Veteran judge Howie Mandel took command of week two of AGT: Fantasy League (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Howie Mandel has taken control of AGT: Fantasy League!
Four of his acts – Kristy Sellers, Kseniya Simonova, Shadow Ace, and V. Unbeatable – all made it to the AGT: Fantasy League semifinals. Tonight, he had access to the Golden Buzzer! Did he advance a member of Team Howie to the finale? Or did he pull a page from Mel B’s playbook and steal an act from Mel B, Heidi, or Simon’s team? Who advanced to the semifinals? Who joined Billy & Emily England in the AGT: Fantasy League finale? Read on to find out!
I am going to get this out of the way…I DESPISE ADRIAN AND HURRICANE! They are the worst winners ever to grace the AGT stage. I would have buzzed the entire routine when DNCE’s iconic “Cake by the Ocean” chorus got started. The performance was dull! F
Heidi picked two of my favorites: Piff the Magic Dragon and Mr. Piffles! I loved how he incorporated his Golden Buzzer audition and all four judges into his act. After each judge and Mr. Piffles picked out the sandwich ingredients, we got a Neil Patrick Harris cameo that brought down a sandwich that contained white bread (Howie), tuna (Simon), Colby Jack cheese (Heidi), chili pepper (Mel B), and ketchup (Mr. Piffles). Despite eating the cross sandwich, this was one of Piff’s best performances! A
The Merseygirls reunited with Simon, who competed on Britain’s Got Talent and BGT: The Champions. The dance troupe is now on Mel B’s dream team, and while I saw some progress, they bored me to tears. I would have buzzed them. D+
Country music singer (and one of my favorite singers in the competition) Drake Milligan is the only singer on Howie’s team, which infuriated Mel B, Heidi, and Simon. Drake shocked his mentor by performing a ballad – “Don’t Leave Me Loving You.” It was a bold move; however, I was impressed that Drake showed a different side to him! A-
Heidi Klum recruited one of the most exciting acts that AGT has ever seen – the Ramadhani Brothers. How were they going to follow up their Season 18 finale performance? The brothers incorporated a massive stair contraption into their act, and just like last season, my jaw dropped several times. Despite a close call, the brothers executed a brilliant routine! A+ Heidi’s celebration was cut short as Howie used the Golden Buzzer to steal the Ramadhani Brothers.
AGT veteran comedian Preacher Lawson joined Drake in welcoming the Ramadhani Brothers into the team before he took the stage. His set talked about his UK adventures, British people doing horrible American accents, and items in the men’s restroom. Preacher’s stage presence has grown leaps and bounds, and this was one of his best sets yet. A
Aerialist Grace Good received the second chance of a lifetime when fans voted her into AGT: Fantasy League, and Heidi picked her to join her team. Grace slowly elevated the danger in her act by adding multiple pyrotechnics. It was good, but not great! C+
The Vardanyan Brothers reunited with Simon, who judged the acrobatic duo on Britain’s Got Talent. The acrobatic strength act took a page out of the Messoudi Brothers’ playbook and ripped off their shirts before executing a fiery and dangerous routine with knives in their mouths. B+
The judges laughed when Simon picked novelty act Wes-P to be a part of his AGT: Fantasy League team. The performance was a disaster! Angel City Chorale, Barbara Padilla, the Forte Tenors, or Taylor Williamson should have performed in his place. F
Two-time The Voice Australia veteran Sheldon Riley returned to AGT: Fantasy League as Mel B’s team member. The Boy George and Delta Goodrem-mentored singer first auditioned on AGT during its fifteenth season but had to perform in his hometown of Australia during the Live Shows. He performed Eurovision Song Contest winner Loreen’s “Tattoo,” and the performance showcased that Sheldon is a master showman and vocalist. I am glad he removed the mask and showcased his vulnerable side. A-
The audience voted to advance The Vardanyan Brothers (Team Mel B), Sheldon Riley (Team Mel B), Grace Good (Team Heidi), Adrian and Hurricane (Team Simon)- HORRIBLE DECISIONS, AUDIENCE, and Preacher Lawson (Team Howie) to the AGT: Fantasy League semifinals!
Next week, AGT: Fantasy League continues!
