'America's Got Talent' recap: Five (yes, five) acts survive

‘America’s Got Talent’ recap: Five (yes, five) acts survive

By Amy Reiter

July 26, 2012 12 AM PT

At the end of the day, not four but five acts managed to survive the “America’s Got Talent” results show Wednesday night – on which Cher Lloyd and the cast of Broadway’s “Once” performed, but a promised clip of Justin Bieber’s new video “As Long as You Love Me,” failed to be aired, much to the Bieb’s tweeted dismay.

Four made it through to the semifinals, as expected, but then judge Sharon Osbourne picked one more quarterfinalist to return as a wild-card act. That meant some very worthy contenders were sent home, though it’s pretty easy to imagine that some of those too may return as wild-card contenders.

So who made it through?

The remarkable dog act Olate Dogs, whose good fortune prompted yet another standing ovation from Osbourne. “I cannot wait to see you perform again,” she said. “I’m so excited.”

Earth harp musician William Close, whom Howie Mandel called the “most marketable” act in contention this season, whatever that means.

Sand/light artist/storyteller Joe Castillo, who Howard Stern said was not only a talented artist and “uplifting” storyteller but also “a guy with a heart.” At Stern’s urging, Castillo ditched his trademark beret, tossing it to the judges. Now if only he’d lose that vest.…

As these three acts advanced, many more — kitschy singer Ulysses, human cannonball David “The Bullet” Smith, talented young dancers Unity in Motion, kid mariachi singer Sebastien “El Charro de Oro,” crotch-shot king Horse (sporting a big shiner for his troubles), and music duo Eric and Olivia — were sent packing.

The three remaining acts were called to the stage. They had finished fourth, fifth and sixth in the audience vote, Nick Cannon informed us, with less than 1% of the vote separating them. But one act (No. 6) was dispensed forthwith.

So long, perky, sweet solo dancer Lindsey Norton, who remained chipper till the end. “It was so amazing,” she said of her time on the show. “It couldn’t have been any better.”

That left mind reader Eric Dittelman and male cloggers All That! for the judges to choose between. Mandel picked Dittelman, saying he was the act that he was “dying to see again.” Osbourne went with All That!

Stern cast the tiebreaking vote for Dittelman, and it looked like it was all over for All That! — until Osbourne broke through the clamor to announce she was choosing the brawny male dancers as her first wild-card pick. All That! would survive to perform on “America’s Got Talent” again.

Which other acts would you like to see make it through as wild-card picks?

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