America’s Got Talent 2016 – Auditions #4 – Live Blog and Videos

Deadly Games – Knife Act – They are a married couple with a two year old daughter. They both have passion for danger! Hope there is next of kin who can take care of the baby! The duo’s dream is to have a show in Vegas. The husband confesses that he hit his wife twice (with a knife!). “I can kill her,” he adds. “She’s the one pushing me to do the crazier tricks.” Eep. It starts off as a standard knife act. But soon, the knives are aimed so the wife has to dodge them. Wow. Fire is next. Yeah, that’s pretty dangerous. Mel B found it “entertaining in a frightening way.” Howie was impressed with the “moving” trick. Heidi found it “thrilling.” Simon says the woman’s engagement–rather than just standing still waiting for the knives–made the act really interesting. 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1k46VZh4mk

Elias & Zion – Piano – Apparently, these twin 9 year olds have been on Ellen. They hug Simon Cowell when they meet him backstage. They also complain about constantly being mistaken for girls because of their very long hair. The boys separate their personalities instantly. One would buy fast cars if he won the million, the other would save for a college education. Their act is a double piano act, on an electric keyboard. Jeez Channel 7 why do you keep mistakenly cutting in with commercials? I didn’t catch half of what happened after they performed. The kids are decent keyboardists, particularly for their age, but their personalities are annoyingly and insufferably precocious. The judges fell for it, though – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFQJ3Q2p6Cw

Next it’s a montage of family acts that make it through to the next round. “The kids this year are stronger than ever,” says Heidi before a montage of kids flash across the screen. There’s a 12 year old dancer who got lost on his way to So You Think You Can Dance: Next Generation. And a teenage danger act, featuring a boy who climbs on top of precariously placed cylindricals and jump ropes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d1Dmu6nzD0

Next, it’s a choir singing a classically tinged “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” accompanied by strings. Mel B. feels transported! It’s 4 yeses.

Jayna Brown – Singer – Fourteen year old singer also has a singing mom. After moving to Atlanta, the two lost their home and now live with neighbors. Still, they managed to make it to LA for their audition. Jayna sings “Summertime.” This young singer has potential for sure. She’ll be even better in a few years, if you know what I mean. I say it after every kid singer.  She throws in a few runs, hits some money notes, and the crowd goes wild. Heidi gives her a standing ovation. “What a voice!” says Mel B. “You are fearless, you are fabulous!” says Heidi. “There’s so much poise, so much beyond your years!” says Howie. Jana confesses that her mom schooled her in the great voices of the past. Simon did his “I didn’t like that…I loved it.” shtick and Jana gets 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PVv2TZ3lqU

SOS and Victoria – Quick Change Artist – The husband designs all of his wife’s clothes. The couple have been married for 20 years. There is dancing involved. What is this? OK now I understand. She’s a quick change artist, and he designs all the costumes. That’s pretty different. It’s kind of a magic act. How can she change her clothes so quickly? And the costumes are colorful and eye catching. In the last bit, she changes in a cloud of confetti. “You really blew my mind, says Heidi.  “Quick, slick, I don’t know how you did it,” says Simon, although he calls the “dancing” corny. He would be correct. – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFnycBlOIRA

Next, it’s a montage of acts that don’t advance, set to a back drop of Nat King Cole’s “Smile.”

Robert Drlicka – Gives out compliments full time – He used to be a corporate dude, now his life work is making people smile. It doesn’t take Simon long to buzz him. Howie is next. Basically, after he delivers a lame “compliment” to a judge, they buzz him. It takes Mel B a bit to hit her buzzer. “I actually wanted more compliments,” she says. Joke act be a joke act. – 4 nos

Jon Dorenbos – Magician/Pro Football Player – Currently, he plays football for the Philly Eagles. Why is he auditioning for America’s Got Talent? He does magic on the side. Simon wonders what he’d do if he wins. John says NFL stands for “Not for Long.” After 14 years, he’s probably ready to retire. His card tricks are pretty deft for a guy who probably doesn’t have much time to practice. His hands are VERY fast! Simon can’t believe it. “I don’t know how the hell you did that!” says Simon. “You’re fast with your hands, you’re fast with your mouth.” Mel B. calls the act “shockingly good.” – 4 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCyXy4GH-O8

Vello Vaher – Contortionist – He’s an acrobatic teacher, age 52, from Estonia. He wants to be famous! “I don’t know why,” he muses. The joke is his broken English. Ha ha ha. Hm. He’s a contortionist! I was convinced he was a joke act, but this is pretty good. His act has him completing a series of dangerous/strange things with his legs crossed behind his shoulders. He’s got a contraption set up, where he removes blocks before hopping on to another level. The landing spots are tiny. He’s also climbs a rope It’s rather gonzo, and a combo we haven’t quite seen yet on the show. “You’re like the acrobatic Borat,” says Simon. Heidi calls the act “impressive.” Mel B finds him “wonderfully crazy.” Howie says, “It’s amazing.” – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2KcvV77iY8

Next is a montage of singers who don’t advance. Simon is particularly brutal with a young singer/songwriter. He also calls out a pitchy country singer.

Ronee Martin – Singer – She’s a 62 year old singer. She has no husband, no kids. Ronee reveals she was close to a record deal at one point. “Before I lose it, I need to get it!” says Ronnie about why she’s auditioning. She sings “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. Simon stops her, “I don’t think that song was right for you.” He asks her to sing something else. She sings “Natural Woman” instead. Simon becomes transfixed! But you know the whole deal was set up for dramatic effect. She’s got a good voice. She’s been taking care of it: She can sure hit those high notes. “When that chorus hit, you took it all the way,” says Mel. “You should be a star,” says Howie. Heidi thought the second song really showcased her voice. Simon says she’s a talent, but needs to become relevant. Good luck with that. – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvlSBgUj3tY

A montage of more terrible acts!

Micha – Strongman/gross out – He calls himself “The Baron of the Universe.” He’s wearing an outlandishly garish outfit. YUCK. This is also a gross out act. He holds up a gold ball with a hook through his nose, clips pulled through his eyes and nipples. That’s all I got, because I stopped watching. I told you I wouldn’t look at the gross-out acts. Simon calls him “fantastically sick.” Heidi is too grossed out. She says no. The rest say yes. Heidi – no the rest – yes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ1UTZZvPHs

Julia Scotti – Comedian – She’s 63 years old. She quit to have a family and start another career. “You don’t stop because you have grey hair!” she says, explaining why she’s come back to comedy. Mel notes that Howie is in his 60’s. Simon turns to Mel and quips, “You’re still singing!” Julia surprises the audience with innuendo and foul language. The jokes aren’t that funny, but she’s winning by coming out of left field. She gets all teary when the audience responds. “You really make me laugh,” says Heidi. Howie says, “You have so much to offer!” OHHHHH. Then she lays the bomb. She’s transgender. I suspected that at the beginning of her segment, after hearing her somewhat masculine voice, to be honest. Simon says, “the surprises are never ending with you…you’re edgy.” – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HxkZNX9r_0

Calysta Bevier – Singer – She’s 16 years old. When Howie asks what singer she’s like, she refuses to compare herself to anyone. She’s a survivor of stage 3 Ovarian cancer and spent all of last summer in chemo. She cried when she lost her hair. On August 28th, the doctors told her she was in remission. She’s only a sophomore in high school. She sings…what else? “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. She’s solid, but not spectacular. Still, Simon gives her a thumbs up. This is going to all about her backstory, isn’t it? Mel B. calls it “amazing.” Heidi can’t believe she’s only 16. “I just had this feeling when you walked out,” says Simon. “I predict great things are going to happen to you. Then, he reaches over and pushes his golden buzzer, which means she’ll go straight through to the live shows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9msiUy0JN64

AGT is on at 9 pm next week!