How can one not love Heidi Klum? Granted the competition is stiff as Mel B. keeps getting better and better, but Ms. Klum is more than adorable. Her enthusiasm for “America’s Got Talent” is infectious and she opted to hit the Golden buzzer this week. With a face that could easily launch a thousand ships, it is her eyes that seal the deal. We have no problem believing that Heidi is enthralled, concerned or annoyed at the act in front of her.
This week the competition had a number of dance groups. Sadly not every one got a decent shot in the spotlight, we got highlights but not the entire act. Room was made for the lackluster and few “token” nutters (an old dear and her screaming chihuahua was one such novelty act).
There was a person dressed up as what appeared to be an Emu (a singer) and one lady who did a hulu-hoop act. The hula-hoop act was a return from a few years ago and this time around went no better than her last attempt.
Another act were up for their second shot, but their last time on AGT was cut short due to injury, not being voted off.
The acts once again tipped the scales in terms of age. A group of near octogenarian dancers, a high-wire husband and wife; in their 50s and two young performers. The youngest acts consisted of a 13 year old stand-up comedian and a 12 year old guitar playing country singer.
There was, thankfully, only one “heart-tugging” event that was more of a brief backstory moment rather than a tissue one.
Thus far the dancing groups are getting short shrift and singers are not quite so plentiful as novelty acts. Jugglers, Russian bar acts, the high-wire couple and a number of stand-up comics. (The comics also got shorted in terms of airtime.) All that has been missing so far, apart from the Japanese chap in an earlier episode, are the magicians.
(A short sidenote here; there was a young lady featured in the build up to a 45 year old juggler, formerly from the Ukraine, who sang an Emo type song. The girl played the piano and sang that she was creep and a weirdo. It would have been brilliant to have heard the song in its entirety.)
The juggler was one part mime and he mesmerized the audience and the judges.
Once again on “America’s Got Talent” a young lady turned out to have a huge voice. 12 year old Kadie Lynn, from Texas, came out in a short lacy skirt and cowboy boots and wowed everyone with that voice.
Lynn was brilliant and as Simon himself stated she was very reminiscent of Patsy Cline back in her heyday.
The big surprise was the Italian pizza maker from Long Island who performed the Frank Sinatra classic “My Way” almost flawlessly. Heidi Klum was so taken with this stout singer that she hit the third gold buzzer of the season.
Initially when the confident Long Island singer came on stage it could have gone either way. Then Sal Valentinetti opened his mouth and started singing. He channeled his inner Sinatra and killed the audience with a superb number.
After hitting the buzzer, Heidi gave Sal a hug.
The third episode of “America’s Got Talent” snuck in a few more nutters and spent too little time on the dance groups.
although, we did learn which acts went through. In terms of cute moments, the A Capella choir from Memphis Tennessee took first place. The group, called “One Voice” competed in the 16 – 18 category and one of the lads, a football player, asked the lead singer to the prom.
A real “aw” moment, all the more so as the lad borrowed a scene from “The Office” with a teapot.
“America’s Got Talent” cut back on the heart tugging moments (we thank you) and spent a little too much time on the nutters. If they can just get the combination right, these could be the best auditions yet. There were a lot of well earned standing ovations last night.
While you have to love Heidi Klum, you need to spare a little positive feeling for presenter Nick Cannon. He has his own fan base and it is easy to see why.
AGT airs Tuesdays on NBC. Tune in and see some amazing and not so amazing talent. Till next week, enjoy the 13 year old comic, the 12 year old singer and Sal Valentinetti; who did it his way.
Mikes Film Talk 