‘Unsung Hero’ Review: The Family That Prays Together, Plays Together in Uplifting Faith-Based Biopic
The heartrending hook behind “Unsung Hero” isn’t solely discovering how one tight knit family birthed two chart-topping contemporary Christian musical acts, although that is an interesting draw. It’s not necessarily learning how the Aussie expats survived a slew of hardships through togetherness and fortitude. The fascinating angle it adopts is similar to the way Steven Spielberg explored a tumultuous time in his childhood with “The Fablemans,” as Joel Smallbone (who co-wrote and directed with Richard L. Ramsey) also engages with family history, portraying his father grappling with financial and personal crises. The co-directors re-contextualize character-building circumstances, crafting a soul-stirring testament to the power of family and faith in the process.
David Smallbone (Joel Smallbone) is at the top of his game in early 1991. He’s got a great support system at work as one of Australia’s top Christian artist concert promoters, luring in such performers as the heavy metal hair band Stryper.
David Smallbone (Joel Smallbone) is at the top of his game in early 1991. He’s got a great support system at work as one of Australia’s top Christian artist concert promoters, luring in such performers as the heavy metal hair band Stryper.
- 4/25/2024
- by Courtney Howard
- Variety Film + TV
After just seven episodes, the “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” ends with the results finale on February 17 that will see the season 2 winner crowned. Over the course of five audition episodes, 40 acts from around the world performed, vying for one of 10 places in the final, which aired on Feb. 10.
There were three ways to make the Top 10: be the Golden Buzzer pick of one of the four judges; win the most votes in each episode from the superfans and studio audiences at the tapings last fall; or be saved by the judges.
Three of the judges were gave their Golden Buzzers to dance groups: Simon Cowell picked Boogie Storm, Alesha Dixon went with Silhouettes and Howie Mandel was bowled over by V.Unbeatable. The fourth, Heidi Klum, singled out singer Angelina Jordan. Unlike season 1, host Terry Crews was denied a chance to put an act straight through to the final.
There were three ways to make the Top 10: be the Golden Buzzer pick of one of the four judges; win the most votes in each episode from the superfans and studio audiences at the tapings last fall; or be saved by the judges.
Three of the judges were gave their Golden Buzzers to dance groups: Simon Cowell picked Boogie Storm, Alesha Dixon went with Silhouettes and Howie Mandel was bowled over by V.Unbeatable. The fourth, Heidi Klum, singled out singer Angelina Jordan. Unlike season 1, host Terry Crews was denied a chance to put an act straight through to the final.
- 2/18/2020
- by John Benutty and Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
It's the time every student hates, but every reality TV viewers loves: finals. America's Got Talent: The Champions has reached the finals stage with six acts making it through to join the four Golden Buzzer recipients Angelina Jordan, Boogie Storm, Silhouettes and V.Unbeatable. Despite his valiant effort, 7-year-old insult comic JJ Pantano was sent packing. The Australia's Got Talent finalist took jabs at Heidi Klum and the age difference between her partners and suggested in 10 years they could get together. "But no promises, you might be too old for me by then," he said. He also poked fun at Howie Mandel for having Meghan Markle on Deal or No Deal and how she became English royalty and in exchange...
- 2/4/2020
- E! Online
Poor Howie Mandel must be in a state of mourning following the comedy bloodbath on Monday’s episode of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” Only two stand-up comedians were still in the competition as of the semi-finals: “Agt” Season 14 finalist Ryan Niemiller and Season 9 “Australia’s Got Talent” semi-finalist JJ Pantano. Both were axed by the controversial superfans. As the panel’s requisite comedian, Mandel is often seen fighting for funny men and women, but he had no control over these delegates from all 50 states who hold all the power on “The Champions.”
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ superfans: ‘Agt: The Champions’ voting explained once and for all
Besides Ryan and JJ, a third stand-up comedian was asked back to compete on “The Champions”: Dan Naturman from “Agt” Season 9. He was eliminated in the first round after being X’ed by Simon Cowell, who Dan accused of not understanding anything about comedy.
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ superfans: ‘Agt: The Champions’ voting explained once and for all
Besides Ryan and JJ, a third stand-up comedian was asked back to compete on “The Champions”: Dan Naturman from “Agt” Season 9. He was eliminated in the first round after being X’ed by Simon Cowell, who Dan accused of not understanding anything about comedy.
- 2/4/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Episode five of season two of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” marked the semi-final stage of this year’s competition, featuring the 12 acts that advanced from the previous round based on either the Superfan vote or the Judges’ vote. From the group, the four acts to perform tonight that had earned the Judges’ vote were singer, dancer and accordion player Hans, dog tricks act Alexa Lauenberger and comedians JJ Pantano and Ryan Niemiller.
The other eight acts were voted through by the Superfans. They were: three acrobatic acts Duo Transcend, Sandou Trio Russian Bar and Duo Destiny, two magicians Dania Diaz and Marc Spelmann, and then singer Marcelito Pomoy, violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa and contortionist Strauss Serpent.
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ winners: Where are they now updates for first 13 ‘Agt’ champions [Photos]
While Terry Crews has returned to host, there has been a shake-up of the judges. Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel...
The other eight acts were voted through by the Superfans. They were: three acrobatic acts Duo Transcend, Sandou Trio Russian Bar and Duo Destiny, two magicians Dania Diaz and Marc Spelmann, and then singer Marcelito Pomoy, violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa and contortionist Strauss Serpent.
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ winners: Where are they now updates for first 13 ‘Agt’ champions [Photos]
While Terry Crews has returned to host, there has been a shake-up of the judges. Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel...
- 2/4/2020
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
America’s Got Talent: The Champions kicked off its Season 2 semifinals on Monday, ultimately eliminating half of the show’s remaining 12 acts. But before we get to the results, let’s break down this week’s dirty dozen…
JJ Pantano | I still don’t understand the appeal of this seven-year-old insult comic, and the tiny Australian bully did nothing to change my mind with his obnoxious semifinals routine. Were his jokes about Heidi Klum dating younger men supposed to be funny? Or his uninspired belittling of Alesha Dixon? I’m honestly at a loss. I know I’m not supposed to make fun of children,...
JJ Pantano | I still don’t understand the appeal of this seven-year-old insult comic, and the tiny Australian bully did nothing to change my mind with his obnoxious semifinals routine. Were his jokes about Heidi Klum dating younger men supposed to be funny? Or his uninspired belittling of Alesha Dixon? I’m honestly at a loss. I know I’m not supposed to make fun of children,...
- 2/4/2020
- TVLine.com
Among the 40 returning acts on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” Season 2 are eight special novelty acts that don’t fit any specific genre. There are stand-up comedians like Dan Naturman, JJ Pantano and Ryan Niemiller, dog acts like Christian & Percy and Alexa Lauenburger, quirky singers like Puddles Pity Party and Hans, and a jittery crossbow performer, Ben Blaque. In our photo gallery below, we rank these eight silly variety acts from worst to best. Does our #1 pick surprise you, “Agt” fans?
As viewers of “America’s Got Talent,” we know that it doesn’t take achieving the extraordinary to become a “champion.” The best of the best on “Agt” come from all walks of life and many shades of talent. Among those shades are the performers we consider silly. “Silly” in the sense that they excite our senses in a different way than the perfectly pitched singers or impeccably choreographed dancers do.
As viewers of “America’s Got Talent,” we know that it doesn’t take achieving the extraordinary to become a “champion.” The best of the best on “Agt” come from all walks of life and many shades of talent. Among those shades are the performers we consider silly. “Silly” in the sense that they excite our senses in a different way than the perfectly pitched singers or impeccably choreographed dancers do.
- 1/31/2020
- by John Benutty, Kevin Jacobsen and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Are you as frustrated as we are about not getting to vote for the winner of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions”? NBC may not have been interested in your opinion on the 16 finalists but we want to know. Take a look at the list of acts that are still in the hunt to be crowned season 2 winner and then vote in our poll as to your pick for the best. And be sure to sound off in the comments section with your thoughts on the show, including whether or not you are a fan of the superfans.
See Who are the superfans who decided the ‘America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ winner?
Golden Buzzers
The four acts who got Golden Buzzers were three dance groups — Boogie Storm (from Simon Cowell), Silhouettes (from Alesha Dixon) and (from Howie Mandel) — and singer Angelina Jordan (from Heidi Klum);
Superfan Choices
Eight of the...
See Who are the superfans who decided the ‘America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ winner?
Golden Buzzers
The four acts who got Golden Buzzers were three dance groups — Boogie Storm (from Simon Cowell), Silhouettes (from Alesha Dixon) and (from Howie Mandel) — and singer Angelina Jordan (from Heidi Klum);
Superfan Choices
Eight of the...
- 1/28/2020
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Did anyone else get an uncomfortable feeling during Monday’s episode of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” by Heidi Klum‘s questioning of Christian Stoinev? To recap, the dog performer from Season 2 and Season 9 of “Agt,” and later the winner of “Germany’s Got Talent” Season 13, returned to the big stage with a new puppy on his shoulder, Percy. After their act, which included impressive balancing from both human and dog alike, Percy couldn’t stop himself licking Christian’s mouth. That prompted Heidi to wonder, “Does Percy like to French kiss or what?” Watch the “Agt” performance above.
SEEDid ‘America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ superfans get it right by voting for Strauss Serpent and Sandou Trio Russian Bar? [Poll]
When Christian responded that Percy was simply a “friendly” dog, Heidi chimed in, “Do you put anything there [on your lips], like Marmalade? Or it just loves to French kiss?” Christian chuckled uncomfortably,...
SEEDid ‘America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ superfans get it right by voting for Strauss Serpent and Sandou Trio Russian Bar? [Poll]
When Christian responded that Percy was simply a “friendly” dog, Heidi chimed in, “Do you put anything there [on your lips], like Marmalade? Or it just loves to French kiss?” Christian chuckled uncomfortably,...
- 1/28/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Rapping/singing act Bars and Melody, a fan favorite from “Britain’s Got Talent,” was jaw-droppingly eliminated during Monday’s fourth episode of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” Leondre “Bars” Devries and Charlie “Melody” Lenehan were just kids when they auditioned in front of Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon across the pond, eventually making it to third place in 2014. For their American debut on “The Champions,” the boys took on an original song that failed to impress the judges. In fact, Howie Mandel even slammed his hand down on his red “X” — how rude! Watch Bars and Melody’s performance video above.
“Here’s my thing,” Howie explained, “This is ‘Champions’ and that didn’t seem like a championship song. It didn’t seem like anything I haven’t seen before. That’s something I might watch on YouTube, but not really on a big stage.” Cue the boos from the studio audience.
“Here’s my thing,” Howie explained, “This is ‘Champions’ and that didn’t seem like a championship song. It didn’t seem like anything I haven’t seen before. That’s something I might watch on YouTube, but not really on a big stage.” Cue the boos from the studio audience.
- 1/28/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
We all know how sharp Simon Cowell‘s tongue can be as the head judge of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” But his digs are nothing compared to those of 7-year-old JJ Pantano whose witty jokes made for one of the most gag-worthy moments of Monday night’s fourth episode. Watch his laugh-filled routine in the video above.
In his comedy set, JJ made biting jokes aimed at the careers and public personae of each of the judges and host Terry Crews. His commentary on Simon’s reputation, Heidi Klum‘s career as a supermodel, mixing up Alesha Dixon with Alicia Keys, relevancy of Howie Mandel‘s filmography, and the short football career of Terry were all delivered with the confidence and cutting nature that only an adult should be able to achieve.
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ winners: Where are they now updates for first 13 ‘Agt’ champions [Photos]
Alesha loved the...
In his comedy set, JJ made biting jokes aimed at the careers and public personae of each of the judges and host Terry Crews. His commentary on Simon’s reputation, Heidi Klum‘s career as a supermodel, mixing up Alesha Dixon with Alicia Keys, relevancy of Howie Mandel‘s filmography, and the short football career of Terry were all delivered with the confidence and cutting nature that only an adult should be able to achieve.
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ winners: Where are they now updates for first 13 ‘Agt’ champions [Photos]
Alesha loved the...
- 1/28/2020
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
If you had told us before this season of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” began that Voices of Service wouldn’t make the finale we’d have called you crazy. Following their first performance of the new season on the January 27 episode we thought they deserved a Golden Buzzer. So when new judge Alesha Dixon didn’t use it we thought well surely the superfans would vote them through.
Nope!
Unfortunately they fell into the bottom six and when pitted against Strauss Serpent and Emil Rengle they came up short.
In the second group of low scorers, Connie Talbot was set against rap group Bars and Melody and acrobats Sandou Trio Russian Bar. Connie was six when she competed on the first series of “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2007. On “The Champions” she returned as a 19-year-old and delivered a gorgeous piano ballad that she wrote herself, proving that her voice...
Nope!
Unfortunately they fell into the bottom six and when pitted against Strauss Serpent and Emil Rengle they came up short.
In the second group of low scorers, Connie Talbot was set against rap group Bars and Melody and acrobats Sandou Trio Russian Bar. Connie was six when she competed on the first series of “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2007. On “The Champions” she returned as a 19-year-old and delivered a gorgeous piano ballad that she wrote herself, proving that her voice...
- 1/28/2020
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Episode four of season two of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” featured the last 10 acts drawn from around the world. Among those that took the stage on the fourth episode that aired on January 27 were 2017 “Africa’s Got Talent” winner, the contortionist Strauss Serpent, and 2018 “Romania’s Got Talent” winner, the dancer Emil Rengle.
Representing last season’s “Agt” was vocal group Voices of Service. Also representing from that home-grwon version of the global franchise were season 2 acrobat Christian Stoinev and his dog Percy, 2017 finalist violinist Brian King Joseph, 2011 finalists dance group Silhouettes and semi-finalist acrobats Sandou Trio Russian Bar.
Representing “Britain’s Got Talent” were 2007 finalist singer Connie Talbot and 2014 finalists rappers Bars and Melody. And rounding out the roster was 2019 “Australia’s Got Talent” semi-finalist comedian JJ Pantano.
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ winners: Where are they now updates for first 13 ‘Agt’ champions [Photos]
While Terry Crews has returned to host,...
Representing last season’s “Agt” was vocal group Voices of Service. Also representing from that home-grwon version of the global franchise were season 2 acrobat Christian Stoinev and his dog Percy, 2017 finalist violinist Brian King Joseph, 2011 finalists dance group Silhouettes and semi-finalist acrobats Sandou Trio Russian Bar.
Representing “Britain’s Got Talent” were 2007 finalist singer Connie Talbot and 2014 finalists rappers Bars and Melody. And rounding out the roster was 2019 “Australia’s Got Talent” semi-finalist comedian JJ Pantano.
See ‘America’s Got Talent’ winners: Where are they now updates for first 13 ‘Agt’ champions [Photos]
While Terry Crews has returned to host,...
- 1/28/2020
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Can Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel please be the next two judges booted from America’s Got Talent? After Monday’s episode of The Champions, which set the stage for next week’s semifinals, I’m not sure either one of them knows the meaning of the word anymore.
My frustration — which I imagine will be shared by many — comes from the final elimination of the night, the dreaded “judges’ choice.” This week, the panel’s options included Brian King Joseph, an exceptional violinist whose neuropathy will someday leave him paralyzed; Christian and Percy, a human-dog act that exemplifies strength, dedication and companionship; and JJ Pantano,...
My frustration — which I imagine will be shared by many — comes from the final elimination of the night, the dreaded “judges’ choice.” This week, the panel’s options included Brian King Joseph, an exceptional violinist whose neuropathy will someday leave him paralyzed; Christian and Percy, a human-dog act that exemplifies strength, dedication and companionship; and JJ Pantano,...
- 1/28/2020
- TVLine.com
Has “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” saved the best for last? You decide. Episode 4 of this “Agt” spin-off airs on Monday, January 27 starting at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on NBC. As with the first three episodes, it will feature 10 acts who have already taken part in the franchise that has gone global. We’ve done some digging and have spoilers on the line-up. Keep reading if you want to know the names of the talent on tap for January 27.
Among those taking to the stage on the fourth episode are three champions drawn from around the world: 2017 “Africa’s Got Talent” winner contortionist Strauss Serpent, 2019 “Germany’s Got Talent” winner Christian Stoinev and his dog Percy, and 2018 “Romania’s Got Talent” winner dancer Emil Rengle.
One of the als0-rans from the most recent season of “Agt” — vocal group Voices of Service — is hoping for a better result this time around.
Among those taking to the stage on the fourth episode are three champions drawn from around the world: 2017 “Africa’s Got Talent” winner contortionist Strauss Serpent, 2019 “Germany’s Got Talent” winner Christian Stoinev and his dog Percy, and 2018 “Romania’s Got Talent” winner dancer Emil Rengle.
One of the als0-rans from the most recent season of “Agt” — vocal group Voices of Service — is hoping for a better result this time around.
- 1/27/2020
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Giving new meaning to “all the world’s a stage,” NBC is bringing back 40 of the planet’s most talented acts for a second round of America’s Got Talent: The Champions, including several fan-favorite finalists from Agt‘s most recent season.
The network on Tuesday announced that the following acts from Talent franchises worldwide will assemble on Monday, Jan. 6 (8/7c) for a shot at the Champions crown. (You can click here for a closer look at each of them.)
More from TVLineChicago Fire's Miranda Rae Mayo Teases 'Beautiful Moments' for 'Stellaride,' Praises 'Dawsey' ReunionNew Amsterdam Boss on Max's 'Huge Turning Point,...
The network on Tuesday announced that the following acts from Talent franchises worldwide will assemble on Monday, Jan. 6 (8/7c) for a shot at the Champions crown. (You can click here for a closer look at each of them.)
More from TVLineChicago Fire's Miranda Rae Mayo Teases 'Beautiful Moments' for 'Stellaride,' Praises 'Dawsey' ReunionNew Amsterdam Boss on Max's 'Huge Turning Point,...
- 11/19/2019
- TVLine.com
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