America's Got Talent - 6/17/08 - Premiere

[atrac]

I gotta say, I do love watching this show. :)

Let's see, an opera singer, a cute little girl singer, a scorned baton twirler -- it's series one of "Britain's Got Talent" all over again!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA (Britain's Opera Singer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNoiVrJDsE (Britain's little girl singer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8q5QJOwoG4 (Britain's Baton Twirler)

That being said, these particular acts were very good and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Even if it was deja-vu!

What was going on with the guy who made his own guitar at 10 years old? Why on Earth wouldn't he have everything all set up to be ready to perform??

"Britney Spears" is definitely not worth a million dollars.

[danterner]

I agree on all points.

So, did the producers go out and hunt for "the Next Paul Potts," etc, or did these three just happen to audition? I'm guessing the former.

[Cainebj]

+ 1 on both

The similarities to Paul Potts are so great that I couldn't help but think it was a totally staged contestant. :down:
Of course the only thing is Paul Potts is a gazillion times better.
Who could even hear most of that guy last night considering the audience applause practically drowned him out?

The best thing about this show with Tivo is you can watch it in 20 minutes.
Thanks fast forward button.

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

[QUOTE=Cainebj;6394779...
The best thing about this show with Tivo is you can watch it in 20 minutes.
Thanks fast forward button.[/QUOTE]

+1 ( even shorter for me.. :) )

[Cainebj]

it's series one of "Britain's Got Talent" all over again!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA (Britain's Opera Singer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNoiVrJDsE (Britain's little girl singer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8q5QJOwoG4 (Britain's Baton Twirler)

OK I knew about Paul Potts and I knew there was a little girl - but a bullied baton twirler too?
Good lord - it's a friggin' remake!

[markz]

That little girl was adorable! Of course she won't win, but it was still neat to see her sing!

Some day she'll be standing in front of Simon on AI getting ripped for some reason!

[TonyTheTiger]

I think I may have lost count at how many times I say this, but it's a REALITY show, not a competition! It's about who has the best story and a modicum of talent rather than pure skill!

As for the similarities between this and the British version, remember that the vast majority will not have seen the UK show and all this is new to them. Many scripted shows taken from the UK have the exact same plotlines (adapted for the American audience), but they don't get criticized!

[Fish Man]

What was going on with the guy who made his own guitar at 10 years old? Why on Earth wouldn't he have everything all set up to be ready to perform??


I took one look at him and knew he was going to suck. Just because you build a "Frankenstein" guitar doesn't make you Eddie Van Halen! ;)

Also, the buildup of "ten years in the making!" was clear foreshadowing that this guy was going to be nothing but a no-talent hack.

The little girl was totally cute, but can't possibly go "all the way". I hope Piers refrains from acting like an ass to her.

"Brittney Spears" was one of the more impressive female-impersonator celebrity impersonations I've seen, but clearly a one trick pony. I strongly suspect we've already seen everything there is to see of that act.

Kudos to the opera guy. All the way? We'll see.

Edit: What's up with the judges letting through the cute-but-talentless Romanian chicks who sang the painfully off-key "New York, New York"? I predict they won't last long when the viewer starts getting a vote.

[TonyTheTiger]

I took one look at him and knew he was going to suck. Just because you build a "Frankenstein" guitar doesn't make you Eddie Van Halen! ;)

Also, the buildup of "ten years in the making!" was clear foreshadowing that this guy was going to be nothing but a no-talent hack.

The little girl was totally cute, but can't possibly go "all the way". I hope Piers refrains from acting like an ass to her.

"Brittney Spears" was one of the more impressive female-impersonator celebrity impersonations I've seen, but clearly a one trick pony. I strongly suspect we've already seen everything there is to see of that act.

Kudos to the opera guy. All the way? We'll see.

Edit: What's up with the judges letting through the cute-but-talentless Romanian chicks who sang the painfully off-key "New York, New York"? I predict they won't last long when the viewer starts getting a vote.

It won't get as far as a public vote. They'll be gone as soon as the entertainment factor wears off (which was about 2 seconds after they started "singing" for me!).

[That Don Guy]

It won't get as far as a public vote. They'll be gone as soon as the entertainment factor wears off (which was about 2 seconds after they started "singing" for me!).I think they were sent through because they have a "kitsch" factor. Like a number of acts, they're there to "get noticed" more than in an attempt to win the cash (I hesitate to say "the million dollars" because, once again, it's a 40-year annuity with a lesser lump sum option).

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they end up in some low-budget revue, or a roaming nightclub act, somewhere in Vegas. Anybody see Leopold the Magnificant lately? Maybe they can open for him...

-- Don

[TonyTheTiger]

...or Boy Shakira!!!!


Interesting that last year's winner (Terry Fater) has a five year, 100 million dollar deal to play in Vegas! I wonder how much THAT is as an annuity!!

[Fish Man]

...or Boy Shakira!!!!


Interesting that last year's winner (Terry Fater) has a five year, 100 million dollar deal to play in Vegas! I wonder how much THAT is as an annuity!!

I question the veracity of the "100 million" figure. I take everything these sensational "reality" shows say with the appropriate pinch of salt.

If true, helluva gig for a ventriloquist! (Albeit, a darn good one.)

I believe he's got a long-term contract to play in Vegas. It's just that the "100 million" number tweaks my BS detector a bit...

[Cainebj]

I believe he's got a long-term contract to play in Vegas. It's just that the "100 million" number tweaks my BS detector a bit...

+1

I find it hard to believe also.

[mattack]

The show was supposedly scheduled (in the Tivo guide) to air on Channel 6 due to (I think) a sports show... So I recorded it on channel 6..

It was their normal programming. (They're an independent, but sometimes air the network shows when the local NBC station has something else scheduled.)

I sent feedback on the NBC channel's web site that the info wasn't right and it didn't air where scheduled, but I realize it probably won't go any good. (Jeopardy is being preempted a LOT lately, and I'm complaining to our station that airs Jeopardy too...)

[Fleegle]

The show was supposedly scheduled (in the Tivo guide) to air on Channel 6 due to (I think) a sports show... So I recorded it on channel 6..

It was their normal programming. (They're an independent, but sometimes air the network shows when the local NBC station has something else scheduled.)

I sent feedback on the NBC channel's web site that the info wasn't right and it didn't air where scheduled, but I realize it probably won't go any good. (Jeopardy is being preempted a LOT lately, and I'm complaining to our station that airs Jeopardy too...)

You never know... Last year, our CW station was really bad about showing teh SD feed of shows on the HD channels. I had contacted the station and was told it was an issue with closed-captioning, that the HD feeds were being sent out without closed captioning and that forced them to air the SD feed that DID have the CC. I didn't buy that line since, AFAIK, the feed is the same sent to everyone across the country and nobody else seemed to have that problem.

So I e-mailed the CW directly. This year, every show I've seen on CW that should be in HD has been in HD.

[newsposter]

is this ABC or oprah? I dont tune in for the mush stories. It's like rewarding someone because they have a sob story. One act per commercial is nuts, as is anyone who has to sit thru this live ;)

putting thru acts that in no way will make a 100 million vegas show is just bringing to the forefront that the 'pre-judges' just put thru crap to get laughs. Meaning that there is no doubt they really dont care about talent.

Wheres quick change and not one single knock off act of last years winner? Hmm. And michael knight admitting he had issues with booze was funny.

http://www.terryfator.com/biography.html


The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas recently held a press conference to announce that Fator signed a five-year $100 hundred million dollar deal beginning February 2009, with an option for an additional five years at $110 million dollars. He will perform 48 weeks a year, 5 nights a week in The Terry Fator Theatre (currently the Danny Gans Theatre). Fator will continue to perform monthly at the Las Vegas Hilton through 2008 and in sold out concerts nationwide. “This is an unbelievable dream come true, and I am looking forward to becoming a member of The Mirage family” states Fator.

edit...hmm he's coming to my town in a few month...for 50 bucks may give a try

[Byteofram]

+1

I find it hard to believe also.

It's legit...he signed with the Mirage for 100 million for 5 years, with an option for another 5 for 110 million. 48 weeks a year, 5 nights a week. Sounds like a good gig to me.

[That Don Guy]

The show was supposedly scheduled (in the Tivo guide) to air on Channel 6 due to (I think) a sports show... So I recorded it on channel 6..

It was their normal programming. (They're an independent, but sometimes air the network shows when the local NBC station has something else scheduled.)

I sent feedback on the NBC channel's web site that the info wasn't right and it didn't air where scheduled, but I realize it probably won't go any good. (Jeopardy is being preempted a LOT lately, and I'm complaining to our station that airs Jeopardy too...)
I nearly got caught by that as well. There was supposed to be an Oakland A's game on San Francisco's NBC affiliate, so AGT was moved to a station Fox and NBC use as a backup in cases like this (much better than airing the shows at midnight like Fox used to), but then the game wasn't aired for whatever reason, AGT got moved back to that station, and somebody forgot to tell the other station to change its TiVo schedule (the guide still said AGT, but an hour of Cops aired in its place). Fortunately for me, I noticed AGT on the schedule twice and figured that something like this had happened (I was just surprised the KICU schedule still had it listed).

As for Jeopardy, the pre-emptions were for NBA playoff games, and KGO airs the Friday episodes on Saturday instead of the repeats from last season (although that still leaves one of last week's episodes missing).

-- Don

[That Don Guy]

I think I may have lost count at how many times I say this, but it's a REALITY show, not a competition! It's about who has the best story and a modicum of talent rather than pure skill!

As for the similarities between this and the British version, remember that the vast majority will not have seen the UK show and all this is new to them. Many scripted shows taken from the UK have the exact same plotlines (adapted for the American audience), but they don't get criticized!
I disagree with the first part - while the story/sympathy factor may play a part, the talent tends to win out. I don't think Terrry Fator's "story" was particularly "voteworthy". Also, I have a feeling that the producers get an idea of who the acts are that have a decent chance of winning and then work on the stories. Of course, personality doesn't hurt - just ask Bianca Ryan.

As for the Paul Potts/Neil Boyd similarities, a number of people in the audience knew what was happening, as they started applauding when Boyd starting singing "Nessun Dorma". However, I discovered that Boyd isn't exactly a "man off the street"; unless there are two tenors by that name, he won the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist Voice (Tenor) Competition and sang at Carnegie Hall in 2001.

(To be honest, I didn't think Boyd did that good of a job on the song.)

-- Don

[Fleegle]

I disagree with the first part - while the story/sympathy factor may play a part, the talent tends to win out. I don't think Terrry Fator's "story" was particularly "voteworthy". Also, I have a feeling that the producers get an idea of who the acts are that have a decent chance of winning and then work on the stories. Of course, personality doesn't hurt - just ask Bianca Ryan.

As for the Paul Potts/Neil Boyd similarities, a number of people in the audience knew what was happening, as they started applauding when Boyd starting singing "Nessun Dorma". However, I discovered that Boyd isn't exactly a "man off the street"; unless there are two tenors by that name, he won the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist Voice (Tenor) Competition and sang at Carnegie Hall in 2001.

(To be honest, I didn't think Boyd did that good of a job on the song.)

-- Don

So he's EXACTLY like Paul Potts?

[mattack]

You never know...

Well, I complained to nbc11 and got a response that they couldn't re-air it:
Unfortunately, we are unable to replay that program as it has already
aired.

(Which is illogical. "Replay" obviously mean it was already aired.) I don't know if that means they don't literally keep copies of it, or if they are legally precluded from doing so (probably). I guess I should complain to NBC directly, but this *IS* an NBC O&O station.

Hopefully in a week or two they will rerun them on the weekend, which I think they did last time.

[mattack]

I nearly got caught by that as well. There was supposed to be an Oakland A's game on San Francisco's NBC affiliate, so AGT was moved to a station Fox and NBC use as a backup in cases like this (much better than airing the shows at midnight like Fox used to), but then the game wasn't aired for whatever reason, AGT got moved back to that station, and somebody forgot to tell the other station to change its TiVo schedule (the guide still said AGT, but an hour of Cops aired in its place). Fortunately for me, I noticed AGT on the schedule twice and figured that something like this had happened (I was just surprised the KICU schedule still had it listed).

Yeah, that's interesting -- I thought there was something strange about KICU.. they do air both Fox & NBC programming when preempted on the main station. That's odd. Do they have some kind of strange ownership deal that allows this?

I could swear that on the day it aired (in the morning), I did a "view upcoming" and it still showed as airing on KICU and not on the NBC station. Maybe my memory is foggy, and the listings probably aren't there anymore or at least won't be there by the time I get home to check.

[JLucPicard]

Since when did the audience for AGT become opera officiandos??? And not being a fan of opera at all, I may not be the best example to use, but I would not have ONE CLUE if the guy butchered the lyrics or hit some clinker notes in there - and I'd be willing to bet that most of the audience at that theater wouldn't either. Yet huge, tear inducing cheers anyway. :rolleyes:

To me, I may be able to tell the difference between good opera and bad opera because good opera would be horrible for me and bad opera would probably be completely unbearable. Same goes for rap. But the AGT live audience certainly knows how incredibly good this guy was???

And I don't remember if it was that ancient Shirley Temple, but for all the times Springer feigned fear of her getting too close to the edge, I would have LOVED to see his reaction if she had actually gone off!

OK, obviously I get mean when I'm tired. :) I best shut this down now. :D

[markz]

Since when did the audience for AGT become opera officiandos??? And not being a fan of opera at all, I may not be the best example to use, but I would not have ONE CLUE if the guy butchered the lyrics or hit some clinker notes in there - and I'd be willing to bet that most of the audience at that theater wouldn't either. Yet huge, tear inducing cheers anyway. :rolleyes:

To me, I may be able to tell the difference between good opera and bad opera because good opera would be horrible for me and bad opera would probably be completely unbearable. Same goes for rap. But the AGT live audience certainly knows how incredibly good this guy was???

And I don't remember if it was that ancient Shirley Temple, but for all the times Springer feigned fear of her getting too close to the edge, I would have LOVED to see his reaction if she had actually gone off!

OK, obviously I get mean when I'm tired. :) I best shut this down now. :D

I don't know anything about opera. And I'd never go to the opera.

However, I enjoyed his singing. He hit certain notes that really moved me! He put so much feeling into his performance. It was something about his voice and the power behind it.

Was he good at what he did? I don't know. I have know idea what that song was about or anything.