Wednesday, October 01, 2008

America’s Got Talent - Final Episode - Edge of My Seat

Kim Reis

I’m on the edge of my seat.  Tonight, we went out to eat at Friendly’s, went to the mall and I was so anxious to get home by 9pm because tonight is the big night for America’s Got Talent. 

In my blog, dated 9/24, here’s how I called it.
5th place: Donald Braswell
4th place: Neal E. Boyd
3rd place: Queen Emily
2nd place: Eli Mattson
1st place: Nuttin’ But Stringz

I still think this will be the case, but I’m so worked up.  Why am I so nervous?  You’d think that one of the winners were going to share their prize winnings with me for goodness sake.  NOT!  I just get so nervous for these people. This kind of contest could change someone’s life.

The show started with the sweetest little montage of the top 10 finalists who sang “ A Moment Like This”.  Little Kaitlyn started the song with some little “oooo’s”.  She’s so darn sweet!  Would someone please scoop her up into a movie?  Please?  For me?  (Like I have any clout at all)  This song was so emotional for the judges too.  You could see genuine tears in their eyes.

Just like in Dancing with the Stars, they had a pop star perform.  Well, DWTS had Jessica Simpson.  ICK!  At least AGT had Leanna Lewis sing - the British singer who has made it big. Don’t get me wrong, she’s totally talented.  But I’m dying to find out who won.  Get on with it already.  Drag, drag, drag it on to fill an hour.  I hate that!  Even my cat is bored.

Side note: Why don’t British singers sound British when they sing? 

Back to the show…

When the true stars talked directly to the final five, I got chills.  Andrew Lloyd Weber talked directly to Donald Braswell.  Wyclef Jean talked to “Nuttin’ But Stringz”.  Brian McKnight talked to Queen Emily.  The looks on their faces was unbelievable surprise, shock and awe.  That was awesome.  And then they had to ruin it by putting the most horrible acts into a skit.  The cast offs had the chance to perform on tonight’s finale.  I felt so bad for these people because they didn’t even realize they were being laughed at.  The whistlers.  The woman with big boobs.  The Ozzy Osbourne wanna-be’s.  The old lady dancer.  The belly roller. They were all here - in true form. 

Then they recapped the auditions from the top 10 performers and I was bawling my eyes out.  So touching.  And, they had to play the graduation march.  That makes me cry even without the emotional auditions.  I don’t know why I cry when I hear that song.

So - was I right???  Fifth place is….QUEEN EMILY!!  What???  Repeat that.  (I just rewound the TiVo).  Yup!  I heard that right!  Queen Emily was FIFTH!!!  Although she will have a recording contract, that’s totally ridiculous.  Creepy Mr. Braswell needed to go bye bye.  Well, that means that my prediction was wrong.  Braswell had better go home next or I have totally lost faith in America.

Fourth place - Donald Braswell.  THANK YOU GOD!!!  I think Neal will be next.  Let’s see if I’m right….

Third place - Nuttin’ But Stringz.  My mouth is hanging open.  I’m catchin’ flies.  Don’t get me wrong - I really want Eli to win.  But I thought FOR SURE that Nuttin’ But Stringz would win because their act was so different.  I stink at guessing the finals.  I think Neal will get second place with Eli taking the prize.  Come on man!!  Do it!!  You deserve it!! 

Second place - drum roll please - oh yes.  Please drag it out.  I love that.  NOT!  They recapped Neal and Eli’s journey—AGAIN.  Holy moly.  Talk about turning 60 minutes into a painful hour that felt like two days.  And, in case you were wondering - Neal cried.  I know, you’re surprised.

Come on Jerry Springer, announce it already.  Second place is…(my stomach is in knots)...Eli Mattson.  That means NEAL WINS the MILLION DOLLARS and a contract to perform in Vegas.  He was bawling like an infant.  I think I heard him yell, “I did this for you MAMA!“  Eli had better get a recording contract or I’ll spit.  Jerry called Eli a “cry baby”.  HA!!  That was great!

Placido Domingo sent a message to Neal at the end of the show and that was so amazing.  WOW!  This show has changed someone’s life.  This life insurance agent just became a star.  CONGRATS NEAL!