America's Got Talent 2014 - Live Blog and Recap - Quarter Finals 3 (VIDEO)
Welcome to the live blog and recap of America's Got Talent 2014, "Quarter Finals 3"! The next group of performers from our Season 9 Top 48 perform for your votes! The acts competing tonight are:
Adrian Romoff
Blue Journey
Mike Super
Sons of Serendip
AcroArmy
Paul Ieti
Wendy Liebman
Kieran & Finian Makepeace
Dragon House “The Agents”
Christian Stoinev
Cornell Bhangra
That is an INSANE lineup. Seriously ridiculous, to such an extent that I wonder if some of the acts who've gotten through in the past two weeks would still have gotten through if some of these acts had been in their grouping of 12. But that's a topic for another day. Tonight, we see who rises and who falls as these acts take the stage at Radio City Music Hall for the first time!
Please bear with me tonight. I'm running the site solo since Rickey is sick, so videos might take a while. But I'll do my best to get them up as soon as they become available. So keep it locked right here for all your America's Got Talent needs!
Credit: Michael Parmelee/NBC
Let's get this show on the road!
RECAP
-We get a brief recap of last week's show with some of the impressive acts that performed, as we hype that tonight is going to be even bigger. We get an introduction to Nick and the judges, after which we get a heartfelt acknowledgement of Robin Williams's passing from Howie Mandel, who talks about what he meant to the comedy and entertainment world. He says that, as people look to fulfill their dreams tonight, we should remember the man who left such a massive light behind. Got to admit, I found this genuinely touching. Well spoken, Howie.
DRAGON HOUSE "THE AGENTS" is up first!
-In their pre-performance video, the guys talk about wanting their dance routines to literally look like CGI animation. They then talk about how their parents work regular 9-to-5 jobs. "There is no backup plan. This IS the plan." I'm really rooting for these guys, so I hope they can bring it like they have in the past.
-The routine mostly focuses on popping-and-locking, and tricks with their arms. Granted, this sounds simple, but it's incredibly complicated. Their precision and movements are just so impressive. And they look excruciatingly painful, so I kind of want to give them credit just for being able to do some downright wicked things with their bodies that very few dance acts in this competition have proven capable of doing. A great way to kick off the show.
-Mel B keeps it succinct, and says that she's a huge fan of these guys, adding that this was a great way to kick off the show. Howie compares them to "The Man from GLAD" and says they were great. Howard loves the act, but warns against "getting a bit similar" with each routine, since he worries they're going to do the same thing every week. Heidi agrees with Howard, saying it gets a little monotonous, earning the ire of Mel B, who feels they're being unfair. Howard, however, defends his opinion by saying he's trying to give the guys constructive criticism so that they can go forward.
-The guys insist they have more surprises, but feel they did more than enough. I know he probably didn't mean it to sound so cocky, but it really came across that way. That said, I'm still rooting for Dragon House. A little confidence can go a long way.
VIDEO: Dragon House performs on America's Got Talent 2014
ANNA CLENDENING is up next!
-Anna talks about the anxiety disorder she was born with. I can relate with her diagnosis, so she's a sentimental favorite of mine. She says it's no longer a question of if she can do this or not, but how far she can go. "It could be one person in the audience, or the whole world watching. I will not let my anxiety win." Go Anna!
-Anna sings "Human" by Christina Perri, and while this song doesn't do a whole lot for me, I think Anna delivers a really solid rendition. She's not the strongest singer in this competition, but I think she's one of the most passionate. I just feel the emotion pouring through in every syllable of her performance, and I can't say that about every singer, whether it's on this show or some other singing competition. I enjoyed this.
-Howie says hearing Anna's story in light of what happened to Robin Williams makes her very important, since she's open to talking about mental disorders and championing fighting through one's issues. He thanks her, and says he was moved by her performance. Heidi hopes Anna's journey will continue in the competition. Howard loves that Anna changed her look (hair color, styling, etc.), but says he was more passionate about her previous two performances. He thought she was a little more edgy and a little more original with her other songs, although he does like her. Mel B thought it was terrific, and said she sang like an angel.
-Nick talks with Anna about what a triumph this is for her, and she says this feels amazing. "There are no words. No words at all." I'm really rooting for her. But, again, for mostly personal reasons.
VIDEO: Anna Clendening performs 'Human' on America's Got Talent 2014
-Back from break, with Nick revealing that tomorrow night's results show will feature last year's runner-up, Taylor Williamson, and last year's WINNER, Kenichi Ebina! Sounds awesome.
CORNELL BHANGRA is up next!
-Cornell Bhangra talk about being viewed as nerds, before discussing the background of Bhangra a bit. They then recall what it was like to win their way onto the show by public vote through The Today Show. These seem like a pretty cool, if excitable, group.
-Their outfits are incredibly colorful, and very visually striking. Their dance routine is pretty invigorating and energetic, even though I imagine this style of dance is more of an acquired taste. But they're very talented at what they do. They even add some color to the proceedings with a lead dancer hidden in the audience. He's dressed like Miguel Dakota, and is nearly identical to him at a distance.
-Heidi, who gave this a standing ovation alongside Mel B, calls it a fusion of Bollywood and hip hop. She loved it. Howard says he's glad the lead dancer didn't fall off the stage, before adding there's a certain advantage to being added to the competition late, since this is the first time they've seen this act. He says it will be interesting to see if they can sustain this level of performance if they go through. Mel B calls them an exciting act, and adds that "It was off the chain!", which I guess is her equivalent of Randy Jackson's "In it to win it!" catchphrase. Howie calls them "Bhangra Direction," the One Direction of Bhangra. He congratulates them on bringing their culture to a wider audience.
VIDEO: Cornell Bhangra performs on America's Got Talent 2014
KIERAN & FINIAN MAKEPEACE are up next!
-The brothers talk about making it to live shows, before adding that their father has been diagnosed with cancer, and they want to spend their last years with him making him proud. They're overcome with emotion, and can hardly finish the interview.
-They sing "Lights" by Ellie Goulding, and I love the first half of this, when it's practically a folk-rock interpretation of the song. It allows the vocals to take center stage, and it helped me to hear the song in a completely new way. However, once it picks up into a full-on rock rendition, it didn't do much for me. It just felt unnecessary, and I couldn't really get excited about it.
-Heidi feels they took an energetic pop song and made it kind of anemic. She said the beginning was just a bit too sleepy for her. Mel B loved it because "You took us somewhere with it." She said they made it 100% unique, which is what they should do as artists. She then adds that it helps that they're so lovely to look at. Howie awkwardly agrees and calls them "adorable," although he felt it was a bit low-energy following Cornell Bhangra. He still thought it was good though. Howard, meanwhile, felt the performance lacked something. That said, he likes that the guys always take risks.
VIDEO: Kieran and Finian Makepeace sing 'Lights' on America's Got Talent 2014
MIKE SUPER is up next!
-Mike is from Pittsburgh, and explains he's as normal as a guy can get. However, he talks about how everything changed upon meeting a "spirit energy" named Desmond, which gave him the impetus for his magic act. His kids think Desmond is their dad's imaginary friend. However, Mike insists Desmond is real. He says it's difficult working with a spirit energy, since he essentially has no act if Desmond doesn't show up. Um...okay?
-Mike invites Mel B onstage for the act, and she rolls her eyes before going up. Mike says it doesn't matter if anyone believes Desmond is real or not, the act will still affect the viewer regardless. Mike "places" Desmond in Mel B, then asks her if she believes in Desmond. "Not really," Mel B says, so Mike brings out his Scary Spice doll and reveals that whatever he does to the doll, Desmond will do to Mel B. He taps on the doll, and Mel feels a tap on her shoulder. He then lights the doll's hands on fire, and Mel admits she felt her hands heat up. She opens her palms to reveal ash marks. Now Mel B believes in Desmond! However, he has one more test, as he shocks the doll -- and shocks Mel B in the process. Mel B is legitimate freaked out now! Mel B says she doesn't get paid enough for this.
-Howard says he likes Mike but hates Desmond and feels he doesn't need him. He says Mike's children look traumatized by the presence of Desmond. He thinks Mike should leave Desmond behind in the spirit world, since he's a good magic performer without him. Howie says he thinks America will vote their heads off for him, and guys across America will be trying to figure out how to touch women without actually touching them. Heidi, meanwhile, thought it was fantastic. We don't hear from Mel B.
-Mike says he picked Mel B because he knew she was skeptical. He thanks the judges for allowing him to do what he does.
VIDEO: Mike Super performs Spirit Magic on America's Got Talent 2014
ADRIAN ROMOFF is up next!
-Adrian talks about his rigorous daily routine of study and practice. His mother feels that while many people view him as a genius, she still taught her son that he needs to be a good person. Adrian agrees and says that he wouldn't even be here without his mother. Seems like a sweet kid.
-Adrian plays a medley of classical music, and it's a pretty fantastic rendition. And he totally gets into it, losing his glasses in the process of the performance itself. Bonus points for the kid basically dressing like Matt Smith on Doctor Who. He really does have the surefire makings of a really great concert pianist. The kid is insanely talented.
-Howie is impressed with Adrian's skill and his passion, calling him "Boythoven". Howard reminds everyone Adrian is just 9-years-old, and jokes that he could go on to be anybody, whether the next Steve Jobs or a successful strip club owner. He thinks Adrian is brilliant. Heidi is similarly enthusiastic, thinking Adrian is fantastic. Mel B asks if Adrian even knows how entertaining he is, and he says he does. Preciousness is one way to America's heart, for sure.
-Adrian says that being in Radio City Music Hall is a big change for him, since "nothing stays still." He then adds that he had a lot of fun.
VIDEO: Adrian Romoff performs Classical Piano on America's Got Talent 2014
ACROARMY is up next!
-They talk about getting put together by their choreographer, Arthur, who was on Season 1 of America's Got Talent. He believes in the group, and is going as far as to perform with them tonight to fill the shoes of teammate Ryan, who was unable to perform due to "work commitments." Arthur promises not to let his team down.
-They perform to a mixture of dramatic, movie trailer music and Lana Del Rey's version of "Once Upon A Dream." It's a visually spectacular performance, with some very complicated tosses and flips. It's kind of hard to do it any kind of justice here, but needless to say, this was quite impressive, and it earned a standing ovation from Howie, Heidi, and Mel B.
-Howard loves AcroArmy and hopes America votes for them. "What strength, grace, and beauty. You guys really are exemplary." Heidi says this is exactly what she wants to see on America's Got Talent, while Mel B claims the performance was amazing, adding that the act made her panic with its death-defying stunts. Seven acts will go home tomorrow, and Mel B says they can't be one of them. Howie says this is a family show, and they're an act the entire family can enjoy. Howie is also relieved his mic wasn't on during the performance, since his amazement resulted in a lot of curse words no family should hear coming out of his mouth.
-Arthur talks about what his students mean to him, and it's kind of a touching moment, actually. I dig this group.
VIDEO: AcroArmy performs Acrobatics on America's Got Talent 2014
WENDY LIEBMAN is up next!
-Wendy has been doing standup for 25 years, first starting since she got out of college. However, she's been trying to make people laugh since she was a little girl. She recalls putting her career on hold to start a family when she married a man with two sons from a previous marriage. But now that the boys are older, she plans on getting back to her comedy career. After all, she loves making people laugh.
-Wendy makes some jokes about putting on excessive perfume, finding $20 (before revealing she stole it from the tip jar at Starbucks), and adding that she was inspired to get a bikini from seeing Heidi and Mel B. However, she says her bikini is a three-piece: a top, a bottom, and a blindfold for you. She says she doesn't feel 46 because she's actually 47 years old -- and has been for two years, adding this is a joke she's been telling for five. She does an escalating joke as she continues adding years to her age, and it makes for a pretty amusing bit. She then adds some jokes about having bad credit and asking her father for money at 53. The comedy may have been largely toothless, but I enjoyed this, honestly.
-Heidi loves Wendy's stream-of-consciousness style of comedy, and says she's been lying about her own age for years. Mel B says there is finally a smart, good-looking woman who made them laugh throughout the entire act, adding that this has never happened before on the show. Howard worried about her because she occasionally plays the victim, but thought she was a total rock star tonight in how she commanded the stage. Howie jokes that he's known Wendy for 56 years now, before saying he feels comedy is the hardest profession since Wendy needs more from the audience tonight than any other act. He feels she was able to get the audience engrossed in her act with her performance.
-Wendy thanks the crew, and then says how much it means to have her parents here to see her on this stage, since they used to bring her to Radio City Music Hall every Christmas...and pick her up every Easter. I like Wendy, I really do.
VIDEO: Wendy Liebman performs Stand-Up Comedy on America's Got Talent 2014
SONS OF SERENDIP is up next!
-Teacher, student, grocery store worker, and a lawyer who got together after meeting as students at Boston University. They talk about how they stay focused and try not to freak out, since they really want this thing to work more than anything they've ever wanted. These guys have wonderful chemistry, and seem really likable. Hopefully, their act is as enjoyable as they appear to be.
-They perform "Wicked Game" by Chris Isak, which is funny since I thought that was the song Kieran and Finian were about to perform when they first started tonight. That said, this is one of my favorite performances of the night so far. Their singer has wonderful tone, and the harp adds an ethereal quality to their sound that sets them apart from similar acts in the competition. I couldn't have possibly loved this any more than I did, as I thought this was basically a perfect performance. Heidi, Mel B, and Howie give the group a standing ovation.
-Mel B said it was "just beautiful," and that this was her favorite performance of the night. Howie says it was "serendipitous" ("no pun intended") that they came together only a few months ago for the show, and adds that their voices blend together so well -- to such an extent that it just made him feel good (Howie goes on to repeat "feel so good!" at random intervals throughout all the other critiques, in a funny bit). Howard says America has its work cut out for it tonight, saying this is a really strong act. Heidi loves that they brought an interesting take to a well-known song. I think these guys have the potential to go really far, and honestly, I hope they do.
VIDEO: Sons of Serendip perform 'Wicked Game' on America's Got Talent 2014
BLUE JOURNEY is up next!
-Rachel and Nick got together just days before the audition, getting put together by their choreographer, David Middendorp, who wanted to audition for America's Got Talent. The choreographer calls both dancers "very hard workers." However, Rachel and Nick haven't been able to rehearse all that much since she's been dancing on tour, and he's been running his dance school in New Jersey. He says that while some dance troupes have months to rehearse, they have only a matter of days to come up with a routine.
-They dance against a background of a moving sky, giving them the appearance of falling through the air. We then get a panorama of wonderful visuals, from Rachel and Nick running across a set of cloud-like bodies, to getting blown away by a giant person in the sky. They then parachute to the ground and act out a story of loss, as Rachel floats away and vanishes in the silhouetted background as Nick mourns her departure on the ground below. Absolutely stunning, and worthy of the standing ovation they get.
-Heidi loved it, and says they provided a new take on this form of dance. Her only critique is that the live audience couldn't really see it all that well, noting that it likely plays better for viewers at home. Mel B thinks Blue Journey has brought something unique to the show, saying she wants this act to win. "You guys are incredible! You really are!" Howie says we all just got "Middendorped," turning the choreographer's name into a verb to note how stunned they all were by the awesomeness of the performance. He adds that it's the best dance act he's ever seen on this show. Howard calls the act intelligent, saying that to win America's Got Talent, you need to offer something original like this. He adds that even without all the video accompaniment, this is an outstanding act. And I completely agree.
-Nick asks Blue Journey if they think they can win, and Rachel says she thinks so. I think so too, although they're going to have some serious competition from Aerial Animation (which is almost a more fitting name for this than Blue Journey).
VIDEO: Blue Journey performs on America's Got Talent 2014
CHRISTIAN STOINEV is up next!
-Christian talks about growing up in the circus, since he's a fifth generation circus performer. Unfortunately, this meant he didn't have a lot of friends since not a lot of kids were on the tour, so he became best friends with his chihuahua, Scooby. He calls the dog not only his best friend but also his brother. That's...kind of adorable, actually.
-Christian is an outrageously talented balancing performer, showing incredible precision and grace. And Scooby is even more impressive, balancing on Christian without stumbling or falling. I was actually pretty terrified for Scooby in several points, as he seemed a bit shaky balancing on Christian's feet. But he managed to keep it together long enough for the big finale, as Christian planks and Scooby sits up. The act is adorable and also surprisingly exciting, and well deserving of the standing ovation from all four judges.
-Mel B says she was scared for the dog, despite knowing how well-trained he is. However, she loved the act, and notes what an amazing night this has been. Heidi is similarly enthusiastic about the performance, saying she really enjoyed Scooby, and that Christian is "not too shabby" either. Howard, however, takes it a step further and proclaims this his favorite act of the night. And I can't really fault him for that there. Howie echoes Mel B's sentiments in talking about what an outstanding night this has been, before applauding Christian and Scooby.
-Christian gets emotional afterwards, talking about what a dream this has been, and I find myself really, really hoping these two make it through. What do you think though?
VIDEO: Christian Stoinev and Scooby perform on America's Got Talent 2014
PAUL IETI closes the show!
-Paul talks about growing up with a love for music, owing to having been raised singing in the church with his mother. He says the last time he saw his family was just before being deployed for Afghanistan. He notes that during those dark times, he would sing to remind himself of his family. He fights back tears when talking about getting to share his gift with the world, saying he feels he's close to his dreams now.
-Paul sings a piano rendition of "You & I" by One Direction, and this is officially my favorite version of the song now. I actually got goosebumps from this. I mean, I've heard better voices, but Paul has such a powerful, stirring tone to his voice that it's hard not to be moved by it. Of course, to my immense disappointment, the judges don't give this a standing ovation. But I adored this all the same.
-Heidi called it a moving performance, and says she loves the tone of his voice. Mel B calls it a perfect way to end the night, and says he sings with such passion and conviction that she can feel what he's singing, and that's hard to do. Howie says Paul made it harder for America with that performance, as he has no idea how America is going to choose just five acts to go through. Howie reiterates what an incredible night of television this has been. Howard agrees, and says that on any other night, Paul would be a shoe-in. However, he feels that might have been too safe and not "good enough" to get him through.
-Paul is honored to be on the stage at Radio City Music Hall, and with that, the show wraps!
VIDEO: Paul Ieti sings 'You & I' on America's Got Talent 2014
What did you think about tonight's acts? Which five acts do you think will get through tomorrow? Sound off in the comments! Videos will be forthcoming, but until then, thank you for hanging out tonight! I'll catch you tomorrow for the live results show as we find out which five acts will advance to the semifinals!