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Learn more- The second batch of semifinalists took to the "America's Got Talent" on Tuesday to prove to the judges and to America that they have what it takes to remain in the running for the show's $1 million grand prize.
Judge Piers Morgan defended the judges' decision last week to take five semifinalists into the finals instead of just four. He said all five acts deserved to advance to the next round, and that's why the judges made the twist.
The Hoff promised he wouldn't use the word "Hoff" anymore, but then said he was "Hoff-ully excited" and that when the finals come around next week, the show will be "Hoff and running."
Recycled Percussion: the garbage-can bashing drummers who floored the judges with their quarterfinal performance set out to prove it wasn't a fluke. They wanted to show the judges something they hadn't seen before, and came out beating on an old van and anything else they could find. Piers said there were moments where he couldn't tell whether they were "incredibly talented or just completely mad." He called it inventive and said it was full of showmanship and entertainment. Sharon agreed, and pointed out that one of them was "very ripped." The Hoff said it was a great act and that every week they came back with something different.
Lawrence Beamen: The man the judges have called a new Barry White had another chance to prove himself. He opened up about being raised in an extremely strict "religious group," and that he left at age 16. He gave his deep-voiced rendition of Alicia Keys' "Fallin'." Sharon said she loved his voice, but she could have done without some of the "vocal acrobatics." The Hoff said he loved the choice. Piers noted that he loves Lawrence, but he didn't really like that performance. Piers said he still saw Lawrence as the new Barry White, and that seeing him as Alicia Keys didn't quite work.
Erik & Rickie: Pre-adolescent ballroom dancers Erik and Rickie said they were working "extra, super duper hard" on their semifinal routine in an effort to keep their million-dollar dream alive. Playing a couple of toy-store dolls that came to life, they danced to Michael Jackson's "Black or White." Piers buzzed them just over halfway through, but they held it together to the end. The Hoff spoke first and said the little pair could have their own Disneyland. He said they could do Vegas. Piers, who was booed, said his buzz wasn't personal. He just didn't like putting their style of dance to pop music. He said it was like having "deep-fried custard," because it was two things that are good on their own, but didn't work together. Sharon said she liked it and said it's common for ballroom dance to be done to current, popular music.
Jeffrey Ou: The mad teenage pianist who suffered from technical difficulties in the quarterfinals made it through nonetheless. He knew the semifinal performance was his chance to prove to America that he deserved to be there. Jeffrey hit the stage sporting a wild, vertical hairdo. A light show moved in time to his fast keystrokes on the piano. It didn't take Piers long to buzz Jeffrey. Piers was booed and said the performance was a bit like Jeffrey's hair, "completely out of control." Sharon thought Jeffrey looked fantastic, but said "the playing was pretty out there." The Hoff said he didn't know what Hungarian Rhapsody was, after Jeffrey said that was the name of the piece he played. "It sounded more like beef stroganoff to me," Hoff said.
Hairo Torres: Breakdancer and contortionist Hairo Torres said his hero was his mom. She said she was so proud of her son, who was living his dream of dancing, which was a dream she shared as a teenager. Hairo suffered a back injury in his final rehearsal, but his routine was filled with his patented, back-breaking moves. Sharon noted that Hairo added a lot of new steps and said she hoped America would vote to bring him back. The Hoff said the guy next to him was "laughing hysterically," and that it was because his dancing was entertaining. Piers said he realized the reason he liked Hairo was because Hairo dances just like Piers does.
The EriAm Sisters: The singing sibling trio struggling with song choice for this week's performance, but were confident in their choice. They settled on David Archuleta's "When You Believe," which gave them a chance to work out some harmonies. Did it work? Piers said it was a "very shaky start" and said they were very flat at first. He said they then got their confidence and it became a really good performance. Sharon agreed that in the beginning they were trying to be three lead vocalists instead of working as a unit, but it "definitely came through in the end." The Hoff added that the sisters' spirit was great and they just make him smile when they're on stage.
Mario & Jenny: The daredevil, husband-and-wife juggling act of Mario and Jenny said they hoped this was their time to shine. Mario said he came from a long line of performers and Jenny was a dancer who was tired of constant rejection. The routine was a bit of a mess, with Mario doing an aggressive tap dance and banging on some drums while Jenny worked a pole dance. Piers said it didn't work for him and "I thought you blew it, big time." He said he loved the illusion and danger of their act in the past. Sharon said it showed they weren't one-dimensional, which would work in Vegas. The Hoff said there was "a lot going on" and he thought it was entertaining. He disagreed with Piers, saying they were ready for Vegas and they could hold a show together.
Drew Stevyns: The singer-guitarist who slipped through the quarterfinal round said he'd always wanted to play music rather than follow a more traditional career to please his family. He gave a rocked-up rendition of Wham's "Careless Whisper," in the style of the band Seether, which released a version of the song earlier this year. Sharon said Drew made the song his own, even though she didn't like it. She said she hoped America would vote him in. The Hoff said he admired Drew and compared him to Daughtry, saying that kind of music turns him on. Piers said it was a "massive gamble" to do "Careless Whisper," and he thought it paid off.
FootworKINGz: The street dance crew from Chicago wanted to show the voters of America that they made the right decision in keeping the dancers around. They showed off their quick footwork to a Power Rangers theme song. Piers buzzed them before too long, and Sharon followed shortly afterward. The Hoff told the crew they'd come a long way, but some of the lasers and other antics got in the way. Piers called the performance "career suicide," saying they were the best dance crew he'd seen in years, but they went with a Power Rangers theme and were joke fighting -- moving too far away from what was at their heart. Sharon said they do the same dance moves in difference costumes. "You've got to stop doing that Russian Cossack move -- we've seen it," she said.
Barbara Padilla: Cancer survivor and opera singer said she'd received messages from cancer survivors and became emotional when talking about how she gave some of them a reason to fight. She entranced the crowd with an engaging performance of "Ave Maria," and the judges responded with a standing ovation, along with the audience. Piers said, "Wow. Wow, wow, wow." He said "the whole of America is going to remember where they were when they heard you sing that song," and added that "tonight, a superstar was born on this show." Sharon said it doesn't matter was one's musical tastes are, because music goes beyond language. "I bow down to you," Sharon said, literally standing and bowing. The Hoff said, "They say that God has a plan for all of us," and continued to say that God had a plan for Barbara. He said she gave "a blessed performance tonight."
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