America’s Got Talent 2016 – Judge Cuts #2 – Live Blog and Videos

Country star Reba McEntire will be guest judge and choose an act to save. We’ll be live blogging the Judge Cuts Part 2 right here.

Twenty acts compete tonight, only SEVEN will remain to move on to the live shows, including Reba’s Golden Buzzer pick.

I’m a little surprised the 11 year old rapper, Skyler Katz didn’t go through. But other than the novelty, she’s undeveloped. I wish the Rubik’s cube magician, Steven Brundage had made it. His act was very unique. The other acts were no brainers and pretty easy to predict. Montaging acts ruins the suspense, but I suppose there is no way to get through 20 acts in 2 hours. It’s amazing to watch acts choke on the second outing. I’m thinking of comedian Adam Grabowski and The Amazing Sladek. The former just totally choked up there. The latter inexplicably switched from danger to comedy, and completely confused the judges. The kids have more composure than many of the adults.

Speaking of kids: SO MANY CHILDREN. Too many. And it appears that dance acts are out of luck. All of the straight dance acts so far have been montaged…

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Reba loves the show! She calls it “an absolute blast” to watch. She admits to being a little nervous.

Kadie Lynn Robertson – Singer – She’s a 12 year old country singer with an old soul. She was adopted by an older couple. Reba is one of Kadie’s favorite country stars. “I love you!” she gushes. Kadie sings Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart.” It’s a little mature for a 12 year old, but she pulls it off, with a few nerves. She seems a lot older than 12, that’s for sure. She reminds me a little of Sawyer Fredericks and his raw authentic style. Heidi can’t believe she’s 12 years old. Reba compliments her stage presence but does NOT bestow her golden buzzer. Too on the nose maybe? Simon promises Kadie that he will fight for her at the end of the night. Well. There you go. She’s through.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ANWagc_g20

Vello Vaher – Contortionist – He’s a 52 year old contortionist from Estonia. In his video package he and the wife share stories about their 30 year marriage and 5 children. He starts off with a few yoga poses and then stretches his legs around his head and scoots across come scaffolding. He also pulls himself up a rope while twisted like a pretzel. He uses his teeth to suspend himself and roll down a tight rope. Finally, he drops down to the floor and takes a bow. He rolls his stomach muscles, showing off for the audience. That was really weird, but kind of mesmerizing. “I don’t know what I’m watching!” says Heidi. Simon has no idea whether it was good or bad. Reba is in awe. She wonders if he’s cold standing up there in hardly any clothes. “My heart is very warm…but my wife is very hot!” he answers. OK then. Howie calls him the “poster boy for originality.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40TD1gQEgLU

House of Lewis – Hip Hop Group – They’re from Utah. A chubby guy is the lead singer, and they really suck. Simon looks confused. Reba calls the song “depressing.” Yeah, they’re out. Zach Sherwin – He’s a white boy rapper who spits about plush piggies. Hm. “Are you saying it’s a pig mistake?” asks Simon. The rappers hug knowing they aren’t long for the AGT world.

Skyler Katz – Child Rapper – All the bad rapping is an intro to  an 11 year old female rapper who will probably advance on the novelty alone. She’s OK, but it’s a little precious. Unlike Kadie, she really comes across as a little kid. The crowd is up cheering for her though. Howie says she has talent, swag and the whole package. (She’s also a very cute little girl). Reba loves her swag. Mel reminds her to let go a little more. Simon calls her a cool 11 year old. “You’re made for this competition.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOlPc6sWwTM

Eric Cavanaugh is 33 years old ballet dancer. And a big fat guy. I have no idea what that was about.

Sofie Dossi – Teen Contortionist/Bow and Arrow – She’s a 14 year old girl who shoots a bow and arrow with her feet. It’s crazy! She kicks off the routine spinning around high in the air on a hoop. She descends, holding herself by her feet and landing on a tiny spinning pedestal. Here comes the money part! She shoots a flaming arrow with her feet poised over her head onto a target WHILE hand balancing on the tiny pedestal. CRAZY. Her dad makes all her props. “You’re like something out of Game of Thrones” says Simon. Howie wonders if she could fold up and mail herself in an envelope (?) Mel B gushes that she managed to top her incredible first audition. AND REBA HITS HER GOLDEN BUZZER FOR SOFIE. There goes the confetti. Reba rushes the stage to hug her. “You are so good!” she says. “You just dazzled me!”

Moya Angela – Singer – She started her career singing on Broadway at 20. Hm. She didn’t mention that initially. She took a break (she’s 32 now). Her grandma, who passed away a week before this performance, has always supported her. She sings “Alone” by Heart. It’s a great song to show off her pipes. The Broadway thing is apparent. Her performance is very theatrical. Strong voice on this gal and she knows how to bring on the drama. All the judges but Simon give her a standing ovation. The performance touched Reba’s “heart and soul.” Mel B calls her a “true powerhouse.” Simon was slightly disappointed that she didn’t take a risk. He wanted a different kind of song from her. Nobody agrees with Simon. But in the end, will it matter? Or maybe he’s being contrary for dramatic effect, and when she advances everyone will cry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY89y7QNWBU

Parker Garrison is a 12 year old ballet dancer. “You are so flexible!” says Reba. Youngster is a tween dance troupe. Simon said it was “incredibly well rehearsed.” Cody Carter – 14 year old twirls fire batons! None of these acts are going to advance.

Kadan Bart Rockett – Kid magic act – He sawed his sister in half last time. He claims that his sister is still a little mad, so she stayed at home. Right. His dad is also a magician. That’s why magic is in this 10 year old’s blood. He pulls some girls out of a slim suitcase. Like 6 of them. They’re dancers! They pull off his clothes…and it’s his sister. The actual Kadan pops up over by the judges. What? Simon calls the act “real life Harry Potter.” Like last time, this kid is a real showman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XuoLdlXaB8

Adam Grabowski – Comedian – He’s a 28 year old and spends a lot of time on the road. Oh. He’s flopping out there with confusing jokes. Simon buzzes him. He completely loses his train of thought. He continues to chat up the judges, making cheating jokes with a food theme. Nobody is amused. This dude makes no sense. Floppity flop flop. FLOP FLOP FLOP.

Julia Scotti – Comedian – Howie wonders if she makes jokes about being transgender. Sometimes. She delves into her childhood as Richard, growing up in a blue collar neighborhood. “I had no idea how to be a boy” she says. Clips from her days as a male comedian–she was so uncomfortable in her own skin, she quit her act. When she FINALLY understood her discomfort, it was an epiphany. Julia returned to comedy after her transition, and it’s been fantastic. She makes jokes about her own death and funeral that are really about her big crazy family (some are in the audience cheering her on). Julia is bawdy and very likable. “You just make me happy,” says Mel. “You made me laugh through your whole routine,” says Reba. “You’re very naughty!” says Simon. He likes that she’s inappropriate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtZelpXisT4

One Voice – A’cappella Group – We come back to the big High school show choir. Remember the guy who asked the girl to the prom on stage? It happened, but they didn’t kiss. Montaged, so I’m sure it’s a no to them.

RL Bell – Singer – Competitive bodybuilder who thinks he’s Barry White. Simon wasn’t impressed the first time, I doubt he’ll be this time either. RL misunderstood the sugar analogy Simon made after his audition. He thought Simon was asking if he was gay. WHAT? He sings Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On.” It’s less corny than his initial audition, but that’s not saying much. He screeches through the high notes and rolls his crotch at Reba. OK then. She seems delighted, fanning herself. Howie calls him “sweet and low.” Hm. Simon thinks he’s fun, but probably can’t compete with the rest of the talent. Heidi and Mel B. love him. He flexes his muscles for the girls. Yikes. No way should this dude advance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GDDOZm4Hxw

Cecile and Mighty – Music and Magic – Dude has a CRAZY MULLET. She sings while he does magic tricks. She’s terrible. He’s terrible. How did they advance? Simon buzzes right away. Apparently, there was a no vote last time. Simon obvs. Reba’s clapping! “Ya’ll looked like you were having a blast. Howie thought it was fantastic. He would.

Steven Brundage – Rubik’s Cube Magician – He was pigeon toed and bullied terribly in school. But the Rubik’s cube tricks helped him make friends. He got out of a speeding tickets after performing tricks for the cops. He does more closeup work with the judges. He mixes them up. Throws the cube in the air. It comes together. He mixes it up more and in a millisecond he solves the puzzle. He incorporates cards. Heidi calls out a card. He tears the card and it winds up inside the Rubik’s cube. Wow. Pretty impressive. His slight of hand is amazing. Simon calls it “true magic.” Reba is flabbergasted. “You’re very very good.” Howie doesn’t think he has showmanship. Mel B. disagrees! She loves his casual vibe.

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

The Amazing Sladek – He’s the oldest daredevil acrobat. He’s bringing his little brother “Broadway Jim” with him. Last time he piled up chairs. This time he’s dressed like an 80’s clown and jumps around on a trampoline. It’s more comedic than dangerous. They strip off their clothes to silk lingerie? “What the bloody hell was that,” says Simon. Sladek blames Heidi. He claims she inspired the act. “It was like two drunks on a trampoline” says Simon. After he blames Heidi, she throws a cup of water on him. Sladek can’t believe Simon rejected his comedic side. “I wanted to show my versatility,” he says. Can you say BAD JUDGMENT.

Deadly Games – Knife Throwers – Husband and wife act. Oh no. During rehearsal, a spinning wheel that Anya was strapped to fell apart and landed on top of her. She checked out OK afterward, but now her husband is really nervous. The spinning wheel stays in the act! They start off with balloons. She holds one in her mouth. He pops it with a knife. Next, it’s the WHEEL OF DEATH. Anya spins. Will it stay together? She’s spinning fast! And we cut to a commercial. When we return, he throws the first knife. It lands. AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN So dramatic. Simon couldn’t watch. “I was sitting here screaming!” says Mel. “It was hard to watch,” says Howie. Next time, he’ll throw knives blindfolded. Reba calls it a “cool act.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKvwzE8Mb5o

Results are next! Which six acts will join Sofie Dossi in the live shows?

Julia Scotti goes through, Steven Brundage does not. Aw. He’s crying!

Kaden Bart Rockett advances. Deadly Games advances. The Amazing Sendak does not.

Vello Vaher goes through.

Moya Angela goes through. RL Bell is eliminated.

Kadie Lynn Robertson goes through. Skyler Katz is eliminated. Simon personally tells her she did nothing wrong and is a little star.

Next week: Guest judges are George Lopez on Tuesday and Louis Tomlinson on Wednesday. See you then!

Advancing to the Live Shows

Sofie Dossi
Julia Scotti
Kaden Bart Rockett
Deadly Games
Vello Vaher
Moya Angela
Kadie Lynn Robertson