The suspense builds: Aug. 5

In a surprise move, the judges on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” announced on Tuesday’s show that they would be cutting contestants based on reviews of their audition tapes. After dividing the people into four groups, the judges kept Group A, cut group B and kept both groups C and D.

Neal Boyd was shown with group C, which stayed, but Matthew Piazzi didn’t appear. Boyd appeared several times in the center of establishing shots and some commentary.

The judges called out all the variety acts two by two, comparing similar acts. Of the four opera acts, Boyd was given the most pre-performance air time and was the last contestant shown before the show ended.

Most of the young singers made it through. The judges were perhaps the most critical of the “variety” acts. Among those who made it were the hip hop violin duo, a sword swallower, and impersonators of Tina Turner, Britney Spears, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.

In one of his many air appearances, Neal E. Boyd was tearful and oh-so-happy to have made it through to the next round.

“You just don’t think it’s going to happen,” he said wiping away tears. “But it’s happened.”

The show ended with a teaser to an Aug. 7 special airing of an elimination show to narrow the talented crop to a meager 40 acts. Boyd was the last contestant shown before Tuesday's program ended.

Boyd performs "Unchained Melody"

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