Eric Liebowitz/NBC(NEW YORK) — America’s Got Talent kicked off its “Judge Cuts” on Tuesday. Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel began the four-week process of picking 36 acts for the live performance shows. This week, Neil Patrick Harris joined the regular panel and got to use the “Golden Buzzer” for his favorite act, sending them to Radio City Music Hall without any consultation from the AGT judges.
Only seven out of the 20 acts that performed on Tuesday’s show were allowed to move on to the next round. They were FreeIllusion Dance Company, archery expert Sylvia Sylvia, singers Alondra Santos andSamantha Johnson, magician Piff the Magic Dragon, comedian Myq Kaplan, and rock band 3 Shades of Blue.
Singer Michael Bublé joins the panel next week.
Here’s a rundown of some of Tuesday’s highlights:
FreeIllusion Dance Company picked up where they left off in the auditions, combining modern dance with multimedia effects. They drew standing ovations from Howie and Heidi. Howard thought everything was “just about perfect.” Neil said this is what the show is all about for him and would’ve pressed his “Golden Buzzer,” but felt certain they would advance on their own. Mel B declared FreeIllusion set a very high bar for the other acts in the competition. The advanced to the next round.
It was a bittersweet night for juggler Paul Ponce, 43, and his 60-year-old mother, Sylvia Sylvia, who competed for the big prize as individual acts. Paul bounced a ball on his head, while pulling out a small rope and playing jump rope with it. He proceeded to move around the stage while keeping the ball balanced on his head. He was immediately buzzed by Stern, who acknowledged it was difficult, but not a million-dollar act. The others, however, were impressed, including Heidi, who noted the routine was “flawless.” Howard prevailed and Ponce was sent home.
Next up, Sylvia Sylvia shot a balloon balanced on a stick held in her husband’s mouth with a bottle on top. Next, she succeeded in firing an arrow that set off other crossbows, ricocheting arrows back and forth, until one hit an apple perched on her own head. Howard called her act “mindboggling,” adding the staging was terrific as well. Harris noted it was fun seeing a 60-year-old woman with a crossbow. Mel B applauded Sylvia’s ability to “always deliver.” She moves on to the live shows.
Several children’s acts took the AGT stage on Tuesday, but 13-year-old mariachi singer Alondra Santos had the edge with her emotional Mexican ballad. Klum thought it was beautiful, noting Alondra had “some pipes.” Harris declared Santos had “energy and a spirit beyond her years.” Mandel thought the song, voice and look were “all beautiful.” Howard noted he enjoyed the singer “very much.” The teen advances to the next round of competition.
Piff the Magic Dragon, who took the stage dressed in a dragon costume, impressed the judges with his mix of dry wit and magic. He asked Heidi to pick a card and mark it, after which he had his “assistant,” a pitbull puppy, attempt to pick out of the deck. After the pooch failed, Piff dug Heidi’s card out of a sealed can of dog food. There was no need for the judges to comment or vote, because Harris pressed his “Golden Buzzer,” moving Piff straight through to Radio City Music Hall.
Nerdy-looking comedian Myq Kaplan riffed on a series of topics, including his lack of success with the ladies and philosophy. Harris loved the “rapid-fire” pace of the routine. Mel B noted she “didn’t want it to stop.” Klum declared Kaplan was the first comic to make her “laugh out loud.” Mandel thought his jokes were believable, as well as funny, making him a contender to have his own sitcom one day. He moves on to the next round.
Philadelphia-based rock ensemble 3 Shades of Blue performed Twenty One Pilots’ “Fairly Local” and blew away the judges. Howard, who had been hoping for a rock band that could win the competition, declared the quartet “was the answer to his prayers.” Neil, noting they were “handsome dudes,” said they left a “strong impression.” Heidi added the guys “sounded very good,” the band was “very tight” and they “had the look.” Mel B wasn’t crazy about the song, but loved the group. They advance to the next round of competition.
The last act of the night was singer Samantha Johnson, 26, who wowed the judges with her version of Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down.” Mel B was amazed at what Johnson could do and how easy she made it look. Neil noted that with all the singing competitions on TV it took something “different and extraordinary” to earn his approval, and Samantha was “all of that.” Heidi noted she had “that special something that not a lot of singers have.” She moves on to the next round of the competition.
Other acts that didn’t make the cut included Chapkis Dance Family, ages 14-35, who performed a precision dance routine. Neil called it “super high” energy. He also loved their use of lights. Mel B noted it was “fresh and fast.” Stern, however, thought it was too busy. Heidi disagreed, saying they had “great precision, great choreography and great dancing.” Howie disagreed with Stern’s remark about the act being too busy.
Samantha Hess, a professional cuddler, was in need of a hug herself when the act was through. She demonstrated some of her moves on Neil. She got buzzed by the four remaining judges. All agreed there was nothing entertaining about her talent.
Grandmaster Qi Feilong attempted to light a newspaper on fire using the judges’ and the audience’s energy. He managed to pull off the stunt, but only after all four judges hit their buzzers. They all agreed the stunt took too long and he was sent packing.
America’s Got Talent airs again next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC.
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