‘America’s Got Talent’ results: Did the judges make the wrong call?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

At the outset of Wednesday night’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ results show, on which Jason Derulo and Maroon 5 performed, judge Piers Morgan warned us that we might be ‘in for some big shocks.’ But though the results might not have panned out exactly as some of us would have liked –- I’ll miss the Yellow Design Stunt Team and Charles Peachock at least a little -– most of America’s decisions ranged from totally expected to perhaps mildly unanticipated.

When four acts -- danger dude Frank Miles, tiny vocalists Avery and the Calico Hearts, unremarkable singer Taylor Davis, and the dance troupe Fatally Unique -– were called to the stage, those of us who had predicted that Fatally Unique would make it to the semifinals were rewarded. The kids in the troupe were rewarded too -- not only because they’d made it through, which floored them, in some cases quite literally, but also because Morgan tossed a big, if qualified, compliment their way, saying if they continued to work hard and improve, they had ‘a real chance of winning the whole thing.’

But then two deserving acts, enthusiastic acrobats Zuma Zuma and the BMX bike-riding Yellow Design Stunt Team, were summoned to hear their fates. Would both make it through? Nope, only one: Zuma Zuma. Oh well. Guess that wipeout on Tuesday night cost the bikers more than you might think -– or that voters were less impressed with the Yellow Design Stunt Team’s production design than I was.

‘America’s Got Talent’ recap: ‘If you’re gonna blunder,’ go big

Next group: underwhelming magician Scott Alexander, the big and bouncy Sam B, and the incandescent dance act Team iLuminate, who had earned glowing praise from the judges the night before. Who do you think made it through? Yep, Team iLuminate. Even Sharon Osbourne couldn’t help noting that it was ‘so obvious who was going to win’ that round. Then she heaped some more praise on Team iLuminate, saying they stand a chance of being ‘huge’ not only in America, but around the world as well and that they ‘could fill any arena.’

That left one spot and three acts: juggler Charles Peachock, Popsicle playa Kinetic King and comedian Melissa Villasenor. Alas, the nerd vote didn’t come through for the Kinetic King (darn those sticky sticks!); he was sent home, but not before noting that he’d had an ‘amazing’ run and that he’d gone further than he had ever imagined.

So would it be Peachock, who had not only failed to impress Osbourne and fellow judge Howie Mandel with his shirtless, ‘balls on a piano’ bit Tuesday night but also ticked them off by expressing his regard for Morgan (‘How dare you!’ Osbourne had fumed)? Or would it be Villasenor, whose act Morgan had found uneven, but the other judges had enjoyed?

Presented with a microphone and a chance to make their plea, both performers expressed a desire to continue in the competition. (Surprise, surprise.) Peachock promised more ‘out of the box’ performances and vowed to win the whole thing. Villasenor told the audience that we were her ‘best friend’ and meant ‘a lot’ to her.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. Osbourne picked Villasenor. Tick. Morgan went with Peachock. Tock. Howie broke the tie with the act he said people were talking about: Melissa Villasenor.

Huh. Interesting. Were you people talking about Melissa Villasenor? Do you think the audience and the judges picked the right four acts to continue in the competition? Weigh in!

RELATED:

‘America’s Got Talent’ results: Was anyone surprised?

‘America’s Got Talent’ recap: An evening of blown chances

‘America’s Got Talent’ results: Smurfs, Stevie Nicks, but no real shockers

-- Amy Reiter