember that Neal E. Boyd won the competition under questionable circumstances, and I remember thinking that more interesting talents like Eli Mattson and Nuttin But Stringz were robbed by the opera singer. Other than that, the entire season has become a blur of bizarre auditions and hyperbolic remarks from David Hasselhoff. The problem with reality competition shows is that my interest in them completely disappears the instant a winner is crowned.
For those who aren't experiencing America's Got Talent memory loss, you'll be happy to hear that the top five performers will be appearing at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Friday, October 17.
October 2, 2008
Last night's anticlimactic finale of America's Got Talent was seen by over 12 million people, but I'm sure only a fraction of them were happy to see Neal E. Boyd run off with the grand prize. I'm still upset that the snooze-inducing opera singer beat out worthier acts like Nuttin But Stringz and Eli Mattson, and it's impossible to convince me that the result wasn't fixed by the producers. While simmering in my giant pot of anger, I decided to look back on the past season of AGT and find the five most bizarre performances of the season. Unlike last night's results, rewatching these weirdos brought a big smile to face.
Pull up a chair and read on to see clips of the most memorably insane acts of the past season.
October 1, 2008
After hundreds of auditions, dozens of hyperbolic remarks from the Hoff, a handful of treacly ballads from Kaitlyn Maher, and one rendition of a song named after George Clooney, the season finale of America's Got Talent is finally here. This entire episode could likely be condensed to a one-minute YouTube clip that shows the winner being crowned, but this wouldn't be America's Got Talent without tons of delicious filler. Tonight's hour-long extravaganza will show us some highlights and lowlights from the past season, and will cap things off with Jerry Springer revealing who wins one million dollars and their own Las Vegas show.
I'll be updating with my live thoughts throughout tonight's episode, so keep refreshing the page for updates. I'll gladly suffer through the filler so you don't have to, all while wearing my bedazzled Eli Mattson t-shirt.
September 30, 2008
The season finale of America's Got Talent airs Wednesday at 9pm, which means it's a perfect time to look back at the all-time best performances from the top five. I'll be the first to admit that some of the finalists don't provide the type of entertainment I'd pay money to see, but there's no denying that all of them are talented and worked hard to make it this far in the competition. Below you'll find clips of my favorite performances from each of the America's Got Talent finalists, and then you can decide for yourself who deserves one million dollars and a show in Las Vegas.
September 25, 2008
Audiences are often skeptical of reality competition shows. The Internet breeds all kinds of rumors and conspiracy theories, and people often gather to speculate about whether a particular show is fixed or if the judges are pulling for a certain contestant. I still remember the throngs of people who were convinced that the American Idol puppet masters were angling for David Archuleta to win season 7, which didn't end up happening.
The latest rumor floating around is that opera singer Neal E. Boyd has been picked to win season 3 of America's Got Talent since entering the competition. BuddyTV caught up with AGT judge Piers Morgan on the red carpet of the NBC Fall Premiere Party, and he was happy to shoot the theory down with his usual sharp wit.
September 24, 2008
We're finally down to the top five finalists on America's Got Talent, which means we no longer have to see four-year-olds butchering the greatest hits of the Jackson 5. "I'll Be There" and "ABC" should be safe this week, unless Donald Braswell decides to do something crazy. Tonight's episode features performances from all the remaining finalists, and afterwards it'll be up to America to decide who should win the competition. Who deserves one million dollars and a show in Las Vegas? Everyone knows I'm pulling for Eli Mattson, but I'll happily settle for anyone who's not a bombastic opera singer.
September 19, 2008
After an entire summer of crazy acts that included a group of people in floppy animal costumes, a little girl who beat up pirates and a flaming baton twirler, we're finally nearing the end of America's Got Talent. Jerry Springer unveiled the top five acts last night, and here's who we're left with: Hip-hop violinists Nuttin But Stringz, soul singer Queen Emily, opera singer Neil E. Boyd, Julliard-trained singer Donald Braswell, and singer/piano player Eli Mattson. I know who I want to win (Eli all the way!), but who has the best chance of running off with the grand prize? One million dollars and a Las Vegas show are on the line, so it's time to take a look at the finalists and guess who will win the big money.