America’s Got Talent 2017 Quarterfinals 3 Recap, Live Blog and Videos

Tonight’s acts include: Danell Daymon & Greater Works, Junior and Emily Alabi, Chase Goehring, Diavolo, Angelina Green, Colin Cloud, Final Draft, Oskar & Gaspar, Oscar Hernandez, Kechi, Sara & Hero and Mike Yung.

Tyra’s outfit is VERY DRAMATIC tonight. Black, off the shoulder, sheer black lace!. She reminds us that the semifinals begin next week. We’re coming into the home stretch, people. 

Go to NBC.com for phone numbers and to vote online.

Danell Daymon & Greater Works – Gospel Choir – In the pre-package, Dannell gives his peeps a pep talk prior to taking the stage again. Interesting song choice: They sing “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease. Oh. The big voiced singer is having pitch problems tonight. She gets in the swing of things eventually. It’s a very spirited performance from the whole group. The choreography is fancy. I bet they hired someone to help. Smart  The one that they want is obvs God. It’s an interesting take on the song. “It’s like High School Musical meets Gospel,” observes Tyra. “OMG” screams Mel. “That was electrifying! Thank you Jesus. “I do need a man,” she quips (This has really become a thing?). Heidi loves the song choice. Howie, the Jewish guy, feels anointed!  Simon felt, half way through, it turned into an incredible spectacle.  He compliments the choreography.  “Best performance yet,” he says. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPIgxSogip0

Back from break, Tyra encourages folks to donate to the Red Cross to help 

Junior and Emily Alabi – Sibling Ballroom Dancers – Growing up in a tough neighborhood, Junior was heading down a wrong path when dance saved him. Simon dissed their last performance. They’re grateful for a second chance.  Eh. I don’t find their choreography very inventive. DWTS and SYTYCD has spoiled me. “Can the talent in the show get any better!” gushes Mel. Heidi agrees, “It was dynamic, modern, fun to watch.” Simon calls it the most “dynamic, powerful performance so far.” Hm. Not impressed. Simon says “You deserve a place in the semifinals. Howie is impressed they took constructive criticism and made the act even better. Emily cries and Junior thanks the audience. 

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

Final Draft – Boy Band – They were eliminated at the Judge Cuts. But “after reviewing the tapes,” Simon has decided to give them a second chance. They perform a boybandized version of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.”  I would say this singing quartet did not step it up this week. This turgid arrangement is snoozy, and the vocals unimpressive. “You did good guys,” says Simon. He thought the first half didn’t measure up. He tells the booing audience to shut up. But, he felt the chemistry in the second half. “I would like to see you go forward.”  Nah. There are acts that deserve it more. Heidi notes that it’s important to be memorable. “You guys were….good.” Howie found the arrangement “boring.” I’m #TeamHowie. Mel disagrees. She compares the singers to Boyz II Men and asks America to vote. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQwCJ-RFsF4

Next, it’s a The Voice promo featuring Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and host Carson Daly starring in a 70’s cop show parody. Cute. 

Oscar Hernandez – Dancer – He’s built like a linebacker, but would rather twerk. His act verged on parody, but it turns out that he actually coaches athletic dance troupes.  He obviously can move. The big guy falls easily into a split. But, that performance still seemed like 2 minutes of crazy flailing. He’s hard to take seriously. Heidi calls him a “human disco ball.” Mel notes that he forgot the choreography…compliments that he continued on. Simon says, “Let’s break the mold and vote Oscar into the next round…Big is Beautiful…this is what the show is all about.” OK then. Wasn’t expecting that. 

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

Angelina Greene – Teen Singer – Remember this 13 year old singer? She was Heidi’s Golden Buzzer. Her mom became a single parent after father left. Since then, she’s been like a parent to her little brother. She sings “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles. It’s not bad. The thing is: How many young singers do we really need in the semi-finals? She loses her tuning on the dramatic bridge. I barely remember her from the auditions, to be honest. That’s the disadvantage of being golden buzzer-ed past the judge cuts. Other acts had more time to bond with viewers.  Heidi stands 100 percent behind her. She notes the over abundance of singers on the show, but feels Angelina has something special. “You have an amazing voice,” says Simon. Mel agrees. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZyM17Bb7jA

Colin Cloud – Mentalist – He swears his ability to know things about others is not a trick. He’s a real life Sherlock Holmes, he insists. This pre-package, with the floating words, is a 100% rip-off of the British series. Tonight, Colin will be solving the murder of Simon Cowell. The judge is game, sitting on an onstage bench. The narrative meanders and the payoff–Mel choosing the only rubber knife to “kill” Simon with–was underwhelming. This act was not his best. Heidi says it was “a lot to take in.” Howie found it confusing. Mel thinks what he does is incredible. She hopes America votes for him. Simon thinks his showmanship has to improve a little. I would have pegged Colin to go far, but now, I don’t know.

Mike Yung – Subway Singer – He’s 56 years old and sings in the subway. “The subway is my stage,” he declares.  He belts “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran in a booming voice. I bet it carries in the subway without a mic. His phrasing could use a bit more finesse, but he sings with emotion. The song really came alive in the second half. Standing ovation for Mike. “This was your best performance,” says Heidi. Simon says he’s an example of why age limits are pointless. He hopes to see Mike in the semifinal. Best singer tonight, says Howie. Mel B feels his voice is technically good, but he doesn’t always feel his performances. This is true, but I think he improved on that front this week. She and Simon bicker as he tries to shut her down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_25XxmGBNE

Magicians Piff the Magic Dragon, Jon Dorenbos and Mat Franco will appear on tomorrow’s Live Results show. Seven acts will advance to the semi finals. 

Oskar & Gaspar – Light Projectionists – That was it? Maybe you had to be there. The act involved projecting colorful designs as a beautiful, half dressed couple strike dramatic poses.  “That’s so original and so amazing…I don’t even know what this is. Vote for this,” says Howie. Simon calls it “Unique, brilliant.” Heidi found the “pace a little slow.” I agree with Heidi. I kept waiting for something to happen. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za1OuGFCxEE

Sara & Hero – Dog Act – Sara and her 3 dogs live on the road, in an SUV. Sara’s choice to devote her life to doggos has driven a wedge in her family relationships. I have yet to be impressed with this act. But Simon loves them, for some reason. Hero is a well trained dog, but the tricks are pedestrian. And with just the two of him, it’s a bit boring. Oh. She brings another one of her dogs out onto stage tonight. It’s an improvement. The Pompeyo Family was more entertaining, though. Their dogs had personality. The controlled chaos they created on stage was way more fun than this. Howie delivers faint praise. America loves dog acts, he says. He expects they’ll vote. Mel says the act improved in the second half. Heidi felt the act was much improved this week. Simon calls it better than some of the human dancers they’ve had on the show. Simon BEGS America to vote for Sara. Including all the cats and dogs at home. Simon really loves this act. I don’t get it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiXsZAZx_6U

Chase Goehring – Singer – He was DJ Khaled’s Golden Buzzer. Like last time, he sings an original song titled “Illusion.” The tune was inspired by his first experience with heartbreak. From his ginger hair to his rhythmic guitar playing, Chase is like an Ed Sheeran mini-me. And that’s the problem. Chase has talent, but he hasn’t developed an original artistic identity yet. He’s probably going to make it to the finals, though.  Chase gets a standing ovation. Mel B says his words and lyrics were “on point…you’re just brilliant.” Heidi compliments his songwriting. But it wasn’t her favorite performance–she wanted more word rapping. Simon calls him “a little star.” He admires that he stays true to himself. “I love you, you’re a star, vote,” says Howie. Simon tried to get the name of the girl who broke his heart. No dice.

Diavolo – Daredevil Acrobatic Troupe – The creator explains that tonight’s performance will be about “reaching greatness.” Tonight’s prop is  a huge clock face that turns into a twirling gyroscope. The dancers climb on and off, performing acrobatic feats that come dangerously close to disaster. One wrong move, and somebody’s gonna end up in the hospital. This time doesn’t seem quite as edge-of-your-seat dangerous as prior appearances, but it’s still Las Vegas worthy entertainment. “What a spectacle!” gushes Heidi. Simon didn’t like their second appearance. But he’s back in love with them this week. Howie begs America to vote, “carpentry meets choreography,” Howie describes it. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” says Mel. 

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

Kechi – Singer – Kechi once again describes how she was badly burned in an airplane crash, where she was the sole survivor. Families of the passengers who perished sent her encouraging notes as she recovered. They gave her a reason to live. She performs “By the Grace of God” by Katy Perry.  After delivering a heartfelt vocal, she breaks down in tears. I’m usually a pretty cynical person. But Kechi’s courage in the face of the pain she’s had to endure is truly inspirational.  I admire her fearlessness. The exposure on AGT puts her in a position to help so many people. Mel B calls her performance “pitch perfect.”  She wants people at home to vote.   Simon says, “You came out as the person you’ve always wanted to be.” Howie calls her a “beacon of beauty.” She lives in Houston now. She hopes tonight’s performance gives folks at home who are watching a strong and positive message. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5K8z-v3WRc