I am one of those old biddy’s who is always last on the band wagon (excuse the pun!). But they really got it right all those years ago when they took the gamble to set these talent shows rolling and I am now fully signed up to it.  So, the auditions for the latest America’s Got Talent series are over and we’re almost on the home straight. I have to admit this is generally when I switch the TV on, and reception permitting (we’re still quite backward with television in the UK with the digital switchover seemingly interfering with those most important of America’s Got Talent moments) I will be tuning in to see what remarkable voices and hidden talents have been lurking undetected for the last couple of decades.

Of course it’s not always good and the only off putting part of the show is that sometimes they do appear to put people forward for the comedy content (of a serious performer) rather than the talent these people bestow in the auditions or is that just my backward and sceptical thinking?

So, here is a list of the last 5 selected to join the top 10 performers that we will no doubt see a whole lot more of in the coming weeks and months regardless of the outcome;

• Recycled Percussion, a musical band from Goffstown, NH
• Lawrence Beamen, a singer from Walnut Creek, CA
• Hairo Torres, a contortionist break-dancer from Grants Pass, OR
• Drew Stevyns, a singer/guitarist from Sykesville, MD
• Barbara Padilla, an opera singer from Houston, TX

These individuals are reported not to have created any surprises by being selected perhaps making for a reasonably boring America’s Got Talent final in terms of the tension?  Both ways, some remarkable acts have appeared on the America’s Got Talent series, and I for one will be sitting up to watch. Here are the other 5 finalists previously selected to go forward to the finals;

• Tenor trio The Texas Tenors
• Stand-up comedian Grandma Lee
• Singer and guitarist Kevin Skinner
• Sibling singing trio The Voices of Glory
• Tap dancing sisters Fab 5

Once the Top 10 were revealed, America’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan identified Barbara Padilla as his favorite to take home the title. I quote, "Barbara I watched back the performance you gave last night.  I can honestly say I think it was the single greatest vocal performance we've ever had on America’s Got Talent," said Piers. 

"But my only advice to you is you're now the red-hot favorite.  That's a difficult position to be in going into the finals... Everybody else now knows how good they've got to be to try and beat you, and I can't wait for the final because it's going to be incredible."

America’s Got Talent's Top 10 fourth-season finalists will all perform on Monday, September 14 at 8PM ET/PT, after which home viewers will be able to vote for their favorite acts.

America’s Got Talent's fourth-season champ will then be revealed live during a two-hour finale broadcast on Wednesday at 8PM ET/PT.

I must admit that as a Brit I enjoy the entertainment provided by the judging of Sharon and the admirable contribution of David Hasselhoff, however I do hope that our US brothers and sisters don’t for a moment believe that Mr Morgan’s attempts at being in Simon Cowell’s league are believable over here.

Quite frankly I preferred Piers when he was working invisibly from his Fleet Street office and think perhaps it’s time to give another person a try. I always find that being a talent judge comes better from those who actually know what talent is and whilst he may have got it right this time is that not because the outcome is staring him right in the face?

Anyway, Good luck to all those America’s Got Talent individuals, whilst you won’t be able to hear my applause it will be coming to you loud and enthusiastically from directly across the pond!