The semifinals kicked off with performances from 10 out of 20 acts in a two hour live event. Only 4 of the 10 performers will move on to the finals for a chance to win $1 million.
It’s not unusual for the most uninspiring acts to receive high praise on ‘America’s Got Talent.’ The Texas Tenors, in full cowboy apparel, sang a harmonized opera version of ‘Unchained Melody,’ – yes it was as bizarre as it sounds – received tremendous accolades from judges Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff, and Piers Morgan. One judge said that he was wrong to tell The Texas Tenors to be less cheesy, and that they were right not to listen to him because they were ‘brilliant.’
An absolute high point in the evening was the comedic performance by widow Grandma Lee, 75, whom Osbourne described as naughty, dirty and irreverent. Grandma Lee was delightful, funny and deserves a spot in the finals.
Acrodunk, Tony Hoard & Rory and The Voices of Glory received praise. Kevin Skinner, a chicken farmer from Kentucky, sang a song that brought tears to Morgan’s eyes. It would be shocking for him to not make it to the finals.
A few performances tanked: Arcadian Broad, Fab Five and Paradizo Dance. Morgan told them they weren’t good enough to compete in the semifinals.
In perhaps the harshest moment in the evening, rivaling Executive Producer Simon Cowell’s brand of mean on ‘American Idol,’ Morgan told Drew Thomas Magic that he ‘hated’ Drew’s act and made a little girl cry.
‘America’s Got Talent’ ruled the evening with a 3.2 rating and 9 million viewers.