Trae Patton/NBC(NEW YORK) — America’s Got Talent returned for its final night of auditions on Tuesday, with more singers, dancers and acrobats vying for the remaining spots in the competition.
Tuesday’s showcase included an “extreme eater” who downed 120 eggs and a team of dancing dads.
Next Tuesday, judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel will begin the four-week process of picking 36 acts for the live performance shows. They’ll get some help from guests Neil Patrick Harris, Michael Bublé, Marlon Wayans and former AGT judge Piers Morgan. The guest judges will join the regular panel one at a time for a week apiece. They’ll also be able to use the Golden Buzzer for their favorite act, sending them to Radio City Music Hall without any consultation from the AGT judges.
Here’s a rundown of some of Tuesday’s highlights:
Daditude!, a dance troupe out of California, is a group of middle-aged family men who all danced professionally in the past. They performed a precision dance routine to the Mark Ronson hit featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk.” Mel B liked the gimmick, calling it “cute and funny.” Heidi predicted America would fall in love with the guys. Howard wasn’t as impressed though, noting the group was fun, but not a million-dollar act. Howie disagreed with Stern, declaring, “These guys can move.” Daditude! got three “yeses,” enough to move on to the next round.
Another hopeful was Benton Blount, a stay-at-home dad with a 19-month-old child and a soulful singing voice. He wowed the judges with Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away.” Mel noted Blount was “likeable, endearing and humble.” Mandel declared Benton’s performance marked the beginning of that dream that the singer had been hoping for. All four judges voted “yes” to advancing Blount to the next round.
Larry and Theresa Callaghan lead the Larry Callaghan and Selected of God Choir. Its mix of contemporary and traditional gospel on Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams’ “The Prayer” touched the audience and judges, bringing everyone to their feet. Mel B noted she was waiting for an act that “gave her goose bumps and had her hair standing on edge,” and the choir delivered the goods. Howard called them “superior, perfect and extraordinary performers.” Heidi and Howie agreed. With four “yeses” from the judges, the choir earned a trip to the next round.
Duo Volta is a former couple whose relationship fizzled but continue to create magic together with their aerial acrobatics. Mandel thought the couple was “spectacular,” but was disappointed they were no longer a couple. Mel B also thought it was a shame they were no longer together because they “tell a whole love story.” Klum called the duo “beautiful” and “sexy.” In typical Stern fashion, he scolded the male half of the act for ending the romance, noting the female “is so hot.” Nevertheless, he called them “super beautiful together.” Duo Volta earned four “yeses” from the judges.
Extreme eater Patrick Bertoletti promised to show the panel something they’d “never seen before” and certainly delivered on his promise. He guzzled 120 raw eggs, setting a world record even he admitted no one else had an interest in breaking. Howie noted that while the stunt was strange, it still was a form of entertainment and a talent. Heidi didn’t like the act, but conceded it was “amazing.” Klum voted “no,” but surprisingly, the other three judges said “yes,” advancing Bertoletti to the next round.
3 Shades of Blue is a quartet comprised of three brothers — two of which are twins — and their best friend. They performed a rock version of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” that had Stern declaring, “Your time has come on this show.” Mel wasn’t impressed with the vocal aspect of the performance, but noted that the band as a whole were good. Mandel also noticed some vocal flaws, but insisted they brought everything they needed to bring to the performance. Heidi called the group “the total package.” They received four “yeses” from the judges and move on to the next round.
Pretty Big Movement, a group of seven plus-sized women who danced to James Brown’s “Get Up Offa That Thing,” had the audience dancing right along with them. Mel B thought the routine was fun and didn’t want it to stop. Heidi declared it was a “feel-good act.” Howie called the act “a big anti-Spanx campaign.” Pretty Big got a huge “yes” from all the judges and advance in the competition.
Another vocal group taking the stage on Tuesday was Vox, a boy band with a twist — they sang opera. Mandel called them “the classiest boy band there is.” Mel B dubbed the act “magical” and “a home run.” Klum and Stern were also pleased. With “yeses” from all four judges, Vox advances to the next round.
Some acts that didn’t make the cut included hand and face contortionist Scott Churchson, whose act included twisting his hands in impossible positions and wiggling his ears. Howard and Howie both hit their buzzers and all four judges voted “no” to moving him on.
Musical duo the Gem City Jewels had the attitude and the moves to be a great act, but unfortunately not the talent, in the judges’ opinion. All four of them hit their buzzers.
America’s Got Talent airs again next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC.
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
