Americas Got Talent 9: The Grand Final - Mat Franco

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

As was the case last year, each finalist performed twice - Their first performance was a 'Repeat' of a previous routine, and the second performance was entirely new. The two routines, as well as the corresponding judges' comments and performances from the competitors, will be examined separately.

The Repeat Performance

How Did Mat Franco Do?

As the only act unable to repeat a previous performance, Mat Franco chose to take the 'Storytelling' theme of his audition and apply it to a completely new trick. He chose to perform the "Cups and Balls" , the oldest and best-known magic trick in the world. Doing such a familiar routine seemed like a problem, but Mat managed to give a very enjoyable performance. The main reason for this was the quality of his patter. As he made the three small balls pass between the three cups several times, he told a humorous story about Howard, Heidi and Howie getting drunk at a bar. He finished by making four tennis balls appear under the cups, to represent all four judges.

Even the youngest and least experienced magicians know how to do the "Cups and Balls", but Mat performed the routine with the flair and energy that marks him out as a professional. Whilst some versions of the trick are more impressive, Mat's spin on it was slick, creative and fun to watch. It was better than his Top 12 performance by some distance.

What Did The Judges Say?

The judges' comments were entirely positive. Howie praised Mat's charisma and presentation. Howard noted how difficult it was for Mat to provide a trick that was both a repeat and completely new, but called his performance "second-to-none" and said he was "a true pro". Heidi claimed that Mat "dazzled" her, and Mel B praised his "slick" presentation.

What Was The Competition Like?

All of the acts gave strong 'Repeat' performances. Quintavious Johnson sang "I'd Rather Go Blind" and provided some amazing high notes, Emily West reprised the haunting version of the Sia song "Chandelier" which marked her out as a favourite during the Quarterfinals, but Howie and Mel B felt that her earlier rendition was better. Miguel Dakota was energetic and enjoyable to watch, but got upstaged by his backing band, whilst Sons Of Serendip retained the emotion and beauty that made their audition so unique. Finally, AcroArmy reprised their Semifinal performance and provided a number of great stunts with precise timing.

The New Performance

How Did Mat Franco Do?

For his second performance, Mat Franco provided a spin on one of the most iconic card tricks of all time, "Out of This World". He used Howard and Mel B as volunteers, and showed them two sets of cards. Howard would be given an ordinary deck, whilst Mel B would be in charge of a 'Human Deck' made up of 52 audience members, each holding a giant card face-down. Both were told to deal their decks, face-down, without looking, into two piles, one made up of black cards and one made up of red cards (In Mel B's case, this meant telling the audience members to stand at either side of the stage), based on what colour they thought each card was. Midway through,the position of the piles were switched, making it harder for the two judges to determine which one their card should go in. Once all the cards in Howard's deck had been dealt, and Mel B had positioned all the audience members, the cards were turned over. All the cards had been dealt onto the correct piles, with one exception, the Three of Clubs, which was in the first set of red cards dealt by both judges.

"Out of This World" is a popular trick because it is simple to do and has a very impressive climax. By doing two versions at once with a matching outcome, Mat made it unique and, by using the 'Human Deck', he ensured that it could be followed by everyone in the audience. Apart from a conspicuous switch between two cards made near the end, the routine was executed very successfully given its elaborate nature.

What Did the Judges Say?

The judges' praise for Mat's 'New' performance was just as enthusiastic as it had been for his 'Repeat. Howard' claimed that Mat deserved to win (although he acknowledged that he had said that about most of the other finalists), Mel B claimed that he made "magic become magic" and Heidi praised his versatility. Howie summed up the judges opinions by claiming that Mat would become a big TV star like David Blaine or David Copperfield.

Was Was the Competition Like?

For the most part, the 'New' performances were better than the earlier ones. However, Sons Of Serendip were disappointing, as they delivered a relatively flat performance of the rock anthem "Bring Me to Life". The other acts were far more successful. Quintavious Johnson applied his vocal skills to the Beatles classic "Let It Be", whilst Miguel Dakota provided an acoustic version of "Billie Jean".Meanwhile, AcroArmy emphasised balancing, and offered a number of memorable stunts such as a four-tier human pyramid. The last act of the night was Emily West, who finished the evening on a high by singing the ballad "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Her performance revealed that she did not need to belt out high notes to move viewers.

Verdict

Mat Franco's chances of winning Americas Got Talent are high. He delivered two unique and creative performances with some great presentation. His early performance slot puts him at a slight disadvantage, but on the basis of his last two performances, as well as his showing throughout the competition, he would be a deserving winner. 

Americas Got Talent 9 Grand Final - A Preview

For British Viewers, The Following May Contain Spoilers

Of the three magic acts competing in the Americas Got Talent Top 12, Mat Franco was the only one to make the grand final. So far, the most successful magician in Americas Got Talent history is Collins Key, who finished in fifth place last year. Can Mat Franco fare even better?

What Does Mat Franco Need To Do?

Mat Franco is definitely one of the favourites to win. He is attractive and has an enjoyable personality, but most importantly, his performances have generally been creative, original and fun to watch. In the auditions and Judgement Week, he provided some unique and engaging card tricks, whilst his Quarterfinal and Semifinal routines showed that he could perform tricks that could appeal to a large audience without losing the technical expertise that made him stand out in the early stages.

Unfortunately, Mat's Top 12 performance was not as good as his previous four. His desire to focus on skill by performing close-up magic was understandable, but the "Ambitious Card" routine is too conventional for such an unusual magician to perform at such a late stage. Just because a trick is difficult to perform does not automatically make it impressive for the audience. Mat should try and take this into account for his final performances and provide routines that are just as enjoyable to watch if you are viewing them from far away as they are if you are sitting in the front row.

What Is The Competition Like?

Mat's five opponents in the final are:

• AcroArmy - Their audition was not televised, they barely made it through their heat as a Judge's Choice, and yet AcroArmy are among the favourites to win. This is due to the fact that they have improved rapidly with every performance. Whilst their Judgement Week routine put the majority of emphasis on dance, with only a few members doing tricks, their Top 12 routine was crammed full of spectacular balances and stunts from every member. However, AcroArmy run the risk of pushing themselves too far, and an injury would spell the end of their chances of winning the million dollars.

• Emily West - Emily West is probably the act to beat this season. Her ability to hit the high notes is amazing, her control over pitch and tone is impressive, and her style is both unconventional and appealing. Yet she faces three major problems, only one of which is related to the quality of her performances. The first of these is the fact that many viewers do not want a singer to win Americas Got Talent for the sixth time, and the second is opposition to her history as a professional (She has had two Top 50 hits on the US Country Charts, and appeared on several TV Shows ). If she gives a spectacular performance, Emily can overcome these criticisms, but her last two performances started slowly and ended a little too quickly. She needs to deliver throughout if she wants to guarantee victory, and there is a real risk that she could be the Jackie Evancho of the season and narrowly miss out on victory despite her status as the overwhelming favourite.

• Miguel Dakota - One of the most pointless aspects of the Top 12 was the fact that the "Snapple Save"and the Judges Choice, which were used to choose the 5th and 6th places in the semifinals, were retained. Using them showed that the acts who went through as a result would be at a significant disadvantage. However, even if the viewers vote was the only way that an act could make the final, Miguel Dakota, winner of the Judges Choice, would still be recognised as the weakest competitor left. He is handsome and energetic, but he is not a very impressive vocalist, and there are times when his lack of experience becomes apparent. Despite giving a number of big performances, he has failed to win over critics such as Howard, and therefore, he is unlikely to improve on his present position.

• Quintavious Johnson - Quintavious Johnson is a very impressive singer. Although he is only 12 years old, he has the vocal ability of a Diva three times his age. Unfortunately, there are times when his immaturity is evident, and most viewers will be uncomfortable with the prospect of a youth winning a chance to headline a show in Las Vegas. Therefore, Quintavious' chances of victory are slim, but if he continues to deliver strong performances, then he will be able to make it as a headliner sometime in the future.

• Sons Of Serendip - In spite of the fact that they only went through as winners of the "Snapple Save", Sons Of Serendip have the potential to do very well. They are talented vocalists and instrumentalists, and their focus on unusual instruments such as the Violin and the Harp ensures that they stand out. The only problem with Sons of Serendip is their "Easy Listening" style. It is appealing and they are pleasant to listen to, but it is difficult to get excited about an act whose main aim is to calm you down. Nevertheless, they have the ability and originality needed to deliver an impressive final performance.

Verdict

Mat Franco has a very good chance of becoming the first magician to win Americas Got Talent. He is an excellent magician who can blend the skill of a close-up magician with the flair of an experienced illusionist and provide tricks that "Play big" despite his lack of expensive props. If he continues to do this, then he could easily overcome the odds and become the Diversity to Emily West's Susan Boyle - The brilliant variety act that overcomes the odds to become a surprise and deserving winner.

Americas Got Talent 9 - The Top 12

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

How Did David & Leeman Do?

For their Top 12 performance, David & Leeman did a trick themed around addiction. They showed the audience a giant lottery ticket and five balloons of different colours. The judges were told to each pick a balloon and choose a number between 1 and 99. David & Leeman popped the chosen balloons and wrote the chosen numbers on the lottery ticket. They then gave the remaining balloon to the judges and popped it to reveal a normal-sized scratchcard inside. The judges scratched off the covering to reveal that it contained correct predictions of the numbers chosen by Howie, Heidi and Mel B. However, the fourth prediction was incorrect - It was 85 and Howard had chosen 86 as his number. David & Leeman told Howard that, because their predictions were not 100% accurate, he could take their jackets as a consolation prize. They removed their jackets to reveal another prediction on the back of their shirts - It correctly stated that Howard would be "off by one".

This was easily David & Leeman's best performance since their audition. The presentation was as slick and amusing as ever, but the trick they did this time was far more original then the ones they did in the last two rounds. If they had performed tricks of this calibre throughout the competition, then they might be favourites instead of outsiders.

How Did Mike Super Do?

Mike Super dropped his paranormal theme almost entirely and did a mentalism routine based on the viewers' spending habits. He used Nick as a volunteer, and got him to shuffle a deck of cards before dealing eight onto the table. Nick was then put in a money booth full of dollar bills and told to pick one at random. When Nick had made his choice, Mike got him to read the serial number on it, and as he did so, turned over the cards in the order in which they had been dealt - The eight-digit number made by the cards matched the number on the bill. Mike then made Howard open an envelope which he had been sent the previous day and kept with him ever since. The envelope contained a message which Mike went over with a Butane lighter. As he did so, the message changed into a correct prediction of the serial number.

Mike's trick was not as spectacular as his previous ones, but it was enjoyable to watch. The main problem was the fact that Mike dropped his unique approach in favour of something a little too similar to David & Leeman's brand of comedic mentalism. Whilst the trick Mike performed was clever, original and hard to figure out, a more serious delivery would have increased its impact.

How Did Mat Franco Do?

Mat Franco chose to go back to basics and perform a couple of classic card tricks. First of all, he did an interactive version of the "Card on Ceiling" trick. He told the viewers at home to think of a card, then loaded the deck into a small cannon which he fired into the air - the card which the viewers thought of was the only one to stay stuck to the ceiling. Mat then went to the judges' table and performed the "Ambitious Card" trick. He got Howard to pick a card and sign it, and no matter where the card was placed in the deck, it reappeared at the top. Mat finished this sequence by making the card appear inside a small box that had been kept on the table throughout the performance.

Overall, Mat's performance was a bit of a downgrade. The presentation was as slick and professional as ever, but the tricks were far too conventional. Interactive tricks should generally be avoided, as they are too easy to figure out (Obviously there has to be a very simple way to get millions of viewers to all pick the same card), and whilst the "Ambitious Card" is a good trick, it was a bit too small-scale and familiar for such an important performance. Given that one of Mat's biggest strengths has been the unconventional nature of his tricks, he should have done something a little more creative instead.

What Did The Judges Say?

The judges' reviews for all three magic acts were similar and full of unreserved praise. The most significant comments were probably made by Heidi, who claimed that Mat Franco was her favourite out of the magicians, Mel B, who advised America to vote for David & Leeman, and Howard, who noted how far Mike Super had improved since he dropped his "Spirit Energy" Desmond in the semifinals.


What Was The Competition Like?

The Top 12 was highly competitive, as the acts generally did very well. Mara Justine had to deal with technical problems, but gave her best performance in ages. Sons Of Serendip applied their unique approach to the Duran Duran song "Ordinary World", whilst Christian Stoinev chose to reduce the role of his dogs and focus on balancing tricks. Emil & Dariel  lost sight of what made their act great with a slow song choice ("I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith) and too much focus on their backing band and a newly-added choir. AcroArmy provided some amazing stunts and acrobatics, but there is a risk that their performance might not look as impressive on TV as it does in the theatre. Quintavious Johnson sang "I'm Going Down" and was labelled a potential winner by the judges. Meanwhile, Blue Journey made use of some wonderful visuals, but failed to provide the spectacle that helped Kenichi Ebina to win last year, whilst Emily West provided some great high notes, making up for the fact that her performance ended too quickly. Finally, Miguel Dakota delivered an energetic performance, but failed to win over Howard.

Verdict

Out of the three magicians, Mat Franco has the best chance of making the Grand Final. Although his performance was not as good as it should have been, the quality of his previous ones, coupled with the substantial support he receives on Facebook and YouTube, should send him through.

David & Leeman's chances, on the other hand, are slim. Though their Top 12 performance was probably their best to date, the unimpressive nature of their previous performances and their early performance slot this week, means that they will be overshadowed by more consistent acts.

Mike Super has a moderate chance of making it through. Whilst he should have kept the mysterious approach that has defined him so far in the competition, his trick was undoubtedly impressive. His prospects of advancing depend on whether or not America is willing to put two magicians into the final.

Americas Got Talent 9 - Top 12 Preview

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

Twelve acts remain in Americas Got Talent, and this line-up includes an unprecedented three magic acts: Mike Super, David & Leeman and Mat Franco (Smoothini lost the Judges' Choice in the Second Semifinal). This week, they will compete for six spots in the Grand Final.

What Do David & Leeman Need To Do?

Of the three magic acts left, David & Leeman are probably the weakest. They are solid magicians with appealing personalities and enjoyable presentation, but so far, they have failed to fulfil the promise of their audition. Whilst their audition trick was unique and clever, their subsequent performances have been pretty derivative - did we really need another version of the "Spike Under Cup" trick?

The fact that David & Leeman barely made it through as a Judges' Choice demonstrates that they should do something different for their Top 12 performance. They need to perform a trick that is reasonably original, and do so with the comedic flair that has helped them to stand out. If they do so, then at the very least, they can go out on a high.

What Does Mike Super Need To Do?

Mike Super was the only one of the Judges' four wildcards to make the Top 12. The reason for this was the fact that he ditched his "Spirit Energy" Desmond and let his semifinal trick speak for itself. His performance in that round was not necessarily the best given by a magician this season, but it was probably the most spectacular.

Mike needs to keep up the good work, and continue to provide simple but effective tricks with a strong paranormal theme. However, he should leave Desmond out, at least for the next performance, as he is too much a distraction and limits the act. If he makes it into the final, then Mike will get to "Revisit" one of his best routines from earlier in the competition. Magicians should never repeat a trick, but they can reuse old ideas and themes, which probably means that Mike be able to perform with Desmond one last time.

What Does Mat Franco Need To Do?

Without question, Mat Franco is the magic act to beat. His semifinal performance was creative and enjoyable to watch. It was a big trick, but kept the technical skill that made Mat's earlier performances so impressive. Furthermore, by reducing his signature cards to a secondary element, Mat showed that he had the versatility to sustain an hour-long show in Vegas.

The only thing that Mat needs to do is build on everything that made his previous routine great. If he can manage this, then he will be able to prove to Americas Got Talent's viewers that he deserves to be the first magician to win the show.

What Is The Competition Like?

As was the case last year, the twelve acts can be placed in three categories: Favourites, Dark Horses, and Outsiders.

Favourites

• Emily West
• Mat Franco

Dark Horses

• AcroArmy
• Emil & Dariel
• Miguel Dakota
• Mike Super
• Quintavious Johnson
• Sons of Serendip

Outsiders

• Blue Journey
• Christian Stoinev
• David & Leeman
• Mara Justine

If you want to see how the three remaining magicians fare in the Top 12, then stay tuned!

Americas Got Talent 9 - Semi Final Two

For British Viewers, This Article May Contain Spoilers

Last week, both Mike Super and David & Leeman made it through the first Semifinal, although the latter only did so as a judges choice. This week, Mat Franco and Smoothini competed to join them in the Final 12.

How Did Mat Franco Fare?

Mat Franco began his Semi final performance by getting Howard, Heidi and Howie to pick a card each. He then took Mel B's phone and used it to take a photo of her holding the three cards. After he had done this, Mat "accidentally" dropped her phone into a glass of water, then put it inside a bag and appeared to dry it using a hair-drier, but actually made it vanish. Heidi was instructed to call Mel B's number, and the vanished phone began to ring from an unknown location. Mat led Mel B to a set of seats near the front row. He took out a blade and used it to cut one of the seats open. He told Mel B to look inside the seat, and she found her phone inside, identifiable due to the photo of the cards that Mat had taken earlier. Furthermore, the chosen cards (The Six of Spades, the Four of Clubs and the Two of Hearts) formed the number of the seat in which the phone had been found. Though the trick was a little slow to get going, it was worth it for the final reveal, which was creative and unique. The presentation was polished, and the routine successfully blended the spectacle of Mat's Quarterfinal trick with the technical skill of his earlier performances. He has now reasserted himself as a major favourite.

How Did Smoothini Fare?

Smoothini chose to stick with Close-up magic, but performed directly in front of the judges table as he did in the auditions. He did tricks with Howie's ring and pen and Nick's shoelace. Smoothini begun by making the ring pass through the shoelace, the made it pass from the shoelace, which was now held in Mel B and Heidi's hands, to the pen, which they held between them in their other hands. He appeared to push the pen through his ear, then made it appear from his mouth. Finally, he made the ring vanish from his hand and reappear tied to the laces on his own shoe. Again, Smoothini was undermined by the simplistic nature of his tricks. Whilst Old-school magic does fit his Old-school presentation style, he should try and do something more unique and spectacular. The standard for magicians is very high indeed, and by focusing on tricks that are both small and conventional, Smoothini is allowing himself to be overshadowed by his rivals. Smoothini has the flair and showmanship needed to be a great magician, but he was the weakest of the two magicians competing tonight by some distance.

What Did The Judges Say?

Mat Franco received unanimous praise from the judges. Howard said that he was a deserving finalist and a "Pro". Heidi called him "unforgettable", and Howie said his performance was "amazing". Mel B claimed that she would have been very annoyed if anything happened to her phone, but praised Mat's delivery and personality.

Smoothini also received a number of positive comments. Heidi and Mel B both praised his tricks for being hard to figure out, and Howie said that, in contrast to his last performance, Smoothini managed to make the room "explode" in applause. However, Howard remained critical. Although he praised the presentation, he felt that the tricks remained too small.

What Was The Competition Like?

As was the case last week, none of the acts were truly great, but none of them were terrible either. Jonah Smith is a talented singer, but by dropping his band and choosing to cover Hot 100 hits, he has lost everything that made him unique. Baila Conmigo emphasised teamwork and delivered some good tricks, but Salsa dancing can get a bit dull after a while. Jaycob Curlee delivered a version of "Your Song" that was a step up from his previous performance, but he lacks the vocal power needed to be a potential finalist. AcroArmy provided some amazing tricks, but there is a risk that people may not vote for them. Kelli Glover sang "Love on Top" by Beyonce, but she made mistakes when she needed a to give flawless performance in order to go through. Wendy Liebman made the judges laugh, but I didn't find her very funny. Blue Journey provided some great visuals, but their routine got a bit boring towards the end. Emil & Dariel are great cellists, but got overshadowed by their backing band. Christian Stoinev put too much emphasis on his dogs, ending his otherwise strong routine with a superfluous magic trick. Quintavious Johnson ended the night by singing "I'd Rather Go Blind". He gave a powerful performance, but his vocals can still sound immature at times.

Verdict

Mat Franco was one of the standout performers of the night with his elaborate and spectacular trick, and he is therefore almost guaranteed a place in the final 12. Smoothini's performance was an improvement on his quarter-final routine, but  it was still a disappointment. He has a moderate chance of qualifying, though if he makes it through, it will probably be as a judges choice.