Baton twirler comes to ‘America’s’ rescue

Typically, you know the night has gone south when you’re relying on a baton twirler and a nine-piece family band as the highlight of your entertainment for the evening. But, as summertime TV draws near a close, that was the situation on “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday night.

1. More Entertainment stories
   1. Will Smith shines in 'Men in Black III'
      

      REVIEW: If you're not a fan of Will Smith's smooth-talking Agent J in the "Men in Black" franchise, don't see the third mo...

   2. Can WWII film hidden by Army help veterans?
   3. Happy 35th anniversary, 'Star Wars'!
   4. Tim McGraw giving homes, hope to veterans
   5. Phillip Phillips has a double double name name

Most of the 10 acts competing for five spots in the semifinals were mediocre, at best, and it was baton twirler Jonathan Burkin and the Taubl family who made their push to save the night. Previous favorites, including opera singers Michael Strelo-Smith and Shequida, and Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall, failed to impress but could still have a shot a the prize, depending on America’s vote.

But first, it was time to cut five of the acts that performed on Wednesday night. The dream for $1 million and a show on the Vegas strip remained alive for the likes of Frank Sinatra impersonator Paul Salos; The Wright Kids; Army sergeant/singer Daniel Jens and R&B singer Queen Emily. That left the inflatable sports mascots group, the Zooperstars, up against the 21-piece dance crew, Beyond Belief Dance Company for the final spot among last week’s 10 competitors. It wasn’t long before the members of Beyond Belief were attempting to hug inflatable ducks and beavers and wondering where their hopes and dreams had gone.

He’s on fire
Burkin, whose story of being bullied by other kids because of his chosen craft of baton twirling, became familiar to “Talent” fans in the first week of this season, put on a stellar display. Burkin twirled as many as three batons, lit with flames on both ends, at one time, including flips and other pyrotechnics in the routine to invigorate the evening with some serious heat when it was sorely needed.

Judge Piers Morgan said Burkin was “incredible” and said that he’s “the kind of act, like Terry Fator last year, who nobody thinks could win until they’ve won. You could do it.”

The judges and the producers are clearly riding this Terry Fator thing out as long as it’ll take them, but it’s Burkin’s type of act — the completely unexpected, variety act form of entertainment — that will continue to make “Talent” stand apart from its obvious counterpart, “American Idol.”

The Taubl family went contemporary, giving their nine-piece harmony treatment, which previously worked well on material from “The Sound of Music,” to Rhianna’s “Umbrella.” It was a surprising choice for the seemingly traditional and straight-laced act, and it worked.

The family performed as the fifth of 10 acts Tuesday night and judge Sharon Osbourne said, “It was looking very grim until you lot came on.” Mom and dad were dressed hipper than usual and the sound was more modern than expected as the Taubl family made a bit of impression when others failed to live up to expectations.

Boy, oh Boyd
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the evening came from Strelo-Smith, who had been pitted all season against Neal E. Boyd in the mini-competition between the big-time opera singers. Boyd blew the judges and the audience away last week, easily earning a spot in the next round of the competition.

But Strelo-Smith, given his chance on Tuesday, not only failed to impress the judges — he was buzzed by Piers and Sharon — but he put on a display of attitude toward them that might not sit well with fans, and certainly didn’t please Sharon.

Piers told Strelo-Smith that his performance and dress “screamed one word to me: karaoke.” Strelo-Smith fired back, “I’m proud of who I am, how I present myself, and I’m sorry, Mr. Morgan, that you really can’t see what is inside and what drives me.”

Sharon told Strelo-Smith, “It’s not good to talk back” and gestured a “zip your lips” type of motion. She proceeded to pile on a bit, saying the performance “screamed to me ‘music teacher.’” And he shot back again, saying, “And that’s a very admirable thing.” She told him again to shush and handed it over to The Hoff, who said he loved it. But the damage may have been done.

Victor Balta is a writer in Philadelphia.