08-02-06 08-02-06 All ten acts rated – Purely My Opinion - - What’s yours? Come On.

[amadeus]

08-02-06 All ten acts rated – Purely My Opinion - - What’s yours? Come On. Don’t be shy.



America waits with bated breath. Will there be a performer actually worthy of making the finals? Will the judges suspend all reason and judgment like they have in the past? Will Regis fawn over the Hoff? Only time will tell. (Except you’ve already seen it.)

1. David and Danya – Quick Change – The first time I saw them, I was amazed. This time was no different – It’s a fun act. It doesn’t seem possible. How n’ the Hell do they do it? I’ve seen many magic acts and generally have a pretty good idea of how it’s done…Not this, I have no idea how they do it. If anyone does, please explain. True, it was pretty much the same as last time, but how many times have The Rolling Stones performed, Can’t Get No Satisfaction? If it’s good a repeat is fun. I can see them performing Vegas.

2. Celtic Spring – Celtic Musicians and Dancers – They were excellent. It is a fusion of the dancers and the band from Riverdance, performed at the same time by the same people. Playing the instruments and dancing at the same time must be very difficult. Furthermore, they were synchronized with both the music and dance. Brandy must need therapy. Her review was off base. Piers was right about sacking the rest of the family but even with the parents, they were excellent. Win or not, they have a future. They are one of my favorites of the whole competition.

3. Lilia Stepanova – Contortionist – First off, she’s not ugly-very not ugly and that’s always a plus. She has amazing control and is fun to watch but I’ve seen better of the same sort of performance in the Chinese Circus. Like Piers, I think her act does need a bit of variety.

4. John and Owen the Passing Zone – Jugglers/Comedians – First Hasselhoff joke was lame. People juggling. It was silly and somewhat funny. It was a semi-interesting gimmick but not something that I’d pay to see. It certainly was not worth a million dollars I thought Hoff’s review was surprising. Doesn’t he hate jugglers?

5. Dave Smith – The One Man Side Show – First, The Masochism Tango is a catchy title and the song fit the act but the singing was very boring. I was waiting for too long for something to happen and then he did the bed of nails trick. The trick was staged well but it was the only moment that was really interesting. If you’re doing the Masochism Tango, I want to see serious pain from the get go thank you very much. He seemed a bit like the nerdy cousin of the Aadams Family. I think he has potential. His first time out was more catching but tonight was a bit off. Although it wasn’t perfect it was different and he has a morbid sense of humor, which I appreciate.

6. Sean and John – Tap Dancers – Well, they kinda stumbled out onto stage—Not smooth at all-not cool. They weren’t bad but they were not great either. They were off beat several times and some of the more acrobatic movements were a bit awkward. I do think they had chemistry and with a bit more practice, I think they could be very good. The judges overrated them. Perfection in the dance by Celtic Spring was called mechanical but their missteps and moments of being off beat are considered to be chemistry. At this level, their timing should be perfect.

7. Michelle L’amour – Burlesque Dancer – There’s a reason burlesque died. The girls were chunky. The act was fun but she’s not much too look at. In the early 1900’s this would have been unique and provocative. Today, it just reminds me of the pudgy dominatrix that lived down the hall in my dorm and was always vying for any male attention. (By the way, that’s a true story.)

8. George Kelly– Singer – Omigod! Okay, first impression was that he was nasally. Second, impression – Nasally. Third – nasally. Ugh! New nickname – Nasal Boy. He can carry a tune but I can’t stand the tone of his voice. How could the judges say he was so great?

9. King Charles Unicycle Troop – Unicycle basketball – On first glance, they are similar to Acrodunk. However, they suck. It gives me a new appreciation for Acrodunk. The Unicycle Troop was clumsy and slow…Lame. I agree with Brandy. That was it? It was sloppy! I disagree with Hasselhoff that it was like a train wreck. Train wrecks are at least interesting. Final note, they tried and they do have a good spirit and message and I give them credit for that.

10. Desperation Squad – The Loser Band – I have never appreciated loud, arrhythmic music. However for this genre, they are about the worst of the worst. The problem is the front man. The guitar player and drummer were actually not that bad for a thrash band. Wait a minute maybe the front man is not the problem. They are proud to be the worst. I liked that they were proud to be the worst. They reminded me of the homeless guy on the subway that would play awful saxophone to get people to pay him to stop. (Another true story. I think he made a halfway decent living. He was really horrible. Tired people would do anything to get him to stop. People would hand him $20’s to go away.) Finally, I think they could have a bizarre cult following.

[Google]

 

[leogirl_21]

George Kelly looks absolutely adorable.

[rhomea]

Originally Posted by leogirl_21

George Kelly looks absolutely adorable.

I agree!

[Bof_Cof]

As usuall I rank them based on How much, if anything I'd pay to see them. Also, groups get a higher ranking over solo, and muli-talent (signing and dancing) over single-talent

Worth the money:
1 David and Danya – Quick Change - Another act I would pay to see. Team them with the magician from last week and you'd have sell-out performances for months

2. John and Owen the Passing Zone - Not sure that was actually juggling. But it sure was original.


Worth watching:
3. Lilia Stepanova – Contortionist - A one trick pony. One hell of a trick tho. Not worth a million, but <beep> they need to write a whole new version of the kamasutra for her.

4. Celtic Spring - Not my thing, I could see them doing Celtic shows around the world and making a living at it.


Good for parties:
5. Dave Smith – The One Man Side Show
6. George Kelly– Singer
7. Sean and John – Tap Dancers
8. Michelle L’amour – Burlesque Dancer - Ok, I'm a herosexual male, and let me just say this. I was actually felt bad for her. I wanted to give her money to get dressed. The snow white thing was hot, this was not.


***gong***
9. Desperation Squad - They were trying to be the Sex Pistols (Punk circa 1970's) "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle", only without the charisma and energy.

10. King Charles Unicycle Troop - Basketball.. unicycles... hillarity ensues....not

[cricketeen]

I have to say up front that this week was very disappointing for me. I don't know if the acts are not as good as the earlier weeks or I am tiring of the show?

I'm keeping your order because I didn't care enough to rank them.

1. David and Danya – Quick Change – I agree they are fascinating, but the Stones sing more than Satisfaction. I would pay to see the Stones, I would not pay to see Quick Change again.

2. Celtic Spring – I enjoyed them too. They just need some polish, which is not to say they are undeserving - that million dollars could buy them some of the best advice in the business. Wait, Piers gave them that advice (albeit cruelly) and they rejected it.

3. Lilia Stepanova - Great schtick, but by this time, all these performers have been watching their competition and listening to the judges. They should all have gotten the hint that they needed to switch things up a bit. I'm getting impatient with these one-hit-wonders.

4. John and Owen the Passing Zone – Geez, I think I did something similar as a 10 yr. old with couple of tree branches and some clothes line.

5. Dave Smith – The One Man Side Show – I've always enjoyed that song, and I like his morbid sense of humor, too.

6. Sean and John – Tap Dancers – Not sure how I feel about them. Good energy, good stage presence, good chemistry; but Savion Glover raised the bar high and they fell way short.

7. Michelle L’amour – Burlesque Dancer – She was only there because:
A. Piers and Hoff are horn dogs.
B. Piers is smart enough to know that, by including her and putting her near the end of the show, people who might ordinarly have tuned out by then would stick around.

Why is everyone sucking up to the Hoff? I cringe every time I see his vain, self-satisfied, goofy grin.

8. George Kelly– Singer – Amadeus, I couldn't agree more.

9. King Charles Unicycle Troop – Unicycle basketball – Ditto

10. Desperation Squad – The Loser Band – Once again, why did the judges put them through if they thought the band was so awful?

I am suspecting that they need a certain number of acts to satisfy the schedule and now we are getting the dregs because there is no talent left.

[amadeus]

Originally Posted by leogirl_21

George Kelly looks absolutely adorable.

I'll take your word on his looks. I'm sure that's how he made it that far...I guess if it was a beauty contest and not a talent show that he'd be more qualified.

[amadeus]

Originally Posted by Bof_Cof

As usuall I rank them based on How much, if anything I'd pay to see them. Also, groups get a higher ranking over solo, and muli-talent (signing and dancing) over single-talent

Worth the money:
1 David and Danya – Quick Change - Another act I would pay to see. Team them with the magician from last week and you'd have sell-out performances for months

2. John and Owen the Passing Zone - Not sure that was actually juggling. But it sure was original.


Worth watching:
3. Lilia Stepanova – Contortionist - A one trick pony. One hell of a trick tho. Not worth a million, but <beep> they need to write a whole new version of the kamasutra for her.

4. Celtic Spring - Not my thing, I could see them doing Celtic shows around the world and making a living at it.


Good for parties:
5. Dave Smith – The One Man Side Show
6. George Kelly– Singer
7. Sean and John – Tap Dancers
8. Michelle L’amour – Burlesque Dancer - Ok, I'm a herosexual male, and let me just say this. I was actually felt bad for her. I wanted to give her money to get dressed. The snow white thing was hot, this was not.


***gong***
9. Desperation Squad - They were trying to be the Sex Pistols (Punk circa 1970's) "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle", only without the charisma and energy.

10. King Charles Unicycle Troop - Basketball.. unicycles... hillarity ensues....not

I absolutely agree that Nathan Burton and Quick Change would sell out in Vegas.
Passing Zone was unique. I vacillated on my ranking for them...I think they have a big repertoire
Lilia Stepanova - The Kama Stepanova?
Celtic Spring - I happen to like Celtic music and dance...I think they could be a big seller. However, I'm not sure if Riverdance created a market for Celtic music and dance or filled a small niche.
Dave Smith - I sorta liked him in a Rocky Horror sort of a way.
Michelle L’amour – Burlesque Dancer - Ok, I'm a herosexual male, and let me just say this. I was actually felt bad for her. I wanted to give her money to get dressed. The snow white thing was hot, this was not....LOL agreed.

[amadeus]

Originally Posted by cricketeen

I have to say up front that this week was very disappointing for me. I don't know if the acts are not as good as the earlier weeks or I am tiring of the show?

I'm keeping your order because I didn't care enough to rank them.

1. David and Danya – Quick Change – I agree they are fascinating, but the Stones sing more than Satisfaction. I would pay to see the Stones, I would not pay to see Quick Change again.

2. Celtic Spring – I enjoyed them too. They just need some polish, which is not to say they are undeserving - that million dollars could buy them some of the best advice in the business. Wait, Piers gave them that advice (albeit cruelly) and they rejected it.

3. Lilia Stepanova - Great schtick, but by this time, all these performers have been watching their competition and listening to the judges. They should all have gotten the hint that they needed to switch things up a bit. I'm getting impatient with these one-hit-wonders.

4. John and Owen the Passing Zone – Geez, I think I did something similar as a 10 yr. old with couple of tree branches and some clothes line.

5. Dave Smith – The One Man Side Show – I've always enjoyed that song, and I like his morbid sense of humor, too.

6. Sean and John – Tap Dancers – Not sure how I feel about them. Good energy, good stage presence, good chemistry; but Savion Glover raised the bar high and they fell way short.

7. Michelle L’amour – Burlesque Dancer – She was only there because:
A. Piers and Hoff are horn dogs.
B. Piers is smart enough to know that, by including her and putting her near the end of the show, people who might ordinarly have tuned out by then would stick around.

Why is everyone sucking up to the Hoff? I cringe every time I see his vain, self-satisfied, goofy grin.

8. George Kelly– Singer – Amadeus, I couldn't agree more.

9. King Charles Unicycle Troop – Unicycle basketball – Ditto

10. Desperation Squad – The Loser Band – Once again, why did the judges put them through if they thought the band was so awful?

I am suspecting that they need a certain number of acts to satisfy the schedule and now we are getting the dregs because there is no talent left.

Why is everyone sucking up to the Hoff? No-o-o-o-o idea. Perhaps it's his Academy Award winning performances on Baywatch.

I'm keeping your order because I didn't care enough to rank them. Funny.
I agree with all your responses.
I have paid to see the Stones! Several times in fact.
Your right about the the Burlesque girl. They wanted to give the guys eye candy. Unfortunately, all us guys got was eye Brussels Sprouts.

[William13]

Once again I don't understand the judges decision. Watching the passing zone was like watching somebody push someone else on a swing.
I did like Lilia Stepanove and Celtic Spring. I liked George Kelly. I didn't see him the first time around, but I thought it unfair to criticize him for trying something that the judges suggested he do.
Quick Change made me wonder how they did it, but having seen them change once, everything else was just repitition.
The Burlesque dancer was good for a laugh, but on the wrong show.
Tap Dancing does absolutely nothing for me, no matter how good.
The rest of the acts were totally forgettable.

[drkim]

I only taped the first hour, I was out of town, but here are my belated thoughts.

1. Quick Change - didn't see them this week but they were one of 4 groups that made me say WOW during auditions - so I still put them first. I loved their act the first time and don't need to see it again to say they had to be the best tonight.

big gap in talent

2. Shawn and John - I love tap, I loved Gregory Hines, and they aren't even close, but still fun to watch and the rest of the show was just bad.

3. Lilia - one trick pony? Maybe, but still a good act, just too short. Surely she can do something else?

4. Passing Zone - I liked them better the first time around - actually juggling. Pushing people around on swings - not excited about this time.

big gap in talent

5. Celtic Spring - the dancing was great, but my poor ears! The violins were SO OFF KEY and it was painful. Watching them = great, hearing them = pain. And Dad was pretty bad on the drum. Focus on dancing kids.

6. David - funny guy, I bet he is very interesting to talk with, I like his morbid sense of humor also, but thought his singing was the best part of the act!

Didnt' get to see George (who looks like John Stamos BTW), Unicycle group or the punk band. But sounds like I didn't miss much.

Last - Michelle - hated her the first time, she can't dance, she is not sexy, she has no stage presence, and her behind is too big for this. There are some great burlesque dancers out there and she isn't even close. Shoot she wouldn't even be a good stripper.

So I see that Passing Zone was the judges vote? Once again I disagree. I hope Quick Change gets through. Off to watch that tape next.