America’s Got Talent 2016 – Live Show #3 – Live Blog and Videos

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Live Show 3" Episode: 1116 -- Pictured: Grace VanderWaal -- (Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBC)

Tonight, America’s Got Talent 2016 returns from a two week Olympic break with more LIVE SHOWS. Twelve acts will compete for YOUR VOTES and the favor of the panel of judges, Simon Cowell, Mel B., Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel. The show will air LIVE from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

VOTE online beginning NOW at NBC.com. Only SEVEN acts will advance to the semi-finals that begin NEXT WEEK.

Nick’s cornrows are gone JSYK. Now he’s sporting some dorky looking natural do.

Vello Vaher – Contortionist – He’s come from Estonia to be BIG STAR in America. He’s famous in Estonia! There’s that. Vello’s got a Pirate narrative going on tonight. It’s a bigger production, but the tricks are pretty much the same. He hops across stairs and such with his legs behind his head. He wiggles his stomach muscles in between tricks. There’s no way he’ll advance. In fact, Simon buzzes him half-way through. He ends by hanging from the ceiling by his teeth and climbing up a rope. Eh. Simon says the ship was the best thing about the act. Howie disagrees, “the originality is amazing.” Really Howie. Mel calls him “likable.” Heidi loves that he’s really bizarre. I’m on #TeamSimon right here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A4h5GjgFB0

Ronee Martin – Singer – Ronee is 62 years old. She neither got the family or career. She’s trying for a last grab at the latter. She sings an oddly arranged version of “Lean on Me.” The verse is a little low in her vocal range and it makes her pitch wobbly. She should have gone out on a limb and sang something contemporary. She fares better on the chorus when the melody soars, but the song overall is not a show stopper. Mel thinks she looks incredible (she does! Her sparkly suit is gorgeous) and loves her class and strength. Heidi loves her super chic vibe. Simon says she’s “laid her soul on the line…I hope they support you.” Howie urges America to vote. Good voice, but she’s not distinctive or relevant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irxd00DoKJs

Kadan Bart Rockett – Magicians – Young kids’ dad was a magician, and now they are too. Sis hands out handcuffs to the judges. She asks Howie not to lock up “Miss Mel.” The act has the boy cuffed to a pole while sis sets off a barrage of power tools. As the tools pierce the shroud where he’s standing, he suddenly pops out of a toolbox sitting on the judges table. Eating a PB&J. Pretty crazy. Although the tricks are sophisticated, the siblings always act their age, including engaging in charming sarcastic banter that doesn’t seem contrived. Simon calls the boy a real life Harry Potter. He also compliments their showmanship. Howie is once again: “VOTE VOTE.” Mel loved it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUt28q92ygw

Linkin Bridge – a’cappella group – These four singers are clawing their way out of poverty via music. They sing a soulful version of “You Were Always On My Mind.” All four guys are good singers. They would have cleaned up on the late great Sing-Off, for sure. The song ends on a soaring high note. The crowd goes nuts. Simon has liked this group from the very beginning, they inspire him. BUT the song wasn’t their best, he says. He didn’t like the song choice. The first half could have been better, he says, but the solos saved it. Actually, he’s got a point about the first half being a little messy. But the song choice was a crowd pleaser, I think. Howie calls them all “beautiful.” Mel B loved their harmonies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62Ts3LPQHs0

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps will be dropping by the Results show tomorrow.

Alla and Daniel – Ballroom Dancers – Mother son dance act. Oh. She dances with her husband as well. They are champions. Daniel would rather dance with his mom than girls his own age. Hm. I just…don’t get this. An adult woman dancing with a little boy just gives me the creeps. I have to say it. They’re dancing to “Cake by The Ocean.” Alrighty then. Howie buzzed them! He thinks they need to step up their act. Mel B can’t believe it. “They were dancing their hearts out.” She thinks they should add more, but they weren’t buzzworthy. Heidi thinks the act is sweet. The boy looks like he’s going to cry. Simon thinks Daniel should ditch his mom if he makes it to the next round. No worries. They’re toast, unless they’re overwhelmed with pity votes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HcTWZNWla8

Blake Vogt – Magician – He swallowed a bee when he was 3 and nearly died. It turns out he’s allergic to EVERYTHING. He couldn’t work on the family farm, so he played cards with Meemaw. Years later…he’s a magician. He’s created a brand new trick for tonight. Audience participation is involved. He asks a random woman to name a bird. He can produce any bird! He produces a blue jay egg? That’s not really the trick. He hands Howie a deck of cards. Mel B. picks the Queens. Heidi picks the queen of diamonds. And…the card is inside the blue jay egg, which Simon cracks. Slick! But he’s not done. He finishes the act by dropping blue feathers on the stage and the word “blue jay” emblazoned across the opened box. Mel B is really impressed. Heidi said she almost picked another card! “A CARD JUST CAME OUT OF AN EGG,” says a befuddled Simon. He no longer believes that Blake is boring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2NBNd2NjTI

Edgar – Singers – This is the family trio that features the Christian artist whose career flamed out after she became an unwed mother. The daughter and the man she’s married to now sing together. The group perform Carole King’s “You’ve Got Friend.” I said this before, mom has the best voice by far. She should be upfront and center as much as possible. The harmonies are nice, however. They blend beautifully like families often do. A few wobbly high notes are hit. Mom’s got a nice rasp, she really doesn’t need to push out that vocal so hard. ALL FOUR judges give them a standing ovation. Heidi calls it heartwarming and awesome. Simon says, “Honestly I thought it was fantastic.” He wants to bottle it as “his happiness.” It’s his favorite of the night so far. Howie believes the family rose to the occasion in a hard category. Mel B. says they played it perfect. The stage was set with a family camper, which was a little unnecessary. The daughter is crying. “This is the happiest moment right now,” she sobs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZmVLF3ctgs

Julia Scotti – Comedian – She’s from New Jersey. And also a transgender woman. She  lives in an over 55 community in the suburbs, which feels a little subversive. She walks out on stage to “Bad to the Bone.” She tells a series of relationship jokes. She’s happy to be single, is the jist. It’s not her funniest bit so far, but it’s still pretty solid–good natured and bawdy. She reminds me a little of Joan Rivers. “You’re very naughty,” says Simon. “You made me laugh.” Howie loves that she “owns it.” She needs a sitcom, he says. Julia is Mel’s “cup of tea.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPfTAyNftxE

Brian Justin Crum – Singer – A long ago past filled with bullying is his shtick–not that he’s spent the last 10 years performing on Broadway. He mentions the community theater he performed with. Yeesh. He sings “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. It’s an odd song choice. His gives the classic a big, soaring theatrical treatment. He’s got more command of the stage than he did during his audition. I will say he has steadily improved. The song shows off his amazing range and dramatic chops. “You have that ability to take that song and turn it into your version,” says Simon. Heidi says, “Best performance for me of the night.” Mel B. loves his professionalism. “You have everything,” she says. “That was epic,” says Howie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlP8RxR26yI

OMG. I just noticed Nick’s sparkly loafers. WHAT?

Malevo -Dance/Drum troupe – The women folk go crazy when they watch them dance, says one of the members. They’re from Argentina and are hoping to escape crime and poverty. This time around they drum and do a latin-flavored step dance. Then the dudes break out the twirly ropes, which they expertly handle. They are very masculine. Mel B is nearly having a stroke. “BRILLIANT!” Heidi says, “You’re sizzling hot…could be a show in Vegas.” Simon thinks they’re hot too. “Outstanding,” he says. With more work, he believes they’ll be headlining in Vegas within two years. The boys are so overwhelmed they take off to pile Simon with hugs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUvKgaaFW3E

Passing Zone – Jugglers – They’ve been partners for over 28 years. They LOVE to put Howie in danger. Let’s see what they have in store for him tonight. They plan to use 3 judges, though. If something goes wrong, it’ll be Simon’s fault, they say. Bowling ball juggling…just kidding. It’s a rubber ball. Tonight, they will juggle people–Heidi, Howie and Mel B dressed in astronaut suits hanging by a harness. Only Heidi seems to be enjoying herself as the guys push them around the stage. Well…that’s not really juggling? Poor Howie is left on his harness during the critique. Simon calls it weird. He wants more chance of death, involving the judges. It was funny to watch, but not really a death defying act that required skill. They promise to use Simon if they make it through to the next round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLhyrYAROxc

Grace Vanderwaal – Singer – Of course, the 12 year old mini-Taylor Swift was left for very last. Tonight she’s singing another original song, which she wrote about her older sister. She pushed Grace to audition for the show. The young singer doesn’t have a huge melodic vocabulary? She’s accompanying herself on Ukulele again and the new song is similar to the original song she auditioned with. Yeah, I know. She’s only 12. She’s a decent lyric writer though, and sings with emotion. The judges are on their feet. She’s so in. Simon heard some errors…but they make her perfect, he says. He loves her authenticity and charm. He’s certain she’ll be a star. “You are so very talented,” says Heidi. “Cute as a button,” says Mel B. “You’re amazing.” Howie is so glad she was his golden buzzer. “I predict you’ll be bigger than Taylor Swift.” Uhm. She’s so so so the special snowflake. Everyone else can just go home. Actually, having her skip the middle rounds was a good idea. It kept the surprise fresh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My_FR8MqWm4

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!