(S03E17) "The best new act in America." - The NarratorNot to worry, I won't spoil who won the America's Got Talent before the jump. So since I have space to kill before I chit chat about the result show, let's use it for stats, shall we?
The first episode of the season aired on June 17, meaning that we spent 3 months and a half watching the competition unfold. In total, we've spend 31 hours and 13 minutes (including commercials) watching acts ranging from the awful to amazing as well as listen to the judges comments and Jerry reminding us that it's "One winner, one nation." Why 13 minutes? Well, the president's address last week cut the Top 5 episode short to 43 minutes according to NBC.
Now that I've used a few lines with stats that make us sound like people who didn't have much to do over the summer, let's get down to business....
And the winner is....
As in all results shows, I won't reveal the name of the winner just yet. Before Jerry started announcing the results, we were treated with the usual recap. The rest of the half hour was filled by an unnecessary performance by a singer I forgot the name of because she didn't belong on AGT, the Top 10 singing "A Moment Like This," a performance by some of the worst performers, and good luck messages by celebrities to the Top 5 contestants. I must admit that AGT did pretty good in reaching to celebrities who were linked style-wise to the Top 5 acts (Il Divo for Neal, Brian McKnight for Emily, Marc Cohn for Eli, Andrew Lloyd Webber for Donald and Wyclef Jean for Nuttin But Stringz).
One thing that this results show was missing was Piers. Yes, he was sitting in his usual judges seat but what about him making some more comments? Did he even talk tonight? Maybe they could have shown less of The Hoff crying and gave those seconds to Piers' comments instead?
Your Top 5 America:
- 5th place: Queen Emily
- 4th place: Donald Braswell
- 3rd place: Nuttin But Stringz
- 2nd place: Eli Mattson
- 1st place: Neal E. Boyd
There you have it. America now has its own version of Paul Potts. Neal does have a wonderful voice and will surely do very well as an opera singer but, as you know it, he was not my first choice (I actually said the F word outloud when Jerry announced that NBS was in third place... mind you, the F word is not really a bad word in French-Canadian... so pardon my French?). Actually, he wasn't TV Squad's readers first choice either, as in our last set of polls you placed him in third place behind Nuttin But Stringz and Eli Mattson.
What did you think of the results show? Are you happy with the results? Will you watch the fourth season of the series when it returns? Let your voice be heard in comments below!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-01-2008 @ 10:57PM
unc1dmo said...
I am very happy for Neal.....even though my 1st choice and 10 calls went to Queen Emily.....
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10-01-2008 @ 11:21PM
deebopalula said...
"...mind you, the F word is not really a bad word in French-Canadian... so pardon my French?).
I don't know why, but that just made me laugh out loud!! I don't really watch this show - just flip past it occasionally and catch some of your recaps, but the only act I was rooting for was "Nuttin But Stringz". Since I didn't really have anything emotionally invested in this competition, my reaction to their 3rd place finish might have been more like an "Aww shoot!" followed immediately by a click of the remote, but regardless, thanks for making me laugh Isabelle :-)
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10-01-2008 @ 11:27PM
meme said...
I was so disappointed. I always rooted for Nuttin But Strinz, they had everything, I really don't understand why Neal E. Boyd would win, people will get tired of him quick. Nuttin But Stringz appealed to everyone, I honestly don't know what America was thinking. I really don't think I'm going to watch the next season.
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10-01-2008 @ 11:38PM
e.paradox said...
I was outraged when NBS was voted off as 3rd place and Neal won 1st. I won't sugar coat it by saying "Neal is a good singer but.." because during on of his shows, he demonstrated that he may be able to belt out those long inspiring notes but as for a normal singing voice he really has some work to do. Another singer hits vegas when it could have been a fresh unique and talented act(NBS). I guess I am strange compared to the voting crowd because I don't think I could watch an entire show of Neal but I definitely could watch NBS. Oh well.....
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10-02-2008 @ 9:32PM
sharon said...
Seems like everyone is in agreement with you; either Eli or NBS but never did anyone guess Neil. Dissappointing and you can forget next season. Won't waste my time for a result such as this.
10-01-2008 @ 11:41PM
rhode said...
From the very beginning I was pulling for Nuttin' But Stringz or Neil Boyd to win. The first because I loved them the very first time I heard them on Jack's Big Music Show, (I have a three year old) and the later because he doesn't live all that far from me and his story made me cry.
I just wish Nuttin' But Stringz would have taken first place and Neil Boyd second. Then I could have said I called it from the first episoide! LOL
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10-02-2008 @ 9:41PM
sharon said...
And this is the whole point. people were not voting for Neil because of his supposed talent but only because he was a whiny grown up boy who played on people's sympathy and got votes for that. NBS also had a tough time and you did not see them up there crying away every single show. You think people are going to see this guy in vegas? I can hear it now "let's pay money to go watch big boy cry and belt out a few off key notes and then we can feel sorry for him". Sounds fun.
10-02-2008 @ 12:02AM
Brent said...
I had called it for Eli from the beginning. I was very disappointed, but I can't wait to buy his first album.
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10-02-2008 @ 1:17AM
herly said...
Neal Boyd’s winning video for America’s Got Talent!!
Neil E Boyd gave an very curious interview immediately after the victory.
watch as it was to see his interview here: http://tubedirects.net/index.php?q=Neil-E-Boyd-interview
Well done!
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10-02-2008 @ 3:13AM
Braden said...
My wife and I just about threw the TV out the window when Crybaby Boyd won over Eli.
Seriously. WTF?
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10-02-2008 @ 3:51AM
KenMo said...
You know, I stopped watching this season after the 3rd or 4th show. Every episode they were trying so hard to manupulate my emotions.
They even bring in the American version of Paul Potts. Can't they do ANYTHING original.
It is no supirse to me that Neal won. I don't plan on ever watching this show again.
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10-02-2008 @ 6:58AM
crittersmom said...
America's Got Talent but it doesn't have taste! Like rhode, I've been a fan of NBS since I saw them a few years ago on Jack's Big Music Show. Common America - they write their own stuff, play awesomely and have such energy. Oh well. At least they got a lot of exposure and hopefully will put out another CD soon.
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10-02-2008 @ 8:55AM
Jake said...
Funny, once I heard that Nuttin was in third place, I was quite pleased. I found them to be overrated and a one-trick pony. Do they have a future in the entertainment business? Yes. Could you listen to them for 90 minutes? For me, no. I would be checking my watch after the first 30 minutes. If you go back and check out each of their performances, there isn't much difference between them. The same "hey!", the same stomping, the same tune, for that matter. They would be a great act in a variety show type of environment. Quick in, quick out. For them to create a 90 minute show with different sounding music, I just don't see it. Did I think they would win? Yes. I was actually shocked to see Neal E. Boyd take down the prize, but I picked him from the first time I saw him (although enough with the crying). Can he carry Vegas? Probably not, but he can sure sing and he will make a name for himself in some fashion.
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10-02-2008 @ 9:13AM
Danielle said...
Wow! Total shocker...when Nuttin but Stringz got third place I couldnt believe it. When it came down just to Neil and Eli and was for sure thought Eli wouldve gotten it. Neil has a great voice, but I just didnt think he deserve the Vegas spot. DH seems to think Neil won b/c hes very compassionate when he sings. Im sure Eli will get some type of record deal.
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10-02-2008 @ 9:53AM
Cindy Gibson said...
I was disapointed but not suprised. We have had him pushed down our throats to win since it started. I was really sick of the cry-baby routine and the fake humility bit by week 2. He always acted like he was humble but when something was said about him the tears dried and that little smirk came on his face and you knew you had been had. I was pulling for Eli to win and NBS to come in second. Both were TRUELY humble and had so much talent and emotion in their performances. Oh well. Once again a show who got who they wanted. To bad reality
TV that is anything but true reality.
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10-02-2008 @ 10:14AM
Kim said...
Neil Boyd has an amazing voice but I don't believe the average Las Vegas tourist wants a night at the opera. I also see little if any future as a recording artist for the same reason.
Eli Mattson (the only act that stands a chance of landing a recording contract) or NBS (they would draw a crowd in Las Vegas) should have won.
I don't plan to watch AGT next year. I was already disgusted that there was only one non-singing act in the Top 10. I only watched this year because summer tv offers so very little original programming. Next year I'll just stock up on some good books to read!
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10-02-2008 @ 10:38AM
Patti said...
An opera singer? WHAT A JOKE!!! I wouldn't go see him for free in Vegas. He had no business even going as far as he did--but thanks to 3 idiot judges--he did. I think he won, not because he got the votes, but because the producers wanted him to win. The name of the show this season should be America Got Screwed!!
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10-02-2008 @ 10:38AM
Nadine said...
I wanted Nuttin but Strinz to win. I like Neal and his voice is a gift from God, but on a Las Vegas' showfloor, maybe not. Nuttin but Strinz would be an act to watch and I hope they all do well for their future!
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10-02-2008 @ 11:40AM
Tim McGee said...
Neil E Boyd singing opera wins over Eli Mattson?
I too turned off my television and told myself there was no way America is going to vote for a crybaby opera singer over a young man (Eli) who was singing mainstream music. I don't even know if there are radio stations that play an opera format in my city. I find it hard to believe more people voted for that crap and do not plan on watching AGT next year. There will be no more reality shows watched in my house as we will go to HBO, Showtime, even Comedy Central and let the sham artists have it all to themselves.
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10-02-2008 @ 11:58AM
Tim McGee said...
Perhaps allowing viewers to vote 30 times (10 over the phone, 10 through text message, and 10 via their computer) biases the results. I'm not going to pay to cast a ballot so text messaging is out. Perhaps one vote per viewer would have given us different results. One thing I do know is that I will see and hear Eli Mattson again. I would go out an pay for a CD he was exclusively on. I wouldn't watch Neil E Boyd or download a free album of his "talent" if it was offered. I think there are a majority in America who feel as though Eli and the viewers got screwed last night.
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