America’s Got Talent: The Champions (Monday’s at 8 p.m. ET on CTV) may feature champs from previous seasons of AGT and other spinoffs around the globe, but that doesn’t mean the judges or the audience necessarily know what they’re about to see. On Monday night, the most shocking moment wasn’t even on stage, but instead at the judges table when Simon Cowell stole the Golden Buzzer moment from Howie Mandel. Such a Simon Cowell move.Judges Alesha Dixon and Heidi Klum were shocked when Cowell stole Mandel’s buzzer to send dance group Boogie Storm straight through to the finals, giving the Storm Trooper act a free pass for a second time (Cowell previously used his golden buzzer on the group during Season 10 of
Britain’s Got Talent). It was difficult for both the audience and the judges to determine what was most shocking about Cowell’s act of superiority—that he completely ignored the rules of his own show, or that he did it for a group that likely would not have been voted through otherwise. But after so many seasons of so many reality shows, can we still be surprised when Simon Cowell lets his ego get in the way?
Bye bye Ben
The second shocker of the night was courtesy of Ben Blaque, who previously appeared on
Britain’s Got Talent and was voted off when his crossbow roulette stunt didn’t work. Ben was back to try the stunt again, but after a series of technical difficulties, the judges gave the performer four Xs, which seems harsh until you consider the alternative, which would likely have been seeing Ben be killed by an arrow on national TV.
The two artists voted through to the finals were magician Mark Spellman and singer Marcelito Pomoy. On a night packed with illusionists and magicians, Spellman stood out for his incredible performance, which included the return of fan favourite Shin Lim. The Canadian magician teamed up with Spellman for an act that left the judges and audiences speechless, a nice change for Cowell.
A perfect 10
As for Pomoy, the singer previously won
Pilipinas Got Talent and reconnected with his estranged family thanks to his newfound celebrity. Pomoy stunned with his performance of “The Prayer,” singing both Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s parts and delivering what Cowell called a perfect 10 performance. Pomoy opened Monday’s show and didn’t get the yet-to-be-stolen golden buzzer from Mandel, with the comedian likely assuming the singer would be voted through on his own.
The fourth and final spot came down to the judge’s decision, with the foursome choosing between 12-year-old singer Luke Islam, escape artist Spencer Horsman and comedian Ryan Niemiller. Simon, Alesha and even Heidi “I don’t like comedy” Klum voted for Ryan, with the comedian earning the final spot before Howie got to cast his vote, marking the second time in one night that Howie’s vote was silenced. Maybe Mandel should move the golden buzzer closer to his seat during next week’s show.
Watch
America’s Got Talent: The Champions every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on CTV.[video_embed id='1875003']Queen Elizabeth releases statement about Harry and Meghan[/video_embed]
