By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent: All-Stars (AGT: All-Stars) is nearing the end of its auditions. So far, we have seen the superfans make questionable decisions, such as choosing average acts, including the Bello Sisters and Power Duo, over Got Talent legends like Terry Fator and Cristina Rae. The judges had also made head-scratching decisions when choosing their Golden Buzzer acts (I still think Aidan McCann and Detroit Youth Choir are abysmal acts). Furthermore, Simon Cowell showcased controversial calls as he praised Yumbo Dump and criticized Emil & Dariel for being “boring.”
Tonight, several fan-favorite acts took the stage hoping to advance to the AGT: All-Stars finale. Who impressed the superfans? Was there another Group Golden Buzzer waiting in the wings? Did Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel buzz an act? Read on to find out!
Unfortunately, there were no more Golden Buzzers in play, which meant that the Superfans would only vote for the last act to advance (which terrified me). Daneliya Tuleshova should not have had her spot. That spot should have gone to Jake’s Take friends Barbara Padilla, Emily West, Storm Large, or Christina Wells. I was not a fan of her performance. D
My smile expanded when I saw magician Eric Chien enter the stage. He is one of Got Talent’s iconic magicians, as he won Asia’s Got Talent and made it to the Season 14 semifinals. Now after winning Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician and appearing on Broadway, Eric was back to win the show. I loved Eric’s presentation from start to finish. He is genuinely one of the best close-up magicians in franchise history. A-
Voices of Hope Children’s Choir SHOULD NOT have been competing in this series. They are an abysmal group, and Angel City Chorale should have had their spot. I would have buzzed multiple times during their performances. F
America’s Got Talent: Season 15 Winner Brandon Leake became the first poet to win the show. AGT: All-Stars was the first time he performed in front of a live audience. He received more opportunities than before and continues to elevate the art of the spoken word. Brandon is a great storyteller and delivered a fiery sermon that transfixed me. A
I am not a fan of animal acts, so seeing Lukas and Falco did not make me happy. The Vienna, Austria native noted that this would be one of his final performances. He also enlisted Falco’s brothers to participate in this Top Gun-themed audition. While I thought it was great seeing Falco go on one last run with Lukas, the performance was average. C+
I smiled when I saw the grand piano because I knew Kodi Lee was coming. Kodi Lee’s life changed when he sang “A Song for You,” causing Gabrielle Union to press the Golden Buzzer, leading him to win America’s Got Talent: Season 14. I loved seeing the AGT: All-Stars set go nuts and scream his name when he and his mom walked onto the stage. Kodi is a fantastic pianist and a superb vocalist. The performance was one of the most magical moments of the season. A+
Sword swallower Brett Loudermilk was a welcome addition to AGT: All-Stars, and I loved his Season 15 audition because newcomer Sofia Vergara refused to pull a sword out of his mouth. He returned to join his fellow Las Vegas transplants in conquering the strip. While I was a little disgusted, I found him very entertaining! B
When I saw that Flau’jae was competing on AGT: All-Stars, I initially thought that she stole a spot from powerhouse vocalists such as Barbara Padilla, Emily West, Sharon Irving, Christina Wells, and Storm Large, so she had an uphill battle with me. It has been six years since she performed on a Got Talent stage, and during her time on AGT: Season 13, she received a Golden Buzzer from guest judge Chris Hardwick. Since her time on the show, Roc Nation signed Flau’jae, and she also launched a basketball career. Tonight, she performed Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Ready or Not.” It was a phenomenal performance, and I will eat crow at the show’s end. A-
Howie Mandel joined the AGT: All-Stars audience in a standing ovation when comedian Josh Blue entered the stage. He took home third place during AGT: Season 16 and declared that “he was robbed.” (shots fired at magician Dustin Tavella – jeez, both Aidan and Josh are sounding like Bitter Betties during this season) The comedian showcased that he could not let his cerebral palsy get him. His pre-performance comment left me with a bitter taste in my mouth, and I would have buzzed him. D
I only have one phrase to describe my rage against Sethward: “What a Waste of a Spot.” F
Tonight, the superfans awarded Brandon Leake, Kodi Lee, and Josh Blue (WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING, SUPERFANS?) with a spot in the Top Three. However, KODI LEE won the final spot!
Next week, Terry and the judges review the journeys of each AGT: All-Stars finalists!
