'AGT' Semi-Final Week One Recap

This week's 12 semi-finalists | Photos: America's Got Talent

NBC's, arguably, most popular show is in its last month of competition.

America's Got Talent began its first of two semi-finals this week, pitting 12 of the best acts against each other with six moving on to the finals.

It was a - well - interesting night. There were many great performances and a few duds. Here's what I thought about each act.

Tone The Chiefrocca

I'm still shaking my head that judge, Mel B, brought these guys back as a wildcard. In case you haven't been keeping up, the duo sings one song - "B-DOUBLE O-TY" - which was hilarious the first time they auditioned but now it's just annoying. Have to give it to them, the guys are really funny and bring a lot of energy but this act is not good enough to move on.

Red Panda

One member of the acrobatic duo, The KriStef Brothers, experienced an injury that prevented him from performing so Howie brought in his wildcard pick, Red Panda. This is a balancing act of sorts where a woman is on a tall unicycle, balancing bowls on her foot and then flipping them up on her head. 

She flew into New York the morning of the show so she had little time to prepare. Despite that, she amped up her act and fared pretty well. She did drop a bowl while flipping them up to her head which could cost her. I still applaud her, though, because I know I couldn't even balance on the unicycle much less flip bowls onto my head.

Angela Hoover

The celebrity impressionist got some criticism that her material wasn't all that great during her quarterfinal performance. She definitely worked on it and was spot on in my opinion, with her impressions of Arianna Huffington and Sharon Osbourne - among others - being spot on.

Duo Resonance

Heidi's pick for a wildcard last week was this acrobatic/strength group. The act is great and I know I couldn't do the things they do but each performance is too lovey dovey for me. The two performers are a couple and each performance shows the beauty of the male/female relationship. 

Heidi preaches about having acts that she can take her children to. While this may be an "appropriate" act to do that I bet young children wouldn't really get the point of it. I'm 21 and I wouldn't pay a high price per ticket for a Vegas show to watch this for an hour or more.

Collins Key

I'm a little biased because Collins is my favorite on the show. The guy is only 17 yet pulls off magic tricks like a pro. His act this go 'round had the judges playing match maker, matching Collins up with the "perfect date."

Long story short, a young lady who had a special red card under her seat was pulled from the audience. Each judge had to choose a ball from separate bags naming a characteristic of his "date" - hair color, what she was wearing, shoes and a "wildcard."

Right before his act, America chose via Twitter hashtag where the newly formed couple would go on a date. Every single item selected matched the characteristics of the woman and Collins had the hashtag selection written on his arm. I'm still in shock every time I see one of his magic tricks.

Innovative Force

This dance team is pretty awesome. But tonight was interesting for the young girls. It seemed like everything on stage was a little too busy, taking the focus off the dance team itself. The judges echoed my opinion. Overall, they are still pretty amazing to watch.

Dave Fenley

I really liked how Dave decided to just be himself and sing with his guitar instead of some big getup.

That being said, I didn't like the fact that he went with a Spice Girls song. I guess it was an effort to impress Mel B - who was "Scary Spice." I liked the fact he threw in bits of beat boxing which was different for him but it was just okay for me.

Taylor Williamson

#Taylords unite! Taylor is a person who can turn pretty much anything into something funny. The comedian brought the house down with his simple, witty and awkward comedy. He's just a likable guy overall.

Jonathan Allen

This young opera singer has an amazing story of overcoming adversity in his life.

His family disowned him after he revealed he was gay. But that didn't stop him from pursuing his dream. He decided to cut down his performance to just himself and a piano. It was beautiful and showed a different side than just all power notes. Unfortunately, it was just okay for me.

Cami Bradley

She is already a star but I'm really glad she's on the show. Cami kept with the theme for singers tonight and did a stripped down performance of the Elvis Presley classic "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" on a platform right in the middle of the Radio City Music Hall audience. 

There's really nothing more to say than wow! The only thing is I wish she would do a more upbeat song and not get content with doing these slower songs.

Catapult

This dance group brought something the show had never seen before: telling stories through shadows and dance. Although what the group does is amazing, I can't see myself paying a lot of money to sit at a show and watch the same thing over and over for an hour or more. Like me, the judges seemed to have also been confused as to what story the group was trying to tell. I think America will agree. 

Forte

Although it was harsh, judge, Howie Mandel, was right when he said that Forte booted Jonathan Allen out of the competition. The trio's rendition of the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" received the only standing ovation of the night from the four judges.

So who will make it through? In no particular order, here are my top six:

Collins Key, Forte, Taylor Williamson, Cami Bradley, Angela Hoover and Dave Fenley

Watch to see who are the first six acts to move on TONIGHT at 9/8c on NBC.