A new judging panel got started in Amercia’s Got Talent Season 8 Episode 1. It’s still early, but Mel and Heidi seem like they’ll fit right in, even if Howie still doesn’t. Among the first acts they judged were Catapult Entertainment, Anna Christine, and Special Head.
Travis Pratt sings a song that his girlfriend apparently loves. He sounds like a very good female opera singer. But the real news of this performance is that he wants to propose to his girlfriend of 5 years.
Ruby and Jonas are a pre-teen ballroom dancing duo. She was a member of The Untouchables from last year (who were children of the Miami All Stars from the prior year). They consider their biggest competition to be Ruby’s slightly older brother D’Angelo and his partner Amanda, who used to date way back when they were 9.
Taking a page out of American Idol’s book, the judges have voted for both of these acts with four yes votes at the same time. I wonder if Nigel is telling them how to vote, too.
Howie gives Mariachi Nuevo Estillo AVM a standing ovation right when they walk on stage because he believes they will annoy Howard. Their version of I’m Sexy and I Know It wins Howard over, though.
The next act runs out on stage shooting guns, but they’re in Texas, so nobody seems to notice. Pistol Packin Paula fires several more times before the female judges buzz her. Then she whips a candle in a shaking Nick’s mouth. Howard’s the only judge who gets this act.
Brad Byers is going to marry someone with a medical background, which comes as no surprise considering he’s about to swallow 9 swords, which the audience can see in an X-ray. As if swallowing them is not enough, he then twists them in circles a couple times. Mel says no because she can’t watch that again, but the other three judges say yes. Nick’s not looking forward to seeing him again either.
Collins Key is a 16 year old magician. First he steals Nick’s food and Howie’s money. He burns the money, which then ends up inside the sealed bag of popcorn. He’s surprised and overwhelmed to find the audience loving his act.
From San Antonio, the auditions now move to New Orleans.
Megan Piphus goes on stage with a couple dummies. She’s a better singer than she is a ventriloquist, but either way she’s going to Vegas.
Jonathan Allen was kicked out by his parents on his 18th birthday because he’s gay. Regardless, he still hopes to make them proud, rather than just writing them off like I’d suggest. He’s already got the audience pulling for him with that story, and his singing backs it up.
Alexandria the Great had a hobby 30 years ago before she had kids. You wouldn’t think it by looking at her, but she’s a female escape artist. She dives in a pool with 30 feet of chains around her. After a minute and a half under water, she comes to the surface unchained. This is compelling television.
Mel says that’s a difficult act to follow. So who’s next? JC Starbright, a computer programmer who views himself as the next Lady Gaga. Howard buzzes within the first sentence. Then Mel. Eventually, he forgets the words to his own song. It takes some time before the other judges finally axe him. Then Nick insists on continuing the foolishness.
Sam Johnson is going to do a handstand. On a sway pole. 80 feet in the air.
The final act of the night is Paul Thomas Mitchell, a singer/songwriter from Memphis. His song, My Life, is a tribute to his father, the one parent he has that recovered from alcoholism. Great voice, great song.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 8 Episode 3, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.