America's Got Talent: Predicting The Winner!
Commentary by Donna Emery
September 23, 2008
This past season of America’s Got Talent, the acts seemed so diverse. So, how did we end up with four singers in this week’s finale?
You can blame the judges for giving us so many singers in the Top 40, and choosing to flank them with acts that were destined to be voted off. You could blame the grannies and kid-lovers that kept sweet little Kaitlyn Maher in the running up until last week, when she really shouldn’t have even been in the Vegas round. You can also blame the judges for some of their boneheaded tie-breaking choices – for example, choosing Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall over baton twirler Jonathan Burkin. Sure, that’s what Vegas needs: another Elvis impersonator. I don’t think Jonathan would have won the contest, but we could have used another non-singing act in the finals.
The top ten gave us some choices that mystified me. Joseph Hall may have made some of the younger females in the audience swoon, but what was unique about his act? He wasn’t the best – or the worst – Elvis impersonator I’ve ever seen. The guy who won first prize on “The Next Best Thing” last year was a far better Elvis – and the same can be said for the Sinatra impersonator on that show. Though I have to hand it to Paul Salos for chasing after his dream, his act wasn’t unique enough, either.
But, as the finale draws closer and Kaitlyn will thankfully be watching from her living room (unless she’s already been scooped up by Disney or Nickelodeon to be the next Shirley Temple) I’d like to predict who might win. Last year, though I really liked the performance of Jess, who was the runner-up and even saw the potential of Butterscotch, I felt strongly that the winner would be Terry Fator. This year, I have a similar hunch.
Of the five finalists, I think Queen Emily is the weakest. She can sing well; there is no doubt. And she knows how to use her voice to her advantage, by picking songs that fit her talent. But her voice shows signs of strain, and she sometimes shouts too much. She also doesn’t make as professional an appearance as the other two “power singers.”
It’s hard to say who comes in fourth, in my opinion, but I would say it’s Donald Brasswell. I think part of his charm for the audience and voters has been proving the judges wrong. They were obviously wrong not to choose him for the Top 40, and the man has a wonderful voice. But I can go to any Broadway play – and even some good regional theaters – and see similar talent. He’s good looking and knows how to use his voice, but on some of the notes he’s obviously reaching and he just isn’t polished enough to be a headliner, in my opinion. He also could take some lessons from Queen Emily, in stage presence.
Neal E. Boyd, on the other hand, could be a headliner: in an opera company. It was interesting to hear him attempt a non-opera song, in his last performance. But opera is his forte and he should stick to it. He has an amazing voice, and it is a pleasure to hear him sing. But do I want to hear a full show of just Neal? I don’t think so. He has talent and should have a future, but I don’t think it’s in Las Vegas. Many have said Neal is the favorite – and, based on the way the show has touted him in its many commercials and featured his tearjerker backstory – he may be. But I don’t think he’ll win, despite the push.
My choice for runner up is, like last year, a great singer and a seemingly nice guy. I absolutely love Eli. His voice is both soothing and stimulating, and his piano playing is the icing on the cake. I’d actually love to see him win. I think I’d enjoy seeing him in a show.
But I think the win will go to Nuttin’ But Stringz. These violinists are not only talented: they are unique. I could see them doing so many things with their talent, in a show. Heck: they could hire Cadence to play the drums with them, and the Xtreme Dancers to dance with them; thus resurrecting two of the acts I thought should have been in the top 10. Piers - traditionally the toughest judge to please, said it best of the violinists: “of all the acts in this competition, yours is the one I’d come to see.” This is music that appeals to both young and old, and it’s even fun to watch them. And, while their backstory may not be as heartwarming as Neal’s, they haven’t exactly dropped in from easy street. They are sweet, good looking young men and their sincerity is obvious.
Much speculation has been made about whether the Russian Bar Trio – who had originally been selected for the Top 40 but who had to drop out due to an injured member – might have shaken up the standings of the Top 10 or even the Top 5. Of course, it’s difficult to speculate, but I think their act may have been good enough for them to advance. It would have been nice to have another non-singing act in the finale, but I still think the violinists would have emerged triumphant, and have remained in the best position to win the contest.
I guess we’ll find out on Thursday. When all is said and done; when all the cheesy filler has been endured; when the judges finally retire their buzzers for the season and when Jerry Springer will runs out of shouted superlatives I guess we will find out what America thinks talent is. And, even though I am rooting for the fiddlers, any of the Top Five this year will prove that America really does have talent, after all.
Donna is a nurse and teacher, and a mother of 5. She lives in Pennsylvania and is admittedly addicted to many reality shows. You can reach her at mrsed4ever@yahoo.com.
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