Auditions for Season 9 of “America’s Got Talent” continued in New York City with the sixth and final week of open auditions.
- Rogue, a magician who also runs a magic shop, asked Mel B. to be his assistant. He had several staple guns on the stage on a table and had her load staples into one of them before putting them all in a bag and having her shuffle them. He then had her put the gun she chose to his head and pull the trigger! Howie Mandel loved it. Howard Stern said he couldn’t wait to see him again. Four yeses.
- This was followed by a montage of some strong men and other unusual and outstanding acts, such as singer Quintavious Johnson, 12, whom Howie called “unbelievable.” Another guy balanced a sofa on his face and also juggled while eating some of the apples he was juggling. A bearded lady (or guy in drag?) looked fantastic but unfortunately couldn’t sing very well.
- Two guys, Emmanuel and Philip Hudson, also known as the Hudson Brothers, did a comical song, dressed in bad drag and acting like stuck-up girls as they sang an unflattering song about some women, “Rachet Girl Anthem.” Howard buzzed them. Howie insisted they were funny, but Howard insisted they weren’t a million-dollar act. Mel B. also loved it. Heidi said she was confused, that she didn’t get it. Howard voted no, Howie voted yes, and Mel B. voted yes, leaving it up to Heidi, who voted no. Howie used his Golden Button to put them through despite the other judges.
- Loop Rawlins, a Wild West performer who spins ropes, demonstrated speed and skill with his tricks, dressed in a slick-looking black cowboy outfit. He even spun a burning rope, which looked incredibly dangerous, especially as he brought it close to his body. Heidi loved everything, from the outfit to the music, to the tricks. Mel B. agreed, saying, “It was great.” Howie said his jaw had dropped, that it was unexpected. Howard gave him a yes because he was unique. Four yeses.
- Beach Avenue were a musical trio: guitar, drums and mandolin/glockenspiel. They played an original, “Coming Your Way.” Howard and Howie both had smiles on their faces listening to the song, which had a fresh, original sound; the sort of tune that fits in with today’s alt-folk-rock scene. Mel B. said it was a catchy song, they were a tight band, and the lead singer was great. Heidi liked the sound of the lead singer and said if the song were on the radio, “We would all be singing it.” Howard said they’d set the bar high for other bands. Howie said that, even though he normally doesn’t think original songs are a good idea, he’d liked the song. Four yeses.
- We saw a quick glimpse of another musical act, which sang an acoustic version of “Pompeii” by Bastille. They also got four yeses.
- Joe Matarese, 46, a stand-up comic from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, had his wife and small children in the wings. He talked about aging, especially being a dad to young children. His parenting material was right on the money, and Howard, Howie, Mel B. and half of the audience gave him a standing ovation. Howie said, “It’s amazing we have not heard of you yet.” Mel B. told him, “You are bloody funny.” Howard said that he handled the audience well and it was “inspiring.” Even Heidi, who can be very picky about humor, gave him a yes. Four yeses. His two adorable kids came onstage to congratulate him. Sweet.
- Sal Gonzalez, who has worked for Wounded Warrior Project since being losing part of his leg while serving in the Marine Corps, sang the Bill Withers song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” His singing was much better than his guitar playing, but after all, the singing is what matters. Howie told him he’s very good. He was moved by his story. Mel B. called him inspirational and added, “You can really sing.” Heidi liked his passion and his smile. Howard appreciated his story but added that he had to judge him on his talent. “Thank God you were good,” he said, to Sal’s relief. Four enthusiastic yeses.
- In honor of Mel B.’s birthday, the entire audience sang to her, while she looked embarrassed.
- Joe, The Bird Man, brought his parrot Tika out, to talk and sing. She was very cute and even sang a song, “Hush Little Baby.” Amazing. The judges loved it and put him through.
- Josh Wright played piano with paint on the keys while the piano had pyrotechnics going. Very strange, but they liked it enough to put him through. Taska (ph) spun in a giant hoop. Then we saw a montage of various acts wishing Mel B. a happy birthday. Howie even surprised her with a party, with pictures of her everywhere. Of course, from the way she was acting, it might not have really been her birthday. Either that, or she just wanted to downplay it.
- Back from a commercial break, we went right into a pop-and-lock dance group, dressed like Men in Black. Howie thought they were better than what you could see on any other show. They were put through.
- Kelli Glover, a waitress, had auditioned in 2009 and made it to the Vegas round before getting cut, getting very emotional and breaking down. She’d also come just shy of making the Top 10 of “American Idol,” Season 1. She sang “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston. She was a good belter but lacked subtlety. However, she did hit all the notes on a very challenging song. Standing ovation from the judges. Mel B. called her incredible and praised her voice for its texture and emotion. Howie found her amazing and said she’s “just a dream.” Howard thought she had a superb voice. Heidi agreed, saying the song made the hair stand up on her arms. Four yeses, in unison.
- Darik Santos is a security guard by day and a stand-up comedian by night. He was very entertaining in his interview with Howard. His jokes were a bit Steven Wright-esque: twists on expectations. Very clever. Howard predicated he’s be polarizing and some people wouldn’t get him, but he applauded him because he’s different. He gave him his first yes. Heidi liked Darik but didn’t find it a million-dollar act and said no. Howie said, “You remind me of me. You’re a lower-energy me, and I can’t tell you how much I love me!” (Actually, he reminded me more of Emo Phillips.) Another yes, of course, from Howie. Mel B. said she had to give him a yes because he’d made her laugh. He was moving on.
- K. Lyn Baker, a secretary by day, has sung in a lot of karaoke bars. She was a self-proclaimed nerd, wearing a houndstooth jacket, and she sang a Lady Gaga song, “Bad Romance.” It wasn’t great, but she had some fun moves. Howard got up and danced with Heidi a little. K. Lyn was buzzed by everybody but Howie. Howard said she was a lot of fun, but “oy vey on the singing.” Heidi called he a likable person but “I don’t know if you’re ready for the stage.” Mel B. said she felt like she was watching “somebody have a ‘me’ party.” It was a no from everyone. Howie told her, “You seem like a wonderful lady who needs to go in another direction.”
- This was followed by a montage of rejected acts, including some people with giant rubber puppet heads and a guy who sang “Staying Alive” Tiny Time style, in a ridiculous falsetto, while strumming a ukulele. And then there was a guy in a fringed jacket (over a suit), with a really horrible original song, “God accepted my friend request,” which essentially had no other lines, really. Still, some people clapped and sang along.
- Finally, an 84-year-old, Ray Jessel, performed at the keyboard, singing a song he wrote. It was a comical song about a girl he fell for but turns out to be a guy. Heidi asked her if that was a true story, and he claimed that it happened to a friend of his. Howard said that he hadn’t expected much, but he was a breath of fresh air. He loved the lyrics. Mel B. called him a “naughty, funny, dirty old man” and said it made him laugh a lot. Howie called him “funny and witty and personable.” Four yeses.
- Next week, the acts will begin the rigorous process that could take them to the live performance shows. Will they be able to impress a second time?
