This week, 'America's Got Talent' judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel put their heads together as the search for the nation's most entertaining act moved on to Las Vegas, where the more than 100 acts culled from their nationwide search would be whittled down to just 48 contenders.

It wasn't easy for the judges, either: tears were shed, dreams were crushed and hearts were broken, but that's not to say that the show's fans necessarily agreed with the judges' final picks. Popular Puerto Rican singer Carlos Apponte was out while the oddball yodeler Mary Ellen was in; dance squad Style Pros Crew got the boot, yet deadpan illusionist Chipps Cooney made it through.

Still, several acts from the Vegas trials were no-brainers. Here's a roundup of some of the standouts who made it on to the Top 48 this week. Next stop? Hollywood, where those of us at home will finally get to make the call and decide which acts have talent.

Michael Grimm
Soulful singer Michael Grimm admits that he's pretty mellow and not the type to jump around with excitement, but the Mississippi native need not worry. His bluesy 'Try a Little Tenderness' -- reminiscent of Joe Cocker, maybe -- won over the judges. Pack up the guitar, Michael: you're going to Hollywood.



Rudy MacAggi
In New York, acrobat Rudy MacAggi performed a "waterfall of death" balancing act that captivated the judges. Now in Las Vegas, he was determined to stick around. His only prop? His lovely assistant, who supported Rudy as he balanced upside down and then suspended himself to a nearly flat position from her body. Was it enough? He finished the act feeling confident , and the judges agreed, feeling suitably impressed by his partner's strength.



Nathaniel Kenyon
When Georgia native Nathaniel Kenyon made his "Talent" debut in Orlando, his nerves nearly got the better of him. This time around, he kept the stage fright (mostly) in check, and he sounded decidedly more self-assured while singing. Still, as Howie pointed out, the men's vocalist group was one of the most competitive in Las Vegas this week: "You may be less nervous, but you're in a tougher spot," he told Nathaniel. Not to worry, though -- he made it through to Hollywood.



Airpocalypse
Some purists may have questioned the choice to put the instrument-free group Airpocalypse in the band category, these southern-fried good ol' boys air-guitared and strutted their ways straight to Hollywood this week. After all, they had so much fun on stage, how could the judges resist?



Wreckless
South Florida-based dance group Wreckless proved their talent on the big stage in Orlando, but the slate was clean as they went up against Style Pros Crew on Tuesday night. While Style Pros dazzled with flips, Wreckless instead went for straight choreography and a solid routine. And even though Sharon wasn't convinced that these dancers had stepped up their game for the Vegas trials, the judges saw enough potential to move them on to the next round -- even it if was at the expense of the Style Pros.




-- by Rebecca Harper, Hulu