I read about the 'domestic violence' this morning, and was pretty upset and very disappointed in him. It may have been one of those incidents where the media blows it all out of proportion, at least I hope that's what it is. His wife didn't press any charges, so that's a good sign, I think. About 'backstories', some background info is nice to know, and should be included, I think. But I wish they wouldn't blow it all out of proportion like they do. A few seasons of AGT ago, there was a young female singer who was from a town within 20 miles of where I grew up. Naturally, I started out with high hopes for her. But every appearance, they made such a big issue of how poor she was, could only get 'menial' type jobs, such as waiting tables, had been raised by foster parents, hadn't seen any of her family in years, etc. It got to be pretty sickening to listen to. So I looked her up on the AGT website, and the facts were presented quite differently. Yes, she waited tables, in a very classy high-end restaurant. She hadn't seen her family, by her own choice, she hadn't been 'abandoned' by them as had been implied, she owned her own home, drove a very nice car, etc. Seems like it would have put her in a much better light if they had just presented the facts and not turned it into some kind of sob story. Basic backstory facts are fine, good to know. But don't turn it all into sob stories and dwell on them on and on, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Rusty

Oops! Sorry about the wrong last name, blame it on my poor hearing, I guess. And yes, I knew that about Courtney. I recognise that she is very talented, but her music just isn't anything I care to listen to. She sure has some good moves, though, she's fun to watch. It bothers me when they say she is following in Janis Joplin's footsteps (I didn't like her music, either), but not because I don't want her to succeed. I hope she has a very successful career, if that's what she wants. But didn't Joplin end up dying from a drug overdose? So many talented people wind up addicted to drugs & alcohol & who knows what all, I just dread seeing young people, especially as young as Courtney & Darci Lynne, heading down that road to fame. You could really see the judges and the whole audience perk up and take notice when Howie asked her what the song was, and she told him it was an original that she wrote.

No, Lily, you aren't the only one that doesn't care for that Spanish lady. I don't like that kind of music at all! Another not so favorite of mine was Brian Justin Crum. I would have enjoyed the Deadly Games act a lot more if those two hadn't been screeching on the sidelines. I don't know how he could concentrate on throwing those knives with all that racket on the stage with them. And the gal that did the sand painting! While I was very happy she advanced as far as she did, it also surprised me for some reason. I love her art, though. And she is so pretty, and so poised and elegant! Darci Lynn has been one of my very favorite favorites from the first time I saw her a couple of years ago. I think her talent is amazing, especially at her young age. Shin Lim is the first card trick magician (not sure what the 'proper' name for his act would be) that has ever been able to hold my attention much past their first trick. He is amazing! Paul Potts has a nice voice, but I found his performance to be pretty blah. No emotion or personality that I could see. But, different strokes for different folks. We all like different things, and that is a good thing. This world would be a pretty boring place if everyone were alike! Can you imagine the tension they were under standing up there waiting for the results? Even the judges looked like they were about to collapse under it! Rusty

Yes, I watched it last night. And laughed till I had tears running down my face over that last act. Or rather, the way the last act ended. The act itself wasn't all that great. That guy usually isn't. It didn't start over again here, it was followed by a new program. Think it was called 'Snake in the Grass' or something like that. I didn't watch it, I'm not into snakes or survivalist programs, or whatever it was. Rusty