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'America's Got Talent' Quarter Final Part 2: Live blog

America's Got Talent - Live Blog
The America's Got Talent quarter-final kicked off last week and we said goodbye to eight acts. Still, 36 of our Top 48 have yet to perform, and tonight, 12 of them get that chance. But what will judges Howie Mandel, Sharon Osbourne and Howard Stern make of them - and more importantly, what will America think?


21:57Well, that's it for tonight. Only four will make it through to the semi-finals, but who will it be? Find out tomorrow night (Wednesday, July 11)! I'll be here!

21:55Howie can see why he's so emotional, calling his voice "haunting" and praising his song choice as he finally made himself seem original rather than like a Joe Cocker impersonator. Sharon appreciates that he sings with such emotion and passion and actually reminds him of a Van Morrison-type of "mature singer". I'm not sure that's a compliment. Howard says Tim's his favorite singer in the competition but doesn't think he did that great tonight. "This is a mis-step," he adds.

21:54There's one more performer to go, and it's singer Tim Hockenberry. Tonight, he's singing a Joe Cocker version of Katy Perry's 'Part of Me'. I had to Google the lyrics 'cause I knew I know the song, but he's made it so unrecognisable that I couldn't place it at all. I don't like it, which is a shame, because Tim is talented, but sometimes you just need to do something not so... weird, to say the least.

21:46Sharon thinks it was "very good" and found it to be exciting and entertaining. Howard has been a big fan all along and is glad that such a talented act has made it through, as they are a "danger act" and keep people guessing. Howie is glad that he stepped it up tonight, showed three different tracks and says that he "absolutely loved it".

21:44Ben Blaque is up next - can't believe he's in the Top 48. How many ways can you shoot a bow and arrow? I suppose I'm about to find out. It involves lots of balloons, some sultry moves by his assistant as she holds a rose in her mouth and poses against a black backdrop and too much time setting up between tricks. His big trick sees him shoot four (FOUR!) bows and arrows at once. Those four arrows each hit a different balloon. Impressive, I suppose?

21:36Howard thinks he's "smooth" and that he could win the competition because he's "so talented, gifted and funny". He also applauds him for being able to win over a crowd in only 90 seconds. Sharon praises his timing and his mastery of his craft, adding that she loves the originality of his jokes. Howie is in agreement and says that he is a true professional and is great at remaining cool under pressure.

21:35After the ad break, Howie and Howard are still bickering over Big Barry, but there's no time! We have to move on to the next act, and it's Tom Cotter. He'd better make us laugh! Well... I don't know, I find him slightly corny. He means well, and he's a sweet dad-type, but he's just a bit too clean-cut. Or maybe I'm just too harsh. That could be the case, too. I am smiling a bit watching him, but I wanted to really LOL.

21:26Howie loved it, saying that if Bob Dylan and the Easter Bunny had a baby, it'd be Big Barry. Wow. Howie knows he's not a good singer, but he's an amazing character, and works with his stature and sound, deeming him a "great novelty act" that people would pay to see. Wrong. Howard cuts him off, though, saying that so many legitimately talented acts missed out on being in the Top 48 because Big Barry was put through. Sharon thinks that he sings like he's on the toilet but that he managed to get beautiful women to be part of his production. Howie and Howard are bickering over this, and it's getting a little out of hand.

21:23Next up, it's... Big Barry. Oh, boy. I must've missed him in the previous rounds... and thank goodness. Sharon and Howard buzz 'no' just a few notes into his cover of 'Feeling Good'. How in the hell did he get to the Top 48? How did he make it past the audition stage? This is just awful. I'm not going to waste another sentence on it. Get off!

21:15Sharon is well impressed, saying that every time they perform, they do something new and different. She hopes that it comes across at home how difficult but how flawless their work is. Howie agrees, saying that they're not only true entertainers and athletes but there's so much love and emotion between them, which is great to see. Howard also thinks they're an amazing act and a beautiful couple to watch. He loves it most when Rebecca shows off her strength. "Bravo, well done. You guys are tremendous!" he adds.

21:13Donovan and Rebecca! I remember their audition! Well, they're still going strong and it's time for their performance. They're a little bit terrifying - especially Donovan, who seems as if he's going to fly off into a 'roid rage at any second - but they're a sweet, new-agey couple and they have an amazing act on their hands, so I'm into it.

They go flying around the room on those hanging ribbons (shut up, I don't know the name) and Rebecca dances en pointe while Snow Patrol blasts in the background and then they lift each other and the act ends with Rebecca hanging by her foot. It's pretty impressive, all told, and I kind of love how weird they are.

21:05Howard thinks it was "incredibly memorable" and that she should be proud, which Sharon agrees with. She adds that Danielle's voice "doesn't stop" and loves that she has a huge vulnerability and likeability. "You are just so delightful and I really, really hope that America votes for you so that you can come back next week," she says. Howie compliments her for looking beautiful and then starts reading Twitter comments about the performance - all of which are overwhelmingly positive. She's definitely a highlight of the night, I'll agree with that.

21:04Danielle Stallings is up next. At only 13 years old, she's a singer well beyond her years and tonight, she's here to try Bruno Mars' (ugh) 'It Will Rain'. She's got a fantastic voice - I will totally give her that. Would I pay to see her in Las Vegas? Well, no. Still, I think she could be a really successful recording artist if given a few years to mature. She's a bit yell-y in this song so we miss out on some of the prettier subtleties of her voice, but she's damn good, that much is for sure.

21:00The audience reaction is mixed, and Howard has buzzed 'no' before they finish. Howie thinks that they have peaked and that while they were original at first, it doesn't seem like a million dollar act. He was "confused" by the story and I'm not sure why, but whatever. Howard can tell there's a "germ of an idea" and praises them for working hard on the act, but wishes there was more of a story to this one and not as much time between the special effects. Sharon pretty much agrees and I don't think we'll be seeing them in the next round.

20:58I have to tell you before we even start - I'm over the light acts. It was innovative three years ago, but the Aurora Light Painters are kinda old news, in a lot of ways. Still, I want to give them a chance. They do a sort of cool 'monsters under the bed' theme that's entertaining enough. To their credit - this is the most show-like act because there's a story to it, but it's still a bit of a mess.

20:50Before they're even finished, though, Howie buzzes 'no'. He was waiting for 'something' and wanted them to step it up, though he thinks they're tremendous dancers. Sharon thinks it must be a full moon tonight because all the acts seem a bit off. She's seen them do all kinds of dances, though she hated the "old school" music and the moves were too cute and not edgy enough. Howard thinks the others are being too tough on the group, but admits that they're on the most difficult category and doesn't think they match up to Turf or Unity Dance Crew.

20:48Time for more dancing! The Lisa Clark Dancers are next up and they can do a bit of everything. They're certainly going for it tonight, with bouffants and black suits with leopard trim. I dunno, I like 'em! I could watch this for a while. They really do manage to fuse so many different styles, the choreography is impeccable and just totally spot on. Best act tonight so far, to me.

20:41Howard thinks he did a great job and performed a strong, creative illusion. Sharon thinks it's a bit old school and wishes that they would act their age and bring things into the current century. "Be cool about it," she advises. "You don't have to be cheesy!" Howie agrees, saying there must be something they can do to update their performance. He believes it was dramatic and praises him for being able to elicit such a response from the audience.

20:39Magic time! Hawley Magic will hopefully shake up this evening, cos I'm already bored stiff and we're only three acts in. He's got sort of a David Bowie in Labyrinth thing going on, which sees him balance his assistant on a thin beam which seemingly impales her seconds later. But don't panic - she's okay! That's the whole act. Huh.

20:31Howie likes them, but thinks that sometimes it's not a great idea to take such a big pop song and try to turn it into rock, as it doesn't offer a clear enough vision of what they're all about. He also jokes that a rock band "shouldn't share a name with a pantyliner'. Touche, Howie. Howard is also a fan but insists that they have to pick their style one way or another. He worries because he always wants to be part of good bands, but he didn't want to tonight. He also advocates using some harmonies, and says they could be in some trouble this evening. As for Sharon, she loves their strength and enthusiasm, but wasn't crazy about the song choice. Enough of this malarkey.

20:29Moving on, rock band The All Ways are ready to take the stage for a(nother) Lady GaGa cover. What an absolute racket. They're singing - or should I say, "singing" - 'Telephone' and it's just absolutely awful. I get that they're a rock band and occasionally rock can be sort of terrible, but... no. Just no. It's a bunch of screeching and screaming over some rather unpleasantly loud music. I'm not a fan.

20:21Howie must disagree, cos he gives him a standing ovation. Sharon is the first to speak, though, and she loves that as one guy, he has guts and talent and somehow manages to make it work. She loves the way he uses the stage, but thinks he needs to put a bit more dance into the act. Howie see "so much emotion and so much passion" in what he does and appreciate that he's willing to "break [his] bones to save [his] life". He also thinks that Turf wants it more than anyone else in the competition. Huh. He clearly sees something I don't. Howard calls him an amazing talent, but cautions him as there are some other powerful dance acts on the show.

20:18Next up, it's emotional street dancer Turf, whose first audition I really liked. It's unfortunate that he's chosen to dance to a Black Eyed Peas song, but I'll try not to hold it against him. Again - he's a great dancer, though I'd argue he's more of a contortionist. He's incredibly talented at it, for sure, but at the same time... this is not a million dollar act. You've seen it once, you've seen it a million times. Sorry, Turf.

20:10The audience seems to love it, though, and I do have to admit that it's nice to see something with some serious cultural significance make it this far. Howard thinks that it's "amazing" and "dangerous, dangerous, dangerous", congratulating them on a great job on the routine. However, he says what I did - it gets boring. "Here in America, they want new, they want different, they want unique!" He doesn't think they're going to be one of the four acts to get through tonight, and I sorta agree (despite not having seen any others).

Sharon is also on board with what Howard and I are saying, though she's impressed by their strength and skill. She thinks they should start doing some martial arts with the lions to make it "a little bit more different" (LOL). Finally, Howie concurs with the rest of us and in fact didn't love it. He's seen it so many times and didn't see them step it up at all in this round.

20:07Let's not waste any time - it's time for the first act. Taking the stage is LionDanceMe, the martial arts dance group. It's a super creative and interesting art form, but I don't know that I'd watch a whole show of it in Vegas. The stunts look pretty dangerous and skilful, but it's so... boring. There, I said it. It wasn't the first time, or even the second, but after about the fifth, you sorta wonder why this is a finalist. Not even the David Guetta song in the background is helping (does it ever?), so I'm just not sure.

20:01And, we're off! Are you ready for a show that could theoretically air in an hour to be spread out to two? Me, too! Get your snacks ready, 'cos we're in for a long one, tonight!

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