America's Got Talent (2006–…): Season 14, Episode 8 - Judge Cuts 1 - full transcript

[helicopter blades whirring]

♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

You are going all the way

to the live shows
in Hollywood.

[echoing]
...Hollywood... Hollywood...

Hollywood... Hollywood.

♪ Here I am ♪

♪ You better get moving ♪

You get one shot up here.

It's all down to you now.



This is the biggest stage.

You needed to step it up
to the next level.

♪ Get ready ♪

You were willing,
literally, to die.

You're just nuts.

♪ Get ready ♪

I will fight for you.

You absolutely have a chance
to go to the live shows.

♪ Get ready ♪

Tonight, the stakes
are so much higher

because you are so close
to the live show at Dolby

and winning
a headline show in Vegas.

♪ ♪

[dramatic music]



♪ ♪

♪ You better get moving ♪

♪ Ready or not ♪

♪ It's about to go down
here it comes now ♪

♪ Get ready ♪

Welcome to "America's
Got Talent" the Judge Cuts.

[cheers and applause]

We're coming at you
from Universal Studios

in Los Angeles.

And tonight's
special guest judge

is a critically acclaimed
singer/songwriter

whose talents have earned him
three Grammys

and 14 Academy
of Country Music Awards.

Make some noise.

It's Brad Paisley!

♪ And I'll be crushin' it ♪

Oh!
Holy [bleep]!

♪ Yeah I'll be crushin' it ♪

Oh, my God,
we're gonna see Brad Paisley.

♪ ♪

♪ Yeah I'll be crushin' it ♪

Now, Brad,
what are you hoping

to see on this stage tonight?

I want to see a person

that has a gift
to give humanity,

and they're gonna
walk out here, and it's like,

"Okay, we needed that
and we didn't even know it."

That's a good point.
[cheers and applause]

Simon, can you explain
to everyone

what is going on here today?

Basically there are
18 acts we selected

who we thought were great
from the auditions.

We're expecting a step up.

7 out of the 18

go to the Dolby live shows,
which is a huge deal.

Only seven acts
are gonna get through.

Ugh.

I think you've got
the toughest job, Brad,

because you've got
the Golden Buzzer.

Fantastic.

Brad, can you just test
that thing out right now?

And I want to see
this crowd show us

what a Golden Buzzer
reaction is like.

You guys ready?
Y'all ready?

Yeah!
[cheers and applause]

[music stops, scattered cheers]

[laughter]
Wait, what?

Wah, wah, wah.
Wasn't what I was expecting.

Can you do that again?
All right, you guys ready?

Yeah!
[cheering]

[wild cheering]
Whoa-oh!

Are you guys ready
to get this started?

[cheers and applause]

All right, AGT, let's go!

[wild cheering]

I think I'm might change
my song to a country song now.

No, just kidding.
Just kidding.

Here we go, grab your seats,
grab your seats.

[laughter]
That's great.

Everyone here already
has impressed the judges once,

so it's really going
to be hard.

Are you guys best friends?
Oh, yes, we are.

♪ As long I got
you and me ♪

Yes.

Falco is very special.

He likes more humans
than other dogs.

He's a little bit charming
with all the girls.

all: Aww.

And I'm like, "Hello?
What about me?"

♪ I want you and me,
you and me ♪

♪ I know one day
we'll look back ♪

He has amazing personality,
but also importantly so do you.

Oh, thank you.

♪ I wish you could
see yourself ♪

♪ Through my eyes ♪

Falco is turning ten,

so I have to think
about his retirement.

♪ I always forget that you ♪

Makes me sad a little bit,
but I think it's also great

to enjoy
our last shows together,

and why not on the biggest
stage of the world?

All right, here we go,
folks, here we go.

Did this guy--
he had that cowboy hat on?

Yeah, and he's got, I think,
an Australian Shepherd.

♪ ♪

It's very special
for us to be here

in the Universal Studios.

Here we go.
Grab your seats please.

Good luck, Lukas and Falco.
Go out there.

Give it your best.
Thank you.

I think Falco is really ready
for the live shows,

and he would appreciate
to be there.

♪ I got you and me ♪

[cheers and applause]

So welcome back, guys.

It's good to be here
back again.

God, I remember this
audition. This is amazing.

So just tell everyone here
who you are,

and what are
you gonna do tonight?

I'm Lukas, I'm 23 years old,

and this is
my best friend Falco.

We specially made
a routine for you.

I think it's one of
your favorite movies, Simon.

Look how he's dressed.

And I hope you are
going to like it.

Is it "The Greatest Showman?"
Maybe.

Ooh!
[cheers and applause]

I love this movie.

Me too.

No pressure,
but you're the first up.

Do what you're gonna do.
Okay.

Whoo!
[cheers and applause]

That dog is beautiful.

[crowd awws]

["This is Me" plays]

♪ This is me ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ ♪

♪ Another round of bullets
hits my skin ♪

♪ Well fire away
'cause today ♪

♪ I won't let
the shame sink in ♪

♪ We are bursting
through the barricades ♪

♪ And reaching for the sun ♪

♪ We are glorious ♪

♪ Yeah that's
what we've become ♪

♪ I won't let them
break me down to dust ♪

♪ I know that there's
a place for us ♪

♪ For we are glorious ♪

♪ When the sharpest words
want to cut me down ♪

♪ I'm gonna send a flood
gonna drown them out ♪

Wow.

♪ I am brave,
I am bruised ♪

♪ I am who I'm meant to be ♪

Yeah!
♪ This is me ♪

♪ Look out
'cause here I come ♪

♪ I'm not scared to be seen ♪

♪ I make no apologies ♪

♪ This is me ♪

♪ Whenever the world's gone ♪

♪ Whenever the world's gone ♪

♪ In the depths of my heart ♪

♪ Oh, oh this is me ♪

Whoa.
[wild cheering]

That is incredible.

[Andrew Gold's "Thank You
For Being a Friend"]

So cute. I mean--

♪ Thank you for being
a friend ♪

♪ Traveled down the road ♪

Okay. Wow, wow, wow.
Or bow, wow, wow.

[laughter]

Brad, let me go to you
first please.

It never hurts to tailor
your whole act to Simon.

[laughter]

No, it was great.
Really enjoyable, and Falco,

I don't know what he's paying
you, but you deserve more.

[laughter]

He gets everything he wants.
I can see that.

♪ And if you threw a party ♪

It seemed like you did
more tricks.

It feels like Falco
brought his pet Lukas.

[laughter]

We have 18 acts tonight.

Only seven acts
can go through.

I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you.

I think you actually got

a lot better
from the first audition,

and we love the first audition.

So way to go home,
get even better,

and come out and wow us.

Great job.
Thank you.

♪ Thank you
for being a friend ♪

You have something
really special,

and your essence
comes through,

and you deserve
to be onstage.

Thank you.

Are you saying
his essence is special?

I don't think yours is.

[laughter]

I tell you what I love
about this,

because this is
gonna sound crazy,

but I literally had
a conversation on the weekend,

which is why not make

"The Greatest Showman 2"
with dogs?

Really?

I was drunk,
but I still thought of it.

[cheers and applause]

Look, you couldn't
have done more

to make me love this act.

Like, tick, tick, tick,
and you're a really nice guy.

I'll be fighting for you.

That's great. Thank you.

Bye.

♪ Thank you for being
a friend ♪

That's memorable.
Oh, yeah, that's true.

He's adorable, that dog.

♪ Thank you for being
a friend ♪

Who's got their essence?

Can I have some essence,
anyone? Yes?

His is very deep down
inside of him.

Let's hear it for Lukas
and Falco, everyone.

Well, we are all rooting
for you guys.

Thank you.

All right, thank you so much.
Great job.

Take your seats
for the next act in.

[buzzer]
Ohh!

[gasps]

What the hell was that?

Make some noise!
Bring it.

Are you kidding me?

I really think you have
to up your game.

Please. Look down.
[screaming]

Really, really
memorable audition.

I don't think it was enough.

Howie can suck it.

[wild cheering]

.

What do you think of AGT?

Oh, it's great.

It's crazy.
I'm having a ball.

That guy has, like,
three Grammys.

He's sold, like,
11 million albums,

and, whew,
the pressure's on.

One minute, gang.
One minute.

Are you gonna bring it?

I mean, I have no option.

No, you don't.
You got to bring it.

Okay.

[cheers and applause]

Hi, Andy.
Hello.

How are you?
I have to ask you a question.

Do you really believe
you can win

"America's Got Talent"
this year?

Yes.
Okay.

["Turn Down For What" begins]

♪ ♪

[music stops]

Turn down for what?

♪ ♪

Turn down for what?

[scattered cheers
and applause]

[The Champs' "Tequila" plays]

Not a standing-o.
Let's just say that.

I, uh--

Welcome to
"America's Got Talent."

Yeah.

I don't know what to say
other than good luck.

Thank you. Good luck.

Keep rocking it.
Thank you, Andy.

[cheers and applause]

Did somebody
put something in this?

[cheers and applause]

Remember him
from the first time?

Oh.

What do you intend on
doing to up it?

Ahhh!

[chittering]

What?
Now.

Okay, that's good.
All right.

Is he all right?
Balloon animals!

Balloon animals.
Here we go, the goat.

[bleats]

Very dangerous balance trick.
Here we go.

Up.

Okay, Gabrielle,
you will pick a card.

Wahh!

Whoa, no.

Okay. Okay?
Look at it, look at it.

Show everybody.
Show the cameras. Perfect.

Here. I'll give you
the whole card deck.

All right, Julianne.
Are you ready, Julianne?

[buzzer]
You understand what to do?

Yeah, I just throw them
over there.

Yeah, just
throw them up in the air.

Come on.
Up! Up! What?

Oh, yeah! We got a card.
Which card did you pick?

The eight of hearts.
Eight of hearts.

Which one? Eight of hearts!

Beautiful.

I'll let you talk first,
Brad.

Be honest.

This is my first time
seeing it,

and I'm left
kind of confused.

What I do is different.
Right.

[laughter]

It was annoying.

Thank you. Good luck.

What the hell was that?
You hate it.

I think it's
an acquired taste.

I hated every minute.

Well, I found out
you guys were drunk

when he got through last time.
That's true.

Orange Magician,
how are you, sir?

It's good.
It's--oh, so it's good?

Yes.
The Orange Magician?

Trump?
[laughter]

I don't even know
what this is.

Like, it's weird and bizarre.
It's a mystery.

And that's why
we put it through.

Right.
[cheers and applause]

He only says two things.

"It's good."
"It's good."

Yes.
It's good.

Welcome back.
It's good.

It is good.

Well, Brad,
you're our guest judge.

Maybe you want
to ask him a question?

Uh, how's my music?

It's good.
Yeah.

[laughter]

I'm not buying that.
Just do what you do.

[cheers and applause]

[quirky music]

♪ ♪

It's good.

♪ ♪

Oh.

[cheers and applause]

It's good.

♪ ♪

How is he doing this?

♪ ♪

[laughs]
I love it.

♪ ♪

Hello.

♪ ♪

[scary music]

♪ ♪

[laughter]

[dance music]

♪ ♪

[ticking]

[explosion]

[cheerful music]

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause]
Hey!

♪ Whoa I feel good ♪

♪ I knew that I would now ♪

♪ I feel good ♪

It's good.

♪ I knew that I would now ♪

Well, we'll be
the judge of that.

Yeah, let's attempt to go
through this whole process

without you talking,
because I love the act,

but you're so annoying
when you talk.

You are really irritating me,
and then I sort of turn myself

into a five-year-old kid,
and I love the act.

♪ ♪

In the beginning,
I was like, "This is crazy."

But I got the deeper meaning.

This was an allegory that was
a reference to the entire

run of "Game of Thrones,"
so what we had--

Ah.
Am I right?

Was that "Game of Thrones?"

No, okay.
Mystery.

No, I really--
I really was enjoying that.

My little kids
would flip out over this.

Wow.

[cheers and applause]

What I love,
you're a magician.

You're a quick-change artist.

You are a mime, so you fit
a lot of different categories.

Is it enough to get you through
to the live shows?

You're gonna find out soon.

Go back there and sweat.
[laughter]

♪ So good ♪
Thank you.

It's good.
♪ So good ♪

♪ I got you ♪

♪ So good ♪

What do you think, Brad?
Of him?

No, the whole AGT.
Oh, it's great.

You never know
if the next one's

gonna be the craziest thing
you've ever seen in your life.

[laughs ]

.

[vocalizing]

[ticking]

[exhales]
[vocalizes]

[sighs]
[rip]

♪ Ahh ♪

Let's go.

Yo, it's Berywam.

[all beatboxing]

And we are beatbox crew.
From France.

Beatbox is magic

because we don't need
instruments.

Fabien is the bass player
of the group.

The best bass.
[beatboxing]

Luigi is the drum
of the group.

[beatboxing]

Beasty, he can rap.
He can imitate instruments.

[imitating turntable]
Pssh.

[indistinct]
is the high voice.

Like what?

[imitates horn honking]

For example.

[all beatboxing]

This is not just keeping up
with the times.

This is ahead of the times.
Yes.

[cheers and applause]

We will never
forget that night.

After the first audition,
we worked so hard

every day, every night,
to find new sounds

to come back and surprise
the judge again.

♪ ♪

Now we are one step
from the Dolby Theatre.

All right, here we go, gang.
Here we go.

An opportunity like this
may never happen again.

[cheers and applause]

Welcome back.
How are you?

Really good.

Have you thought about
kind of raising up

what you're gonna do compared
to the first audition?

Last time,
you said you wanted to go

to a night club with us,
so tonight

we want to bring everybody
in night club with us.

Good luck.
Thank you very much.

Thank you.

[cheers and applause]

All right, I'm ready
for the night club.

[low bass beat]

[laughter and applause]

Party people,

I want to see everybody
stand up right now.

[cheers and applause]
Stand up.

If you want to go party...

all: Make some noise!

[all beatboxing]

♪ ♪

♪ Everybody dance now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Everybody dance now ♪

♪ I said hip, hop, the hip ♪

♪ Hippie to the hippie,
the hip, hip a hop, you don't ♪

♪ Bubba to the
bang bang boogie ♪

♪ Drop the boogie to the rhythm
of the boogie the beat ♪

♪ Said what you hear
is not a test ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm rapping
to the beat ♪

♪ And me, you and my friends ♪

♪ Are gonna try
to move your feet ♪

♪ Left, left, left, left ♪

♪ Right, right, right, right ♪

♪ Left, left, left, left ♪

♪ Right, right, right, right ♪

[all beatboxing]

♪ And you know it's on AGT ♪

♪ ♪

♪ It's on AGT ♪

♪ ♪

[high-pitched vocalizations]

Ohh!

Let's go.

[all beatboxing]

Hey!

♪ ♪

[fast-paced
rapping, scatting]

♪ ♪

all: Stop.

[wild cheering]

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

I just want to point out
to people at home

who are watching this,
this is not a track.

Every sound you hear
is coming out of their mouths.

[cheers and applause]

You know, I don't know that
this performance was better

than your last performance,
so I wish you the best of luck.

This is something a lot of us
have never seen before,

but nobody had ever seen a guy
play a guitar with his teeth

before Hendrix, too,
so it's always hard

when you're the first one
through a door, you know?

You're kind of the one
busting it down

and you're busting it down.

It's really great,
so keep up what you're doing.

[cheers and applause]

For me, the audition lacked
an incredible opening,

an incredible middle,
but you did have a great end.

You know,
in this day and age,

you can go viral within
seconds of a show like this.

I'm not sure that that
audition is gonna go viral

in the way that it could've
done in my opinion.

[audience booing]

I definitely disagree.

You absolutely have a chance
to go to the live shows,

and you will have people
fighting on your behalf.

Good luck.
Good luck.

Thank you very much.
Thank you.

♪ ♪

I just love them.

So you think they should
go through?

I think they're
in the running for sure.

You don't think so?

Maximum stressed now.
Yeah.

We don't know if our
performance was enough.

We're just hoping
for the best.

♪ ♪

You are timeless.

This is not gonna be
a walk in the park.

Oh, no, by the hair.

Oh!

.

All right, gang,

get settled.

Here we go.
Next act is coming right up.

Only time I ever auditioned
for anyone, it was, like,

a local talent show
called "Starquest."

Is that right?
I didn't do very well.

[cheers and applause]

Hey! Little man!

'Cause we're already
so nervous when we go out.

Imagine going out alone.
Yeah.

[cheers and applause]

Hi.

Dylan.
Hi.

Tell us how old you are

and what
you're gonna do tonight.

Okay. I am ten years old,

and I'm gonna rap
Kendrick Lamar "Humble."

All right.

I want everybody to stand up.
Yeah, you do.

Y'all ready?
Yeah.

♪ My left stroke
just went viral ♪

♪ Right stroke put
lil' baby in a spiral ♪

♪ Soprano C, we like
the keep it on a high note ♪

♪ Its levels to it,
you and I know ♪

♪ Tell 'em be humble ♪

♪ Sit down ♪

♪ Be humble ♪

Thank you.

[cheers and applause]

I'm learning so much
from somebody who's ten.

I mean, if you want to be
guaranteed a standing ovation,

make the people stand up
before you start.

I love that.

When I was ten,

I auditioned for something,
and I was terrible.

Well, you showed them wrong
since you won three Grammys.

I like this kid.
I like this kid a lot.

I'm feeling it now.

We got this.
Yeah.

Maybe 'cause
we're from Texas,

he'll give us
the Golden Buzzer.

We are the Emerald Belles.

We're a high school
high-kick drill team

from Southlake, Texas.

♪ Go tell your mama ♪

Our team's made up
of 76 girls,

and we really are sisters.

We experience
everything together

from school
to drama to boys.

♪ Take a picture ♪

How does a girl
whose got this team

have time for a boyfriend?

We don't.
[laughter]

all: Whoo! Whoo!

We've grown up dancing
on the football field

of our high school,

so being on the AGT stage,
it was like,

"Wow. Did we really
just do that?"

In my mind, it's like
what the Rockettes do.

We get compared to
the Rockettes a lot,

but we're actually
very different.

They kick only to eye level.

We all whack our foreheads.

I know what
you're saying, Howie,

but someone new needs
to take their place, right?

Yeah.
Whoo!

It's three yeses.

[cheers and applause]

You make it to the live
if you get past this.

What is your new strategy?

I mean,
we have put everything

that we have
into this performance,

and we are so ready
to prove Howie wrong.

You don't want to mess
with Texas girls.

I drive a truck.

♪ I'm fabulous ♪

♪ ♪

Brad, you like high-kicking?

More than anything.
Good.

Oh, my gosh.
They're still coming.

Welcome, girls.

Thank you.
♪ I'm fabulous ♪

Let's start with
the reintroduction please.

We are the Emerald Belles
Dance Team,

and we are from
a small town in Texas.

Yeah!
Okay.

Howie did compare you
to the Rockettes

and said he didn't like you.

Simon, and why is
that important right now?

[laughter]

No, I didn't say
I didn't like you.

I just thought that
if that is the bar

for a high-kicking dance team,
then you didn't hit that bar.

Howie, we are so ready
to prove you wrong.

Okay.
You are talking the talk.

Now let's walk the walk.

Or kick the kick.
Or kick the kick.

Thank you.
[cheers and applause]

Oh, yes.

And shift, shift,
shift, shift, shift.

And here we go,
and there we go.

[Britney Spears'
"Work B--ch" begins]

♪ ♪

♪ You want a hot body ♪

♪ You want a Bugatti ♪

♪ You want a Maserati ♪

♪ You better work-work ♪

♪ You better work-work ♪

♪ You better work-work ♪

♪ Now get to work ♪

♪ ♪

That's power.

♪ ♪

♪ Now get to work ♪

♪ Bring it on ♪

♪ Ring the alarm ♪

♪ Watch out now ♪

♪ 'Cause here it comes ♪

♪ Go call the police ♪

♪ Go call the governor ♪

♪ I bring the treble ♪

♪ Don't mean to trouble you ♪

♪ Call me the governor ♪

♪ I am the bad [...] ♪

♪ That you'll ever know ♪

[cheers and applause]

♪ Hold your head high ♪

♪ Fingers to the sky ♪

♪ They're gonna try to try you
but they can't deny you ♪

♪ Keep it moving
higher and higher ♪

♪ Work, work, work ♪

♪ Work, work it out ♪

♪ Work it out, work it out ♪

♪ Work it out, work it out,
work it out ♪

♪ Work it out, work it out,
work it out, work it out ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You better work ♪

Oh.
Wow!

[wild cheering]

Whoo!

[Pink's "I Am Here"]

♪ ♪

Okay.

Somebody's in it to win it.

♪ I open up my heart,
you can love me or not ♪

Julianne?

Okay, first of all, you guys,
again, came out here.

You performed.
You were extremely tight,

and there's no doubt
about that.

I do have to say, though,

still had a bit
of a high school element to it.

Meow.
If you really want to take--

Do not start
with the meows.

This is the second round,
so I really think

you have to up your game.

But again, not to say
that you didn't do a great job.

Thank you,
and we totally respect that.

[cheers and applause]

Gabrielle?

I think you actually got
a lot better

from the first audition,
and I definitely think

that you're worth fighting for,
so good job, ladies.

Oh, thank you so much.
That means so much.

Okay. Drum roll.

Howie?

♪ ♪

To be honest with you,
after being on this show

so long, I don't think
it was enough.

It's not enough to win
"America's Got Talent,"

and I don't even think
it's enough to move on

to the next level,
so we'll see what happens.

[audience booing]

I don't think that boo
was loud enough.

Listen, I wasn't--
[all booing]

Okay. Brad?

Y'all are from
the same town in Texas?

Yes. We're from
the same high school.

What the hell is prom like
at that high school?

♪ Where does everybody
go when they go ♪

♪ Where does everybody
go when they go ♪

As Texas girls,
we're huge fans of yours.

Well--

And like I said,
they're amazing and perfect.

And Howie can suck it.

[laughter]

I believe that you are
ready now for a bigger stage,

and I think Texas
will root for you.

America will root for you,

and the fact
with so many of you

that we are able to capture
your personality

made this
a great audition for me.

Thank you so much.

And I do think you deserve
one of those seven places,

so I'm gonna be fighting
with Howie later on.

Big fight.
Thank you so much.

Thank you.
See you later.

♪ I am here ♪

The biggest obstacle
right now is still Howie.

Talk to me.

We really did take the judges
critiques last time,

and we're gonna do it again,

and we're gonna notch it up
for the next round,

and I hope Howie likes it.

Could somebody kick him
the next time he meows?

What's a meow? It's, like,
a cat fight or something?

Yeah. Like I'm a cat.
Yeah, you're in trouble.

I'm gonna spit this
in your face.

No, no. Please, please.
I take it back.

I take it back.
I won't ever say it again.

♪ Where does everybody
go when they go ♪

♪ So let me ask you ♪

.

We usually think it's Simon

who's grumpy, but Howie--

What are you saying?

Howie and Simon
have switched places.

I wonder if somebody took out
Simon and Howie's brains

and just put them
in the other body.

I'm Mysterion.
And I'm Steffi Kay.

And we are...
both: The Sentimentalists.

Sometimes Mysterion
and I feel like

we're from a different era.

We both sense and see things
that most people can't do.

[cheers and applause]

Our first audition was,
well, a little bumpy.

The presentation for me
is a little weird.

[audience booing]

I'm afraid I'm with Howie.

We were just kind of like,
"I'm sorry."

I have an idea.
I would like you

to think of any celebrity in
the history of entertainment,

and I want you to print
the name down

on that piece of paper.

You picked something
from your childhood.

Lassie.

[cheers and applause]

Simon challenged us,
but we delivered.

And now it's Howie's turn.

[cheers and applause]

There's only 7 spots
available out of 18.

I think one of them
is reserved for us.

That's right.

[cheers and applause]

Hello.
Hi again.

So just to be clear,
this is another act, Howie,

which you said "no" to.

We want to impress everyone
not only on the panel,

but all of America.

But mainly Howie,
who did say no.

But most importantly--
But mostly Howie Mandel, yes.

I get it.
All right, let's see it.

[cheers and applause]

All right,
I have in this little box

some marbles
of different colors.

Steffi's gonna
close her eyes.

Howie, I'm gonna give you
the first choice.

Oh, just pick a marble?
Just pick a marble out.

Okay.

And go ahead,
take one out.

And yourself.

And Simon.
Thank you.

Thank you.

Think of the color
of your marble.

Brad.

You chose the red marble.

That is correct.
[audience ohhs]

If you don't mind bringing
your mobile phone up

and joining us
up on the stage?

All right.
Taking your mobile phone too?

[cheers and applause]

Great to meet you.
You want your marble back?

Yeah, sure.
I've lost mine a long time ago.

All right, so to show you
what it is that we do,

we want you to open your phone

to a photograph
of something simple,

something in your photo reel,
maybe a memory.

Show it to me,
but don't let Steffi see.

Hide it against your chest.

You got to focus
on what that is.

He knows exactly what it is.
He's thinking about it.

Yeah, he's laughing.

It almost looks
like a guitar.

[cheers and applause]
That's crazy.

Now, I'm gonna show you
something even crazier.

If you could put your phone
away, you know, you'll notice

that there's been
a box sitting there

the entire time
that we've been on stage,

and Terry has been
holding onto a key.

[cheers and applause]

If I could have
the key back please?

There you are.

Something has been locked
inside this box.

Come here for a second.

There's a smaller key on here,

and open up the smaller box.

And inside is something.
I want you take that out.

Okay.
That's a little fortune

that I made
for you specifically.

Go ahead, open it up.
First of all,

what was the color
of your marble, Howie?

Blue.
Blue? Yours?

Black.
[laughter]

Yours?
Yellow.

Yours?
White.

We have something
written right there.

We have an "H."
What color is the "H?"

Blue.
What color is the "S?"

White.
What color is the "G?"

Black.
What color is the "J?"

Yellow.

What does it say on the back
of the fortune?

Ugh! "A yellow guitar."

Ladies and gentlemen--
Oh, wow.

How?
Wow.

Give him a big round
of applause, everyone.

Wow.
Thank you.

Brad Paisley, everyone.
Thank you.

Thank you.

♪ How you like me now ♪

♪ How you like me now ♪

Sorry, I'm just like--
my mind is blown.

I can only imagine, Brad,
how you're feeling right now.

Look, here's the thing.
I did not plan any of this.

The yellow guitar,
he would've not known that.

I don't know
how they did this.

I'm floored.
You should be in Vegas,

and you're not getting
anywhere near my wallet.

Thank you.

Howie definitely had
an opinion last time.

Howie, go for it.

I love mentalists.
I love what you do.

But if I've got to be
totally honest with you,

it's still not enough for me,
so we'll see what happens.

Well, look,
I enjoyed it, and I--

This is my kind of thing.

Thank you.

There's 18 acts,
and only 7 can go through.

I'll be fighting for you.
Thanks, guys.

Thank you so much.
[cheers and applause]

I thought they were great.
I don't know.

I think the talent is good.

I think the presentation
is not good.

They can work on that.
How did they do that? How?

All right, gang, this'll
just be a couple of minutes.

Look.

That's how it looked,
and it's written on it.

We have to take the giant
X's down for this next act.

Oh, yeah.

Here we go.
Grab your seats please.

[cheers and applause]

Duo Togni, welcome back.

Hi, thank you.
Thank you.

The last time,
we had just only three yeses.

Howie definitely had
an opinion though.

He didn't feel like
it was up to par.

I wasn't--
I mean--

[audience boos]
No.

Ohh!

My knee-jerk reaction
is it was a little wonky.

Oh!

For me, it's a no,
but there's three other judges.

[audience booing[
You've got three yeses.

All right,
let's see what you got.

[cheers and applause]

I hope they're not mad.

♪ Let me out ♪

♪ Let me out of here now ♪

♪ Let me out ♪

♪ And I will run ♪

♪ I will run ♪

Whoa!

♪ I saw the fire
in your gaze ♪

Not her teeth.
Not the teeth! No!

[audience screams, oohs]

♪ Let me out ♪

♪ Let me out of here now ♪

Whoa.
Oh!

♪ Let me out ♪

♪ I will run ♪

♪ I will run ♪

♪ I will run ♪

♪ Let me out ♪

♪ Let me out of here now ♪

Oh, no, by the hair.
By the hair, here we go.

♪ Let me out ♪

♪ ♪

♪ And I will run ♪

♪ I will run ♪

♪ I will run ♪

[screams]
Oh!

♪ ♪

You said "no" the last time.
I did.

So we have
a surprise for you.

I would like to hold you
with my teeth.

You want to hold me
in your teeth?

[laughs]
all: Howie! Howie! Howie!

Really?

all: Howie! Howie! Howie!
Why me?

That's what happens
when you say "no," Howie.

[laughter]

Now, you were better tonight.
No, no.

Too bloody late.
What are you doing?

You got that in your mouth?
What--

[all screaming, cheering]

Abort. Abort.

Oh!
Oh, my God!

Please.
Put me down. Put me down.

Don't let go.

Spit me out. Spit me out.

Oh.

[wild cheering]

♪ How you like me now ♪

Serves you right.

♪ How you like me now,
how you like me now ♪

Well, Howie,
should we start with you?

Let's start with Howie.
Me?

Yes, please.
Yeah.

When we're
deliberating later on,

if you promise to never lift me
in your teeth again,

I will fight for you.

I love you.
[cheers and applause]

Brad?

Well, I'm not saying
anything bad.

[laughter]

They'll stick you
in their teeth when you do.

Amazing. I'm floored.

Thank you so much.

The fact that you were
willing, literally, to die

to go through
to the next round

and prove a point
to my friend over there

was amazing, so thank you.
Thank you so much.

♪ How you like me now ♪

You want to criticize
any more of those acts?

No. No.

♪ ♪

.

This is our first time

doing this part of it,

the middle judge round,
so we're kind of like,

"Oh, they're already through,
you know?"

It's just like, you know,

either you're gonna sink
or you're swimming.

That's what's always
the shame is when you see

somebody leave it
in the tank, it's like,

"But it's there.
You know it's there."

There's been times in my life
where I wish I wasn't so quiet,

and I wish that
I was more outgoing.

I am a quiet person,

but I do have
a pretty loud mind.

A lot of the time
I get stuck in my head,

and I just overthink a lot.

Um...

[clears throat]

♪ I hate words sometimes ♪

♪ They're so powerful,
but not mine ♪

♪ When I try to talk
I say I'm fine ♪

♪ No one ever really knows
that I'm lying ♪

♪ Sitting in
the classroom... ♪

I just love writing songs,

and it's, like,
really special to me

'cause they're,
like, my words.

Well, I didn't make the words,
but I put the words together.

♪ A way to hold my pencil
in my hand so tight ♪

♪ I think I get some bruises ♪

You've got four yeses.
Congratulations.

Thank you.

It's like she got validation
to express herself,

and when we got home,
she wrote five songs.

Within a week.
Within a week.

Here we go.
It's like, I don't know.

I've just been doing music
for so long,

so going to the Dolby Theatre
would be absolutely awesome.

Oh, I remember her.
Whoo!

Hi.
Sophie.

Finding her mark.
You find your mark?

Hello. Yeah.

Are you excited?
Are you nervous?

I'm mostly excited.
Good.

They're kind of the same.
It's just the way

that you think about it
is the difference.

That's right.
You're right.

So smart.
I love that.

How old are you?
I'm 15.

Are you gonna be doing

an original again
for this round?

Yes, of course, yeah.
This is--I mean, this song's

probably the most personal
out of all of 'em.

Best of luck.
Thank you so much.

Okay, Sophie.
Go, girl.

[cheers and applause]

[melodic guitar music]

♪ Don't talk to me
I need to be by myself ♪

♪ I keep myself company ♪

♪ And I don't need
nobody else ♪

♪ Everything makes me
so angry ♪

♪ Sometimes
I can't even breathe ♪

♪ And I don't have nobody else
that can keep me company ♪

♪ I hear them talking
behind my back ♪

♪ If they are
trying to be quiet ♪

♪ Try a bit harder than that ♪

♪ They probably
do it on purpose ♪

♪ Talk as loud as they can ♪

♪ So my ears can hear them ♪

♪ Even if I cover them
with my hands ♪

♪ Oh, man, some shocking news ♪

♪ You calling people wimpy,
dumb and loser too ♪

♪ Leave 'em alone ♪

♪ You have no idea what
they could be going through ♪

♪ May be different to you
but they are humans too ♪

♪ Might not have found
their safe place yet ♪

♪ Maybe searching around
on the internet ♪

♪ No luck though, all
they see is perfect images ♪

♪ Of perfect people
perfectly posing ♪

♪ In front of
their perfect house ♪

♪ With their perfect family ♪

♪ What's that about ♪

♪ Nothing more than a picture
on their phones ♪

♪ Someone else's beauty doesn't
take away from your own ♪

♪ Most of the time
I'm away from reality ♪

♪ When I'm able to write songs
might be my only safety ♪

♪ And I know
it really saved me ♪

♪ And I know
it really saved me ♪

♪ When the world
was crumbling around me ♪

♪ Everybody's falling
but I am flying ♪

♪ Makes me feel like
I'm superhuman ♪

♪ I might just be that
'cause misfits ♪

♪ Have some powers
that are really pretty rad ♪

[chuckles]

[wild cheering]

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

Thank you.

♪ ♪

There's nothing better

than an artist
that knows themselves

and is very clear
about their truth,

and the way
you expressed yourself,

you just reached
into our hearts

and just snatched it right out.

Way to go.

[cheers and applause]

Sophie, correct me
if I'm wrong.

When we first met you,
you sang a song about bullying,

which you'd written
when you were 13.

Is that right?

Um, yeah-ish. 14 maybe?
Yeah, 13, 14.

So this is what
I want to say to you

because this is
a two-part audition.

I think the song
should've ended with

"I don't think
about you anymore."

I say this as a father.

Bullying is always
gonna happen.

But if you don't care
or even think about them,

means you win.

You continue talking
about them, they win.

You're so young, and
I think people will listen

to you so cleverly,

there has to be
a more positive slant

where we go forward
from this point on,

and I don't want you talking
about these people ever again

because they're not worth
talking about,

but I love your voice.

♪ You are not hidden ♪

That's real.
Very, very truthful.

♪ There's never been
a moment ♪

What was the last line
that ended with "pretty rad?"

"Misfits have some powers
that are really pretty rad."

I loved it.

And I think I'd know you
from that one song.

That's incredible.

To stand up there
with just a guitar,

I mean, that takes
incredible cojones.

[laughter]

And I don't think there's maybe

a more important issue
now that social media

is this thing that's pervasive
everywhere we look.

Young people not understanding
that that isn't that big a deal

when you look back
on your life,

and you have schooled
so many people in this moment,

and--and--

and I think... I'm done.

♪ I will send out an army ♪

♪ To find you ♪

♪ In the middle
of the darkest night ♪

Yes!

[chuckles]
♪ It's true ♪

♪ I will rescue you ♪

♪ ♪

Sophie!

♪ I will never
stop marching ♪

Sophie!
♪ To reach you ♪

Brad Paisley has given you
the Golden Buzzer.

♪ It's true ♪

And to have Brad Paisley
do that, like,

give you your Golden Buzzer,
that's pretty awesome.

♪ ♪

This is--Oh, I--

I've never expected this
to happen in my life.

[laughter]

Thank you so much.
I mean, I just--

Oh, my God--I don't--
I'm--I'm glad you liked it.

I'm glad you--I don't know.

Yeah, she has
no problem with words

when the guitar's playing.

[laughter]
♪ I will ♪

You're amazing.
♪ Send out an army ♪

I cannot wait to hear

what other songs
come out of that guitar.

All right, Sophie,
we will see you at the lives.

Everybody please
give it up for Sophie.

♪ ♪

Now it's six spots left.
Yeah, only six spots.

♪ It's true
I will rescue you ♪

Oh, my God.

♪ Way down ♪

You're something else.
Wow.

I've seen and heard that
too many times in my life.

♪ ♪

.

Have you ever in your career

seen someone
for the very first time,

and you've gone,
"That's a star."

That's happened, but rare.
Yeah, rare.

Rare.
Yeah.

Love to have our own
Las Vegas show,

and this is truly the best way
to get to that spot.

So for you,
what's the big dream?

Dance.
Yeah, dance every day.

And dancing every day.

♪ Only all the time ♪

Our first performance
was amazing.

Amazing.

If I could score a 10,
that would've been 11.

Honestly.

We have a dream
to make a show.

♪ Only all the time ♪

♪ ♪

I gotta be honest, I just
wonder if it would translate

to a big show in Vegas,
you know?

Okay.
Thank you so much.

I would love to have
a show in Vegas.

That's, like,
my pie-in-the-sky dream.

My name is Kevin Schwartz,
and I'm a comedian.

I went to the grocery store.

The sign said,
"No food or drinks inside."

So I went home.

[laughter]

♪ Only all the time ♪

I'm ready for a change.
I want more from life.

I always get deja vu.

This one time, I didn't,

but the next time
when I didn't, whoa.

[laughter]

There's a special place in hell
for people who refuse

to ask for directions,

but they'll never find it.

♪ ♪

You were, to me,
one of the standout auditions,

but I'm gonna be
honest with you.

The act itself right now

isn't right yet for Vegas
in my opinion,

but I really, really like you.

We'll see you later on.
Well done.

Thank you very much.
[cheers and applause]

What have you been up to?
What's going on?

Yeah, I've just been
waiting to come back on here

so I can change
my life, you know?

I hear you.
♪ It isn't in my blood ♪

Whoo!

This is your time to shine,
and baby, you are shining.

There is a lot of pressure,

because now I'm on this huge
stage at Universal Studios,

and then I'm one step closer
to Vegas.

♪ I know
I'm not the only one ♪

♪ Who regrets
the things they've done ♪

He's a very good singer,
but very good singing

is not enough to be
a headlining show in Vegas.

To know that millions
could see what you're doing,

including a mistake
if you make one, is scary.

[cheers and applause]

My name's Matthew Richardson.
I am an acrobatic performer.

So you blew us away
for your first audition.

So what are you gonna do
tonight that just ups the ante?

Well, I'm performing
something

that's a lot more
personal to me.

This is a piece
I created for my dad.

At 26, I didn't feel like

I was accomplishing
anything meaningful.

I decided to quit my job

and went to a school
for acrobatics.

My dad supported me.

He loved that I was just
going after my dream.

[wild cheering]

200%. Four yeses.
Yeah!

[cheers and applause]

Are you ready to push it
to another level tonight?

Yeah, this one's just a lot
more of a personal piece.

I was staying in a hotel
called the Dream Catcher.

I had a dream about my dad.

I had a dream
about losing him.

It was a little too intense.

I felt like
I should check on him.

I came home, and, um...

he just told me that
he had pancreatic cancer.

♪ ♪

I didn't know anything
at the time, I didn't know.

My parents didn't tell me,
and a month later he was gone.

♪ ♪

I'm overcome with emotion

at him honoring
his dad the way that he has.

I just wanted to create
something beautiful for him.

You know, my dad
was my biggest fan.

[cheers and applause]

I'm so proud of both
of you, boys.

I'm proud of you.
Really?

I'm proud you're my dad.

[classical music]

♪ ♪

We just had a great idea.
Okay.

We could've pretended
that this is a giant tent.

Yeah.
What do you think?

Yeah, it can be
like a circus.

Yeah, a circus
[indistinct].

You really want to leave
for the circus now?

[indistinct]

♪ ♪

Yeah, it can be
like the circus.

♪ ♪

Yeah, it can be
like the circus.

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause]

♪ Tired eyes ♪

♪ Maybe you've seen too much ♪

♪ Tired heart ♪

♪ Every end has a start ♪

Was that actual recordings
of your dad?

Yeah.

It's very moving
and so inspiring.

Wonderful.
Thanks.

♪ Time will save you ♪

We were looking
at your circle.

Wow, it looks like
a dream catcher.

It is, yeah.

To actually watch you
literally make your dreams

come true
is pretty extraordinary,

and can't wait to buy a ticket
to your act in Vegas.

♪ Time will save you ♪

♪ And if you need me now ♪

I mean,
I lost my mom and dad,

but after a while,
I still talk to them every day.

If I have a problem in my mind,
what would they say?

So the fact that
you were able to do that--

I'm looking at your mom--

that was very special.

I think of an act like this
in the true sense of variety,

and some of the acts I see

I don't believe
can headline the main show.

But you're special.
I believe that.

Thank you, Simon.
Thank you.

♪ Time will save you ♪
Wow.

[cheers and applause]

Yay, Matthew!

♪ You don't need
to save yourself ♪

Everybody has a story,
you know?

But they don't always use it
in their act, right?

But they don't always use it.

Matthew,
that was extraordinary.

♪ You don't need
to save yourself ♪

.

Are you feeling nervous?

Yeah.
Everything's on the line.

Yeah.

I'm Damiyr,
I'm 34 years old,

and I'm from New York City.

My name is Chris Klafford,
and I'm a singer from Sweden.

I'm from a very small village
called Hagness.

The village only had,
like, six houses,

and a family member of mine
lived in all of those houses,

so it was a very--
we were close as a family.

Now, I didn't have a lot
of support in my--

I grew up in group homes
and foster homes.

I've had stage fright
my entire life.

Singing in the subway
was sort of my way

of getting myself out there

but in an environment
where people don't care.

When I mess up in the subway,
no one hears it

'cause they're not
listening, but--

They just walk on by.
Exactly.

They just keep--okay.

Welcome to
"America's Got Talent."

It was out of control.
I almost fainted.

There was a moment
I was like, "Ah."

♪ And around and around
and around we go ♪

Going forward,
you've got to do something

we've never heard before,
and that means taking risks.

When you face a fear and
someone looks at you and says,

"Take a risk," it's like,

"Oh, I got to really, really
face this fear even deeper."

Damiyr.
Hi.

How are you?
I'm good.

Do you want to
introduce yourself please?

My name is Damiyr.
I'm from New York City.

I play in the subway.

Good luck, Damiyr.

[cheers and applause]

♪ Say something ♪

♪ I'm giving up on you ♪

♪ Sorry that I couldn't
get to you ♪

♪ And I ♪

♪ Will swallow my pride ♪

♪ You're the one that I love ♪

♪ And I'm saying goodbye ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Say something ♪

♪ I'm giving up on you ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I'll be the one
if you want me to ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Anywhere I will follow you ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Say something ♪

♪ I'm giving up on you ♪

[wild cheering]

[James Arthur's
"Falling like the Stars"]

♪ I swear to God
when I come home ♪

Wow.

♪ I'm gonna hold you
so close ♪

I feel moved
by that performance.

He's really good.

♪ I swear to god
when I come home ♪

♪ I'll never let go ♪

That was brilliant.
Yeah.

Just brilliant
to take the track away,

let us hear you,
and boy, did we listen.

♪ Like a river I flow ♪

I've never heard
anyone sing that song

with the passion
and the intensity you did.

It told us so much about you.

Really, really
memorable audition,

so you've given yourself
a real shot here, Damiyr.

Thank you.

♪ And I need you to know ♪

♪ That we're falling
so fast ♪

♪ We're falling
like the stars ♪

This is Judge Cuts, man.

I mean, literally
you are one step away

from being at the live shows.

Yeah, it's so surreal.
I can't even take it in.

I know that I don't look
like a typical singer.

Sometimes when I went to a gig,
people just looked at me

thinking like,
"Oh, who is this?"

I don't think
they think much of me.

♪ Imagine there's no heaven ♪

Being here at
"American's Got Talent,"

it feels like the ultimate
validation for me.

It was a dream.

♪ You ♪

♪ But you may say
I'm a dreamer ♪

Four yeses.
[cheers and applause]

I feel a little bit
of pressure to, like,

step it up a notch
from my first audition.

♪ ♪

This guy is awesome.

♪ I hope someday
you will join us ♪

Man, I can't really describe

how much I want to be
one of those seven.

Hello.
Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

So you're from,
is it Lindesberg, Sweden?

Is that how you say it?
"Lin-des-berg."

I was close.
Yeah.

Welcome.
Thank you so much.

What song are you gonna do?

I was thinking about doing
an original song.

All right.

They'll either hate it,
or they'll love it.

You know what I mean?
Yeah.

So that's the risk you take
with the originals.

One risk at a time.

It's called
"Something Like Me."

What's it about?
[laughter]

It's about Simon.

It's mainly
about people judging me

because of my appearance.

You want to fit the mold,
so it's about that.

Great.

[cheers and applause]

["Something Like Me" begins]

♪ ♪

♪ Frustrated while
I'm waiting on a miracle ♪

♪ I know the world is filled ♪

♪ With different
kind of people ♪

♪ I know ♪

♪ I'm strong ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Walking down the street
and I feel so invisible ♪

♪ They're talking to me like
I'm not sure we're equal ♪

♪ I know ♪

♪ I'm strong ♪

♪ Feel like I could break out ♪

♪ Break out ♪

♪ That I could use some space
now to break out ♪

Wow.
♪ The question's on me ♪

♪ Ask me to be
something like me ♪

♪ Why you trying to paint me
like an enemy ♪

♪ I feel like
I could break out ♪

♪ Break out ♪

♪ Into something
just like me ♪

♪ Into something just like me ♪

♪ Into something
just like me ♪

[wild cheering]

[Banners' "Got It In You"]

♪ ♪

♪ You got it in you ♪

Oh, man.

It's truly inspiring
to hear you sing.

This is one of those moments.

I haven't had the moments
you've had through the years,

Simon, discovering people,
but you're something else.

♪ You don't know
what you got ♪

♪ But you got it
at your fingertips ♪

I think you stepped it up
from your first audition,

because I think when you throw
your songwriting abilities

on top of that,
you're taking a gamble.

That gamble paid off.

The only question we have,

is there room for you
in the live show?

And that's based on
everybody's talent tonight,

but, uh, we will deliberate.

When you say you don't want
to fit the mold,

I like this mold.

Stay who you are.

Thank you.

I watched your
first audition back,

and I wasn't that excited
as I thought I was.

♪ When the lights go out ♪

So I was concerned if
you came back and did a cover,

I've seen and heard that
too many times in my life.

The song actually enabled us

to learn more about you,
who you are.

♪ This would be so hard ♪

It wasn't a risk.

A risk would've been
not doing that.

[cheers and applause]

You've made our jobs
a little bit harder now

because it was that good.

Thank you so much.

♪ ♪

I really, really
liked the song.

I did too.
It's natural talent too.

An original.
You stepped it up.

I'm just so glad
that it went well,

and I feel good
about the performance.

♪ ♪

You upped your game
by a thousand percent.

What you shared made me
like you even more.

Only one of you
is going through.

.

[indistinct chatter]

What?
Okay?

Let's go.

The Messoudi Brothers,
the do, like, acts of strength.

[indistinct]

[cheers and applause]

Hi. Welcome back to
"America's Got Talent."

How are you guys
doing right now?

We are very, very tired.

We came from Beirut,
actually, right now.

Wow.
They lost our luggage,

actually, the airline,
so these are not our costumes.

"America's Got Talent"
got them together for us, so--

Have you had a chance
to warm up?

No, we've had no chance
to warm up.

We haven't eaten.
We have nothing.

We just rushed here.
We got straight in a car.

But we couldn't miss it,
'cause we got our dad here.

Your dad is here?

Yeah, and our dad

is the reason
that we started working.

He's been teaching us
ever since we was, like,

two, three years old.

He actually worked in America.

That's where he started
his career, and so like,

for us,
we got to prove to him

that we can also
conquer America.

[cheers and applause]

Well, thank you so much.
Good luck.

Let's do this.

Yeah.

[cheers and applause]

[Zayde Wolf's "Born Ready"]

♪ I don't believe
in no devil ♪

♪ 'Cause I done
raised this hell ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh,
oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh,
oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ I've been
the last one standing ♪

♪ When all the giants fell ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh,
oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh,
oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

Hey.
[cheers and applause]

♪ Start me up,
open my eyes ♪

Hey, pop that one.

♪ Turn me loose
and you'll see why ♪

♪ I was born, born ready ♪

♪ I was born,
born ready ♪

♪ Staring at
the pressure now ♪

♪ I won't quit,
not backing down ♪

Whoa.
♪ I was born, born ready ♪

♪ I was born, born ready ♪

What? What?
Whoa!

Oh-oh-oh!
What?

That's impossible.

♪ Higher, higher ♪
Oh, no hands.

Ohh!
What?

Oh, that's--
you have no idea

how strong you gotta be
to do that.

Oh, my gosh.

♪ Keep pushing it
higher, higher ♪

♪ Keep pushing up ♪

♪ Ahh, start me up ♪

Oh, no, he's going back.
What? No, no.

♪ Turn me loose
and you'll see why ♪

♪ Keep pushing higher,
higher ♪

Oh!
My God!

♪ Keep pushing up ♪

♪ Ready ♪

[wild cheering]

Thank you, guys.
Thank you.

[cheers and applause]

If it's okay with everyone,

we'd like to invite our dad
on the stage.

Go ahead.
Of course, go, Dad.

[cheers and applause]

Aw.

The reason that we do
what we do.

Aw.

Your turn.

♪ Start me up,
open my eyes ♪

Yo, Pops!

♪ Turn me loose
and you'll see why ♪

♪ I was born, born ready ♪

He's coming out
of retirement right now.

♪ Born ready ♪

[dramatic music]

♪ ♪

[audience clamors]
Wow.

♪ ♪

That's how you put
your family on your back.

♪ ♪

No. No way.

[wild cheering]
What?

No!

Oh, my God.
That's new.

Ohh!

♪ ♪

[wild cheering]

[Huey Lewis and the News'
"Power of Love"]

♪ ♪

Only on AGT, y'all.

♪ That's the power
of love ♪

Bravo.
He's still got it.

Wow, wow, wow.
Gabrielle?

Uh-oh. Okay.
Are you kidding me?

First of all,
thank you, airline,

for losing that luggage,
'cause you don't need shirts.

[cheers and applause]

I mean,
this is unbelievable.

You guys blew us away
the first time.

You did not disappoint under
extraordinary circumstances.

You incorporated Dad
into the act,

and you upped your game
by a thousand percent.

♪ Don't need money ♪

All right, Brad?

I have two sons,
and I couldn't do that

when they were two and four.

[laughter]

So that's great.
So you're slacking, Brad?

Basically you're slacking.
Way to go, dudes.

♪ That's the power
of love ♪

Simon?

Well, you know,
what you shared with us

actually made me
like you even more,

because a lot of people
would've probably just given up

or sulked
or moaned or whatever,

and you just got on with it.

And I love the fact
that you got your dad in.

I am never showing
this audition to Eric

ever in my life.

"So you think this is normal?
Forget it."

Well done.

♪ They say that
all in love is fair ♪

Howie?

In the face of adversity,
you rose to the occasion,

so you just made our job
a lot harder

because now only six acts
can go through,

but you're certainly
deserving, so good luck.

Great job, guys.
♪ Don't need money ♪

Thank you so much.

Goodnight.
We're going to bed.

Goodnight, America.

♪ To ride this train ♪

It's hysterical
that this is the act

they had
to buy shirts for.

After so long,
you came back strong.

Perfect [indistinct].

♪ That's the power of love ♪

.

Yay!

We are the Ndlovu Choir

from Limpopo province
in South Africa.

Growing up,
we are not exposed

to a lot of things
like arts, music.

You hear about them,
you watch them on TV,

but we are, like,
a bit far from everything.

This choir
is so special to me.

Singing puts a smile
on my face, it consoles me.

It's the healing power
for my soul.

We are here with our leader,
Conductor Ralf.

He has made us believe
in ourselves,

and we are very thankful.

In our community,
when you say

you want to be a singer,

no one takes you serious,
but Ralf does.

[cheers and applause]

Is this your first time
in America?

Yes, this is my first time
in America.

Hello, America.

♪ All in my African dream ♪

[all chanting]

Seeing a lot
of people screaming,

we didn't expect that.

♪ ♪

From the second
you walked out,

I think this whole place
was rooting for you,

and you did not disappoint.

It's four yeses.

[wild cheering]

We really like
America a lot.

Hot dogs.

Hot dogs.
Yeah.

You see where
they come from.

They somehow put that
behind them and go out

and give these
incredible performances.

I always say
that they teach me

far more than I teach them.

You know, 20, 30 years ago,

we would've been arrested
for working together

because of apartheid.

They just create a celebration
of what South Africa is today.

When we sing,
that's when we have one voice.

That's when we unite.

[cheers and applause]

Hello again.

Hello, hello, hello.
It's so nice to see you.

How are you?
Good, thanks.

And yourselves?
Fantastic.

Well, look, you actually did
the best celebration

after getting four yeses
I've ever seen in my life,

but it's all down to you now.
Good luck.

Thank you so much.

[cheers and applause]

♪ Africa ♪

[vocalizing]

[all chanting]

♪ ♪

♪ You're the soldier
choosing your battles ♪

♪ You know it's serious
we're getting closer ♪

♪ This isn't over ♪

♪ The pressure's on ♪

♪ You feel it ♪

♪ But you've got it all ♪

♪ Believe it ♪

♪ When you fall get up,
oh, oh ♪

♪ And if you fall get up,
oh, oh, ♪

♪ Tsamina mina zangalewa ♪

♪ 'Cause this is Africa ♪

♪ Tsamina mina eh, eh ♪

♪ Waka waka eh, eh ♪

♪ Tsamina mina zangalewa ♪

♪ Anawa ah, ah ♪

♪ Tsamina mina eh, eh ♪

♪ Waka waka eh, eh ♪

♪ Tsamina mina zangalewa ♪

♪ It's time for Africa ♪

[singing in native language]

♪ ♪

♪ But this is Africa ♪

[all singing
in native language]

♪ ♪

♪ 'Cause this is Africa ♪

[wild cheering]

[Jessie J's "Flashlight"]

Whoo! Whoo-whoo-whoo!

♪ ♪

♪ When tomorrow comes
I'll be on my own ♪

♪ Feeling frightened of
the things that I don't know ♪

♪ When tomorrow comes,
tomorrow comes ♪

♪ Tomorrow comes ♪

We don't see choirs like you.

I mean, you guys dance.

You sing.
You're so together.

What you represent is unity
and collectiveness.

Beautiful.
Thank you.

[cheers and applause]

I've always thought
that art and music

are the greatest ambassadors
for any place,

any country, and you guys,
it's an amazing thing.

[cheers and applause]

It's beautiful.
It's effortless.

I mean, fantastic.

♪ You light the way ♪

Your voices all together,
your energy,

everything that you represent,
pure magic.

Great job.
Thank you so much.

♪ Getting me,
getting me through the night ♪

Oh, wow, wow, wow.

I always love
seeing you guys perform.

I don't know what it is.

It's like,
if I could bottle it,

I would drink it every day.

I think it works.

I think people want you
to do well, but, you know,

this is not gonna be a walk
in the park this time

because we've only
got seven places.

I don't think you could've
done any more.

Well done.

Thank you.
Thank you so much.

♪ I got all I need
when I got you and I ♪

♪ I look around me
and see a sweet life ♪

If we were
to go home tonight,

it would be very disappointing
because we really want to go

to the live shows
and make South Africa proud.

♪ You're my flashlight ♪

I just think today
was a great day.

Thank you, all of you.
I think--Seriously.

You think you have
a clear six?

No.
I definitely don't.

No.
This is gonna be tough.

♪ ♪

Six and only six can go
through to the live show.

Did you do enough?

♪ ♪

.

All 18 acts have performed,

and now the judges are
deliberating on what six acts

will make it through
to the live shows.

I have a feeling tonight
we're not gonna be in tune.

This is hard.

We want this so badly.

I think I have three that
I cannot live without.

This.
Really?

The nerves in this room,

you can feel like
everyone is on edge.

No.
I'd say yes.

Are you serious?
Yeah.

After everything
that's happened, you know,

the hardships, the loss,

I think everything I've been
through has led to this moment.

I don't think this guy
was good enough.

Are you kidding?
No.

This has always
been my dream

to share my songs
with the world.

One more.

I just hope
that I gave enough

to make it through
to the live shows.

I think this is a good six.
Yeah.

Can we just all say
thank you to you, Brad?

Whoo!
Thank you, Brad.

Thank you for having me.
I loved it.

It was great.
Thank you.

Will the following acts
please head to the stage.

Dakota and Nadia,
and Duo Togni.

[Andy Grammer's
"Don't Give up on Me"]

♪ I will fight ♪

Thank you so much
for waiting.

♪ I will fight for you ♪

We've argued, and trust me,
we have different opinions.

It was just a lot of people
fighting for the same places,

so I'm afraid both of you
have not made the live shows,

and I'm really, really sorry.

♪ I will stay ♪

♪ I will stay with you ♪

Yeah. I really,
really loved them.

♪ We'll make it through
the other side ♪

Matthew,
I just want to tell you

your storytelling
and the athleticism,

it's absolutely stunning.

Thank you.
Thank you so much.

This day has been
very emotional for all of us

because we went back and forth
and back and forth, so...

unfortunately we're gonna
have to say "no" this time.

I think you have
an unbelievable future

in front of you.

[sighs]
I mean, it sucks.

[chuckles] It doesn't feel
good to not make it,

but I'm really happy that I got
to perform a piece for my dad.

♪ So don't give up on me ♪

I know he just would've been
proud beyond words.

♪ And I will hold ♪

As you know,
after the Golden Buzzer,

we only have six spaces left.

We have never ever had
so many arguments

about who's going in
and who's going home,

and I'm really
not exaggerating.

And you really had
some mixed comments.

So I'm gonna
give you the news.

Oh, and I am sorry.

You have got
a lot more rehearsing to do

because you will be
at the live shows at the Dolby.

[wild cheering]

♪ I'm not giving up,
giving up, no not yet ♪

♪ Even when I'm down
to my last breath ♪

♪ Even when they say
there's nothing left ♪

Good job, ladies.
♪ So don't give up on me ♪

We have 18 acts.

We can only put six through.

Unfortunately your journey

on "America's Got Talent"
ends tonight.

♪ No matter what
this world will throw ♪

♪ I'll wait for you ♪

This has honestly been
the hardest day for us.

It took so much
for you guys to get here,

yet you didn't miss a beat.

You made this really,
really difficult for us.

[exhales]

So with that being said...

you are going to the Dolby.

♪ I'm not giving up ♪

♪ I'm not giving up,
giving up, no not yet ♪

We'll see you guys
at the live shows.

♪ Even when I'm down
to my last breath ♪

We made it to the lives.

♪ So don't give up on me ♪

I'm so proud of you.

We almost didn't
make it here,

and now we're actually
going to the live show.

I'm just so overwhelmed.

♪ I can feel the ghosts
from my past still haunt me ♪

This was a tough fight,

but I'm sorry to inform you

that you are not going
to the live shows.

I'm so sorry.

♪ But I won't let the demons
in the dark define me ♪

Oh, it's so hard.
Oh, that's heartbreaking.

♪ 'Cause we can't walk
until we crawl ♪

Berywam, after very rigorous
and contentious debate,

it was a unanimous decision.

You're going through.

♪ I rise again ♪

Congratulations, guys.

This is a dream come true.
Now we're on the live show.

It's unbelievable.

♪ Rise ♪

Variety is the epitome
of "America's Got Talent,"

and you are consummate
variety acts.

I'll tell you right off
the bat,

only one of you
is going through.

The one act going through
to the live shows is...

Lukas and Falco.

♪ Rise again ♪

♪ You're gonna
watch me rise again ♪

And you've got to be amazing
for the live shows, okay?

We'll give our best.

♪ Rise again ♪

♪ Waking up wondering
if I can even do this ♪

You've traveled across
the world to be

on "America's Got Talent."

Out of 18 acts,
six more,

and only six, can go through
to the live show.

Did you do enough?

Baby, you did enough.

♪ Rise again ♪

♪ You're gonna
watch me rise again ♪

[all chanting, singing]

♪ ♪

That's what I feel like
I want to see in the live show.

Yeah.
Oh.

♪ Out of the ashes
and fire ♪

All right, we will
see you in Hollywood.

♪ Rise again ♪

We have been trying to agree
on who should go through,

and you guys made it really,
really difficult.

One of you has made
the live shows.

And that person...

♪ Did you know that
we were born to fly ♪

...is Chris.

♪ And you're
gonna watch me ♪

♪ Rise again ♪

Man.
Thanks a lot.

You're incredible.

Thank you so much.
Thank you.

♪ You can keep
knocking me down but ♪

I mean, I'm going to
the Dolby Theatre

for the live shows
of "America's Got Talent."

Come on.

I mean, my heart is
singing right now.

It's crazy.

♪ Rise again ♪