America's Got Talent 6 (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Season six of America's Got Talent, a reality television series, premiered on May 31, 2011 on NBC. On September 14, 2011, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. was announced as the winner of season six. This was Piers Morgan's final season as a judge.
Preliminary auditions
Televised auditions for season six were held in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, Minneapolis, and New York City. Untelevised producers' auditions were also held in Denver and Chicago. Previews of auditions were shown during NBC's The Voice premiere during April and May 2011. Piers Morgan was absent for the first aired half of the auditions held in Minneapolis, due to being caught in a blizzard.
For the second year, a separate auditions round was also held on YouTube, with twelve acts advancing to the quarterfinal round to compete with the Top 48.
Las Vegas Week
Immediately following the final auditions episode, the first episode of Las Vegas Week aired on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, for two hours. The episode achieved a 4.6 in the adults 18-49 demographic, tying a series record set by the show's world premiere in 2006.
The second part of Las Vegas Week aired on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, for one hour.
This year, acts that passed through to Las Vegas Week performed at the Planet Hollywood Casino and Resort on the Las Vegas Strip, the same venue that hosted America's Got Talent Live in 2009.
Selection and elimination
Similar to last season, the judges split all the acts into three groups. Those in Group A were referred to as "the judges' favorites", and performed on Day 1 of Las Vegas Week. Those in Group B were seen as less likely to advance by the judges, and were declared "standby acts." These acts perform for the remaining spots after Group A on Day 2. The auditions of the Group C acts were declared by the judges to be the best and these acts moved on to compete in the Top 48 directly without performing in Las Vegas.
This year, the judges could also eliminate any act immediately after their performance if they felt the audition was sub-standard. Any audition that was at this level is in italics.
Group A: Judges' Favorites
Advanced
Charles Peachock - Juggler
Dani Shay - Singer
Dezmond Meeks - Singer
Duo Aero - Acrobats
Echo of Animal Gardens - Talking Bird Act
Fatally Unique - Dance Crew
The Fiddleheads - Bluegrass Band
Frank Miles - Danger Act
Geechy Guy - Comedian
J. Chris Newberg - Comedian/Guitarist
The Kinetic King - Kinetic Artist
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. - Jazz Singer
Mona Lisa - Singing Duo
POPLYFE - Band
Scott Alexander - Magician/Illusionist
Snap Boogie - Dancer
Steven Retchless - Pole Dancer
Summerwind Skippers - Jump-rope Acrobatic Troupe
Those Funny Little People - Novelty Dance Group
Yellow Designs Stunt Team - Stunt BMX Team
Zuma Zuma - Tumblers/Acrobats
Eliminated
4Play - Singing Group
The Angelic Team - Classical Singers
Armand and Angelina - Rock/Classical Singers
The Blue Bombshells - Dance Troupe
Brett Pemberton - Singer
Chicago's Ultimate Tumblers - Tumbling Act
Christina Bianco - Comedian
Cindy Chang - Opera Singer
Derek Sholl - Singer
Fantastic Fig & Cat - Close-up magician
Gary Mcintyre/Susan Kirkilin - Dancers
Harold - Singer
Hershae Chocolatae - Drag queen Impersonator
Jammin Jay Lamont - Comedian/Obama Impressionist
Jenn Marie Seamen - Comedian
Jesse the Jack Russell - Dog act
Kelsey Nord - Singer
Kevin Shelley - Board-Breaking Performer
LD Dance Company - Salsa Dance Troupe
Michael Turco - Magician/Illusionist
Mike Stone & The Kritikal Band - R&B Band
Mr. Johns - Dancer
Narsister - Acrobatics
Necessary Diva - Opera Singer
Ping Pong Guy - Ping Pong Act
Remedy - Vocal Group
Robert Carter - Singer
Ryan Andreas - Singer
Shemika Charles - Fire limbo acrobat
Shevonne Phillidor - Singer
Soleil Rousseau - Pole Dancer
The BGP - Rock Band
The Lost Boys - Rock Band
Vegas Birds - Parrot Act
Group B: Standby Acts
Advanced
Anna Graceman - Singer
Attack Dance Crew - Dance Crew
Avery and the Calico Hearts - Singing Trio
Daniel Joseph Baker - Singer
Dylan Andre - Singer
Ian Johnson - Yo-yo Performer
Landon Swank - Magician
Mauricio Herrera - Singer/Showman
Monet - Singer
Purrfect Angelz - Dance Troupe
Sam B - Dancer
Sandou Trio Russian Bar - Russian Bar Acrobats
Seth Grabel - Magician
SH'Boss Boys - Rapping Trio
Smage Brothers Riding Shows - Stunt Motorcyclists
Taylor Davis - Singer
Thomas John - Comedic Juggler
Eliminated
The Body Poets - Dance Group
Chad Selsinger - Singer
Daniel Martin - Kid Act
Elektrolytes - Dance Crew
Frank Olivier - Juggler/Fire-eater
Halls of Magic - Magicians
Jacob Greenhouse - Singer
Jason Quick - Danger Act
Jessica Coolidge - Pianist
Leonid the Magnificent - Variety Act
The Magic Charms - Magician
Meet Me at Fairfax and 3rd - Singer/Acrobat
Narcissister - Doll Headed Dancer
Preston Weber - Samoan Fire knife Dancer
Sadie - Singer/Child Performer
Soulman - Dancer/Singer/Entertainer
Tanner "Lil' T" Edwards - Dancer
Taptastic - Tap-dancing Duo
Tricky Jackson - Dancer
Group C: Advanced directly to the Top 48
Captain and Maybelle - Sideshow Performers
Fearless Flores Family - Stunt Motorcyclists
Lys Agnès - Opera Singer
Melissa Villasenor - Comedian/Impressionist
Miami All-Stars - Dance Troupe
Professor Splash - High Diver
Silhouettes - Silhouette Performers
Squonk Opera - Opera Singers
Team iLuminate - Glow-Light Dance Group
The Rhinestone Ropers - Western-style Danger Act
Unknown decision
These acts passed through the initial audition, but did not perform in Las Vegas due to personal reasons.
Brennan Figari - Aerial Artist
The Daring Jones Duo - Trapezize Duo
DJ Face - DJ Act
ELEW - Pianist
Illumni Men's Chorale - A cappella group
Mrs. Smith - Rock Guitarist
Olivia Bellafontaine - Burlesque Dance
Rachel Zamstein - Singer and guitarist
Sally Gould Dancers - Dance Troupe
St. Luke's Bottle Band - Bottle Band
The Art of Teknique - Dance Trio
Viva La Muerte - Dancer/Stripper
Footnotes
Quarterfinals
The Quarterfinals began on July 12, 2011, and ended on August 17, 2011, with the conclusion of the Wild Card results episode. This round includes the Top 48 acts which passed through Las Vegas Week, the acts that passed through the YouTube audition rounds, and a Wild Card show featuring previously eliminated quarterfinalists.
Key
Buzzed out
Judges' choice
Advanced to the semifinals.
Finished in either fourth or fifth place; Won the judges' vote.
Finished in either fourth or fifth place; Lost the judges' vote.
Top 48, Week 1 (July 12-13)
Guests: Avril Lavigne, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Order
Performer
Act description
Buzzes and judges' choices
Mandel
Osbourne
Morgan
1
Miami All-Stars
Dance troupe
2
Dezmond Meeks
Singer
3
Those Funny Little People
Novelty dancers
4
Fearless Flores Family
Stunt motorcyclists
5
Squonk Opera
Operatic band
6
J. Chris Newberg
Comedic singer
7
Snap Boogie
Dancer
8
Echo of Animal Gardens
Talking bird act
9
The Fiddleheads
Bluegrass band
10
Duo Aero
Acrobatics/trapeze aerialists
11
Anna Graceman
Singer
12
Sandou Trio Russian Bar
Acrobats
Footnotes
Top 48, Week 2 (July 19-20)
Guests: Hot Chelle Rae, TRACES
Order
Performer
Act description
Buzzes and judges' choice
Mandel
Osbourne
Morgan
1
Attack Dance Crew
Dancers
2
Dani Shay
Singer/musician
3
Geechy Guy
Stand-up comedian
4
Daniel Joseph Baker
Singer/pianist
5
The Rhinestone Ropers
Wild West Performers
6
Dylan Andre
Singer/musician
7
Landon Swank
Magician/Illusionist
8
Smage Brothers Riding Shows
Stunt motorcyclists
9
Thomas John
Comedic Juggler
10
Steven Retchless
Pole dancer
11
Mona Lisa
Twin singers
12
Silhouettes
Silhouette dance group
Top 48, Week 3 (July 26-27)
Guests: Stevie Nicks, Fighting Gravity, The Smurfs
Guests: OK Go and Pilobolus, Keenan Cahill, Tay Zonday, Rebecca Black, Up and Over It (a YouTube act from Britain's Got Talent).
This special quarterfinal featured acts who submitted their auditions via YouTube.
Order
Performer
Act description
Buzzes and judges' choices
Mandel
Osbourne
Morgan
1
TNC Elite
Clogging dance troupe
2
Illusionist Brett Daniels
Magician/illusionist
3
Gabe Rocks
Dog trick act
4
Aeon
Parkour acrobats
5
Breena Bell
Gymnast/dancer/contortionist
6
Kevin Colis
Singer/musician
7
Beth Ann Robinson
Dancer
8
Gymkana
Gymnastics/acrobatic troupe
9
Kalani Basketball Freestyle
Basketball juggler
10
West Springfield Dance Team
Dance troupe
11
Matt Wilhelm
Blacklight stunt cyclist
12
Powerhouse
Show Choir
Wild Card Show (August 16-17)
This year, the Wild Cards were selected by the judges with input from an online audience on the show's website, although it was up to producers to decide whether the public audience's opinion was necessary.
All five acts that were not picked in the judges choice have been invited back to the wild card show.
The semifinals of season six of America's Got Talent began on August 23, 2011, and concluded on August 31, 2011. At this stage of the competition, 24 acts that advanced past the quarterfinals performed live for a viewers' and judges' votes. Also, in this round, five acts advanced instead of four.
Key
Buzzed out
Judges' choice
Advanced to the Top 10.
Finished in either fifth or sixth place; Won the judges' vote.
Finished in either fifth or sixth place; Lost the judges' vote.
The Top 10 round consisted of two episodes in one week. The performance episode aired on September 6, 2011, and the results episode concluded on September 7, 2011. The performance show featured an appearance from season five winner Michael Grimm. The results show featured performances by Il Divo.
Top Ten
Order
Contestant
Performance description
Result
Notes
1
Miami All-Stars
Dance troupe; danced a cheerleading-themed Salsa routine to Will Smith's "Miami"
Eliminated
Buzzed by Piers Morgan
2
Lys Agnès
Opera Singer; sang "Dream On" by Aerosmith
Eliminated
3
Landon Swank
Magician/illusionist; an illusion to Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" and OneRepublic's "Secrets", where he conjured a live goldfish from a goldfish cracker; In the second part, he pushed his hand and arm through an apparently solid piece of glass and released the goldfish into an aquarium
Eliminated
4
Anna Graceman
Sang Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors"
Eliminated
5
Silhouettes
Silhouette performers; a theme based on a child's American Dream to "I Believe" by Blessid Union of Souls
Advanced
6
Smage Brothers Riding Shows
Stunt motorcyclists; motorcycle tricks on a skateboarding park-like set to Sum 41's "Fat Lip"
Eliminated
7
POPLYFE
Band; a medley of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There", "I Want You Back", and "The Love You Save".
Advanced
Accidentally buzzed by Sharon Osbourne after their performance
8
West Springfield Dance Team
Dance troupe; a vampire theme
Eliminated
Buzzed by Piers Morgan
9
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Jazz Singer; "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" by Dean Martin
The finals of season six took place over two nights. The one-hour performance episode aired on September 13, 2011, and featured a performance from season two winner Terry Fator.
The two-hour finale aired on September 14, 2011, featuring special performances from many guest performers, including Def Leppard, OneRepublic, a duet with Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah, the cast of Cirque du Soleil's Iris, and season five runner-up Jackie Evancho. It also included celebrity-contestant duet performances. Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. performed with Patti LaBelle, Team iLuminate with Cobra Starship, the Silhouettes with LeAnn Rimes, and POPLYFE with Stevie Wonder.
The performance show was watched by 13.67 million viewers, and the finale achieved 14.37 million viewers. In its last half hour, the AGT final had 16.56 million viewers. The combined two-night final was watched by an average of 14.02 million viewers. Even though down from last year's finale, AGT notably rated higher than the 23rd season premiere of CBS's hit reality series Survivor: South Pacific.
This was the season's only live show without any intentional buzzes.
Glow-light dance group; a large scale, synchronized routine with kaleidoscopic effects to "Feel So Close" by Calvin Harris and a remix of the same song by Nero
Third place
3
POPLYFE
Band; performed "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" by Queen
Fourth place
4
Silhouettes
Silhouette performers; a routine about a young girl who dreams of traveling to see the world to the song "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
Runner-up
Act's start was delayed by technical difficulties; Sharon Osbourne's buzzer went off accidentally after the performance
Round chart
The following is the list of the 48 quarterfinalists who passed through Las Vegas Week, the 12 contestants that were picked from a separate circuit of YouTube auditions, and one Wild Card Act who was originally eliminated in Las Vegas.
Italic indicates the act was picked from a YouTube audition and was not featured in the preliminary auditions or Las Vegas Week; therefore, the quarterfinals were their debut to the competition.
Key
{{colorbox}} Winner
{{colorbox}} Runner-up
{{colorbox}} Finalist
{{colorbox}} Top Ten finalist
{{colorbox}} Semifinalist
{{colorbox}} Wild Card
Name/Name of Act
Age(s)
Genre
Act
Hometown
Qtr. Final (Week)
Semi Final (Week)
Position reached
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
36
Singing
Jazz singer
Logan, West Virginia
3
2
First Place
Silhouettes
4-18
Dance
Silhouette dancers
Denver, Colorado
2
2
Runner-up
Team iLuminate
25-33
Dance
Glow-light dance group
Los Angeles, California
4
1
Third place
POPLYFE
12-16
Music
Band
Oakland, California
3
1
Fourth place
Anna Graceman
11
Music
Singer
Juneau, Alaska
1
2
Eliminated
Landon Swank
26
Magic
Magician/illusionist
Wasilla, Alaska
2, 6
2
Eliminated
Lys Agnès
27
Music
Opera singer
Denver, Colorado
3
1
Eliminated
Miami All-Stars
13-43
Dance
Dance troupe
Miami, Florida
1
1
Eliminated
Smage Brothers Riding Shows
18-25
Performance
Stunt motorcyclists
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
2
2
Eliminated
West Springfield Dance Team
N/A
Dance
Dance troupe
Springfield, Virginia
5, 6
1
Eliminated
Beth Ann Robinson
14
Dance
Dancer
Dothan, Alabama
5
1
Eliminated
Daniel Joseph Baker
20
Music
Singer
Katy, Texas
2
1
Eliminated in Judge's Choice
Fatally Unique
13-22
Dance
Dance Crew
Rockford, Illinois
4
2
Eliminated
Gymkana
N/A
Performance
Acrobatics
College Park, Maryland
5
2
Eliminated
Kevin Colis
33
Music
Singer
New Braunfels, Texas
5
1
Eliminated
The Kinetic King
47
Variety
Kinetic artist
Saint Paul, Minnesota
4, 6
2
Eliminated
Matt Wilhelm
32
Performance
Stunt Bike Rider
Chicago, Illinois
5
1
Eliminated
Melissa Villasenor
23
Comedy
Comedian/impressionist
Whittier, California
4
1
Eliminated
Professor Splash
50
Danger
High diver
Denver, Colorado
3
2
Eliminated
Sandou Trio Russian Bar
25-43
Danger
Acrobats
San Antonio, Texas
1
1
Eliminated
Snap Boogie
18
Dance
Dancer
Boston, Massachusetts
1
2
Eliminated in Judge's Choice
Steven Retchless
24
Dance
Pole dancer
Las Vegas, Nevada
2
2
Eliminated
Summerwind Skippers
22-36
Performance
Jump rope acrobats
Boise, Idaho
3, 6
2
Eliminated
Zuma Zuma
28-42
Performance
Tumblers/acrobats
Las Vegas, Nevada
4
1
Eliminated
Avery and the Calico Hearts
9-10
Music
Vocal trio
Lubbock, Texas
4, 6
N/A
Eliminated
Charles Peachock
35
Juggling
Juggler
Kent, Ohio
4, 6
N/A
Eliminated
The Fiddleheads
21-23
Music
Bluegrass band
Dahlonega, Georgia
1, 6
N/A
Eliminated in Judge's Choice
J. Chris Newberg
41
Comedy
Comedian/guitarist
Birmingham, Michigan
1, 6
N/A
Eliminated
Seth Grabel
29
Magic
Magician/showman
Los Angeles, California
3, 6
N/A
Eliminated
Shevonne Phillidor
20
Music
Singer/musician
Tampa, Florida
6
N/A
Eliminated
Those Funny Little People
23-53
Performance
Novelty dancers/performers
Chicago, Illinois
1, 6
N/A
Eliminated
Yellow Designs Stunt Team
25-41
Performance
Stunt bikers
Monument, Colorado
4, 6
N/A
Eliminated
Aeon
N/A
Performance
Parkour performers
Los Angeles, California
5
N/A
Eliminated
Attack Dance Crew
19-25
Dance
Dancers
Tallahassee, Florida
2
N/A
Eliminated
Breena Bell
8
Dance performance
Dancer/gymnast
Lincoln, Alabama
5
N/A
Eliminated
Brett Daniels
50
Magic
Magician/illusionist
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5
N/A
Eliminated
Captain and Maybelle
38, 32
Danger
Sideshow performers
Douglasville, Georgia
3
N/A
Eliminated
Dani Shay
22
Music
Singer/musician
Orlando, Florida
2
N/A
Eliminated
Dezmond Meeks
28
Singing
Singer/Pianist
Pineville, Louisiana
1
N/A
Eliminated
Duo Aero
23, 24
Performing
Trapeze aerialists
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1
N/A
Eliminated
Dylan Andre
19
Singing
Singer/Musician
Zieglersville, Pennsylvania
2
N/A
Eliminated
Echo of Animal Gardens
15, 32
Animal act
Talking/singing bird
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
1
N/A
Eliminated
Fearless Flores Family
8-35
Performance
Stunt motorcyclists
Myakka City, Florida
1
N/A
Eliminated
Frank Miles
50
Performance
Danger act
San Francisco, California
4
N/A
Eliminated
Gabe Rocks
N/A
Animal act
Dog tricks
Bellingham, Washington
5
N/A
Eliminated
Geechy Guy
46
Comedy
Stand-up comedian
Rochester, Michigan
2
N/A
Eliminated
Ian Johnson
16
Performance
Yo-yo performer
Hebron, Illinois
3
N/A
Eliminated
Kalani Basketball Freestyle
24
Performance
Basketball juggling
Honolulu, Hawaii
5
N/A
Eliminated
Mauricio Herrera
33
Music
Singer/showman
Orange, California
3
N/A
Eliminated
Mona Lisa
29
Music
Vocal duo
Santa Ana, California
2
N/A
Eliminated
Monet
12
Singing
Singer
Charlotte, North Carolina
3
N/A
Eliminated
Powerhouse
N/A
Singing
Choir
Burbank, California
5
N/A
Eliminated
Purrfect Angelz
22-36
Dance
Dance troupe
Hollywood, California
3
N/A
Eliminated
The Rhinestone Ropers
28, 52
Performance
Western-style danger act
Jerome, Idaho
2
N/A
Eliminated
Sam B
32
Dancing
Dancer
Falls Church, Virginia
4
N/A
Eliminated
Scott Alexander
41
Magic
Magician/illusionist
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
4
N/A
Eliminated
SH'Boss Boys
5-7
Performing
Rap trio
Atlanta, Georgia
3
N/A
Eliminated
Squonk Opera
33-52
Music
Operatic band
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1
N/A
Eliminated
Taylor Davis
18
Music
Singer/musician
Leesburg, Georgia
4
N/A
Eliminated
Thomas John
22
Comedy/performance
Juggler
San Francisco, California
2
N/A
Eliminated
TNC Elite
N/A
Dance
Cloggers
Charlotte, North Carolina
5
N/A
Eliminated
Footnotes
Production
On July 27, 2010, Piers Morgan announced that he had signed a three-year contract with the show, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The show's taping began in March 2011 and all of the judges were present which confirmed that all three judges, as well as host Nick Cannon, were returning. However, in November 2011, Morgan announced that he would not be returning to the show, due to him focusing on his CNN show, Piers Morgan Tonight.
NBC started promos for the show during the premiere of The Voice on April 26, also noting a change in some of the color schemes in the logo with the United States in the foreground. The judge's desk is converted to be more like that of Britain's Got Talent with a three dimensional "X".
On May 16, 2011, Mandel had a television appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where he talked about the show. Mandel described the show as the most dangerous. During the interview, he said that the ambulance came to the set about six times to care for some of the injured contestants.
This year, the show generally carried over its format from the previous season. The auditions process and Las Vegas Week were unchanged, while the live shows, which consisted of multiple rounds of quarterfinals (including two special weeks for YouTube acts and "Wild Card" performers), two weeks of semifinals, and two subsequent final rounds, had only minor changes from season five.