America’s Got Talent 2016 – Top 10 Final – Live Blog and Videos

*Sal Valentinetti is first and Grace Vanderwaal has the pimp spot…

Oh look. It’s Pitbull. How unusual! Rolling this dude out seems to be essential for every single damn competition reality show final, award show, New Years Eve special, blarghy blargh blargh. It’s the Ohweee Ohweee OHHH song. Peeps in the audience are waving checkered flags.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcHoI3ANFOI

Sal Valentinetti – Standards Singer – Oh look. It’s the Italian family shoving pasta in their pie holes and crying about their dead grandma. I’m sorry, as an Italian American, the stereotyping bugs the crap out of me. Dressed in a tux with the big band, Sal plays it safe again with “Mack the Knife.” Well, he’s no Bobby Darin, but the performance is pleasant enough! Heidi is bopping along in her seat. He shouts out to all the judges and host Nick Cannon. Sal did as well as he possibly could. Dude is derivitive, but he was in the zone. Voters should like that. “You just blew us all away,” says Heidi. “You are a star.” Mel B says, “This time, you smashed it brother…well done.” Howie compares him to Frank Sinatra. Hm. “What a way to launch this evenings finals.” He just turned 21! He looks SOOO much older. Simon said the performance ended too quickly, “You’re such a great guy…this was the song I was waiting for you to do. This could upset the whole competition.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90any6an29E

Sofie Dossi – Contortionist – In her video package, 14 year old Sofie reads from her diary…OMG! Wearing purple sparkles, Sofie starts as she usually does contorting as she twirls on a tiny platform. Then she breaks out the hoop. She grabs the cable and it lifts her. Not until she’s suspended high in the air does she grab the hoop and begin her tricks. AND THAT’S IT. The girl does not want to win? She performed all of her best tricks earlier in the season. I don’t understand why she didn’t bring out the bow and arrow. The judges gush anyway. “You added the element of danger,” says Mel. As if she never had before? Heidi got dizzy from all the spinning. “Mesmerizing.” Simon says Sofie actually “astonished” him and called it her best performance. Hm. “I’m astonished by what you do!” Howie says she’s half way between a Gumby and an Oragami. Whatever that means. She dedicates the performance to her late grandfather. We’re two and two in the dedication to dead grandparents department. I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of that tonight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vmU9d2Ri0g

Linkin’ Bridge – A’cappella singing group – The dudes take their first trip to the ocean. AGT has allowed them to see beyond their “broken down environments.” They sing the sentimental Charlie Puth song “See You Again.” They’ve been rehearsing a lot. Good harmonies! Some of the soloists are better than others. The first dude who soloed was best. Like Sal, the group is giving their last chance everything they have. The judges are on their feet. “What a great song choice…no matter what happens tomorrow, we’re going to see you again.” Simon loved absolutely everything about it. “You brought a heart to this show…I’m so happy for you.” Simon says they have a real shot with that performance. “You are a Linkin’ Bridge…we are all one now,” says Howie. Mel B. compliments their look and remarks how they keep getting better and better. She hopes America votes for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EikUt3CErkg

Having 10 acts in the finale means the stakes are pretty low for most of these acts. No matter what the judges say, the acts who have performed so far are not going to win. The front winners are pretty clear at this point. It’s too bad the show doesn’t have another week–A Top 4 finale would have offered more drama.

Laura Bretan – Opera Singer – Dressed in a heavenly white gown with light sparkles glowing on the fabric, the 14 year old singer performs that Opera chestnut “Nessun Dorma.” Of course she is! She adds so much emotion at one point, her vocal sounds guttural. But for the most part, a pretty flawless performance for the young singer. “This is ridiculous!” says Simon. “We are seeing somebody who is extraordinarily talented.” He notes her passion and maturity. Yeah, that. Howie calls it a “Million dollar performance.” Mel felt her nerves a little, but says she sang with accuracy. “What a performance!” she says, as Simon trolls her. “You rule the stage like a queen,” says Heidi. She’s going to be her “fairy godmother” and compel America to vote for her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8eza26dQds

The Clairvoyants – Mentalists – Video package gins up their “telepathic connection.” I’m sure there are people who actually believe that. Tonight, they will be using the secrets of the ancients! Amalie puts on a blindfold while Heidi throws a ball into the theater. An audience member takes out the contents of his pockets. Amalie ticks off all the contents correctly. She guesses an audience member’s exact birthday. Simon takes out his wallet, passes it down to Howie. He puts it in his jacket pocket. Mel B calls Howie a “Wannabean.” Howie and Simon’s wallet take the stage. Amalie changes out of her gown so she can suspend herself in a tank of water. Howie pulls out one of Simon’s credit cards. Amalie as she’s underwater, writes the expiration and final four numbers on the glass tank. It was American Express! Wow. Amalie drops a pendent in front of Mel. Inside is “wanabean” etched in the metal. Mind blown. These guys are good. “How do you do that! This is scary,” says Howie. “There is no end to your talent.” Mel B says, “You are so mesmerising…there’s no explanation.” Heidi uses Howie’s bald head as a crystal ball, predicting they will win. “I’m a believer,” says Simon who predicts great success for the duo.

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

There is NO judges vote this week!

Brian Justin Crum – Singer – Whoa. Brian placed smackdab in the middle of the lineup. Me thinks Simon is attempting to diminish his chances to win. In his video package, Brian watches clips from fans who resonate with his bullying backstory. The tears come. He sings a minor key arrangement of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” Hm. I’m not really digging the dirge-like treatment. The best thing about this song is the uplift. The major key plays a big part in how the song succeeds. I’m rolling my eyes, to be honest. I think it’s a misfire, but maybe it’s just me? He’s hitting the big notes and bringing the drama. Maybe that’s all that matters. It all ends in a spray of pyro. “Every time you perform you are absolutely stunning, says Mel. She thinks the risk will pay off. Heidi compliments his drama and intensity. Simon initially felt he made a huge mistake with the song, but changed his mind midway. “You are just a naturally brilliant performer,” he says. “It’s epic,” says Howie, who admits he prefers the MJ arrangement, but admires his performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R7BxZaph9Y

Nick is already teasing Grace’s performance, as if she’s coming up right after Tapey. She’s not. Viktor and Jon come first. (NBC holding back on the performance videos tonight).

Tape Face – Comic Mime – The act involves horsies on a stick, the Lone Ranger theme, and finger snapping. He points to Mel and beckons her on stage. He gives her golden sparkly pop poms and has her shake them. Then he puts a toilet lid around her neck and threatens to toss a plunger. but instead he puts a striped cloth on her head. THEN he tosses and it lands on the lid. He pulls out some toilet paper and…you’ve gotta watch it. That was bizarre and completely hilarious. The judges are standing. “I don’t know what just happened!” says Nick. Heidi didn’t think he’d make it this far, but believes he’s a “true original” and is glad he’s here. “What the bloody hell was that,” says Simon calling it one of Mel’s best performances in her career. Howie says, “I love it! It’s so stupid, it’s wonderful.” Mel says, “I don’t know what happened up there! I assume you delivered something hilarious.” That was my fav Tapey performance so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4XYxN5wOJU

Viktor Kee – Juggler – Viktor takes us through his makeup routine in his video package while he talks about escaping Ukraine and his tough first years in America. He’s reopened a juggler’s studio for kids. That’s cool. Viktor rises atop a volcano. And he’s blindfolded! The balls are tossed to him and he juggles away. He throws off the blindfold before a bunch of balls fall from the ceiling. There’s tumbling involved. Very intricate and elegant. He dropped a ball again! Next. It’s pyro. The volcano is about to blow. One of the balls is on fire as he finishes his act. “This has been the best show in the world!” enthuses Simon. “Immaculate…stunning.” Howie says, “It was so cinematic! An eruption of talent…” Mel B notes him dropping the ball, “I really feel you showed your best performance…well done.” Heidi calls him a “real true artist.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYu2zwVOfao

Nick pimps the hell out of Graces pimp spot performance before the show throws to comercial.

Jon Dorenbos – Magician/NFL Star – In his video package, Jon practices his card tricks before he suits up for football. Jon has the judges “sign a two.” Simon writes his son’s name on the card (Something that means a lot to him…aw). Jon makes the judges cards appear out of thin air while he tells a personal, inspiring story of hope and forgiveness. It’s a little weird, but smart. The heart-tugging will probably prompt viewers to vote for him. Howie loves his message and his mission, besides being a great magician. Mel was confused at first but then got it! “I think you’re brilliant at what you do.” Heidi is so inspired, “You really are a class act.” Simon calls him more than just a great performer, he would be proud to call him the winner of America’s Got Talent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWW5AANXRtc

Grace Vanderwaal – Singer/Songwriter – Grace’s video package features fans’ cover videos of HER songs. Smart. The song goes “You don’t hurt me…” It’s a heart wrenching story of tween love! All accompanied by a ukulele. She can barely sing, but there’s so much teenaged angst in this 12 year old’s performance, I don’t think anyone will care. Simon has dollar signs in his eyes. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,” says Howie. “Grace has to win.” Mel felt she was in her ultimate ultimate element. Heidi calls her a raw, rare diamond and a true gift to music. “People in a few years time are going to look back to you…because you did it in a real way,” says Simon. “You’ve been amazing and a fantastic contestant.” Simon will sign her whether she wins or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epYS1mmn8Lg

Tomorrow Night’s TWO HOUR finale begins at 8 PM.