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.