Howie, Heidi, Terry, Sofia, and Simon pose together during a taping of AGT: Season 19. (Photo cover property of NBC’s Trae Patton)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The 2024 Paris Olympics are over, and America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 19 is live!
The Golden Buzzer has been carried over into the live quarterfinal rounds for the first time in show history. If any judge (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum) or Terry hits it, their selected act will advance directly to the AGT: Season 19 finale! Who had possession of the Golden Buzzer? Which acts soared to the top of the competition? Did any act get buzzed? Read on to find out.
Before we get to the recap, here are two announcements:
- Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and my podcast!
- Now that the Live Shows have started, I will be awarding a letter grade to all the acts after their performances!
After Terry made his entrance, he led the Pasadena Civic Auditorium audience in a “U-S-A” chant, introduced the judges, and revealed that Sofia had control of the historic first Golden Buzzer of the live rounds. Rappers Flewnt and Inkabee kicked off the Season 19 quarterfinals. The Perth, Australia, father-and-son duo delivered an original rap, but I wanted more from the performance. D
I was thrilled when Attraction Juniors made it to the AGT: Season 19 live shows. This shadow dance troupe took us on a camping trip where they told a story about a girl being chased by a werewolf and landed in a Scooby Doo castle. I loved the story and the entertainment value. I hope that they make it to the next round. A-
Simon Cowell’s first Golden Buzzer act of the season, Liv Warfield, made her AGT: Season 19 quarterfinals debut. The former Prince backing singer and her band tackled a song that the Purple One wrote for her, and I got chills from the first note. It was a spectacular performance that elevated the NBC talent competition to new heights. A
Hyper Kids Africa reminds me so much of the Ghetto Kids. They have a plethora of energy, but this could be for Disney, Netflix, or Prime Video, not for a $1 million prize. I felt like the choreography was almost a carbon copy of Ghetto Kids. I would have buzzed them. C-
Ashes and Arrows received a “No” from Howie in the auditions, but they decided to perform another original song – which was more upbeat. During the rehearsals, they survived an earthquake. Ashes and Arrows is one of the best original bands I have seen on this show. They are destined for stardom. A
Los Osos High School was not an act I wanted to make the Season 19 live shows. I would have pulled a Piers Morgan and buzzed them off the stage. Super Silva was robbed of a spot! F
I love Hakuna Matata Acrobats! This act blew me away during their audition. Tonight, the Tanzanian performers decided to elevate their act by having one member balance on a platform that three members held and executing several routines that made my jaw drop. That was AGT at its finest. Congratulations to them on earning Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer. A+
Phillip Lewis was the first baton twirler to make the live shows. However, it was a cringeworthy performance as he dropped the baton twice during the first half. While adding fire was a step up, I would have still buzzed him. D
Roni Sagi and Rhythm is the only animal act that made it to the AGT: Season 19 live shows. While I am normally not a fan of animal acts, Roni and Rhythm performed superbly to a Queen medley. B+
Arshiya was another act that I was surprised made it to the Season 19 live rounds. I wished Helen got her spot, Arshiya was abysmal, and I wanted to buzz her. F
Heidi Klum’s first Golden Buzzer recipient, Richard Goodall, closed the night. Since Richard auditioned, he received over 100 million online views. The school janitor performed Michael Bolton’s “How I Am Supposed to Live Without You” and once again he gave me chills. What a brilliant way to close out the night. A+
Adrian and Hurricane will provide entertainment tomorrow night as the first set of semifinalists are revealed!
