Starting Off on a Sour Note but Ending with Perfection

Starting Off on a Sour Note but Ending with Perfection by Roxanne McDonald

Yikes. The opening number, a booming spectacular featuring the top finalists singing the Kool and the Gang song “Celebration,” was an embarrassing display of “talent”. But of the top four, at least two saved the introduction to the finale, and winner Terry Fator rocks the house one last wonderful time.

Throughout the season on “America’s Got Talent,” I loved the Glamazons and had respect for the green Julienne, but yeeow. In the finale they were off-key and doing more

caterwauling than celebrating for the first few minutes, there.
But my favorites, Cas and Butterscotch, came through, as all four of the top finalists did in the fresh-as-can-be-fresh- for-a-reality-competition finale.

What I suggest by “fresh” is how nice it was to have each of the final four perform with celebrities in their area/genre, which was of course also done these last two seasons by sister show, Idol. But what was tear-jerking and newer was the use of surprise video messages by the finalists’ idols, for instance, that made us all (or most of us) tear up.

Butterscotch performed with her idol, Sean Kingston. They did a beat-box version [of course] of “Beautiful Girl.” After, Butterscotch’s grandmother sent video blessings which included a comment on how Grams would listen to the very young Butterscotch way back when and knew she would go far.

Terry Fator got the honor of performing with his favorites, The Muppets. Specifically Kermit the Frog, but chickens also joined in for “You’ve Got a Friend.” To take the fun a little further, the judges were replaced by Animal, Beaker, and The Swedish Chef. After, Terry’s surprise video message came

from Miss Piggy—who has pretty much outgrown Kermit it seems, too big a star she is to bother with fawning, I guess.

Julienne Irwin had the opportunity to introduce and perform with Taylor Swift. She then got a surprise video message from Martina McBride! Quite a coup Julienne pulled off being the youngest newcomer to the Country Western world—singing with Taylor and getting props from Martina…all in one night!

Cas Hayley sang an impeccable “Red, Red Wine”…with UB-40!!!!! And if that wasn’t profound enough, he then got word from Lionel Richie, who told Cas how talented he was and how he wished the new star luck.

Of course we had to sit through more, much more—montages of the judges trials and tribulations [read: pissing fights between Piers and David], worst auditioners clips, and the top worst delivery by the “most unforgettable acts” of Queen’s “We are the Champions.”

We also had the rare treat when STOMP, now named Stomp out Loud, did their brilliantly engaging household and urban objects number. If you have never seen/heard this troupe, it is a must-do for your before-you-die list.

We also heard from QuickChange, the magical act made popular on last season’s AGT, as well as from others in the audience or on tape and, of course, The Hoff. I’ll just refrain from comment, accepting his bit as part of the kitsch that fuels the show.

What was more bittersweet was the elimination first of Butterscotch! I have held a torch for both her and Cas, and so was sad when Butterscotch went out first. Julienne went next, and after much stalling and leaving Cas and Terry to sweat, I was also surprised and saddened by Cas’s departure…leaving Terry Fator to reign the evening and the season as America’s Hottest New Talent.

Then again, I am delighted that Fator has brought back puppetry and ventriloquism [ala Shari and Lambchop], acknowledge his utter brilliance as an equally fine singer [and all in ventriloquistic fashion to boot!], and reiterate my trust in Butterscotch and Cas [as do the Idol runners up] getting contracts that will launch them into even greater fame with even larger followings [this fan among them].

Julienne will make it, too. Small-town girls with determination and talent usually do, sister!

So congrats to Terry! You deserve it!

SirLinksAlot America’s Got Talent links

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