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Two more spectacular acts advance as finalists in Canada’s Got Talent on Citytv

By BILL BRIOUX

Nine acts from across Canada set out to prove that they deserve a berth next week on the live season finale of Canada’s Got Talent, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Citytv and Citytv+.

Last week, viewers at home had voted two more acts through to the finale – The Turnbull Brothers and dance crew Cool Giraffes.

On Tuesday’s second and last semi-final show, the judges were back in their glitter-y, formal duds. First up were the Group Golden Buzzer winners from the audition round, The Cast. The Quebec dancers promised more drama in the semis. All dressed in white, the nimble troupe performed an orchestral routine, miming both the playing of instruments and the sweep of the music itself.

As it ended, judges and audience members all rose to their feet.  

“We were right,” said Howie Mandel. “You guys are epic.”


Next up was singer Raymond Salgado from Vancouver Island. The 24-year-old with the big voice performed a soaring cover of “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone. Lilly Singh called his authentic self “incredible.” Kardinal Offishall said he “enjoyed it from the first note to the last.”


Montreal-based dance acrobats CBA again wowed the judges with their tub-thumbing, high-flipping routines. They ended with a face-forward flip several shoulders high.

Kardi felt the routine was not as flawless as in their audition. Howie agreed. Trish Stratus, a former WWE wrestling star, disagreed. “Athlete to athlete, this was incredible.” Lilly was also impressed with their athleticism.


Singer songwriter Katherine Lynn-Rose, 19, returned with another original, autobiographical composition, this time titled, “Price of Perfection.” Again, it was very Broadway, well staged with the Burlington, Ont.-native joined by back-up singers on the giant wall-screen behind her. Her singing, this time, was as showcased as her song writing.

Lilly leapt to her feet after the performance. “Hands down one of my favourite acts.” Howie felt it was “Broadway worthy.” Kardi, who voted no in the auditions, admitted “I might have been wrong.”


Meave, the busker Howie discovered on the curb outside the Fallsview Casino, returned to perform “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette. The Niagara Falls singer rocked it backed by the CGT house band. The song choice was gutsy, I thought, because, well, the original is blistering.

“That’s a star,” proclaimed Howie. Lilly agreed. “I don’t know if I want to be you or date you.”


Magic Ben, the self-proclaimed “magician of the north” from Whitehorse, YT., drew the entire audience into his semi-final card trick. A deck of cards was placed at every seat in the theatre. Somehow, everybody wound up holding an Ace of hearts.

Too much time spent deck shuffling, thought Howie. Lilly also thought Magic Ben was better in the audition round. Kardi still felt freaked out. “Get rid of all the fluff.” Trish loved it.


Victoria-based comedian Curran Dobbs was back with his unkept hair and awkward antics.

“Good evening, ladies,” he began. Dobbs is autistic and gets government compensation. “I’m paid not to recognize social cues.” He ended with a song on his guitar about a turtle. What happens when he dies? ”Rigortortoise.”

The judges loved his offbeat routine. “You are hysterical,” said Howie, who hopes to see a comedian in the finale.


Lindsay Ell’s Golden Buzzer winner Anica from Grand Barachois, NB, returned with a cover of “I’d Do Anything For Love” by Meat Loaf. Anica brings an over-the-top theatrical energy to her act.

Kardi thought she was awesome; so, did Lilly, who called her a rock star. Howie felt she could do more.


It all came down to Howie’s Golden Buzzer winner, Geneviève Côté from Laval, QC. She calls herself a noise maker, but really, she’s a one-woman sound effects department. Her act ranged from bird calls and hoofbeats to almost all the soaring musical sounds from “The Good, the Bad and The Ugly.” Hers is a hard act to describe, but it definitely is unique.

Kardinal said she embodied “Céline Dion mixed with Quentin Tarantino.”

Said Howie, “You, in my mind should win this whole contest.”


The judges, of course, picked Geneviève Côté to go through to the finals. Joining her is The Cast.

Viewers will choose two more acts from Tuesday’s seven remaining semi-finalists. My votes would go to Katherine Lynn-Rose and Curran Dobbs, but we’ll find out next week when eight acts compete for the $150,000 grand prize.

It all wraps up in a two-hour live finale next Tuesday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Citytv and Citytv+.