Chop, chop, chop! It’s a familiar word associated with MasterChef, but with so many acts wanting to move further in this year’s Australia’s Got Talent; the word ‘chop’ is going to find a home on Seven for the next hour at least as the contestants try to work their way to the grand prize of $250,000; with some moving on, and some receiving the chop!
So off the back of tonight’s episode, the pesky sound issue returns and it seems to be worse tonight! Anyway, moving on, we may as well get used to it. The titles roll and we are given a pan shot of the 200 acts who have successfully auditioned for this year’s show. The show dramatises the entire scene with tense music, voiceovers of Grant constantly telling us how hectic this contest is and reminds us of the big choices the judges will have to make.
The judges enter the, well I call it the judging room. It’s a simple looking room with the names of the 200 acts and a screenshot of them, littering the walls. The task at hand; culling this group from 200 acts, to 48. We are given a taste on how the judges make their choice; their thought processes, their discussions, their arguments. It’s quite an enticing piece showing us what’s to come; but probably best suited for a sneak peak.
Wait, they’ve made their choices? Oh, I get it; that wasn’t a sneak peak; I just assumed this show was going to draw out the judge’s private verdict for an entire episode! Well thank god for that. We can skip right to the culling. I love it!
So first up is the ‘bandid rapper’ named Matt White. He’s very nice to his mother considering what he’s put her through when he was younger. I remember this act; his mother acted as a third judge on Kyle’s behalf. I loved how she kept her handbag around her arm during her standing ovation. He walks the mile and Brian asks if the fame would affect him negatively considering his troubled past. He says it wouldn’t and the judges put him through. He’s emotional and gives his mum a kiss. That was definitely a spine tingling moment. He looks like a bit of a weirdo though; but good for him.
After the first ad break, we are given a recap of the judge’s time in the judging room. While that occurs, Grant goes around and in an attempt to fill the timeslot; he interviews some of the waiting acts. We then move on to recap David de Vito’s performance (he’s the opera guy with the father in early dementia), Steve Romig, the guitarist from last episode and Stuart Biggins who put his life on hold when his wife got dementia. And guess what; they all go in to the verdict room together. Kyle reminds them why they are here; they all have amazing life stories but are missing something. David says it is the courage. Steve believes it was a false sense of security his songs and tunes gave him and Stuart believes he has been in the wrong places at the wrong times.
Brian tells them that they must narrow the 200 acts to 48 but thankfully, all three are through. They look like three goofs but you just feel stoked that they are through; they definitely deserve it.
With a recap from Grant, looking at the more interesting and weird groups in the auditions, we look at a montage from the verdict room showing these sorts of acts becoming the target of that dreaded chop.
One group not targets are the dance crews; and a huge chunk of them are getting through. I don’t blame the judges; these guys just captivate the audience; some of the moves these groups have are just extraordinary.
Next up is So You Think You Can Dance’s Timomatic; who impressed the judges with a singing, dancing duo. Can he be more successful in this show than he was in Dance? He will be going up against that boy band ‘gang’ Capree; who also sang as well as dance.
Brian reveals that when looking back at Capree’s singing, they weren’t as good as what they thought in the room but with Timomatic; they believe he’s had his opportunity on stage. Even still; the two acts go through to the next round.
Next up is Hazel Phillips who is practically a seasoned Australian actress that has lost the limelight in the past decades. But can she get through for another chance? Yes she can but unfortunately, her son who auditioned with her did not. Sad split, but not as sad as Hazel having to audition for this show in the first place.
Next up for judgement is Jack Vidgen, a Justin Bieber look alike. He’s ten, but will it be ten out of ten for Jack? Guess what; he’s through! It was this shows worst kept secret!
Next up is Cosentino, a really good magician, fantastic. The judges ask him what he will bring to the table and after his very well spoken answer; he’s through! He is the first of many circus, variety groups to make it through, as we see from another montage.
Rod Collins is next, he’s the harmonica playing cowboy from last night! He will be entering the judgement room with Harmonica Ray, also from last night and also, of course, playing the harmonica. Kyle wants them to give the judges a 30 second piece with their harmonica to determine who goes through. It seems as though Rod Collins wins that challenge; and the judges think so too; Harmonica Ray is cut.
They next four acts include Dash and D’Bree; those pop singers who try to promote safe sex through their songs, Ben Price, a mimic, Jordan Paris; a comedian from last night and Rod Gregory, that old comedian from last week. Are they going in all together? Oh yes they are, but will they all get through? Kyle reveals that only three of the four will go through; and it will be one choice per judge. Kyle chooses Jordan Paris. Nice choice; but Brian chooses Dash and D’Bree, a choice I don’t agree with. Unfortunately, as Dannii reveals that she has chosen impersonator Ben Price, Rod Gregory, a man with two autistic grandchildren (or children? Can’t remember), seems to be going home. Kyle reveals they loved him; so he will also be going through. Bloody judges!
We return from a break; Grant retells us for the hundredth time that only 48 will go through. Ok, we get it!
A montage of larger group acts go through and up next is the Misfits, whose act couldn’t even be shown. But there’s a story to go with today’s judgement; since the performance, one of the duo dropped out; so another guy who got fired from his job to be the replacement. Luckily, the due do actually get through. The judges do call it a risk though.
Next up is Super Italia, that weirdo from last night and rhythm dancer Ariel De Los Reyes; who are described as ‘different’ acts. After another hilarious demo from Super Italia; both jokes, I mean acts, are cut.
Next up are singer Thomas Crane, Brian McFadden fan Dave Crocker and singer (but definitely no speaker) Pete the Kalbar Rockstar. These acts are all ‘different’, but definitely have talent (unlike Super Italia).
After a funny line from Pete, Thomas Crane is through, Dave Crocker is out and Pete is… through! So there you go; two out of three aint bad!
Grant reminds us that with all the good acts this year; good may not be good enough. So now we are shown some of the more ‘pronouncedly’ talented person. First is ‘Chooka’ Parker; a very talented pianist and farmer whose audition was his first performance. Brian tells him that he is a standout potential winner, a statement that makes him visibly moved. He is through to the next round!
As told by Grant; we are into the final hours of Judgement Day. We are treated to a nice montage of some of the more talented singers. Four of these singers go into the verdict room. Four of these singers, go through! For a second; Brian made it seem like two were going home. Irish bastard.
Next up is Kai Baldwin, an 8 year old tap dancer. Throughout the verdict, may I point out that there was a small instrumental piece playing in the background from Delta Goodrem… thought I’d point that out.
So on the day of Kai’s audition, Kyle, who hates kid tap dancers, was absent. It is now time for Kai to show Kyle what he is made of and does so on the desk in front of Kyle’s face. Hilarious; to say the least. Kyle seem impressed. Brain and Dannii gives the kid another yes and Kyle tells him he can go through.
So after we see some singers and dancers; it is time for the contortionists. Despite Brian’s hate for them, both major contortionists of the group go through. Now for two acts who the judges couldn’t decide before; two acrobatic groups Majestic and Belair (I don’t really know how to spell it). The judges ask the teams what it would mean to go through. After some convincing answers; both teams are going through.
We revisit now the pole dancing shock Kyle got when the pole dancer turned out to be male Matty Shields. He isn’t at the verdict due to illness but he makes it through anyway.
Up next is Fiona Mariah; who busks to support a family. She has an absolutely fabulous opera voice and I would be deeply shocked if she didn’t get through. Clara Helms, the non-toad like opera singer from last night will be judged alongside Fiona. It is time. Dannii asks if they can support classical singers in the competitions (umm, yes… remember Mark Vincent? You’re the only judge on the panel who was involved in that season…). Luckily, the answer is YES to both of them and they are through to the semi-finals.
The day is coming to a close; only a handful of acts are left. Next up is Liam Burrows; a student/busker at only 17 years of age. He will be going up against that old men barbershop quartet in the verdict room. Is there possibly room for both of them in the semi-finals?
Well Benchmark gives a demo that kind of shocks Liam. Liam gives his piece and to me it sounds as if he was a little shocked, affecting his voice. Doesn’t matter; both groups are THROUGH!
Next are the rock bands. Oh god, tune out, tune out. The three acts are Uprising, the Replicators, and another group I didn’t quite catch the name of. Doesn’t matter because despite the fact I don’t like any of them, I’ll get to see their names more now that they are all THROUGH.
Last up is the final auditionee, Wayne Rodgers; the singer who is known for her (his), dress style.
He’s eccentric; I wonder if Kyle, who wasn’t at his audition, will like him?
Kyle asks how he (she) got on the show. It’s because she (he) had a great voice! And guess what; he’s through! Or she’s through. Not before a transphobic comment from Kyle. He (she) is very emotional. How nice.
And that is it; it’s all up to us! Yay; pity I don’t vote on these shows. So this episode was your garden variety green mile style show; it featured many montage of the clips from the auditions we loved best and showed the judges hold those contestants in suspense for as long as possible (sometimes I can tell when the contestant was going through; but tonight, there were times when I was shocked that the judges finally said yes! Very creative ways of hiding their verdict, these judges).
The best thing about this episode is that either that sound problem went away half way through; or I just forgot about it. I loved how this episode concentrated on the acts that got through. All too often do we have to trawl through heaps of long winded verdicts just to be told that an act, who is one of my favourites or one of your favourites isn’t going through. In this case, it was a lovely tone and a nice sneak peak into what we as a country, have to vote for.
Courtney’s Verdict: 8.5/10
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