Episode #3.15

The second half of the top 20 got their chance to perform for a shot at the top 10 on "America's Got Talent" on Wednesday. The first half of the final 20 performed on Tuesday night, and the final 10 would be announced during a special results show on Thursday night. After a time-killing montage all about how great it would be for the winner to get a show in Las Vegas, last year's winner took the "America's Got Talent" stage for a special appearance. Fator got a nice plug in for his headlining show at The Mirage that starts on February 14, and his new book called, "Who's the Dummy Now?" It was a night that would separate the skilled from the less deserving, and one judge even had a dose of reality for the 4-year-old fan favorite Kaitlyn Maher. Some of the best performers in the competition stepped their games up even further, while a small handful made some decisions that could backfire when the results are revealed. Best of the night: Donald Braswell, who Sharon thought was "dated," wanted to prove that he was more than what the judges thought he was. He took on "Music of the Night" from "The Phantom of the Opera." Piers said he was "hating the sight of" Braswell because every time he shows up and does better than the week before, it reminds him of how the judges left him out originally and the voters brought him back. He called Braswell the Rocky Balboa of the show. Sharon loved the song choice and asked him to do something younger and sassier next week. The Hoff told Braswell he took his breath away. Urban violinists Nuttin' But Stringz talked about dedicating their performances to their cousin, who was killed on the streets of New York. They took a risk with a new style of music that was a little dark. And, while The Hoff danced awkwardly in his seat, they rocked the house again. Piers said they were "electrifying" and said they bring two worlds together. Sharon said that if they weren't voted into the next round it would be "such an injustice." The Hoff said, "Four words: Nuttin' but the finals!" Singer and pianist Eli Mattson, who host Jerry Springer said has been receiving fan mail from all over the country, gave himself a new challenge with his own take on Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You." A bold move. What did the judges think? Piers said that if every one of the singers in the competition put an album out today, he'd buy Mattson's. Sharon loved it, but suggested he work on his intonation when singing in his lower register. The Hoff agreed, but said Mattson really is "the piano man." Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall was looking to bounce back from a shaky "Jailhouse Rock" performance the previous week. After Hall's rousing performance of "Suspicious Minds," Piers said "Elvis is back in the building" and praised Hall for bringing back the swagger and confidence. Sharon said he was all showbiz and was "what the show needs." The Hoff said the only difference between Hall and Elvis is that Hall is much thinner. Baton twirler Jonathan Burkin said he felt more pressure after Piers said last week that he never makes mistakes. With such a specialized skill, Burkin knew that if he ever did drop his baton, "it could be all over for me." He again wowed the crowd with his stunts, juggling three batons lit at both ends and doing flips in between each toss. Piers said he was "absolutely sure" that Burkin would drop a baton, but he didn't. He told Burkin the only challenge he'd have would be from the rest of the competitors, who did great. Sharon said he was unique and that she hoped to see him next week. The Hoff said watching Burkin makes him nervous because he's so afraid to watch him drop a baton -- but he never has. Worst of the night: Singer Sarah Lenore cried as she talked about how much she wanted to win the competition. She vowed to show a softer side of her voice, which tends to get shouty when she's nervous. She took on Leona Lewis' "Keep Bleeding." Piers said it was a brave song choice and she sang it well, "but not brilliantly." He said her best-suited type of music is country and that the song exposed her weakness. Sharon told Sarah "you tried to make it your own, but you didn't." The Hoff stepped over the line and asked America to vote Lenore back because she simply picked "the wrong song." The Taubl Family talked about the challenge of picking the right song and they seemed out of sync in their harmonies as they tried "When You Believe," originally sung by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston on "The Prince of Egypt" soundtrack. The girls mostly took the vocal parts. Piers buzzed them and said the first half was boring, but said the second half was great after they got their harmonies together. The Hoff encouraged the group to sing together because that is their strength. On the bubble: Kaitlyn Maher said she wasn't nervous performing live the previous week, she was just having fun. She said she was getting a chance to do something no other 4-year-old in America had the chance to do, "and that makes me feel really special." She sang "Beauty and the Beast" and waved her arm up on a part about the sun rising, after Sharon had asked her to move her arms a week earlier. Piers said he was going to play the role of the beast, telling her she'd done brilliantly and said she's been the princess but she might not be ready to be the queen. Sharon mysteriously asked Kaitlyn to tell her daughter, Kelly Osbourne, to cheer up because she was not very happy. The Hoff said it didn't matter whether Kaitlyn won the competition because she's brought the country together. The Tappin' Dads were looking to prove Piers Morgan wrong after he said that they didn't have the talent to pull through in the competition. They offered a high energy, well choreographed performance that had Sharon and The Hoff both standing at the end. Piers noted that something held him back from buzzing them because they seemed to be having more fun. He admitted that there was something about their spirit and dedication that was beginning to get to him, which was a good thing. Sharon said their dancing was hugely improved. The Hoff said he was "so glad" he didn't vote them off last week. Martial arts/dance group SickStep promised to take its act further than ever with more stunts and moves. The group delivered, but was it the kind of performance that could propel it to the top 10? Judge Piers Morgan said he was going to be extra tough and that he didn't think the group did much better than last week. Sharon Osbourne agreed, saying the dancers have to continue to step it up.