Chris Hardwick posed with Tyra Banks and the “America’s Got Talent” judges during a taping of the Season 12 Judge Cuts. (Photo and graphic property of NBC & Syco Entertainment)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to America’s Got Talent, Chris Hardwick! I hoped that you make a right decision regarding your Golden Buzzer.
The Season 12 Judges’ Auditions are over and now, the competition begins.
The Wall host and comedian Chris Hardwick joined Simon, Heidi, Howie, and Mel B at the Judges’ Desk. He had the power to give an act—a one-way ticket to the Season 12 Live Shows at the Dolby Theatre via the Golden Buzzer.
Who was Chris Hardwick’s Golden Buzzer pick? Which remaining acts were awarded spots in the Season 12 Live Shows by the Judges? Read on to find out!
Up first, Sara and her dog, Hero. In all honesty, I did not like them AT ALL last time. In fact, I berated her and her puppy in their previous post. In all honesty, Sara and Hero’s Pink Panther routine did not excite me. I would have buzzed for them. However, Howie and Mel changed their tune when they saw Hero’s routine. While Simon said that he would be fighting for them during the deliberations, Chris Hardwick practically begged Hero to tackle him.
As numerous younger acts stepped up to the plate, the Masqueraders wanted to prove that the judges should not write off veteran performers. The trio showcased their 50 years in music by performing Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me.” Their voices gave me instant goosebumps, and they receive a five-judge standing ovation for their performance! Howie compared them to fine wine, while Heidi stated that “this is their moment.” Chris Hardwick added that he was honored to be present at their Judge Cuts performance.
One of my favorite comedians, Harrison Greenbaum, was a little nervous to be performing in front of Howie and Chris Hardwick. However, I loved his anecdote about getting hit by lightning. He received a standing ovation from both Howie and Mel B, but Heidi stated that she was not impressed. As Harrison left the stage, Dancing Pumpkin Man performed a cheeky routine to “What is Love?” He transformed the stage into Studio 54 with his sparkly purple onesie! Heidi buzzed and said that she did not like it. However, Chris Hardwick felt that he stepped it up from his original audition.
Magician Eric Jones hoped to impress Chris Hardwick and the judges with his latest act. Eric walked to the desk and brought out a pack of playing cards and asked Chris to autograph the Joker card. Once, the Nerdist Industries CEO gave the card back, Eric changed the color of the card’s backside, and the card still had Chris’ autograph. Next, Eric turned to Simon, who initially said “No!” to him during the Judges’ Auditions because his routine was not as dynamic as other magicians. He brought out a hammer and hit it on the card, which vanished. After Eric had asked Simon and Heidi to move to the other side of the desk, Eric smashed the hammer onto Simon’s buzzer and inside it was Chris Hardwick’s autographed playing card. The audience was shocked, and Simon took back his previous comments. Chris Hardwick said that was brilliant “dark magic” and Simon added that Eric stood out from the crowd of contenders.
After Simon had made sure his buzzer was fixed, cute-as-a-button Angelica Hale, who impressed the judges with her cover of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” during the Judges’ Auditions walked onto the stage. Angelica revealed that she was a little nervous, but was ready to tackle Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire.” For someone who is nine-years-old, she has a powerful voice and impressive stage presence. Angelica reminds me so much of a very young Jessica Sanchez. The audience practically screamed: “Golden Buzzer.” Mel B called Angelica “a beautiful ray of light,” and proved Simon wrong. Chris called her the chosen one and pressed the Golden Buzzer.
While Angelica received a hug from Tyra and a trip to Universal Studios Florida, the remaining contestants gulped and had to shift their performances into turbo mode. Yosein Chi brought out dozens of blades for his dangerous balancing act, and he almost lost his life! Chris Hardwick thanked him for not killing himself on stage, while Simon added that Yosein redeemed himself in his eyes.
Carlos de Antonis gave the performance of the night with his great opera aria that gave me chills. Mel B gave him a standing ovation, while Simon called him a Labrador. Howie stated that it was going to be the toughest night of the season, but he loved that every time Carlos walks onto the stage…he puts a smile on their face!
South Korean dance crew Just Jerk had told Tyra before they walked on stage that their performance would be more dynamic this time around. Once again, Just Jerk’s synchronization blew me away, and their outstanding choreography set them apart from tonight’s contenders. All five judges gave them a standing ovation and Simon compared them to a well-oiled machine!
Maw Kitty seduced a scared Howie and Simon to Mel B’s disgust, who threw another glass of water at Mr. Cowell. Meanwhile, the Singing Trump returned to the stage and vowed to make America’s Got Talent great again. He dedicated his performance of a Backstreet Boys’ medley to himself. With his Secret Service members as his backup dancers, he got the crowd on his side. All five judges gave him a standing ovation. Chris Hardwick called it a superb performance, while Heidi stated that even though he did not have the best singing voice…she was furtherly impressed by him. Even Mel B, who buzzed him at his audition, ate her words and even apologized to him!
The final act of the night belonged to escape artist Demain Aditya. He took inspiration from a YouTuber who did this trick and died doing it. He was going to chained in a deep and dark hole and he would be buried alive. As he unlocked the locks, the power to his box cut out and Demian Aditya revealed himself to have escaped the box. This had me scream “WHAT THE F—!” I am glad he survived, but that was extremely scary!The final act of the night belonged to escape artist Demain Aditya. He took inspiration from a YouTuber who did this trick and died doing it. He was going to chained in a deep and dark hole and he would be buried by dirt. As he unlocked the locks, the power to his box cut out and Demian Aditya revealed himself to have escaped the box. This had me scream “WHAT THE F—!” I am glad he survived, but that was extremely scary!
As the judges returned inside to the studio, it was time for them to deliberate. After the judges said goodbye to Chris, it was time for them to reveal the acts going to the Live Shows.
The acts moving forward to the Dolby Theater: Angelica Hale (Golden Buzzer), the Masqueraders, Sara & Hero (UGH!), The Singing Trump, Just Jerk, Demian Aditya, and Eric Jones.
Next week, DJ Khaled joins the second week of Judges’ Cuts.
