<i>America's Got Talent</i> Recap: Fake Out to Break Out

So, was anyone else panicking a little bit when Tim Hockenberry and Turf were both called to the stage during Wednesday night's America's Got Talent results show? I mean, how can I pick just one? They were both awesome in their respective fields and they both feature the kinds of backstories that almost kinda sorta make you feel a little obligated to cheer for them on some level.

Basically, their showdown and the revelation that BOTH contestants made it to the semifinals, was a great fake out to start the results show off and keep me interested for the next hour, especially considering that left two spots to be fought for among ten remaining performers.

I tend to find the results episodes boring because there is so much filler required to make it fill an hour of television, but this one worked. I especially liked that featurette with Howie Mandel pranking the contestants, mostly because they had NO CLUE. I love a good prank.

Yeah yeah, shut up and give us the results, Mary:

Tim Hockenberry
Turf
Tom Cotter
Donovan and Rebecca

Donovan and Rebecca tied with teenage songstress Danielle Stallings, which makes me fear for their continued survival in this competition (Come on, you guys, they're AWESOME!) and were only saved by the continued support of Howie Mandel and Howard Stern. I'm not entirely sure how Sharon Osbourne came to her decision to vote for Stallings, especially after her insightful monologue about how AGT is really the only place on network TV where an act like Donovan and Rebecca's can flourish. It's an excellent point and, often sucky formatting aside, it's pretty much my number one reason for tuning in. If I want to watch a singing competition, there are half a dozen other shows I can watch.

What did you think about the judges' decision last night? How about America's voting trends this season?

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