America’s Got Talent 2018 Recap Week 5 Auditions, Performance Videos

The Golden Buzzer is back. Each judge and the host gets one opportunity to send a contestant straight through to the live shows. Who will win the 1 million dollar prize?

Troy James – Contortionist – He’s got a boring Human Resources job and lives a pretty ordinary life! His talent is just a hobby. So yeah. Basically, he can turn himself into a pretzel and it’s pretty gross to look at. NEXT. He crawls up to the judges table like a creepy spider. Ew. “It was like the Exorcist,” says Simon. But he loves that. Troy explain that he was born flexible. Heidi and Mel both give a big thumbs up. – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3WH_DNL_UI

Vivian Vajda – Trick Jump Roper – Born in Hungary, she wants to show the world her passion for jump roping. She jumps, flips and tumbles, all while jump roping. She sure knows how to wield that thing. She does tricks while sitting on her butt. Mel gives her a standing ovation. “That was brilliant! She says. Those tricks you were doing were so complicated.” Heidi agrees. She’d like to see it with fire. Simon? DOGS. He mentions that he loves the variety of AGT (Singers only…BORING he says). Vivian cries as she shares that she was bullied when young. – 4 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV3XyFK7N1w

Joseph O’Brien – Singer – Twenty year old from a small town in Tennessee has never had a girlfriend. Oh boy–does he really want to go with this backstory? He works as a “trampoline monitor” in his hometown. He wants to be a full time musician.  Heidi asks the leading question…do you have a girlfriend or a wife? And he explains that he’s never kissed a girl or even been on a date. He sings Lionel Richie’s “Hello” which is the perfect song for one who has endless unrequited experiences. He’s not a terrible singer. He plays with the melody a little, which is creative. I guess? But he holds back–much as he presumably does in his love life. Simon says he’s relatable and has good energy. Mel believes he has potential “I absolutely adore you.” Howie thinks nerves got to him, but that he’ll go far anyway. Heidi loved it – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SENlsjjB1Uw

Simon tells the audience that they are the “fifth judge” adding “be as badly behaved as you want.”

Christy Joy – Singer? – When she tells the crowd to stand up and the disco music starts, y’all know it’s going to suck. She mews her way through the song, but only for a few moments. After four x’s from the judges she asks the audience if they like it. They boo her pretty brutally.

Jim Pearl – Hot Dogs! – He’s a world record maker! Oh boy. Hot dogs! He’s going to shove them in his mouth. BIG RED X. The audience boos him.  So…this little montage is all about how brutal the audience can be. Coached by the producers, natch.

“French Accent” – Comedian – Next, it’s a dude with a pirate patch playing an accordian. He does one liners and puns. WOW. CORNY CORNY JOKES. Howie loves it. Mel and Heidi X him.  But then the dude begins to win them over with charm. The audience was behind him from the beginning. Erm. Nope. I did not enjoy that. Howie calls him funny and unique. Mel takes her X back. “You’re way funnier in the moment.” Mel calls him a great entertainer. Simon will NOT take his X back. “There’s always got to be a villain,” frenchy says. He moonwalks off the stage. Still hate him. – 3 yeses 1 no

Glennis Grace – 39 year old singer – Growing up, her parents fought a lot. Singing was her way to escape. After having a baby, she set aside her dreams of stardom. But now, her 11 year old has inspired her to audition. She sings Whitney Houston’s “Run To You” like a 90s diva. Good voice, but not very original. She’s a crowd pleaser though. (Hm. I bet she’s had more going on career wise than they are letting on here.) “I feel like I’m looking at a star already,” says Simon. Heidi thinks she sounds “so much” like Whitney. Mel calls her an amazing beautiful singer but wants to see more of “her” in her performances. Exactly. At this point, she’s super competent karaoke. – 4 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaCgnvNcq0M

Crazy Howie Moments

Kenny Thomas – Daredevil Motorcyclist – He’s from FRANCE. Like so many acts, Kenny wants Howie as a volunteer. He asks him to lay on the floor like a starfish–wearing a helmet. Uh oh. Dude roars in on a motorcycle bringing the machine dangerously close to Howie again and again and again. He runs up a ramp and flips backward. He ends very very very close to Howie’s…family jewels. Simon enjoyed that A LOT. “I was real scared for you Howie,” says Heidi. – 4 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWsoDy0K9xo

Dr. Steven Eisenberg – Singer – He comes from a long line of doctors, so he became one too–a hematologist/oncologist. But he has always dreamed of a singing career. He writes songs for his patients to help them feel better. He’s close to his mom, who is with him backstage. He performs a song about mom, who is his “No 1 fan.” WELP DOC BETTER STICK TO DOCTORING. He cannot sing. The audience is booing. He’s getting X’d. I did not expect that. HE was not expecting that. Kind of mean! Because while he is talent free, he does seems very sincere. I’ll bet his cancer patients actually love it when he sing to them. Mom comes out to defend his “compassion.” She says it’s not about his voice, but about his HEART. She won’t leave the stage! ‘That was very uncomfortable,” says Simon. Awe. That man’s heart was definitely in the right place. – 4 nos

Bryan Kellen – Comedian – He’s 51 years old. He left a day job at 31 to be a comedian and has been struggling for a long time. Oh gosh. He’s kinda dying out there. Simon Xd him and calls him “painful” Howie tells him to not give up. The older ones who flop on stage are heartbreaking. Nice words from Howie, but at 51 the gig is nearly up.

Rob Lake – Illusionist – When this thirty-four year old saw a magic show at 10, he figured out his destiny. He chooses volunteers by throwing frisbees out into the audience. He gets Heidi and Tyra to help too. With a phone camera in hand, he leaves the stage to complete the trick. Heidi and Tyra stand on top of of a platform with a curtain. The audience on stage serves as witnesses. Rob suddenly appears on the platform with Heidi and Tyra. WHERE THE HELL DID HE COME FROM they say. The judges are duly impressed. Mel thinks he should improve his presentation, though. – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw0829Tfk58

Brian King Joseph – Violinist – He’s dreamt of being a violinist since he was a kid and has been playing since he was four. Three years ago tragedy struck–he was diagnosed with neuropathy. His hands and toes are numb and painful, and the condition will only get worse. He can’t feel the strings when he plays. It’s all muscle memory at this point. He’s such a young guy. So sad. As a performer, he’s a ball of energy and passion. And he’s an excellent violinist. The crowd is on their feet. He breaks down and cries at the reaction. Heidi runs on stage to give him a big hug. “I felt your music…you just have it,” she says. “You lit this whole entire stage up,” says Mel. “You have incredible energy, determination,” says Simon. It’s his favorite audition of the day. Howie calls him a lesson in how everyone should live their lives. – 4 yeses

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

Andy Huggins – Comedian – He’s an elderly dude, giving stand up a shot late in life. He loves his damn naps! He delivers old people’s jokes including the obligatory sex talk. He’s mildly entertaining. The audience loves it. Heidi thinks he’s adorable. Simon calls him “very naughty.” Condescending. Mel didn’t get the jokes. Howie says he remembered the guy from 40 years ago when he was starting out in the clubs. Is he kidding? He’s not! Andy was 28 years old while Howie was just a kid. – 1 no 3 yeses.

Next, it’s a montage of Mel NOT getting things. She’s not very bright is she.

Brody Ray – Singer – He’s from small town Nebraska and does home care for people with disability. He sings “Stand in the Light” by Jordan Smith (Yes, The Voice 9 winner). Oh. He’s transgender. His name was Natalie. He was bullied and ostracized. Puberty was a nightmare. “It was like being trapped in a burning building.” He began his transition in 2010. He’s a decent singer, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. Nice tone. BIG STANDING OVATION. Brody becomes very emotional as the audience showers him with love. Howie thinks he’s a great singer and performs with all his heart. Mel can feel his soul as he sings. “I like you a lot,” she says. Heidi calls him “incredible” and loves his tone. “You’ve got an amazing voice…inspirational.” Simon thinks he should sing his own material. – 4 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAPeX2GqUNs

No golden buzzer tonight.