Americas Got Talent 9 - Semi Final One

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

How Did Mike Super Fare?

Mike Super chose to exclude his "Spirit Energy" Desmond from his act, but kept his paranormal theme. This time, he blended mentalism and illusion. He got into a plexiglass box, and his assistants covered him with an opaque sheet. Giving directions despite the fact he was unable to see, he told the judges to choose from a collection of different symbols and pick one at random. Mike then vanished from beneath the sheet, appearing at the back of the theatre. Not only was the chosen symbol on his hands, but it had also appeared the the hands of the audience. Mike was successful in broadening the size and range of his act, and his trick was fun to watch, with a unique presentation (I especially liked the ribbon that flew across the stage to reveal where Mike had reappeared) . However, there was one problem with it, and that was the final reveal. Just as Mat Franco did in his Quarterfinal performance, Mike had a final twist that was effective, but too easy to figure out., and designed to surprise viewers rather than fool them. However, his performance was still a significant improvement over his previous routines.

How Did David & Leeman Fare?

David & Leeman's Semifinal performance was based on two aspects of their previous routine; the fact that they accidentally pressed Mel B's buzzer, and the fact that Heidi was their toughest critic last time around. They began their performance by "accidentally" hitting Howard, Howie and Mel B's buzzers. They then performed a variation of the "Spike under Cup" trick with five bags, each labelled with one of the first five letters of the alphabet. They had a spike hidden under one of the bags at random before the show, and took turns smashing their hands down on four of the bags, which had been chosen at random by each of the judges. David & Leeman instructed Heidi to give them an X if the act went wrong, but she didn't need to - The bag that the judges didn't choose was the one containing the spike. This trick has been done too often on Americas Got Talent, but David & Leeman provided one of the best versions of it. Their presentation was creative and funny, and their performance did not contain any obvious errors. However, it lasted a little too long, taking a full four minutes to complete. Furthermore, the familiar nature of their trick contrasted sharply with the uniqueness that made their audition great. David & Leeman did well, but overall Mike Super gave the better performance.

What Did the Judges Say? 

The judges were full of praise for both acts. Mike Super was praised for his change in direction and his creative trick, whilst David & Leeman received praise for their delivery, particularly from Heidi and Howard.

How Did the Other Acts Fare? 

Generally, the semifinallists were good but not great. Flight Crew Jump Rope were energetic, but their routine was hard to follow and they made mistakes. Mara Justine delivered a disappointing version of Kelly Clarkson's song "Breakaway", whilst Bad Boys of Ballet were not spectacular enough to justify their status as wildcards. Paul Ieti sang Backstreet Boys "I Want It That Way" and his vocals were hit-and-miss. Andrey Moraru was beautiful to watch, but his act is limited and he failed to pull off a tricky contortion at the end. Miguel Dakota proved that he was AGT's big rockstar.  Sons Of Serendip were pleasant to listen to, but they lacked an edge, and their approach is a bit limited. Dan Naturman provided some amusing lines, but he was never laugh-out-loud funny and spent too much time setting up his jokes. Ariel Animation's routine was creative, but a little too chaotic for such a late stage in he contest. Emily West closed the show with a unique take on Queen's song "Who Wants To Live Forever" and was singled out as the act to beat.

Verdict

Mike Super and David & Leeman both delivered solid performances. With six of the twelve acts going through, both have, at the very least, a moderate chance of making the finals. However, the unique nature of Mike's trick ensures that he has a better chance of advancing.

Americas Got Talent 9 - Semi Finals Preview

For British Viewers, The Following May Contain Spoilers

Last week, Smoothini made it through automatically. This was soon followed by the news that Howie had picked Mike Super as his wildcard. As a result, all four magic acts in the Live Shows have made the Semi Finals for the second time in AGT history. (the first time was in 2010). Mike Super and David & Leeman will compete in the First Semi Final, and Smoothini and Mat Franco will compete on the Second Semi Final next week. 

Semi Final 1

What Does Mike Super Need To Do?

With the exception of his convoluted "magic square" trick in Judgement Week, Mike Super has delivered some great magic tricks. His audition and Quarterfinal tricks were simple, shocking and effective. However, there is one thing that is letting him down, and that is his main gimmick; his "Spirit energy" and invisible assistant, Desmond. 

Personally, I like the idea of having imaginary friends carry out the magic for you. All magicians need to create interesting personas and selling points, and having a "Spirit Energy" certainly to help him allows Mike Super to stand out. The problem is that Desmond is overused. His presence can work for one or two tricks, but having him do every trick becomes boring pretty quickly. Mike Super should drop Desmond, but I would personally like to see him introduce a new "Spirit Energy" with a distinct identity different from Desmond's (Desmond could be given an aggressive personality and be used for tricks based on shock value such as the Pitcher-shattering illusion Mike did in the Audition). It is probably the best way to keep Mike's creative approach whilst allowing the act to expand.

What Do David & Leeman Need To Do?

David & Leeman have made it this far due to the quality of their audition. Their "Pressure Phrenology" trick was clever and original, and they deserved to make it through to the Live Shows automatically.

On the other hand, David & Leeman's Quarterfinal performance was a letdown. The trick was similar to those done by Collins Key in the Live Shows last year. The reveal was strong, but it took too long, there was too much focus on the judges' annoying banter, and they made a number of crucial mistakes. 

This shows that David & Leeman need to return to what made their audition so great. They need to do something that is simple, different and hard to figure out. If they manage this, then they could look like potential stars again. If they don't, then they will lose even their most devoted supporters. 

Who Are the Other Acts?

Apart from each other, Mike Super and David & Leeman will also be facing:

Ariel Animation

Andrey Moraru

Bad Boys of Ballet (Mel B's Wildcard)

Dan Naturman

Emily West

Flight Crew Jump Rope (Heidi's Wildcard)

Mara Justine

Miguel Dakota

Paul Ieti

Sons of Serendip

Semi Final 2

What Does Mat Franco Need To Do? 

At the moment, Mat Franco is probably the magic act to beat. His Quarterfinal performance provided the creativity and spectacle that the judges were looking for. However, that performance had one major problem, and that is the fact that it was less sophisticated then his earlier performances. It was a lot easier to figure out how Mat did his trick than it was in previous rounds, and this ensured that, in a way, it was less impressive than the close-up tricks he performed in the Audition and Judgement Week rounds.

Therefore, Mat has to combine the technical finesse of those tricks with the increased scale of his previous routine. If he can do that, and provide something amazing in every possible way, then he could easily meet the judges' expectation that he will make the Grand Final.

What Does Smoothini Need To Do?

If Mike Super is an example of a magician whose great tricks are overshadowed by a limited presentation, Smoothini is the opposite. He has the energy and flair needed for a great magician, but his tricks are far too small and simple for such a big stage. Whilst Close-Up magic worked in the auditions because Smoothini was performing it at the Judges' table, it wasn't as impressive in the Quarterfinal when performed on one of America's biggest and most iconic stages.

This means that Smoothini needs to provide something big for his Semi Final performance. He doesn't have to spend thousands of dollars on a grand illusion, but he should do something that is just as impressive if you are watching it from the back row as it is if you are on stage with him.

Who Are the Other Acts?

Apart from each other, Mat Franco and Smoothini will also be facing:

AcroArmy

Baila Conmigo

Blue Journey

Christian Stoinev

Emil & Dariel

Jaycob Curlee

Jonah Smith

Kelly Glover

Quintavious Johnson

Wendy Liebman (Howard's Wildcard)

If you want to see how AGT's four magic acts fare in the Semifinals, then stay tuned!

Americas Got Talent 9 Live Shows - Smoothini

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

Last week, Mike Super failed to make it through to the Semifinals, losing the judges vote. This week, Close-up magician Smoothini competed in the last heat, aiming to join David and Leeman and Mat Franco in the next round.

How Did Smoothini Do?

For his Live Show performance, Smoothini stuck to Close-up magic. He performed a set of tricks themed around money, with Howie and Mel B as his guests. He began by taking out a set of dollar bills and changing them into 100-dollar bills in Mel B's hand. He then showed how fast that money disappears by changing one of the 100-dollar bills into a 50, a 20 and finally a 10, before making it vanish completely. He then took another note and moved the federal seal on it. Finally, he made a fish appear out of a third banknote. Smoothini's presentation was as smooth and energetic as it was in his audition, and the tricks he did this time were less generic. However, they were still fairly basic, and magic with banknotes does not translate very well to a stage. There were a number of instances where Howie had to tell the audience what was going on. Overall, Smoothini was successful in upping his game, but his performance was not unique or spectacular enough to dethrone Mat Franco as this year's star magician.

What Did the Judges Say?

With the exception of Howie, who said he was amazing, the judges all gave Smoothini negative comments. Heidi and Mel B felt that his performance was too small for such a big stage. Howard agreed with this criticism, saying that he and the audience had been excluded from the act, and it felt like being "At a bar with the worst seats in the house".

What Was the Competition Like?

Fortunately for Smoothini, the majority of his competitors failed to impress. Card-throwing triplets Dom the Bom's Triple Threat made numerous mistakes in their routine, whilst One Voice Children's Choir provided a hit-and-miss performance of the song "Let It Go" from the hit movie Frozen . The three dance troupes were good, but not great. Bad Boys of Ballet added break dancing and acrobatics to their routine, but failed to stand out from the crowd. Extreme failed to place sufficient focus on the tricks and stunts that made them stand out at their audition, whilst Mothmen Dance put their emphasis on "Flying" with wires, but they lacked the dance skills needed to make their routine truly amazing. Contortionist Nina Burri was graceful, but her act has limited appeal. Singer and pianist Jonah Smith ditched the backing band who helped him stand out, and the Sam Smith song "Stay With Me" was a questionable song choice,  Rola-Bola performer Jonatan Riquelme received unreserved praise from the judges, but his act is limited in nature, and his audition was more impressive to watch. The two other singers in the heat, Kelli Glover and the 12-year old Quintavious Johnson, nailed the high notes but struggled during the verses. The best act of the night were the Cellists Emil & Dariel, who provided an energetic rendition of the Rolling Stones song, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".

What Are Smoothini's Chances of Reaching the Next Round?

Although Smoothini's performance did not quite meet the high expectations that the viewers and judges have set for him, he still has a moderate chance of making it through due to his large fan base and the mediocre opposition. However, he really has to up his game if he reaches the Semifinals.

Americas Got Talent 9 Live Shows - Mike Super

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

Last Week, Mat Franco joined David and Leeman in the Americas Got Talent semifinals. This week, Mystifier Mike Super was among the acts competing.

How Did Mike Super Do?

Mike Super gave his "Spirit Energy" Desmond equal credit as a partner, so the act is now called Mike Super & Desmond. Mike used Mel B as a volunteer for his latest trick, and got her to sit on a chair next to him. He claimed that he had placed Desmond inside of her, and got out a Voodoo doll. Mike then stated that whenever he did something to the doll, Desmond would make Mel B feel it. Mike began by tapping the doll on the right shoulder. In spite of the fact that he didn't touch Mel B, she felt that she had been tapped on her right shoulder. Mike then lit the arms of the doll on fire. Mel B felt her hands get warm, and ash appeared on her palms. He then finished by zapping the doll with a taser, and Mel B lept into the air, having received an electric shock with no visible cause. It was probably the best of the three magic tricks performed at the America's Got Talent Live Shows this year. It is not a completely new trick, but it is definitely creative. The use of Desmond worked, as it was a departure from the conventional "Magic Doll" presentation that defines this type of routine.

What Did the Judges Say?

Mel B complained about being shocked, but didn't offer any comments on Mike's performance. The most serious criticism came from Howard, who thought that Mike was a good magician, but disliked the use of Desmond and wanted Mike to drop him. Personally, I think that Mike should drop Desmond, but introduce a new "Spirit Energy" in his place. I like the idea of having imaginary friends as assistants, but using only one becomes repetitive and boring after a while. Howie called the act "Spectacular", and Heidi praised the tricks with the ash and taser.

What Was the Competition Like?

The competition this week was pretty strong. There were no outright terrible acts as there were in the past two weeks, and the judges were full of praise for almost everyone. However, two acts, dance trio Dragon House "The Agents" and musical duo Kieran & Finian Makepeace were criticised for not being up to the standards of their competitors. Singers Anna Clendening and Paul Ieti were not as powerful as they should have been, but they have decent voices and strong fanbases. Indian Dance Troupe Cornell Bhangra incorporated hip-hop into their routine and were energetic and precise. The precocious 9 year-old pianist Adrian Romoff was talented, but his over-the-top performance style and eccentric personality mean that he risks being regarded as a joke act. Acrobatics troupe AcroArmy did some impressive tricks, but their routine seemed to lack focus. Comedienne Wendy Liebman told a couple of witty jokes, but she was nowhere near as funny as the judges claimed. Three acts proved to be especially popular. The group Sons of Serendip provided a beautiful version of the Chris Issak song "Wicked Game". Dance duo Blue Journey were singled out as potential winners due to their creative use of visual effects, whilst the acrobat Christian Stoinev successfully incorporated his dog Scooby into his balancing act.

What Are Mike Super's Chances of Reaching the Next Round?

Mike did very well this week, but due to the tough competition and , he has only a medium chance of making it through. Hopefully, he will make the top 24, but he will probably end up going through as a Judges Choice or Wild Card.

Americas Got Talent 9 Live Shows - Mat Franco

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

Last week, David and Leeman made it through automatically in spite of the fact that their Live Show performance wasn't as good as their audition. This week, close-up magician Mat Franco was among the twelve acts competing to join them in the next round.

How Did Mat Franco Do?

Mat Franco, Quarter Finals 2 ~ America's Got... by HumanSlinky

Mat Franco was under pressure to deliver a spectacular routine for the Live Shows, but fortunately, he succeeded in doing so. Mat began his routine by drawing a prediction on a wall with spray paint. He then got Heidi to pick a card (the Ten of Spades) and show it to the camera and audience. When she had done this, Mat revealed his prediction, which turned out to be the Two of Diamonds. Upon being told that this was not the chosen card, Mat took the spray paint and a candle, creating an impromptu flamethrower. He fired it at the wall, and the old prediction burned away to reveal a correct prediction of the chosen card - The Ten of Spades. However, Mat's initial prediction had to have some significance, and a few moments later, he made the Two of Diamonds appear inside Howie's trouser pocket. The trick was a lot simpler than Mat's earlier performances, but it was still impressive. The presentation was unique, and although the trick is fairly easy to figure out, it was executed without any obvious errors. Mat has now taken over as the magic act to beat this season.

What Did the Judges Say?

The judges were full of praise for Mat, with Heidi, Howard and Howie giving him a standing ovation.  Heidi and Howie had no idea how the trick was done, with Heidi claiming that Mat "blew [her] mind". Mel B claimed that he "made magic hot". Howard called him "A really cool magician" and said that he wanted him to reach the Top 5. If Mat continues to up his game, he could easily achieve that goal.

What Was The Competition Like?

Only two acts received the same levels of praise as Mat. They were the Hand Balancer Andrey Moraru, who provided a beautiful and graceful performance, and Aerial Animation, who used aerialism and acrobatics to interact with animated videos. The rest of the acts were pretty disappointing. Hart Dance Team let flashy tricks, such as contortion and flying, distract from their otherwise elegant performance. Loop Rawlins performed with flaming whips and a lasso, but his routine was not very dangerous or energetic, whilst John & Andrew's salsa dancing was fast-paced, but not quite spectacular enough to stand out. The singers did not reach their full potential either. Livy, Mat & Sammy let weak vocals ruin an otherwise solid performance. Mara Justine is very talented for her age, and was one of the better acts of the night, but she had a slow start, whilst Jaycob Curlee abandoned his indie style in favour of R&B and sounded flat on a number of occasions. Acte II applied their operatic voices to "I Will Always Love You", but were not as spectacular as you might expect given the song choice. Two acts are practically guaranteed to be heading home. Comedian Darik Santos blended an annoying delivery and unfunny one-liners, whilst rollerskater Juan Carlos, this years "Joke act" was both talentless and boring.

What are Mat Franco's Chances of Reaching the Next Round?

Having given one of the strongest performances of the night in an otherwise weak heat, Mat Franco is almost guaranteed to make the next round. In fact, he is now a major favorite to reach the finals.