WTHR |New Castle dog act stalls at semi finals of America's Got Talent

New Castle dog act stalls at semi finals of America's Got Talent

Emily Longnecker/Eyewitness News

Las Vegas - On Wednesday night, the door to a Las Vegas stage and one million dollars closed for Tony Hoard and his dog Rory.

"You can't be down on yourself when things don't go your way. You gotta keep your head up and keep on plugging because if one door closes surely another door is gonna open up," said Tony Hoard, America's Got Talent semi finalist.

Tony and Rory said goodbye to the bright lights while fans and loved ones like Tony's daughter and her family watched from Richmond.

"I'm disappointed, but I'm still happy," said Rachel Hoard. "This was just a chance for him to pursue his dream and this is really the start of it."

Earlier, down the road in New Castle where Tony and Rory live, there were signs of support for the duo.

"Oh, I'm just so proud of him. Everybody is," said Vicky Orr, former co-worker.

Tony and Rory's success has been the talk of the town.

"For having taken an unwanted dog, I think he's done amazing things," said Judi Couch, New Castle.

On Tuesday's show, judge Sharon Osbourne pointed out that Hoard was forced to give up his job to be on the show.

"This guy laid you off because you wanted to come on this show," she said.

"I'd say she never worked in a factory," said Orr.

Out of vacation time, Hoard asked to take unpaid leave to continue on the show. His company, Draper Incorporated, was forced to stick to company policy and told Hoard he must choose between the show or his job of almost 24 years.

"They said us or your dreams and you can't have both," said Rachel.

Tony Hoard's former co-workers say some of them wanted to give Tony some of their days off so he could keep his job. It didn't happen.

"They've got policies. They've got to stick to em. What are you going to do?" said Orr.

At 107.9, Midday Show Host Kelli Jack took dozens of calls about it all, a lot of them from angry viewers.

"I'd like the moron who had the audacity to fire someone who's doing something positive and showing that Indiana has something to offer the world," said one caller.

"I think its pitiful that his company let him go and not give him the time off," said another.

"It's the company's loss in that he's going to end up doing what he wants and just think. Great things are going to happen for him."

Tony's daughter thinks those great things will start the moment Tony and Rory step off the plane Thursday.

"Yeah, it would have been nice for him to go on and do that, but he's already won regardless," she said.

From The Associated Press:

The judges on "America's Got Talent" are breaking the rules.

Instead of choosing between two acts for one coveted spot in the show's final round, Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff changed things up Wednesday and invited both acts to return to the NBC talent show.

"Judges can do whatever they want on this show," host Nick Cannon said. "Anything goes."

A trio of tenors, three singing siblings, five dancing sisters, a 75-year-old comedian and a singing chicken farmer will advance to the finals. Five other acts were dismissed during Wednesday's episode.

Viewers selected The Texas Tenors, comedian Grandma Lee and singer Kevin Skinner via phone, e-mail and text message votes. Judges were to choose between the fourth- and fifth-place vote-getters: singing siblings The Voices of Glory and dancing sisters The Fab Five.

"I can't do it, Nick. Sorry," Osbourne said. Hasselhoff also demurred. Then Morgan spoke: "We have decided there will be no judges' pick. We're going to send you both to the final."

Cannon appeared a tad flustered by the move, but kept a broad smile on his face.

"This is live television," he reminded the judges as they deliberated at the end of the episode.

They heaped praise on the five new finalists during their performances Tuesday. Hasselhoff said the Texas Tenors were "without a doubt the front-runner to win this competition," while Morgan picked Skinner as his favorite. Osbourne predicted good things for the Voices of Glory, saying, "The next time I see you guys, it will be at the final."

Another 10 semifinalists will compete for the remaining final four spots next week.

All are vying for a $1 million prize and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show in October. Jerry Springer will emcee the program at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Wednesday's results show also featured Hasselhoff singing on stage. He performed the bluesy classic "Feeling Good." Miss Piggy and Kermit of the Muppets also performed. They sang "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," backed by four dancing chickens.

America's Got Talent