(S05E14) "Did you use your votes wisely?" - Nick to America

After last night's first live show, the power was put in our hands, America ... well 3/4 of the power since three acts will move on to the next round based upon our votes while the judges will choose the fourth act.

Did we use our votes wisely? Or did we all vote for the underdogs instead of four our true favorites? Time for the first four semifinalists to be announced!

After some chit chat with the judges and some recap footage, Nick invited three acts to join him on stage: singer Nathaniel Kenyon, air instruments performers Airpocalypse and hand whistler Sally Cohn. After more recap footage and the usual long pause, Nick confirmed that Nathaniel Kenyon is a semifinalist and that the two others aren't.

Since 'AGT' results shows must be an hour long, we were treated to a performance from Selena Gomez. I accept the fact that to fill the air time we must see performances, but how about offering past top 10 finalists a chance to wow us again?

It was now time for Nick Pike, Kung Fu Heroes and Fighting Gravity to come on stage. The second act to go to the semifinals is Fighting Gravity. After the announcement, Nick gave the microphone to Nick Pike so he could answer a few questions about his performance last night. Pike said that his act went exactly as planned and that he was sorry for the attitude he had while the judges gave him feedback. He even tried to hug the judges to "kiss and make up." Pike had to do some damage control as he displayed a rather self-centered and negative attitude last night.

Nick asked Christina & Ali, Hot Shot Tap Dancers and Maricar to the stage. Christina & Ali are going to the semifinals.

Before announcing who will be the last act to move on, the hit Broadway musical 'Rock of Ages' featuring Dee Snider from Twisted Sisters performed. Watching them got me thinking that it would be great if next season -- oh you know the show will return, especially when they are already advertising auditions on NBC.com -- we had a great old school rock band in the Top 48? Most singers we see who go far on 'AGT' mostly sing ballads, pop or opera.

It was now time for the last semifinalist to be announced and it was the judges' pick. RNG, Future Funk and Paul Safy Jr. were the remaining three acts who have yet to learn their fate. Nick removed one act: Paul Safy Jr. The judges then had to decide who would move on to the semifinals between RNG and Future Funk. These two acts came in fourth and fifth place (we don't know who came in which position). The judges were given a commercial break to discuss their choice.

Piers said that RNG are better technical dancers but that the boys are fun. He gave his vote to Future Funk. Sharon gave her vote to RNG based on the fact they are better technically. Howie couldn't make up his mind, but the show was coming to a close. As soon as he said that he was voting for Future Funk, the show ended. Too bad that we didn't get to see Future Funk's full reaction to the announcement. The show needs to plan at least a full minute or two so Nick can interview the last two acts after the announcement, as the show ended way too abruptly.

The first four semifinalists are: Nathaniel Kenyon, Fighting Gravity, Christina & Ali and Future Funk. I got three out of the four picks right, but I did say that I wouldn't be surprised if Future Funk made the cut. So in a way, I got four out of four. How did your predictions fare up?

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