America's Got Talent 2018

[Libby]

The singer that impressed me most so far this season is Daniel Emmet, who not only called himself a classical crossover singer, but also wrote his own classical crossover song! I really liked his song, but Simon wasn't happy with it. When he asked Daniel if he had another song, he was displeased that he didn't have one. But, instead of rejecting him, he asked him to learn a different song that he suggested, and come back later and sing it for them. While I did think Simon was being fussy, it actually turned out well, because it really was an a good song. So even though I was irritated with Simon initially for finding fault with Daniel's performance, I almost want to say Simon was right in giving this guy a better chance to show how good he really is. I think this shows that Simon actually actually liked him and saw some potential, and was giving him a unique opportunity to do well in this competition. I don't think he'll win, but this guy really does have an excellent voice, AND can write songs in Italian, for goodness' sakes! That's really neat, if you ask me. He might at least make the finals. You can never tell this early on who could win, though, since you don't know how their next performance will turn out.

[Libby]

Another singer I liked was Michael Ketterer, who earned Simon's "golden buzzer". He was a little quavery at first, but his raw emotion really poured through his performance, and I really liked it.

[Joe]

Hi Libby,

Honestly I have not watched the show the last two weeks, due to me still being outside in the garden or on a walk/run. I did see Michael Ketterer's performance when it aird and was very impressed.  Thank you for sharing Daniel Emmet's breathtaking audition..this guy is fantastic!  

Also I will share the video of Courtney Hadwin, the 13-year old English singer. Rather unusual to be sure, but her performance earned the golden buzzer from Howie Mandel. 



There have been a lot of acts from outside the US this year.  Some have been on other talent shows or have been invited by AGT producers. I will definitely watch the live shows which are a few weeks away.  

[Libby]

I was not keen on her performance at all. After all the build-up beforehand, I was very surprised, but I didn't care for it.

[Libby]

As some of you (Joe) may already be aware, Daniel Emmet did not make it in the judges' cuts!!! It was absolutely ridiculous that he didn't make it! He performed very well! There's a lot of outrage about this. I'm seeing a lot of people complaining that the mediocre songwriting "pregnant couple" (no such thing unless you're both with child LOL ) made it, but he didn't. Also, nobody cares about the choirs who got the golden buzzer. Two weeks in a row! First it was the kids' choir, this week it's the adults. They're better than the kids, and they did well, but in my mind, a choir is not an "act". Who or what does a choir like this sing for?

Some people are saying they might bring him back later on (they usually bring back several people as wild cards). I really hope they do. After the fuss Simon made over him, letting him sing another song, the least they could do is let him come back. He's at least as good or better than some of the similar singers they've had on AGT in the past.

And, I wish they didn't talk so much about "Vegas" all the time. Yes, the prize includes ONE headlining act in Las Vegas. Not a recurring show. But I hate that when the judges blither on about whether an act is worthy or not, they constantly bring up Vegas, as if only acts that are Vegas-worthy should go on. To me, Vegas acts are more of the side-show, magician, acrobatic, Cirque du Soleil kind of thing. Not a choir, not a little girl singing with cracking voice playing a ukelele (ugh). I wish they would offer a prize based on what type of act wins, not base the focus of the show on Las Vegas.

[Joe]

Hiya Libby 

I was shocked to learn that Daniel Emmet did not advance!  I have not been watching the show since the second show of this season. Most of the acts are neither American nor have talent...and have appeared on other "got talent" programs.  Some were invited by the producers. I am very convinced that the judges are told which acts should receive the golden buzzer (the camera panned to Howie's buzzer even before he reached for it).  Rant over lol. 

I may, however, watch the live quarter-shows starting on August 14. We still have the singer Michael Ketterer which you and I like.

Some good show info over at en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Got_Talent_(season_13)

[Libby]

I just realized that's my last evening at home before I leave for London!! And that means I'll also be missing the next 2 weeks. I hope the acts I like will be on the first night, so I can vote if I want. Granted, I don't like that many. LOL

I have no issue with them not being American... I think that's a bit silly. There's no reason why an act from another country can't broaden their career by presenting themselves to America... the biggest audience in the world, as they all like to remind us. And I believe that is true. You realize we would not know who these folks from other GT shows are if they hadn't been on AGT. I don't regret seeing them.

That one guy with the dancing dog a couple years ago (didn't make it past judge cuts) had been on at least one GT show in Europe (maybe France?) before he came on AGT. I certainly don't regret that i saw him on it! And he's neither American nor French! I think he's Mexican.

[Libby]

I am so disgusted at AGT now. They let go quite a few good and GREAT acts! I don't usually go for kid singers too much; for example, I really disliked Grace whats-her-name from 2 years ago. Her voice sounded like she had a sore throat constantly, and there were rumors that her "original songs" were not necessarily songs she wrote herself, but ones her father "bought" for her. I don't know if that's actually true, but anyway, I'm not a fan. Also not crazy about Darci the ventriloquist last year.

However, this kid, Jeffrey Li, has a phenomenal voice! He sang Your Raise Me Up for his audition, which got the attention and praise of Josh Groban. And for the callbacks, as seen below, he sang a superb rendition of One Moment in Time, by Whitney Houston. Unfortunately, after all the praise he got, including Martina McBride saying he sang better than she could, they did not put him through! There was also a young boy who sings in Spanish, who sang a mostly Spanish version of Bruno Mars' song, Just the Way You Are. He sang that beautifully, as well, particularly the ending, which was in English.

Okay, so one reason I'm usually not crazy about kid acts is the fact that most kid singers end up going off the rails when they grow up, and that a singing career doesn't seem ideal for a kid who still needs schooling and an actual childhood (or adolescent-hood, in this case). But, that has never stopped AGT in the past! So, they get a kid with this kind of talent, and they reject him!! I believe 2 of their golden buzzers are young girl singers, one who was good, but didn't seem that any more special than any of the other kids. The other one is an imitator of Janis Joplin. I realize it's not easy to sound even remotely like Janis, or to do it "well" (if you can call it that), but I found it atrocious, and I could barely understand a word she was uttering (since singing is not a word I would use). Not surprisingly, this golden buzzer was Howie's. He's the one who buzzed it for Grace; I have to say, his taste isn't the best, and he always criticizes singers/bands for singing original songs (well, except for Grace LOL

[Libby]

I knew almost immediately this was the same boy as in this video, which went viral on Sm last year (I think), but did not realize the girl was Celine Tam, who was on the show last year (and she's 3 years younger than him, meaning she was only about 7 in this video!):



Here's his original audition; he's 13 now, so he was 10 in the previous video:



I wonder if Simon ever got him that dog.

[Libby]

While I'm at it, here's a pretty incredible rendition of Can You Feel the Love Tonight from when he was still 10. He sounded especially good towards the end of the song.

[dutchjoyce]

Hi,
What do you think of the Dutch Glenda Batta…...GLENNIS GRACE......she made it to the Live Shows !!!!!

[Libby]

I did not know she was Dutch; I don't even think I heard any sort of accent at all. But yes, she did do a good job.

[Libby]

Thank goodness! Of course, that's my last full day in England, so I won't see it on the day, and probably won't be able to vote, but hopefully he'll still make it.

Here's hoping they put Jeffrey Li through, as well! I'm very displeased to say that the horrid spitting guys seem to be back for the first live show, as well.

[Joe]

Classical-crossover artist Daniel Emmet performed "No Quiero Extrañar Nada" on America's Got Talent's third live quarterfinal show on Tuesday night.

The song is the Spanish version of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith. I am SO glad Daniel was brought back as a wildcard! Although he placed in the bottom three acts' vote count, he was voted through with the Dunkin' Save vote into the semifinals.   I have started to watch the show again (to see the love shows). Here is his performance...




Also glad that singer Michael Ketterer advanced also to the semifinals! He has such a great voice but even greater is his family.  Michael and his wife are foster parents to kids who have no family. Incredible story. I will post his performance below because I cried during the show...even Simon Cowell could not hide his tears...




Lastly, I am glad that Dutch singer Glennis Grace also made it through to the semifinals! 

[Libby]

Remember that I missed last week's show; well I missed the one this week, too, but I did watch it back. Had to see Daniel. No other spoilers please. LOL I'll let you know when I watch it.

Tyra Banks was brutal to Simon, forcing him to speak through emotion. LOL It was kind of awkward.