So, is it just me, or do you think that it's unfair of the show to tell competitors to "spice up their act" or whatnot, and then not let them even perform? I mean, for me, if I made it through to that round, and was told to practice like there were no tomorrow, I know I would work harder than I had ever done before. And then to have that waiting period where you don't know if you're going to be called or not, I just think it's wrong. I mean, I'd much rather be told upfront, "Hey, you're out. Don't waste your energy practicing for something that won't even happen."

That and another thing. Telling people to spice up their acts is quite demoralizing. I mean, who--other than that crazy bowling ball dude--would do an act that they knew was not their best during auditions? Unless they were absolutely certain that they would get accepted, it would be silly not to do their best. I dunno. Being a talented individual myself, and hoping to maybe try-out next season, I have quite a few concerns about the way the program is run.

First, if your name has anything to do with the talent you're planning on using, I'd say go for it. And from being both a forensics competitor and judge, a piece of advice would be to ask exactly what they mean when they say spice it up. (For anyone who doesn't know what forensics is, it's speech and debate. Basically, we do for fun what many people fear more than death.) Sometimes an outside observer who doesn't know where you started and how far you've come might have an idea you've never thought of. Another thing is to stay humble, while still standing your ground. If they think you're not going to listen, they're not going to try to help you. But if they know that you are someone who is going to take this as far as you possibly can and will take any help you can get, they'll be willing to help you get there.

Also, the judges had a private screening/deliberation that decided who would get to go on, so the contestants did get to do their "spiced up" version for someone, just not for us. And unfortunately maybe the contestants who didn't do so well tonight didn't have enough time to prepare something as spectacular as what they did for the judges. Just a guess on that part.

Good luck next season!

Oh, so that would explain why the judges were saying that they had seen the acts three times. That was confusing me.

I would rant about how messed up I think the judging is, but I think enough people have done that already.

High five for the real NFL.