By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent: The Champions debuted last week! Acts from around the world competed for their chance to impress Got Talent creator Simon Cowell and his fellow AGT judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Mel B. Last week, Scary Spice gave Susan Boyle her Golden Buzzer. Meanwhile, a panel of superfans voted to send comedian Preacher Lawson to the finals.
Tonight, ten more champions took to the stage. For some acts such as Darci Lynne Farmer, Light Balance, Taylor Williamson, and Viktor Kee, it was a homecoming. However, it also marked the first time that several performers made their America’s Got Talent stage. Which act received the Golden Buzzer? Who joined Susan Boyle and Preacher Lawson in the finals? Read on to find out!
After Terry introduced the judges, he revealed that Heidi had the possession of the Golden Buzzer. Mel B welcomed her Season 12 Golden Buzzer act, ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer, back to the Champions round. The Oklahoma native came back to the show because she missed AGT and wanted the World Champion title. She teamed up with her pal, Oscar, and the duo entertained the crowd with a tribute to Tina Turner as they sang “Nutbush City Limits” and “Proud Mary.” Holy cow, Darci Lynne has grown leaps and bounds as a performer, and her vocal range was impeccable. It was a great way to start the evening.
Britain’s Got Talent winner Ashleigh made her debut on the AGT stage. Sadly, since winning BGT (really over Jonathan and Charlotte?), Pudsey passed away. Sully stepped into the spotlight. In all honesty, I wished that they brought Collabro, Jonathan & Charlotte, Paddy & Nico, and Richard Jones to compete in America’s Got Talent: The Champions. I thought that the duo was boring!
Hoping to impress the crowd was former AGT host Tyra Banks’ Golden Buzzer, Light Balance. The Season 12 third place finishers returned with a vengeance. They delivered an electrifying routine to the Backstreet Boys, Kiss, and Galantis’ “Runaway (U & I).” The choreography was impressive and I thought the gentlemen stole the evening. All four judges gave Light Balance a standing ovation and Simon added that Light Balance was the reason why America’s Got Talent: The Champions was created.
I loved that America’s Got Talent: The Champions brought back friend to the blog and Season Eight runner-up Taylor Williamson. Heidi immediately started flirting with Taylor. He talked about his success since the show especially the fact he made more money than Bill Cosby and he roasted the judges. Simon and Mel B were unhappy with Taylor’s performance, while Heidi and Howie liked it. I was happy with Taylor’s set and I rather have him than some stupid animal act!
Got Talent España champion Cristina Ramos made her American television debut. Despite her nerves, she delivered an epic cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” I loved how she went from rock to opera. Holy smokes, what a voice!! I agreed with Simon, Cristina should have gotten Heidi’s Golden Buzzer.
Holland’s Got Talent champions and jump rope dance crew DDF Crew made their AGT crew. They performed in Las Vegas and had their own theatre show. I have to say that I commend the DDF Crew for trying, but that was boring! I had to agree with Howie that DDF Crew did not blow me away. In all honesty, the DDF Crew’s spot should have gone to Season Six third place finisher Team iLuminate.
Viktor Kee is one of my all-time favorite variety acts to have ever performed on AGT! His showmanship is second to none. He dedicated this performance to his son and wife. The Season 11 finalist delivered an outstanding multimedia performance that gave me chills. His choreography was on point and visuals were superb! I am surprised that he did not get Heidi’s Golden Buzzer!
Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer, Courtney Hadwin, returned to the America’s Got Talent stage. I am disappointed that the AGT production team asked her back. Yes, Courtney is a great vocalist, but I believe that either friends to the blog: Season Nine runner-up Emily West or Season 10 semifinalist Sharon Irving, should have had Courtney’s spot.
Season 11 semifinalists Deadly Games left a significant impact on their season. They performed the most dangerous stunt I have seen in all of my years of watching Got Talent. The deadly duo made my jaw drop all throughout their performance. I was so worried that he would throw a dagger at his wife or the arrows would hurt her. That performance nearly made me faint! Simon called them champions, while Heidi Klum gave them her Golden Buzzer. This made Deadly Games…the first danger act to receive the Golden Buzzer in America’s Got Talent history.
Season 10 finalist and Neil Patrick Harris’ Golden Buzzer recipient Piff the Magic Dragon returned to compete in America’s Got Talent: The Champions. Piff and his sidekick, Mr. Piffles, sold out shows across the country and performs in his own theatre in Las Vegas. Piff revealed that his dog had a hard time losing Season 10, because he was a champion. He called Heidi to join him on stage and asked her to remove a ring. He placed dog food on the ring and Mr. Piffles ate the ring. He pooped out the stuff and put it in the bag. She picked up an dragon egg and he asked Heidi to pick out the ring out of the yolk.
It was time to reveal the acts that the Fifty States Superfans picked to advance to the finale. Terry revealed that Courtney Hadwin, Cristina Ramos, and Darci Lynne Farmer made the Top Three of the evening. In all honesty, either Viktor or Piff should have had Courtney’s spot. The act that came in third place was Courtney. The winner that advanced to the finale was Cristina Ramos! That blew me away that Cristina beat out Darci!
Next week, Jon Dorenbos, Darcy Oake, Paul Potts, Prince Poppycock, Tom Cotter, and Samuel J. Comroe perform for two spots in the finals!
Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen.