By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent: All-Stars (AGT: All-Stars) had devolved from its high expectations when it evolved into a massive trainwreck.
Terry Crews and Heidi Klum started the downfall when they picked two of the most undeserving acts as their Golden Buzzer finalists – Detroit Youth Choir (which Terry awarded them the Golden Buzzer back in 2019) and Aidan McCann (one of the worst magicians Got Talent has ever produced). The superfans accelerated the show’s crash when they incorrectly chose average acts, such as the Bello Sisters and Power Duo, over franchise icons, including beloved AGT: Season Two champion Terry Fator, Canada’s Got Talent winner Jeanick Fournier, and fan-favorite finalists Cristina Rae and Jimmie Herrod, to advance to the show finale.
The worst happened last week when Simon Cowell bullied AGT: Season Nine fan-favorites and finalists cello rockers Emil & Dariel for choosing their dental care aspirations over superstardom. He also called them boring, which countless fans and media sites (including this one) cried “foul,” and I stated: “Shame on you, Simon Cowell!”
Can AGT: All-Stars reverse its course this week? Or will the spin-off continue to deliver mediocre results that will infuriate fans and continue its downhill ascension? Read on to find out!
After the judges and Terry Crews entered, the host revealed to the AGT: All-Stars audience that a group Golden Buzzer would happen tonight. Once the quartet finished discussing strategy, Peter Rosalia walked onto the stage. He is not my cup of tea, and quite frankly, I wished that Jake’s Take friends Andrew De Leon, Branden James, the Forte Tenors or Britain’s Got Talent: Series Five winner Jai McDowall had his spot. Tonight, he tackled Disney’s Hercules’ “Go the Distance,” and I was impressed with his performance. Peter has grown as a vocalist, and he gave me goosebumps for the first time on any AGT stage. B
Britain’s Got Talent’s reigning champion Axel Blake shuffled onto the stage. Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer act beat out both ventriloquist Jamie Leahey and singer Tom Ball (more on him later) to win the British talent show. I loved that he acknowledged the difference between American and British comedy in his pre-performance package. I loved his material; he had a more substantial stage presence than Simon’s current Golden Buzzer act. A-
Simon Cowell reunited with another of his Golden Buzzer acts, Season 12 finalist singer Mandy Harvey. She received much support over the season, including from Lady Gaga. Since appearing on AGT, Mandy has released two albums and became a mother to a four-month-old son. She tackled an original song, and I believe she improved as a vocalist and performer. Well done, Mandy! B+
I shook my head with disgust when i saw Yumbo Dump on the stage. I kept thinking of all the fantastic acts that should have had their spot: AcroArmy, Fighting Gravity, iLuminate, and Oliver Graves. Their act tonight was disgusting, and I would have buzzed them. F
Mervant Vera rushed out on stage to reunite with the AGT: All-Stars judges. He was one of my favorite auditions of AGT: Season 17, and I was so furious when Kirsty Sellars stole his spot in the finale. Mervant used magic, music, and frisbees to create his act of the evening. As the ushers got the envelopes from the audience, he instructed Terry Crews to pick out an audience member to hold onto her envelope. I loved how he used all of the signature words and how the words on stage spelled: “Destiny.” It was epic! A
I was so happy to see singer Tom Ball on AGT: All-Stars! The secondary schoolteacher blew audiences away when he auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent: Series 15. Tom made it to the finale but lost to Axel Blake. When he started singing “The Sound of Silence,” I began to tear up and got chills. His vocal range is outstanding, and I agree with Simon – Tom was like “Susan Boyle’s grandson.” I am so glad that Tom got the Group Golden Buzzer. A+
I was so happy to see World Taekwondo Demonstration Team walk onto the AGT: All-Stars stage. They blew me away when they competed in Season 16 and became one of my all-time favorite extreme variety acts. Once again, my jaw dropped with their fiery routine. It was full of high kicks and unbelievable stunts. A+
Britain’s Got Talent: Series 14 magician Jasper Cherry made it to the finals and only performed in front of Simon once. His life changed as he was featured in numerous British publications and performed at magic’s biggest conventions. While watching Jasper, he reminded me so much of Collins Key. It was a good routine, but the performance did not move me. B-
Ana-Maria Mărgean won Romania’s Got Talent. Terry Fator inspired her to enter the world of ventriloquism. She received the Golden Buzzer, and it eventually led her to win the show. Tonight, Ana-Maria introduced the audience to Waldo, her “rescue dog.” I loved her material, which reminded me of watching Darci Lynne and Petunia. She also has a great singing voice. I hope Terry was watching this because Ana-Maria brilliantly represented her legacy. A-
Archie Williams was the final act to perform on tonight’s AGT: All-Stars. He became a household name when he auditioned for the show’s fifteenth anniversary season. Archie’s story touched the hearts of millions, including Steve Harvey and Sir Elton John. He tackled “Ain’t No Sunshine” with only a piano backing him. I loved Archie’s charisma and passion; it was a superb performance. B+
The superfans voted and they decided to put Peter Rosalita (Really, Superfans?), Ana-Maria (What a surprise!), and Mandy Harvey! I would have put World Taekwondo in Peter’s spot in all honesty. Mandy Harvey came in third place, while Peter Rosalita and Ana-Maria made it to the Top Two. In the end, it was Ana-Maria that advanced to the finale
Next week, the last set of acts perform!
