Nathan Bockstahler; Trae Patton/NBC(LOS ANGELES) — America’s Got Talent returned for its 11th season on Tuesday night with more singers, magicians and dancers.
Tuesday’s showcase included a six-year-old comedian and 14-year-old opera singer, both of whom advanced to the next round.
Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B were back behind the judges’ table — joined this season by AGT creator Simon Cowell — to offer their opinions and decide which acts would advance. Also back for season 11 was “The Golden Buzzer,” which gives each judge one opportunity to send an act straight to the live shows.
Here’s a rundown of some of Tuesday’s highlights:
Nathan Bockstahler is a six-year-old comedian who riffed on several subjects, including girls, who “say one thing, but always mean another.” For instance, his mom always tells him to call her “mom,” even though it’s not her real name. The young comic then made a “mind-blown” gesture. All four judges voted “yes” to moving Nathan — who would rather have a million Legos than a million dollars — on to the next round.
The Clairvoyants, Emily and Tommy, invited Heidi up to the stage and pull out a random item from her handbag. Emily, blindfolded, correctly guessed that Heidi chose a case of lipstick from the bag, and even rattled off the code number used to identify the shade of lipstick. Next, Emily correctly identified an audience member’s cell phone – as well as its color and the phone carrier. Finally, she correctly identified a bottle of eye drops – along with the expiration date printed on the bottle. Howie called the act the best he’s ever seen on AGT. “There’s only one explanation,” noted Simon, “Ye are a witch.” The panel unanimously voted the couple to the next round.
Linkin’ Bridge, four guys from Louisville, Kentucky, performed an a cappella version of “Over the Rainbow,” from The Wizard of Oz, featuring beat-boxing and some spectacular harmonies. All four judges were pleasantly surprised by the performance, including Mel B, who was left “speechless.” Added Simon, “This could be your time.” All four judges voted “yes” to moving them forward.
Later, the lights dimmed, then rose to reveal Japanese multimedia magician Hara, who pulled birds out of the graphics flashing on a video screen behind him, then seemingly sprouted a pair of wings and flew off into the screen. “Gorgeous,” declared Howie, adding, “Now I believe in magic.” Simon declared, “It was like being in the happiest place.” Hara earned unanimous “yeses” from the judges and advances to the next round.
Ryan Stock and his assistant Amber Lynn grossed out the judges and studio audience by first shoving a pair of scissors all the way up his nose. Next, he placed a huge hook up his nostrils. He then hung a bowling ball from the hook, then suspended himself from the ceiling by the hook. Cowell called it the “most disgusting thing” he’d ever seen, but voted “yes” to advancing him to the next round, along with Mandel and Mel B. The lone “no” vote came from Klum, who noted she “can’t handle this kind of stuff.” However, the three “yes” votes were enough to earn the duo a trip to the next round.
Another youngster, 13-year-old Laura Bretan, amazed the judges with her mature operatic voice. Heidi “could not stop smiling.” Simon added that he’d never heard anything like that in all his years of judging talent competitions. Mel B, who said the performance made her hair stand on end, declared Laura’s life was about to change and hit her golden buzzer, guaranteeing the teen a spot in the live shows.
America’s Got Talent airs again next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
