America's Got Talent 2014 - Live Blog and Recap - Finale Performance
Welcome to the live blog and recap of America's Got Talent 2014, "Finale Performance"! The time has finally come! After a dramatic Top 12 results show, we're now down to these final six acts...
Sons of Serendip
Emily West
Miguel Dakota
AcroArmy
Quintavious Johnson
Mat Franco
One of these six acts will be declared the winner of the $1 million prize, and the champion of America's Got Talent 9! But which act will it be? Videos will be coming as the night rolls on, along with my live commentary, so keep refreshing the page! And keep it locked right here for all of your America's Got Talent needs, as we begin the Finale Performance show!
Let's get this show on the road!
Credit: Peter Kramer/NBC
RECAP
-We open with a montage of the contestants talking about what an honor it is to come so far, and to make the finals of America's Got Talent. This is all set to a chorus singing "America the Beautiful" while they watch themselves projected on the walls of a dilapidated building, and...it's kind of awesome, actually. Makes this whole thing feel epic. We follow this up with introductions of the finalists and the judges, as Howard offers his advice on what it will take to win. Nick then announces that each act will perform twice, one breakthrough performance from earlier in the competition, and one last new performance to make their claim for the title.
QUINTAVIOUS JOHNSON opens the show!
-Quintavious talks going from taking care of his brothers while tackling sixth grade, to making it to the finals of the biggest stage in the world. He notes that he'll be sad if he doesn't win, but he'll still be happy, since how many people can say they made it to the Top 6 of America's Got Talent? Well, at least 48 other acts across eight previous seasons, I'm thinking. Still, rooting for ya, 'tavious!
-For his breakthrough performance, Quintavious sings 'I'd Rather Go Blind', and while it starts out a bit on the rough side, it picks up beautifully. There's just such an immense depth of feeling from this kid, and it's just stunning. His run at the end is INCREDIBLE. Seriously, I loved it. He thoroughly deserved the enthusiastic standing ovation he received from the judges.
-Mel B says Quintavious is incredible, while Howie says Quintavious's voice fills his head and his heart. Howard praises Quintavious for owning the stage, and showing such commanding presence at just 12 years old. Heidi, meanwhile, loves Quintavious for being a consummate performer who loves performing for its own sake.
-Quintavious has little else to say but "WOW!", and I don't blame him. I'd be overwhelmed, in his position.
VIDEO: Quintavious Johnson sings 'I'd Rather Go Blind' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
MAT FRANCO is up next!
-Mat talks about the other two magic acts he advanced over last week, noting how much he respects both Mike Super and David & Leeman. He says it's all been a huge mix of emotions, saying that he auditioned on a whim just for fun, assuming he'd only be shown on TV for a couple minutes. He's planning on repeating his audition for his breakthrough performance, but with a twist.
-Mat tells a bedtime story about the judges where they go to a pub and get wasted. Throughout, Mat is transporting tiny green balls from under one tin cup to another, sort of like Three-Card Monty. It's more cute than mind-blowing, until he somehow causes the tiny green balls to grow. That was a damn cool trick, and the judges aren't exactly wrong to get on their feet for it.
-Howie praises Mat on his "set of balls," and on his showmanship. Howard praises him along the same lines, saying his task is harder than any of the singers, since he has to present an old trick in a new way. He calls Mat an absolute pro. Heidi agrees. Mel B, meanwhile, absolutely adores Mat, and says he excels at keeping the audience engaged.
-In his interview with Nick, Mat talks about the challenge of putting a new spin on his old trick, and I suddenly find myself really hoping Mat finishes in a better spot than sixth.
VIDEO: Mat Franco performs on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
EMILY WEST is up next!
-Emily talks about what advancing in this competition means to her, and I get the feeling that this is the eleventh time I've seen this exact video package. That said, I'm not sure what else a contestant is supposed to say in a situation like this. Mostly, I'm just floored by how pretty Emily still is, just chilling in sweats.
-Emily sings "Chandelier" by Sia for her breakthrough performance, and while it doesn't start out as strong as the original did, it finishes up every bit as strong. In fact, I think the second half of this performance is better than the first time she did it. Absolutely stunning. And I love that her dress wraps into the curtains and spreads across the stage. It's a stunning visual, and is so elegant that Nick feels the need to take off his shoes before walking on it. Howard and Heidi give Emily a standing O, while Howie and Mel B are chatting about something, and seem to miss the opportunity (either that, or they just didn't think it was that great. Which is unfathomable to me).
-Howard notes that singers on competitions could be like this have a tendency to be boring, yet even with 90 seconds, Emily is captivating. Heidi says she considers "Chandelier" an Emily West song now. Mel B, however, says she actually thought it was much better the first time. Howie agrees, somewhat, saying that they're holding the contestants to a higher standard than they ever have before on this show. I don't disagree that the second half was better than the first, but I still found this performance absolutely stunning.
VIDEO: Emily West sings 'Chandelier' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
MIGUEL DAKOTA is up next!
-Miguel talks about how just a few months ago, he was working in manual labor while pursuing music on the side, yet now he's just two performances away from potentially changing his life. He mentions hard it is to be away from his family in Colorado, and so he's going to perform 'Seven Nation Army' again since it's a song he's always performed for his family back home (really?). He says they're part of the reason he's doing this.
-Well, this was certainly a hundred thousand times better than his performance last week. That said, I'm bored to death with this song, and it's not even Miguel's fault. It's just that I've heard this damn song performed almost the same way on three separate talent shows in the past month, and it's driving me nuts. Still, I thought Miguel delivered a killer vocal here. Reminded me a lot of Jim Morrison. No standing O from any of the judges though.
-Mel B thinks everyone is struggling with nerves, while Howie thinks America will still vote for Miguel anyway because he's fresh and current. Howard, however, doesn't think this is a situation where America is going to vote for marketing. He says America is looking for the best singer, and that wasn't enough to win. And I agree, even though I actually quite enjoyed it.
VIDEO: Miguel Dakota sings 'Seven Nation Army' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
-Back from break with Nick declaring that auditions for next year will be rolling through Tampa, Nashville, Richmond, and New York, with more details to come. Richmond? Really? I mean, it's a lovely city, I just wonder what made them think, "Well, there's probably a high concentration of talent here." Then again, I suppose I could say the same of Tampa.
SONS OF SERENDIP are up next!
-Sons of Serendip gush over making the finals, saying that this is as far as an act can go in this competition. They reveal they'll be singing "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane, and I suddenly got a shock of excitement, as I can immediately hear in my head what this is going to sound like, and it's already AMAZING.
-And yup, this is every bit as good as I was expecting to be. I never actually saw their audition, so this is all new to me. And refreshingly so, as this is instantly one of my favorite performances of the entire season. That singer really is something else. He sounds like some sort of angel. Heidi, Mel B, and Howie give this a standing O, while Howard remains sitting, because he hates joy.
-Mel B says the singing acts are killing it, and that Sons of Serendip are incredibly consistent. Howie says Sons of Serendip are the most talented music act in the competition, but he doesn't know if America will vote on talent or who they want to see as a star. Howard notes that Sons of Serendip have an "image problem," in that they're not the most current, "it" group now. And he feels that if this is the reason they lose, it'll be a real shame. I agree. No reason an act like this can't go all the way to the title.
VIDEO: Sons of Serendip sing 'Somewhere Only We Know' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
ACROARMY is up next!
-One of the performers notes that making the finals is the biggest thing that has happened to any of them, yet it doesn't end here. Their choreographer is overcome with emotion as he describes how they really re an 'army', a unit that works together as one. They'll be redoing their 'Immortals' routine, which should be incredible, if it's anywhere near as impeccable as the first time they did it.
-Yup, this is incredible. I can't even describe how unbelievable these movements are, in a good way. They swing one another around and leap around like they're getting shot out of a cannon. There's also some pretty killer hand balancing here, with acrobats essentially balancing on top of one another. The judges give them a standing ovation.
-Howie says this deserves to be an Olympic sport, adding that if it were, he'd give AcroArmy the gold for that performance. Howard thinks they're fantastic, and feels that if they don't win, it's because television is limited, meaning America couldn't truly appreciate the visual spectacle of this performance. However, he pleads with America to give them a chance, noting that AcroArmy deserves a shot at the million. Heidi says she thinks of AcroArmy first when asked about which acts she thinks can win, while Mel B calls AcroArmy 'PRICELESS!' I absolutely adore this act, so I'm in complete agreement with the judges.
VIDEO: AcroArmy performs 'Immortals' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
-As we go to break, Nick begins taking volunteers from the audience for Mat Franco's next act.
MAT FRANCO is up next!
-Mat talks about his supportive family, particularly his grandmother, who can finally come to see him live. We see the Francos out to dinner, and it's kind of adorable how close this family is, and how much they really believe in Mat. His grandmother is stunned by the sight of Radio City Music Hall, and it's just such a lovely little profile video.
-A bunch of audience members are onstage holding giant playing cards like they're models with briefcases on Deal or No Deal. Mat has a small deck of cards in his hands, while the audience members onstage are a Human Deck of Cards. However, the audience members onstage have no idea what cards they're holding, since the card faces are covered. Mat calls Mel B onstage to help out, commanding the Human Deck to shuffle itself while Howard shuffles the smaller deck. So Mat tells Howard to put the cards into two piles, red on one side and black on the other. However, he can't actually look at the cards, he simply has to make a prediction. Mel B must do the same onstage. Midway through, Mat switches it up and has them start putting the red cards in the black pile, and the black cards in the red pile. Howard is revealed to have gotten each pile perfectly correct, except for a lone 3 of Clubs, which is in the wrong pile. However, Mel B is revealed to have gotten both sides right as well -- except for the same 3 of Clubs! DUUUUUUDE! HOW?! Seriously, SOMEONE TELL ME HOW!
-Howard feels silly telling yet another act they deserve to win the million, but he genuinely believes Mat deserves to win. Mel B is enthusiastic for Mat, saying he performs actual magic. Heidi, meanwhile, says that she has no idea how he comes up with any of this. She won't be able to sleep tonight because she'll be up all night trying to figure out how he did it. (You and me both, Heidi.) Howie notes Mat's grandmother, and says he just became a grandparent himself last week. He says Mat is the new David Copperfield, and notes he should have his own specials. I agree completely, especially since, in his interview with Nick, he reveals that he only came up with this trick a few days ago.
VIDEO: Mat Franco performs 'Human Deck of Cards' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
SONS OF SERENDIP are up next!
-In a video package that's more a music video than a hype package, the guys talk about how they were just normal guys before all this. The lead singer breaks down when describing how the rest of the band have become like brothers to him. "I'm just grateful that this happened," he says, through tears. This is all set to their lovely rendition of 'How Will I Know' by Whitney Houston. I can't wait to hear what they do next.
-They sing 'Bring Me To Life', and this just might be the most I've EVER liked this song. I mean, I've never disliked this song, but I haven't been able to get all that hyped about it since I was 17 or so. But this is like hearing it again for the first time. As much as I love Emily West and AcroArmy, it's now official: I want Sons of Serendip to win this thing. Absolutely sensational. SENSATIONAL, I SAY!
-Heidi loves the lead singer's voice, but she wants to give props to the rest of the band, too. Mel B says seeing the lead singer cry in the video showed how deeply involved they all are in the band, and she notes how much she loves their passion. She says she would buy their album now, a sentiment with which Heidi readily agrees. Howie says that they're the lucky ones for having Sons of Serendip in the competition. Howard, meanwhile, says the performance made him wonder what ever happened to Evanescence. He says this competition is just too close to call, stating that he doesn't know how America will choose its winner.
VIDEO: Sons of Serendip sing 'Bring Me To Life' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
QUINTAVIOUS JOHNSON is up next!
-Quintavious talks about having to bring his performances back to a higher level. So he's taking it back to church, since that's how he got into singing (he's apparently been singing in the church since he was 2! TWO!). Quintavious says he wants to win more than anything, and it's intercut with clips of him singing at church. The pastor has got a voice too!
-Quintavious sings 'Let It Be' by The Beatles, complete with backing choir. It's probably the most understated performance we've seen from him, at least in the early going. And I love it. And he really DOES take it back to church as the song hits a crescendo, as he just unleashes far more emotion and feeling than you'd expect from a kid his age. The judges can't get on their feet fast enough, and I don't blame them.
-Mel B says Quintavious is a joy, and notes he's a true star. Howard and Heidi echo this sentiment, while Howie urges America to get voting. Yeah, this competition is insane tonight, although I'm kind of dreading Miguel just overshooting everybody else and landing in, like, second place or something insane like that.
VIDEO: Quintavious Johnson sings 'Let It Be' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
MIGUEL DAKOTA is up next!
-Miguel says he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life until he received a guitar for his 11th birthday. He started singing when he was 13 and realized this is what he wanted to do. He says being onstage makes him feel so much bigger than he is. "That's my dream, to be performing in music for the rest of my life," he states, noting that making the finals has made him realize that his dream could come true. Miguel states this performance needs to be his best.
-Miguel sings 'Billie Jean', and this is easily his best performance of the entire competition. Miguel has a very gritty, natural, Jim Morrison-esque voice, and his arrangement of this song was perfect for that tone. That said, I'm not sure if this was enough to win. Still, he can go out with his head held high, knowing that he really delivered on his final performance of the competition.
-Heidi says Miguel has come full circle, starting the competition with just a guitar and finishing with just himself and a guitar. She hopes Miguel's fans vote for him. Mel B says Miguel took a risk, but she loves a risk-taker, and she loves Miguel. Howard says Miguel has succeeded in going out on his best performance, while Howie praises Miguel as well to keep the love going. In his interview with Nick, Miguel says "Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson. The King of Pop," before asking America to show him love. Well, he certainly does still have a shot, I'd argue, although I think his sixth out of all six acts in my own personal rankings.
VIDEO: Miguel Dakota sings 'Billie Jean' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
ACROARMY is up next!
-The members of AcroArmy thank their tearful choreographer for his role in putting the group together, noting the positive effect he's had on all their lives. The choreographer then notes that this is their chance to prove to people that their dreams can come true.
-Their performance is more of a traditional acrobatics routine, but it's no less visually stunning. Their flips are just INSANE and SO frigging dangerous-looking that I found myself holding my breath, praying none of the acrobats would fall or go splat. They are so tremendously talented, and they absolutely deserve to be here. I loved this performance.
-Mel B said the performance was "on fire", while Heidi and Howard are similarly impressed. Howie, meanwhile, says that just when you think they couldn't deliver more, AcroArmy brought more. This really was a stellar performance. These guys and gals are IMPECCABLE with their timing, and have talent beyond most acts of their type on this show, if not anywhere in the world.
VIDEO: AcroArmy performed Final Routine on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
EMILY WEST closes the show!
-Emily talks about how auditioning for the show is the most terrifying thing she's ever done, as she feared she would humiliate herself with her audition, since others have never had a shot whereas she's already had hers. But she lives and breathes music, and wants to make the most of this second chance. This is all set to Emily doing a stunning rendition of "Fame". Still not sure why they needed to give her the pimp spot, as any chance of the voting getting interesting is more or less out the window now. I mean, Emily was probably always going to win, but now I don't see how there's any doubt, unless she just bombs this.
-Emily sings 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', and I think this is her best performance of the entire season. Just a soaring, thrilling vocal that truly makes a case for why she should win this show. That said, the production is a bit distracting, as it basically rained onstage. But Emily still delivered what is essentially a million dollar performance. A well-deserved standing ovation for Emily, to close out the season.
-Mel B declares the performance is 'off the chain', while Heidi is similarly over-the-moon about Emily's vocal, saying she's glad that Emily is getting this second chance. Howie considers Emily a star, while Howard declares that she's the total package. He says the race for the title is too close to call, and America needs to vote. Well, no kidding.
VIDEO: Emily West sings 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' on America's Got Talent 2014 Finals (VIDEO)
And that's a wrap! My knee-jerk predictions for tomorrow night's results:
6th Place: Sons of Serendip
5th Place: Miguel Santos
4th Place: Mat Franco
3rd Place: Quintavious Johnson
2nd Place: AcroArmy
1st Place: Emily West
What did you think of tonight's show? Who will win America's Got Talent 9? Sound off in the comments, and don't forget to take our official prediction poll! Until tomorrow night, thanks for joining me!