America’s Got Talent 2017 Auditions 5 Recap, Live Blog and Videos

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- Auditions Pasadena Civic Auditorium -- Pictured: Johnny Manuel -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

It’s the FIFTH night of America’s Got Talent auditions in front of judges Howie Mandel, Mel B. Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell. Brand new host Tyra Banks presides over the madness. Join us tonight as we live blog every performance.

Henry Richardson – Teen Magician – We previewed this audition here. Fifteen year old is from Brooklyn New York. He got interested in magic by watching AGT with his dad. Oh no. His dad passed from lung cancer. He stopped doing magic for awhile, but now he sees it as a tribute to his father. Henry performs close up magic for the judges that involves cards. His act is unpolished, but he’s definitely got potential. Simon calls him a “little Harry Potter” and “brilliant.” Mel says “you made it so slick…you have a little swagger thing going on.” Heidi compliments his confidence. – 4 yeses

Maria and Maxim Popazov– Balancing acts – Married couple met 7 years ago and they have a 4 year old daughter. Oh. So their shtick is that they compete against each other because they can’t get along professionally. Maxim is first. He performs with some rickety looking wooden dining room set, stacking chairs on top of each other in a dangerous looking formation. A birthday cake is involved. Mel calls him a true entertainer. Heidi compliments his showmanship. Simon can’t wait until his wife takes the stage. 4 yeses. Maria’s act involves a steel prop. Her act is elegant while her husband is all glitz. She’s also SUPER BENDY. She also gets a standing ovation! Mel is speechless. Heidi thinks she’s a tiny bit better than her husband. Simon loves the competition, of course. 4 yeses.

https://youtu.be/akU1Fb1PrzQ

The Masqueraders – Singing Group – This trio of crooners did bgv for Wilson Pickett and more. They met in high school back in 1959. They remember segregation and the turmoil of the 60’s. The trio’s career was pretty much over by the end of the decade. Although they put out a record in 1968. “We never stopped dreaming” one of them said about their longevity. They sing “A Change is Gonna Come.” These guys are in their 70’s and still in fine voice. Great do-wop outfit with awesome harmonies. I’m impressed. “I love you guys…anyone can be on the stage,” says Heidi. Mel calls them the “three feel good brothers…yummy.” Howie Nick names them “Boys to old men.” Yuck yuck. “I absolutely love you three,” says Simon, “I don’t understand why people put an age limit on talent competitions.” 4 yeses

https://youtu.be/m0b3_eu76vQ

Deuntay Diggs – Dancer – He’s a deputy in a small Virginia town. He wears his uniform as he performs. He wants people to realize when they see a cop, that they’re just like you and me. (except with a gun). OMG. This is like a strip show. But without the stripping. He does a split. And too many leg kicks to count. Four X’s. “You can just prevent people doing crimes by threatening to dance,” quips Simon. “You are successful without being able to dance,” Simon teases Mel. She responds by tossing a full cup of water right over his head. The officer actually looks bummed out, as if he actually took himself seriously. 4 nos.

https://youtu.be/uBj0gqHc6QY

A montage of more terrible dancers are next. One dude dances to a Spice girl song. Simon smacks Mel’s buzzer for her. An older lady dances to “More of a Feeling.” Mel says, “I didn’t get it.” Simon calls her “jealous” while he makes meow sounds. A montage of Mel telling Simon to SHUT UP finishes the clip.

Sara Carson & Hero – Dog Act – A shy kid, she’s always loved animals. Some of her family members didn’t agree with her career choice to work with animals. During her darkest time, she met Hero. Her act is pirate themed. Hero barks and jumps over and under her sword. He grabs it and dances around with it on his hind legs. This isn’t anything we haven’t seen before, but her doggo is adorable! Simon is obviously charmed. Howie notes, correctly, that he didn’t see one amazing trick. Mel B. agrees! Simon felt Hero was almost singing along with the music and he vehemently disagrees. Howie and Mel say no. The audience boos. Sarah cries. Simon takes the stage and ASKS Mel and Howie to change their votes. The audience chants. Howie changes his vote. A grateful Sarah hugs Simon. Sorry. But I’m team Howie and Mel. The dog was cute, but the act, not so much – 3 yeses one no.

Johnny Manuel – Singer – Back in the 90’s when he was 14, “Lil Johnny” was recording and touring with Lil Bow Wow and N Sync. But it all came to a crashing end when the label dropped him. He wound up leaving the industry. And now he’s back for a second chance. He sings Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” in a big tenor voice. It’s VERY VERY dramatic. The crowd goes wild. I don’t know. It’ ain’t the 90’s anymore kid. The Whitney jam is dated. The judges are mostly on their feet. Not Simon. “You are so powerful,” says Mel. “This is a jaw dropping moment,” says Howie. “You are incredible,” says Heidi. “I love that shy little Johnny is really a diva,” says Simon. – 4 yeses.

https://youtu.be/72WMprLONBQ

Amazing Hoover – This comedian (???) plays various parts of his body and household instruments. He gets buzzed off in short order. “That’s the most annoying act we’ve had so far,” says Simon.

Sirqus Alfon – Comic Acrobats – They have Russian accents, but sound really fake. OK., There are no acrobatics at all involved here. They lay on the floor and flail around while their images are projected on a TV screen so it looks somewhat impressive. But like I said–it’s mostly flailing around on the floor. Howie compares them to the Three Stooges. Mel B and Heidi finds them entertaining. Simon actively hates them, call it the worst act on the show so far. Howie loves them even more now. Hm. I’m kinda Team Simon IF I’M BEING HONEST. 3 yeses one no

https://youtu.be/a6vRzuweT1U

Final Draft – Singers – They instantly begin to flirt with Mel. The quartet have been together for six years. They even live together. One member’s childhood was full of poverty. They sing “This is a Man’s World.” Hm. I expected a hip hop group. But these 20 somethings are very retro and traditional. Good voices, though. Tight harmonies. The lead singer has a muscular, soulful voice. Another voice wails adlibs in a very high register. Simon is smiling from ear to ear. Mel says they have something really special that can’t be taught. Heidi likes their look as well as their vocals. Howie notes, “This is your life…it will never be the same after tonight.” The tears come! Simon says, “I saw this real passion, ambition, chemistry…there’s a real shot with you.” 4 yeses.

https://youtu.be/Bb2Y7K-xkxU

Oskar and Gaspar – Digital Artists – A trio of dudes “represent” twins Oskar and Gaspar. “They’ve never been seen in public before.” Simon is laughing. We’ll only see their vision! Heidi joins them on stage. She strips down to a tight white jumpsuit. “Why did he pick me?” Because ya’ll are a skinny model. Wouldn’t want to see Howie in that outfit, OK? So the gimmick is they swap out outfits and faces, electronic lights and images, on top of Heidi, using her as an artist’s palette. Hm. I have a feeling this is a lot more impressive in person. The gimmick about the mysterious brothers is a confusing and unnecessary conceit. “Incredible” says Mel. Howie calls the act “creative.” Simon calls it “sensational” and “original.” Heidi asks the audience to help her vote, since she couldn’t see it. – 4 yeses.

https://youtu.be/iM4RilAwM5U

Vinnie Grasso – Magician – He’s a 41 year old suburban dad. Now that his kids are grown up, it’s time to do his thing. He works as a consultant for a window company. Howie helps him out with a card trick. He rips off his suit to prove he’s not wired. He pulls off his shorts behind a screen. Tyra checks him out from behind. He’s really naked. With his eyes taped shut, he guesses that the card Howie chose was 3 of hearts. That was barely (oops) a trick. Nevertheless, he gets 4 yeses.

Carlos De Antonis – Opera Singer – Fifty two year old’s dream is to be a professional singer. Currently, he sings for his customers in his cab. Not surprisingly, he’s an opera singer. And of course, he performs Nessun Dorma. He’s not bad. I mean. He’s the last act tonight, so ya’ll knew there had to be a twist. He claims one of his customers advised him to audition. He’s VERY DRAMATIC. With the hands and all. He’s crying by the end, as the crowd goes wild. Howie calls him “amazing.” Mel says, “You sing with such passion! It was brilliant.” Simon notes that the audience loves his heart. 4 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwgv3MiH3xM

About mj santilli 34832 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!