'America's Got Talent': Jackie Evancho loses to Michael Grimm but wins a duet with her idol

We don't usually watch infomercials unless Billy Mays or the SlapChop guy are involved but we made an exception Wednesday for the finale of this season's "America's Got Talent."

Stretched agonizingly over two hours, we endured random guest acts (the Goo Goo Dolls are still a thing?) ridiculously lame product placements and a number by the "AGT All-Stars" (read: rejects) to find out that soul singer Michael Grimm squeaked past fan favorite Jackie Evancho to snag the $1-million prize.

But first came the most shameless advertisements -- the finalists' duets. This was a chance for the Final Four to sing with their heroes, as long as their hero was tying to resuscitate a career or had a new disc to shill. Grimm looks up to Jewel?  Seriously?

It has been a long time since we have encountered a production so utterly pointless. NBC's show is constantly being billed as live, as if crazy things could happen at anytime, but all the action is so tightly scripted that it is impossible not to suspect that every possibly spontaneous turn is designed to manipulate. Piers Morgan's buzzing of Prince Poppycock on Tuesday night, for instance. (Poppycock was the first to go on the finale.)

She might not have won, but Jackie did something on the show that no one else did: She was real. She was genuinely excited to meet Sarah Brightman and over the moon at being able to sing with her. Winning a contest is a worthy but abstract goal, especially for a child. Meeting a hero is tangible and it was a pleasure to watch Jackie realize that dream.

In a previous post, Culture Monster poked fun at Jackie copying the "wandering hands mean I'm emoting" technique from the Brightman playbook but they were so sweet together our heart burst to only two sizes too small.

Sensibly skipping the low-sitting triplet passage that marred her earlier performance of the song ("Time To Say Goodbye") Evancho sung circles around her idol. The ensemble bits were mostly awful because, as is usual for sopranos, each had her own ideas regarding pitch. In the end we were so pleased with Jackie, it didn't matter.

While Twitter is ablaze with outrage over the results, in our opinion, America made the right choice. Grimm gets his Vegas show, his grandparents get their new house and Jackie will be free to pursue her career on her own terms.

What left a bad taste in our mouths was the feeling that we were being held hostage by advertisements and promotional spots that took the focus away from the talent. The compelling nature of those less tightly scripted moments made the whole contest seem mawkish and tacky.

What did you think?  Was two hours too long?  Would it have made a difference if the guest acts were actually entertaining or am I just a cranky blogger incapable of appreciating a good thing when I see it?

-- Marcia Adair

Follow me on Twitter @missmussel

RECENT AND RELATED:

Choose one for Jackie Evancho: Stardom now or a real singing career later?

Prince Poppycock takes on Jackie Evancho

Jackie Evancho's voice strikes a chord

Before Jackie Evancho: Remembering Julie Andrews, Beverly Sills and other young vocal prodigies

Hear Jackie Evancho, the 10-year-old with an operatic voice

Comments

[paul]

I was surprised yet not surprised. With all the hype over Prince Poppycock and Jackie Evancho I thought it would go down to those two until the finals. Prince Poppycock's straying from the formula what-brung- him and the X by Piers opened the door for Michael.

What I believe is: whoever won would owe a lot to Jackie Evancho for selling the show and attracting a larger audience than if she wasn't in the running.

Now more people know who Michael Grimm is. Hopefully he'll do better than the forgotten dance act that beat Susan Boyle.

But Jackie comes up a winner no matter what. People tuned in to see her. Her talent is unmistakable and the show gave her a showcase bigger than anything she has had so far.

Fighting Gravity is a clever novelty act that I can't see sustaining a full show. The physical strain of lifting and coordinating the skits would seem to take its toll.

[ZOO]

Just how do you know Michael "squeaked" out a victory? Were you privy to the final vote counts? Also, he was as "real" (and humble) as anybody, that's why he won. Sour grape all you want, both of their talent levels deserved to win and Michael did. I think Jackie is an astonishing find, but it was not truly fair to the ORIGNAL contestants to bring in 'ringers' from youtube weeks into the competition. If fact, if you want "stupid" on behalf of the show's producers, this was it; but I prefer the ploy to be labeled as chicken ****. Had Jackie won, it would have weighed heavily on her age. As miraculous as her ablilty is, if you close your eyes she sounds like several hundred other opera singers. She lost nothing, the rest of her life (which is most of it) is lined with gold. I am thrilled that Michael Grimm got what he deserved, and that America agreed. Now all that is left to do is jettison the whiners.

[AGT Fan]

Unfortunately for Grimm, who wants to financially help out his family, the million dollar prize is paid out over 40 years (watch the fine print in the credits), which means $25k per year before taxes. Hopefully it helps out enough.

[S. H.]

Uhh...Michael Grimm didn't exactly have a choice for his celebrity partner. And what did you expect him to say about Jewel? That he doesn't like her?

And @ "Jackie did something on the show that no one else did: She was real.": I laughed. You've got to be kidding me. Did you hear the way she said "I'm so surprised you're here!" when she first met Brightman? Did you guys even watch her other acts? Everything that comes out of her mouth sounded eerily fake and scripted, as if the producers hammered the things to say into her head to get more ratings. I feel bad for Jackie, since her parents are probably beating her now or something. She's probably been coerced in some way or another how to act on TV, and it's clearly not natural—this was especially apparent during last week's eliminations when she was standing next to Anna & Patryk, two children who seemed like actual children and not robots.

[James]

OMG! Marcia Adair. Who are YOU? Every artist you ridiculed has achieved fame and fortune. You are certainly a dime a dozen, mediocre ( I'm being kind ) writer wannabe based on the quality and stupidity of your work. Jewel is one of the most amazing and successful singers in the world... and it puzzles you that Michael Grimm could look up to her? You said no one but Jackie was real. Michael Grimm wasn't real? You are real. Really dumb. You must be an important insider to know that Michael Grimm " squeeked by. " Since when does America's Got Talent share the secret vote count with you? You might want to consider making french fries as a backup career. Writing is not your thing...and that's REAL.

[Jimmy Limo in Vegas]

It's true, little Jackie Evancho DID sing circles around her "idol".... she has a great future, but I'm glad she didn't win the BIG PRIZE of her own Vegas show. At only 10 years old, that would RUIN her for life.... this town (I live here) is a MEATGRINDER ! She'll be way better off doing worldwide concerts and picking and choosing her venues. And WHAZZUP with that AWFUL Jewel duet with Michael Grimm ? They made him sing "BOBBY McGEE" ??? She's one of his IDOLS ? Excuse me while I HURL...

[Joe]

America got it right...but then, can they really get it wrong this year?

Yeah...they could, but like all shows, it's rigged....

Poppycock will get a Broadway deal, Evancho will be huge regardless of the show, Fighting Gravity proved they should have with Vegas mainstays.

Grimm was the only one that might get pushed aside because of his age and what he does....granted I enjoyed the hell out of his stuff, and was a favorite of mine, but when Howie says "I'll be first in line for your CD" did he miss the fact that he already has four?? And has opened for Heart etc. etc., he's far from famous, but I bet he does fairly well.

[SERICM]

The reason Michael Grimm won is the same reason Kenneth Skinner won last year and David Cook,Kris Allen,& Lee Dewyze won American Idol.
Middle America won't vote for anything different.

Prince Poppycock was the most talented of all the contestants, Jackie Evancho was the most enchanting, and Gravity was the most original.

Michael Grimm is just another singer like the above mentioned and will disappear like Taylor Hicks.

Will people pay the prices $100 or more to see him, probably for a few months but that's all.
Gravity will be a headline show for years.
Prince Poppycock will land a show and will entertain for years.
Jackie has a long and storied career ahead of her if she is handled right.
Michael Grimm will disappear like the aforementioned singers.

[walt kovacs]

as it was leading into the crapfest that is outlaw...i think that 2 hours was too short

[Giacomo dell'Arse]

The winner is..."

Get up, go to the bathroom, let the cat out, fix a cup of coffee, return to the TV couch, check the weather forecast.

"...Michael Grimm!"

Milk, anybody? There's plenty after Nick Cannon squeezed the tired old Talent Show Contest mammary. Not only for Michael Grimm (the right choice) but for each of the other acts in turn.
Sure, America's Got Talent.
And the most easily recognizable and most often used talent is the one for ..... mawkish...... melodrama!

[Ryan Conolly]

I'm kind of disgusted by Jackie not winning and it makes me skeptical of the shows vote counting. Grimm is a decent singer, but come on! How can you compare a Sugar Pie Honey Bunch kind of singer to a classic, operatic little angel straight from heaven. I applaud AGT for discovering Jackie and I'm sure she's got a tremendous future. What a gift that child has! But singers like Grimm are a dime a dozen. Sure, the guy can really sing, but is your jaw going to drop to the floor when you hear him? Of course not! It should have come down to Jackie vs. Precious's Mom (forgot her name but she is great) and Jackie should have won hands down. Also, one suggestion if anyone is listening (ha!). Fighting Gravity should find a better name like maybe Zero G. Plus they should team up with those guys that played with lightening bolts of electricity. Now that would be one cool Vegas act!

[Medchill]

On TUESDAY NIGHT Jacki Evancho was clearly second. John Quale aka Prince Poppycock was better than Jacki Evancho on all other nights. He puts on a show ... a Vegas worthy show.

Ms. Evancho probably will be singing in NYC, Paris and around the world. Vegas may not be her place. I pray she can grow up like before her fame ... and not miss school.

Fighting Gravity should also have Vegas show. They shouldn't forget school, either. Maybe they can tranfer to UNLV.

Since the voting is to be for a SINGLE night; Michael Grimm was the clear winner. Plus, for each round he got better, except once. The voting was correct. Michael Grimm may not do well in Vegas - I hope he does well.

[Sam]

I'm glad Jackie didn't win. Quite frankly, I was disturbed at the thought of a child having her own Las Vegas show.

[fyree39]

I turned it off after 45 minutes, preferring to see the results online in the morning. Did this really go on for 2 hours? I'm glad I turned off my TV.

[Eli Hous]

I didn't watch the show last night. I was busy watching the 22 year old Mississippi cooking protege conquer the testosterone on Master Chef. I assumed the little soprano would win, so I was surprised by the outcome, but then again, not. The guy who won was "vanilla" which is what those who follow pop culture in this country usually favor. I hear guys singing like him on the streets, in clubs and subway platforms all the time in New York. There is nothing extraordinary about him, unlike some of the other acts who were in the top ten. He has a nice raspy voice and can obviously tear up an Otis Redding song. But its nothing new, and he will most likely disappear off the pop culture radar within the year. The little soprano however, will most likely become a household name, much like Josh Groban. Another case of the "runner-up" being the real winner in the long run. Does anyone remember who won American Idol during the Adam Lambert cycle? Answer: not really.

[Finton Shaw]

That sweet, beautiful little girl has an awesome voice. It was amazing to listen to and watch her persona as those sounds flowed from her mouth. I cannot believe that some recording studio or company will not sign her to a contract immediately. I truly wish that little girl the best in life.

[Donna]

Michael definitely should have won. Jackie was good, but hey, what 10-year old needs a headline show in Vegas? And I really liked Fighting Gravity, but I think each contestant's story should also have a bearing. I don't think any of them had as much of a hard luck story as did Michael. It does a body good to know that great things still have happen to people.

[Jim]

First of all, it is not a million dollars. It is a million dollar annunity paid out over 40 years. God bless NBC.

Secondly, a headline VEGAS show? Michael Grimm on a stool? Come on.... America got confused with American Idol big-time here.

[alice kobulinsky]

The show is suppose to be about who is the more talented act and Jackie is superior talented to Michael Grimm. I teally believe that our votes don't mean anything and the PRODUCERS of the show actually pick the winner. He told a sob story just like Kevin Skinner did and won. I can say in a year or so people will not know who won AGT, but Jackie will be an international star. (really)

[Tammy Cramlett]

What a great thing to happen to this little girl. i bet she is going to be everywhere in the near future.