America's Got Talent 4 (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The fourth season of America's Got Talent, an American television reality show talent competition, premiered on the NBC network on June 23, 2009. Country singer Kevin Skinner was named the winner on September 16, 2009. This season is the first season to be broadcast in high definition.
This season's host was Nick Cannon, who replaced Jerry Springer. Springer had said that he could not host due to other commitments. All Season 3 judges returned for the fourth season, despite rumors that Sharon Osbourne would be leaving the show.
Season 4 was David Hasselhoff's final season as a judge.
This season started broadcasting live on August 4, 2009.
Selection Process
Season 4 carries over Season 3's audition process. Out of the over 160 acts that passed through the preliminary auditions, 48 went on to perform in the live shows. This season, the callbacks were renamed "The Vegas Verdicts". Unlike previous seasons, the acts were not given a chance to perform a second time, unless prompted by the judges to as a challenge. The judges re-watched audition tapes and created a Top 40 based on the acts' preliminary performances, similar to the format used on sister show Britain's Got Talent. However, it was revealed during the first performance show that the judges, when prompted by executive producer Simon Cowell, called back eight acts that they previously had cut. This brought the total number of acts up to 48. Last season, the acts who passed through were divided into four groups, who performed over the course of two weeks with the acts who passed through from the previous night being announced before the next group of acts' performances. This year, each group in the Top 48 was divided into four groups of 12, but only one group performed per week, as a separate results show for the group aired the next day. This season was the first to feature results episodes lasting one hour on a weekly basis since Season 1.
During the performances episodes, if all three judges buzzed an act, the act was forced to end, unlike the previous season, where it could continue on for a short time. In the results episodes, five best acts from each group of twelve proceeded to the semi-finals - four acts were determined solely by viewers' votes, the judges decided between acts with the fifth and sixth highest viewers' vote totals. The twelve acts were presented to the audience in groups of two or three (usually similar acts - e.g. dancers, children - are put together) and then the host announced which of them moved forward and which of them had been eliminated. When three acts are presented as a group, the host would first announce an act from the three as the first act eliminated, then would announce which act from the remaining two remained in the competition. The final group were acts in the fifth and sixth places and the judges pick one of them by majority voting. At no time was the audience made aware of how many viewers' votes each act received.
In the semi-finals, the twenty acts who passed through the quarter-finals were divided into groups of 10. One of these groups performed each week, with a performance episode followed by the results the following day. Only four acts were supposed to pass through to the finals each week. Three are determined solely by viewers' votes, but the fourth and fifth place acts must face the judges' decision. However, in one case, the judges passed through both performers, as they could not make a decision. In the other case, the top five acts were passed through. Instead of previous seasons, where the finals contain four or five acts, this season the finale contained ten acts.
Preliminary auditions
This year, auditions were held in New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Seattle/Tacoma. Auditions were also held in Boston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. but not televised. A total of 160 acts advanced to the Las Vegas Round.
Second round
Las Vegas Week
Las Vegas Week aired on July 28, 2009 and July 29, 2009. Over the course of the two episodes, the over 160 acts that made it through the preliminary rounds were narrowed down to a Top 40 that made it through to the live performance rounds.
In the first episode of the "Las Vegas Verdicts", as Cannon referred to it, the episode started off with 25 of the 160 acts being eliminated right at the Las Vegas Airport. The remaining acts were then briefly shown enjoying the sights of Vegas, before the eliminations resumed. Acts were brought before the judges and informed of their fate. The judges selected three dance groups: Destined 2 Be, BreakSk8, and U4ria Dance Crew for a challenge. They were asked to perpare a dance routine for 12 hours plus they'll have the same piece of music. After they perform, the judges will decide which dance groups will advance to the Top 40 Quarterfinals.
In the second episode, the remainder of the Top 40 was revealed, and many more acts were eliminated. The three dance crews challenged in the previous episode were shown in a montage performing their challenge performance.
At the end of the second episode, Simon Cowell, executive producer of the show, called the judges on their flight back to Los Angeles, stating that he was unhappy with some of the eliminations the judges made. Cowell revealed that there was just "too much talent" eliminated, and that he felt that a number of these acts should be given another chance. As a result, 2 acts were brought back as wildcards during each quarterfinal round.
First Cut
Acts that were eliminated at the Las Vegas Airport include:
Circus R Us
Preliminaries, Episode 4: Contortion, hula hoops on unicycles
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Tallan Noble Latz
Preliminaries, Episode 7: 9 year old electric guitarist
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Nathan Burton
Preliminaries, Episode 7: Magician, he also appeared in season one
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Kari Callin
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Singer, sang "Somewhere" from West Side Story
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Ciana Pelekai
Preliminaries, Episode 10: 8 year old singer, sang "At Last".
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Alex Wesley
Preliminaries, Episode 10: 53-year-old dancer.
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Elminated.
Part One Cuts
Acts that were cut in the first episode of the Las Vegas Verdict included:
Keith Johnson
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Singer and guitarist, performed "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn.
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Tony Ferrante
Preliminaries, Episode 7: 74-year-old dancer, performed to "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester James.
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Joseph Constantine
Preliminaries, Episode 4: Magician
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
The Spiritual Harmonizers
Preliminaries, Episode 7: Close harmony singing group of Post Office workers.
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Fuchsia FoXXX
Preliminaries, Episode 4: Belly dancer
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
The Hurricane Tricksters
Preliminaries, Episode 4: Trickers
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Eliminated.
Part Two Cuts
Acts that were cut in the second episode of the Las Vegas Verdict included:
Rashida Jolley
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Performed and sang "Killing Me Softly" on the harp.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
Christopher & Laura Camp
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Whip act
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
Duo Design
Preliminaries, Episode 9: Hand balancers.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
The Flash
Preliminaries, Episode 9: Jugglers and acrobats.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
The Kalinins
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Father and son acrobats.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
Arthur Gulkarov
Preliminaries, Episode 7: Contortionist and dancer
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
Kara & Corey Britz
Preliminaries, Episode 9: Sibling guitarist/singer duo, performed "Every Breath You Take" by The Police.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
The Serenades
Preliminaries, Episode 9: Singers. Sang "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Auditioned as backup for Marcus Terrell. Eliminated.
Destined 2 Be
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Poppers, performed to "Shawty Get Loose" by Lil Mama.
Las Vegas Week (Part 1): Challenged by the judges. Given a new piece of music, they had 12 hours to come up with a performance to that music.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
Kelli Glover
Preliminaries, Episode 7: Sang "Listen" from Dreamgirls. Previously appeared on American Idol season one.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Eliminated.
Unknown Cut
Acts that were eliminated at an unknown stage of Las Vegas week.
Unexpected Step Team
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Step team
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Anointed S
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Vocal percussion
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Black Fire Percussion
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Drumline
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
NYC Gay Men's Chorus
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Singers
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Bruce and Simone
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Aerial artists, performed to "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" by Barry White
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Brad Byers
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Carnival sideshow style performer, put a fishing hook and a drill through his nose
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Urban Nation Hip-Hop Choir
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Show choir
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
The Jesse White Tumbling Team
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Acrobats
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Draconik
Preliminaries, Episode 1: Fire act
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Comic Bots
Preliminaries, Episode 2: A band consisting of performers dressed in homemade robot costumes
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Although this act was shown as surviving the initial airport cut, they did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Tom Durnin
Preliminaries, Episode 2: 52-year-old dancer and illusionist
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Joseph Harris
Preliminaries, Episode 3: Yo-yo performer
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
TJ & the Little Mamas
Preliminaries, Episode 5: 6- to 9-year-old dancers, performed to a hip-hop version of "Dance to the Music"
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Miss Germany
Preliminaries, Episode 5: Fire act
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Janice Martin
Preliminaries, Episode 5: Singer, violinist, and aerialist
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
The Scott Brothers
Preliminaries, Episode 5: Cartoon-style poppers
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Iconic Crew
Preliminaries, Episode 5: Dance crew
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Live in Color
Preliminaries, Episode 6: Dance crew
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Anna Pipoyan
Preliminaries, Episode 6: Belly dancer, danced with a lit candelabra prop on her head
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Eclipse
Preliminaries, Episode 6: Rapper
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Timez 2
Preliminaries, Episode 6: Hip-hop singing twins, sang "Yeah!" by Usher.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Simon Chaban
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Fire dancer
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Louis Bar & Laura Cantu
Preliminaries, Episode 8: Tango dancers
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Encore
Preliminaries, Episode 9: Dance crew
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Alycia Cooper
Preliminaries, Episode 9: Standup comic
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
N2UN
Preliminaries, Episode 9: Violinist/pianist duo.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Koshka Raenelle
Preliminaries, Episode 10: Singer, sang "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
E3
Preliminaries, Episode 10: Dancing trio.
Las Vegas Week (Part 2): Not shown, but did not make the Top 40, so presumed eliminated by the judges.
Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals began on August 4, 2009. Twelve acts (ten of the original Top 40, plus two wildcards) performed each week. A two-hour performance episode each Tuesday was followed by a one-hour results show the following day, where five of the twelve acts from the previous night remained in the competition. When an act got buzzed by all three judges, they must stop, unlike in the previous seasons, where at this stage acts were allowed to continue despite being buzzed by all judges. A large X appeared on the screen on stage, indicating the act had been struck out by the judges. Viewers were still able to vote for the buzzed act. The judges' choice, however, remained, as the judges got to decide whether the contestant who placed either in fifth or sixth place got to advance to the next round.
Week 1
The performance episode aired on August 4, 2009, 2 hours.
The results episode aired on August 5, 2009, 1 hour. It included performances by Terry Fator and Mariah Carey.
Elimination Table, Week 1
Key
Buzzed out
Judges' choice
Advanced to the semifinals.
Finished in either fifth or sixth place; Won the judges' vote.
Finished in either fifth or sixth place; Lost the judges' vote.
Italics indicate the act was a wild card. Order indicates when the act performed during the performance episode.
The Semifinals began on September 1, 2009. The process on stage is identical to that of the Quarterfinals, except there are no longer any new wild card acts.
Round 1
The performance episode aired September 1, 2009, 2 hours.
The results episode aired September 2, 2009, 1 hour. It included a performance from Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog (played by Artie Esposito filling in for an unavailable Steve Whitmire) singing "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," and one from David Hasselhoff singing "Feeling Good."
Round 1 Elimination Table
Key
Buzzed out
Judges' choice
Advanced to the finals.
Finished in either fourth or fifth place; Won the judges' vote.
As a result of there being no judges' choice the previous week of the semifinals, there was no judges' choice this week of competition, either.
Finals
The finale performances aired on Monday, September 14, 2009, 2 hours.
The finale results aired on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 2 hours, and included guest performances from Thelma Houston, Shakira, Rascal Flatts, cast members of Cirque Du Soleil, Leona Lewis, and runner-up of the third series of Britain's Got Talent, Susan Boyle. These acts were all highly praised by critics.
The performances episode averaged 13.84 million viewers, and the finale averaged 15.5 million viewers.
Finals, Elimination Chart
Here is the chart for the finals of the fourth season of America's Got Talent.
Key
Winner
Runner-Up
Finished in Third Place.
Finished in Fourth Place.
Finished in Fifth Place.
Finals, September 14-16, 2009
Order
Contestant
Performance Description
Result (September 16, 2009)
1
Voices of Glory
Sibling singers; sang "Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston.
Fifth Place
2
Hairo Torres
Contortionist dancer; danced to "Puttin' on the Ritz" by Rufus Wainwright and "Closer" by Ne-Yo.
Eliminated
3
Lawrence Beamen
Bass singer; sang "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" by Barry White.
Eliminated
4
Bárbara Padilla
Opera singer; sang "O Mio Babbino Caro" by Giacomo Puccini.
Thia Megia was the youngest of the top 13 finalists on the tenth season of American Idol. She is the first former America's Got Talent contestant to compete on American Idol, followed by Jessica Sanchez from America's Got Talent season 1 who competed in the following season of that show. She was eliminated in tenth place, along with eleventh place finalist Naima Adedapo.