America’s Got Talent 2017 Judge Cuts #4 Recap, Live Blog and Videos

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Judge Cuts" Episode 1211 -- Pictured: Artyon & Paige -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

It’s the fourth and final night of America’s Got Talent Judge Cuts auditions in front of judges Howie Mandel, Mel B. Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell. With host Tyra Banks.

Musician and Heidi’s ex-husband, Seal serves as this week’s guest judge. So they’re still friends after Heidi cheated on him with their body guard. Or at least that’s what the tabloid’s said!

Join us tonight as we live blog every performance. Only 7 acts out of 20 will advance to the next round. Judge Cuts guest panelists can send their favorite act straight through to the Live Shows vis golden buzzer.

After giving the ex cheek kisses, Seal sings a bit of “Kiss from a Rose” for the crowd. Simon wants all the scoop on Heidi and Seal.

Artyon and Paige – Kid Ballroom Dancers – It’s a little mini seal and Heidi, Mel says. They’re a cute little white and black ballroom dance team. Nine years old, they hope to get married when they grow up. They’ve got the wedding all planned out. Hm. I’m thinking production fed the kids this story to flesh out the “Heidi and Seal mini-me” narrative.  Oooh. Simon buzzed their audition. They dance to “I Had the Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing. They really are cute. She’s better than him. But they’re so young. Oh. They do the iconic lift move from the movie. That was fancy. The crowd loves. it. Some flips follow. Simon doesn’t buzz them. Seal calls them “incredible.” Howie loves them, but not 100% impressed. Simon said they went from an annoying first performance to something really entertaining.

https://youtu.be/VIX96fUm0co

Brit Saasen – Singer – She’s a country singer. She’s second tonight? And we only get a bit of her Fleetwood Mac cover. Seal says he felt her nerves. “You have to believe in yourself,” he says. Simon came right out and called it forgettable. BYE GIRL.

https://youtu.be/ij4w1Hxma6A

In the Stairwell – Air Force A Capella Group – The group has two big passions: Serving the country and singing! Howie buzzed their audition. He called it “boring.” They admit to Simon that the group’s first audition was done on a dare. But they are totally serious about advancing. They’re covering ‘N Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye.” I’m kinda with Howie. They are boring. No outstanding soloists, and the arrangements are just so so. Zzzzz. Seal gives them a standing ovation, though. Mel calls them awkward, but adorable. Seal notes that it’s difficult to sing together. He compliments their discipline. Howie said they stepped it up from last time (still not terribly impressed.) Simon says he’ll remember them in the morning. He likes their energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcrRMlK_2ac

Will Tsai – Illusionist – In his audition, he performed close up magic with coins and blew everyone away. This time, he’s going to bring back his dead pet fish Joey with magic. He waves his hand in front of his face and his eye goes glassy. He’s the 3 eyed Raven. Heh. An ice cube turns into a fish. The judges weren’t impressed though. “I don’t understand what happened,” says Simon. I guess it was hard to see from where the judges sit. Uh oh.

Henry Richardson – Magician – Fifteen year old lost his father 3 years ago. Magic was something he shared with his dad. He does card tricks with a lunch sack. He turns a pack of cards clear. He wraps his trick up in a story about how he hides his magic cards from his teachers at school. Very well done. Heidi calls it “fantastic…incredible.” Seal was trying to trip him up. “Nice trying to mess up a 15 year old’s car trick, quips Howie. Simon compliments his magic and his likeable personality.

Now for a series of acts Simon hated: Elena and Sasha – Daredevil Acrobats – Elena calls their danger routine “the first dance at their wedding.’ It involves a bow and arrow and a balloon. Simon not impressed. She calls him crabby. Lost Legends – Dancers – Simon buzzes them pretty quick. He compares the act to “medieval knights.” Nick Uhas – He’s the Big Brother 15 alum who performs lame science experiments. Simon buzzes him too. Veronica Gonzalez – Puppeteer – Simon buzzes her terrible act as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iNnF44N9gg

Sirqus Alfon – Projection Artists – Simon buzzed their audition. It was stupid. But this time, they do a projection trick that was kind of clever. Simon’s thoughts about them have completely changed. Seal thought it was creative and he liked the drummer.

Greater Works – Gospel Choir – The lead singer of this group is really good. Her husband’s kidneys failed and doctors said his disease would be fatal. The choir got her through it. Thankfully, husband survived. If they win the prize, the leader Darnell wants to spread the hope on the road. Two different singers this time perform “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” They should have stuck with the audition singer, because she was dynamic. Oh…here she comes for the ad lib, basically saving the day. She should have been on stage the entire time. That performance didn’t come alive until she arrived. Mel wants to see them again, “You are brilliant.” Seal loved it. “You are amazing,” says Simon. Ha. The short clip cuts straight to the original singer’s solo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BMruDaK22Y

The Pompeyo Family – Dog Act – Husband, Wife and daughter. The mom was an aerialist, and once she started a family, she wanted to put the dangerous stuff behind her. Tyra calls them the “poodle posse.” The dogs won’t stop barking. Maybe not all that well trained? It’s a cowboy themed deal with hoops ropes and barrels. Once the act starts, the dogs are all business. The act ends with a big finish–the littlest pupper climbs a ladder and jumps off. Simon likes that the act is slightly chaotic. He’s not crazy about the dog grooming. But he liked it, despite it being “one of the most unprofessional dog acts.”  But, he says, “that’s part of the charm.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODT22EbMgzw

Johnny Manuel – He had a record deal at 14 as “Lil Johnny” but the label dropped him. After touring with N Sync and other big acts, it was over. He suffered depression afterward, but then America’s Got Talent came along, says his mother. Hm…I smell a Seal golden buzzer, don’t you? Sniff sniff. He sang Whitney’s “I Have Nothing.” He confesses to loving Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway. And after Heidi prompts him, Seal  You bettah, or you won’t see any gold confetti. This time he sings Stevie’s “Lately.” He lays the diva deal on a bit thick, but he does have a powerful voice. Mel calls him “flawless.” Heidi says, “You move me…you have a gift.” Simon wasn’t crazy about the song choice. He thought the “trills” were “quite annoying.” He asks him to sing something “unexpected.” And that’s “I Have Nothing” again. Huh? Seal says, “You only hit notes I could only dream of.” He was impressed by his impromptu a’capella rendition so….Seal hits his golden buzzer. Who didn’t see that coming?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaIz3p4Pc_Q

Maria and Maxim are husband and wife, and also competing against each other.

Maria Papazova – Contortionist – She performs tricks suspended in a plastic bubble. Simon buzzes. “I kept waiting for something to happen.” Seal agrees with Simon. But Mel completely disagrees with both.

Maxim Popazov – Chair Balancer – He stacks a bunch of chairs, climbs on top…and looks like he’s about to topple any minute right on top of the judges. So yeah, the precarious way he stacked them, kept the audience at the edge of his seat. Simon says he won the battle against his wife. Well, his act was a ton more tension filled.

Quick dance montage German Dance Company which performs group ballroom and The Honeybeez, a troupe of big girl dancers. Hi….bye.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_JgWX102xc

Merrick Hanna – Hip Hop Dancer – He’s only nine years old. After seeing a dance crew on AGT a few years ago, he was inspired to dance. He does robotics. He’s fresh faced and engaging–a talented performer. I bet he goes through. Simon wasn’t crazy about the song choice, but he still told a wonderful story, he says. Howie will fight for him!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcC5LAyVEsU

Kechi – She was the sole survivor of a terrible plane accident. Kechi was badly burned. Mom is on hand this time to help relay the painful story again. She sings “A Song For You.” She conveys emotion without big notes or major riffs. Her simple style is appealing. Her intonation is beautiful. Seal is the first on his feat. Simon says she deserves her place on the show purely based on talent. “Strength through vulnerability,” is how Seal describes the performance. He takes the stage to hug her. “Do you know how beautiful you are right now…you’re special,” he says.

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

RESULTS! In the Stairwell? REALLY??? They are a mediocre a capella group. I would have given a spot to Henry Richardson the teen magician instead. Kachi and Brit Sassen were the last two standing. Was that supposed to be suspenseful? Or was the elimination of the pretty blond supposed to make some sort of cliched statement?

Johnny Manuel – Golden Buzzer
In the Stairwell
The Pompeyo Family
Greater Works
Artyon and Paige
Merrick Hanna
Kechi

CLIP SHOW tomorrow. Next week AGT goes LIIIIVEEEE!

FUN FACT! All four of the Golden Buzzer recipients are solo singers. Simon could be looking for another singer to win.

About mj santilli 35131 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!