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« America's Got Talent
Episode recap: Auditions, Week Four
Piers, Sharon, The Hoff and Jerry are back in Atlanta to start off week four.
Billy Dodson - He's big, he's burly, he's imposing. He gets on stage and sings...soprano? Three quick X's.
Alex Pyles - A 10-year-old cutie with a great southern accent. She comes out on stage with her father, and they perform a combination of acrobatics, gymnastics and self-defense. I mean, they are hurling each other around the stage and kicking the you-know-what out of each other (with very light contact). Piers gives 'em an instant X. Sharon and The Hoff are intrigued. Piers asks a very valid question: how can this act help you win the competition? Sharon asks if Alex and her Dad are sent on to Vegas, how can they build upon this act in the upcoming weeks? Alex: "I would bring in more people and fight off more attackers because it's not always one person who attacks you." Can't argue with that. She wins Sharon over and they're headed to Vegas.
Sarah Lenore - She comes out with her guitar and belts out Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats. She's pretty good. Sounds like Carrie, too. Gets a standing O from the audience. She off to Vegas, but Sharon gives her some advice: "You've got to work on your individuality, Dawg. There's a lot of blond, young, pretty girls who sing and play guitar." [actually, she didn't say Dawg.]
Flambeaux - Does a pretty impressive fire show for the judges and the audience. He takes a swig of something and breathes a lot of fire. The judges love it.
Nichole Romana - A pole dancer. Amid all the annoying cutaways, we see about six seconds of her routine. She's better, though, than the duo called "Gravity Plays Favorites" that pole danced last week and has a similar figure to the pole. To Vegas!
Giwayen Mata - A dance troupe dressed as if they are right out of the tropics. Just a few seconds of the routine is shown, but Hoff loves it and they're going to Vegas.
SQ Entertainment - A group of 11 young men [all cousins] that do a high-energy hip-hop dance routine. The audience loves it and so do the judges. Hoff says they could go far in the competition if they put on new outfits and "class it up."
The judges are back in New York...
The James Gang - A nattily-clad foursome from Harlem that does a great, jazzy song and dance routine. Backstage, the judges agree they are very Broadway and one of the best acts they've seen.
Victoria Jacoby - Originally from China, precious 11-year-old Victoria was adopted at six months old. She comes out very cool and calm. She does contortions and flexes her body about every possible way you can imagine. At one point, she literally bends over backwards for the judges and then corkscrews herself and drinks from a glass — by lifting it up with her feet. Impressive. I don't know the staying power of this act all the way to the finals in Vegas, but she's headed there.
Polka Today - Matt & Elaine from Staten Island say they're the creators of "Polka Today", a high-energy blend of country, swing an ballroom dancing to Polka. They met at a Polka dance, and fell in love on the dance floor. Awww. A cute story, but, this isn't Love Connection, so let's see what'cha got. Ack! As Piers put it, it's like Polka from the '50s. Not only three X's, but all at the same time.
Mr. Phil - Three quick X's while he — dressed in a red plaid blazer — sings some wacky song about doing a dance called the Mr. Phil. Gone.
Peter McIntosh - Ah, a ventriloquist. Last year's winner, Terry Fator, was a ventriloquist, and a very good one. Not Peter. First of all, he moves his lips rather emphatically. Then he says something to Piers that triggers the NBC bleep button a few times. Gone. But Sharon did describe him as "barking mad." Is that a compliment?
Then it's a few quick looks at some acts that are triple X'd. Ursula Knudson, whose singing brings Hoff to call her act the worst he's ever seen; Rachel Star, who steps on broken glass while repeating the phrase "nothing you've ever seen"; Debra Weiner sings Martha & The Vandellas' Dancing in the Street poorly, and doesn't quit when she gets three X's. So Hoff goes on stage and escorts her off. Backstage, he's a bit frustrated at the low level of talent and wants to be "blown away."
He may be about to get his wish...
Kyle Rifkin - He had a rough childhood and had to become the adult in the family at a young age. Growing up, he made money by begging for change or singing. He gets on stage and sings Ain't Too Proud to Beg by the Temptations. He's in tears even before he starts singing, and breaks into tears when he's done. In between, he's spectacular. He gets a standing O from Hoff. Piers asks him to bring his mother out on stage, and now Jerry is in tears. Piers: "You are right up there with the best we've seen." He's going to Vegas.
Just an hour-long show this week, but a lot of talent. — J.R. Whalen
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Jul 8, 2008 10:42 PM
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Barking mad is definitely not a complement! Sharon thought he was insane.
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Jul 9, 2008 1:10 AM
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I was really disapointed that the judges didn't let Billy Dodson sing longer. He was amazing.. I have a feeling he would have blown them away when he hit the high note!
Sarah Lenore was good... it would be interesting to hear her sing something else so I don't have to compare her to Carrie Underwood.
I really like the James Gang too!!
Great recap!! 
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Jul 9, 2008 12:53 PM
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I was really disapointed that the judges didn't let Billy Dodson sing longer. He was amazing.. I have a feeling he would have blown them away when he hit the high note!
Sarah Lenore was good... it would be interesting to hear her sing something else so I don't have to compare her to Carrie Underwood.
I really like the James Gang too!!
Great recap!!
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Jul 9, 2008 12:54 PM
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Even though I watch this show and enjoy some of it, I really think it is rather silly. Novelty acts are only fun to watch one time so I don't understand why they put so many through. Terry, winner from last year, actually had the talent to put on a Las Vegas act but most of them couldn't possibly succeed in Vegas. The one VERY redeeming quality of this show: Mary Murphy, from that dancing show, isn't on it. I like talent shows and watch many of them, but it is insulting to the viewers that they allow this woman and her constant screeching to be a judge.
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Jul 9, 2008 3:36 PM
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I was very disappointed in the judges' quick and harsh reactions to Billy Dodson. I think he's amazing and as a singer and professional in the music business, I know there are few males out there who can sing soprano. Sharon's comments bordered on ignorance. And David Hasselhoff?? Well, I'm not even going to go there. 
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Jul 10, 2008 10:59 AM
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Billy Dodson is amazing! Those judges are too lowbrow to understand anything outside of pop culture.
I've been checking out all the contestants online, to see if any of them have any past history performing. One of the most puzzling rejects has alot of stuff on youtube-Ursula Knudson has a great band called Fishtank Ensemble and shes an awesome singer. Unfortunately, I cant find anything on Billy Dodson anywhere. He really is good. He reminds me of Klaus Knomi!!!
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Jul 11, 2008 3:25 AM
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Donald, the opera singer was great. I hope I got his name right. I do not see why they did not sent him to Hollywood. He was great. And after losing his voice and having to learn how to talk and sing all over again is beyond words. I hope you continue to sing.
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Aug 7, 2008 11:51 PM
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I didn't get to see all of last night's show, but read this morning that Donald Braswell did not make it through! What an injustice. I cannot believe you let that little 4-year old girl through, who should have never been allowed to compete in the first place, and kept a talented singer like this one who has gone through so much from showcasing his talent and getting a second chance at his career. I will not be watching the rest of the show for this very reason. When you didn't let the girl in red who sang and played the piano through but let both of the young kids through, that just about did it for me. This absolutely does end it. I don't care how cute the kids are, they have no business competing against adults, going to Vegas, or anything else other than being kids. Who in their right mind thinks anyone will pay money to hear them sing at this stage of the game? Get real! I'm just sorry So You Think You Can Dance ended last night.
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Aug 8, 2008 10:54 AM
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If you find a way to get Donald the opera singer back and give him a chance with the voters, if you admit you made a mistake and then send those two very young children home to play in their sandboxes, then I may watch again. Otherwise, this season has been, all in all, a big waste of my time. Shame on you Piers, Sharon and David.
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Aug 8, 2008 3:37 PM
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Okay I agree about the Donald thing...he is very talented and deserves a chance at this. Now on to the little one...I LOVE little Kaitlyn Maher she is just adorable and I can honestly say she does bring a tear to my eye just because she is so sweet...but sadly I do not think this is the best thing for such a young child...let her have a chance to live as a kid...ooh and another fav of mine is Nuttin' but Strings! These guys are great! okay I'm done rambling lol.
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Sep 7, 2008 3:54 AM
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