America’s Got Talent 2018 Recap Premiere Auditions, Performance Videos

The Golden Buzzer is back. I’m sure we’ll see an act receive one tonight. Each judge and the host gets one opportunity to send a contestant straight through to the live shows.

Savitsky Cats – A mother daughter duo literally herds cats. Ten cats specifically. It takes a year to teach a cat something, says the daughter. Oh. The act also includes a doggo, which should please Simon! The cats jump through hoops, sit up and beg, jump over each other. The kind of stuff you expect from dogs! Gosh one cat pulls itself across a balance bar. It’s only interesting, though, because it’s cats doing dog stuff. Otherwise, the act would be pretty ordinary. – 4 yeses

After a string of joke acts, it’s time for some magic.

Shin Lim – Card Magician – He’s from Boston, who performed for the first time in his parents church. We posted a preview of his act HERE. This young man’s sleight of hand is mesmerizing. A card Tyra wrote her name on appears everywhere, including as a “tattoo” on his chest! The pack turns into a block of “ice” and back again. Pretty cool. Howie calls it the best close up magic they’ve seen. “Gorgeous,” says Mel B. Simon has changed his mind about card magic. “Unbelievable, ” he says. – 4 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaKUmY3E6fk

Iain Brown – Lives in South Carolina, but originally from Scotland. He wants to be an AGT judge. Huh? He’s looking to replace Howie. Where’s this gimmick going. Simon invites him to take Howie’s seat.  And he “judges” the next act. – 4 nos

Mike – Ian finds out who Mike is and what he’s going to do. He’s a musician. Or a joke act. He performs America the Beautiful with fart hands. He’s buzzed immediately. Not much opportunity to judge. Ian calls Mike “very disappointing.” Which Simon calls disappointing. Ian is fired.  And Mike is gonzo too. Zzzzz. – 4 nos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JfLCuF0pBA

We Three – Sibling band from Oregon.  Oh look. The whole family is out in the audience. The kids  father also travelled with a family band.  Tragic backstory: Mom passed from cancer–only 4 months after she was diagnosed. The original song they are performing is inspired by her and her journals. The tear jerkin pop rock tune visibly moves the panel.  After a standing ovation, Mel B. shares how the song reminds her of losing her father  to cancer. “I loved the song,” says Heidi. Howie “felt” it. Simon, putting on his record exec hat, thought it “felt like a record…I honestly think we have the start of something big here.” – 4 yeses

La Fontane – They formed in high school, got a great reception, but then went on with their lives. Still, they all love performing. They couldn’t let the dream die! They announce they will perform “My Heart Will Go On.” But oh look. It’s actually a joke act. They don’t sing. They whip out bottled water which they use as a source to squirt water out of their mouths. Like “fountains.” Get it? Har. It’s basically a frat prank. The act’s big (gross) moment is squirting water into each other’s mouths and swallowing it. Queue up the dirty jokes!! It’s pretty stupid. Mel B. loves it. Simon hates it. “I don’t know what you lot have been drinking,” he says. Heidi calls it a lot of fun. She usually hates acts like this. No surprise, Howie calls it amazing. Simon says no. The crowd boos him. Ew. Tara spits water into one of the dude’s mouths. – 3 yeses 1 no

Junior New System – Dance troupe from the Philippines –  Their dream is to be on AGT. Hailing from a rough Filipino neighborhood, they hope to be able to support their extremely poor families. They saved all their money to go to America. The lead dude is crying. The group performs precision hip-hop dancing with lots of tumbling. Ha. They’re wearing gold platform shoes. The routine is very unusual.  It blends the masculine and feminine in a very original way. Mel B screams “WHAT JUST HAPPENED.” Howie calls it “amazing.” Heidi loved it. “You guys really woke me up.” Simon thought the second half of the act was terrific. – 4 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB10adSBwlg

Flau’jae – 14 year old rapper – We posted a preview HERE. Her father was shot before the young rapper was born. He was only 20 years old and also a rapper with a record contract, when he fell victim to a street rivalry. It’s not her first appearance on a reality show. Flau’jae was previously a contestant on season three of Jermaine Dupri‘s Lifetime reality competition, The Rap Game, which is currently shooting season five. She competed in 2016 and did not win. She’s definitely got some talent. The audience is on their feet.  Mel B. calls her “on point” and “honest.”  Simon says he doesn’t know much about rap music, but he thinks he’s witnessing the start of someone’s career.  Simon goes backstage to congratulate her personally.- 4 yeses

Vickie Barbolak – 60 year old comedian – She stared a wedding chapel business and is ordained to conduct weddings. She tells jokes about conjugal visits, Elon Musk and well fitting bras. Eh. The crowd loved her though, and she becomes emotional at the response. “You just made me properly belly laugh,” says Mel B. Howie thinks she fills the Joan Rivers void. Simon calls her the funniest comic they’ve had on the show. “You’re a little star.” Simon usually reserves that compliment for very young contestants. – 4 yeses.

Buzzed acts: Mel B. says she hates being scared. ‘Which is weird, because you’re scary spice!” says Heidi. Anywho this dude transforms himself into a ghost…or something. With a mask? Yeah. That was pretty  stupid. Next it’s a creepy clown. Simon hates clowns. He dances to Vegas style showgirl music. That gets buzzed. More bad acts featuring people with dumb masks follow. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz..

The Sacred Riana  – Creepy Magic act – Finally, it’s a creepy looking chick with a doll.  She drops the prop, walks up to the judges table and reveals a bunch of cards. This is the weirdest card trick ever, involving creep outs and a scary story. And a Polaroid.  Confused and weirded out, Simon buzzes her. After she walks away, a bowl full of newspaper clippings erupts into flames.That was different. Apparently, this act won Asia’s Got Talent in 2017.  – 3 yeses. Simon says no. 

Zurcaroh – Gymnasts – The leader stresses that they are not professionals. He started the group 10 years ago. He’s from Sao Paulo Brazil–the only one of his group of friends to survive. He’s a father figure to the young people in his group. The troop is huge, performing a combo of dance and gymnastics, building huge impressive pyramids. There’s lots of dangerous looking tumbling and tossing. “Wow!” says Howie. Mel B is impressed by their precision. Heidi calls it “unbelievable.” Simon calls it one of the most incredible things he’s ever seen. Oh. Tyra is heading to the judges table. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. She hits the golden buzzer button.  Confetti! Tears! That’s how the show ends. The group goes straight to the live shows.  – Tyra’s Golden Buzzer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJjh19zO1lk

After two singing acts winning the show in a row ( Singer/songwriter Grace Vanderwaal, singing ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer) in a row, Simon seems to be looking for different acts this season. There was very little singing in tonight’s show. Only one act!