Peter Kramer/NBC(NEW YORK) — America’s Got Talent continued its “Judge Cuts” on Tuesday. Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel continued the four-week process of picking 36 acts for the live performance shows. This week, singer Michael Bublé – invited by Heidi — 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 dance troupe DM Nation, singer Daniella Mass, musical duo The CraigLewis Band, puppet act Ira and his mother Mirriam, dancer Benjamin Yonattan, ladder balancer Uzayer Novruzov andSelected of God Choir.
Actor/comedian Marlon Wayans joins the panel next week.
Here’s a rundown of some of Tuesday’s highlights:
Twenty-three-year-old singer Daniella Mass performed “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” from the Broadway show Evita, in Spanish and English. Bublé complimented the singer in Spanish. Stern noted Mass’ voice was “second to none.” Klum called the performance “incredible.”
Nerdy puppet Ira sang Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” to Mel B, backed on guitar by his stage mother, Mirriam – also a puppet. She explained to the panel that she told Ira “get it on” means “get ice cream.” What followed were a series of double entendres from Ira, telling the former Spice Girl he knows a nice place where they can “get it on” and asking her if she likes “vanilla.” When Heidi complained she was jealous the puppet paid more attention to Mel B, he invited Klum to “get in on the act.” Mel responded by saying she would love to get it on with Ira. Klum called him “loveable and cute.” Michael noted it was easy to “fall for” the puppet.
Blind dancer Benjamin Yonattan, 14, suffers from retinal dystrophy, but still manages to impress and inspire people with his ballet and acrobatic moves. Howie called Yonattan’s routine “uplifting and heartbreaking.” Mel B noted the teen was having difficulty balancing, but applauded his perseverance. Bublé called Benjamin “inspiring.” Howard also praised him for performing on the AGT stage, instead of hiding in his room. Benjamin advances to the next round.
Uzayer Novruzov, a Russian-born acrobat, performed stunts using a freestanding ladder. Mandel noted Uzayer was “what we celebrate on America’s Got Talent,” adding he could watch him “for hours.” Klum added he “puts a big smile on everyone’s face.” Bublé called the act “exceptional,” but confessed he thought he would be “part of a YouTube video where a man falls to his death.” Novruzov makes it to the next round of competition.
The CraigLewis Band brought the judges to their feet with their performance of Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Goin’ Down” After agonizing over it for a while, Bublé used his Golden Buzzer for the act, moving the duo straight through to Radio City Music Hall. His only reservation about pushing the button was that he felt certain they’d go through without his help, and wanted to save it for another act. The guys advance to the live rounds.
Canadian precision dance troupe DM Nation brought several members of the judging panel to their feet, including Bublé, a fellow Canadian who noted he was proud they were from the same country. Michael applauded the team’s “synchronicity,” declaring the routine was “magnifique.” Howie called it “girl power.” They move on to the next round.
Selected of God Choir surprised everyone with a version of the Destiny’s Child song “Survivor.” Stern noted they “took an act that was good and made it great.” Buble called it “beautiful and powerful.”
Some acts that reached the end of the road included Dr. Danger’s All Stars, a group of daredevils that wowed the judges during their audition, but failed to impress with Tuesday’s stunt that featured one of them riding a motorcycle through fire. Stern and Mandel buzzed them, both agreeing the act was “underwhelming.” Bublé, however, disagreed, noting the danger involved in the stunt.
Ryan Shaw has come close to realizing his dream “many times,” signing a record deal and earning Grammy Award nominations. His dream of winning the big prize on America’s Got Talent also ended in disappointment on Tuesday. Ryan sang Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Bublé noted Ryan had the strongest voice he’d heard in the competition so far, adding he’s “got the goods.” His only complaint was that he would’ve loved to have heard the singer tackle something that would “get the place roaring.”
Magician Aiden Sinclair turned his life around after serving ten years in prison for a number of crimes. His card trick had Howie asking, “Were you released from prison or did you escape?” Howard called Sinclair a “solid act,” noting he’s always excited to see a magician come up on stage and “wow” them. Mel B declared she was “mind-boggled.” Bublé said Aiden should call the routine the “Shawshank Redemption.” In spite of the praise, Sinclair was sent home.
Nerves got the better of Scott Heierman, who performed standup comedy in drag. After a great audition, he went blank during Tuesday’s routine and couldn’t finish. It was the end of the road for Scott.
Former showgirl Shirley Claire, 87, impressed the judges with her version of Frank Sinatra’s “The Best Is Yet to Come.” Bublé noted it was a tough song to sing, adding the octogenarian was “beautiful.” However, it wasn’t enough to stand up to the other singers performing on Tuesday’s show.
America’s Got Talent airs again next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC.
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