America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League - Week 1 Recap

 

Taking the incredible acts from the Got Talent Franchise, throwing in a little bit of The Voice and/or The X Factor, plus the typical AGT format. It’s America’s Got Talent fantasy league! 

Six weeks prior to the taping of the series, the judges came together to draft their own personal teams, which they’ll mentor throughout the competition. Heidi, Howie, and Simon are joined this season by former judge Mel B taking over for Sofia. Each judge has picked 10 acts to mentor. 

Over the next four weeks, 10 acts will perform, one will advance to the finals via golden buzzer, five will move on to the semifinals based on studio audience votes. The winning act wins $250,000

I’m hoping this is one AGT spinoff that sticks. It seems fun. 

Mel B has the golden buzzer and will choose one act to advance to the finals. She can choose someone from her own team, or use the buzzer to STEAL another act from an opposing team.

Kristy Sellars - Pole Dancer - Team Howie - Season 17 Runner Up 

Kristy is a mom and Pole Dancer who originally competed on season 17 where she finished as runner up. She came so close and was disappointed not to win. She’s happy and honored to have been chosen by Howie to compete. Howie’s advice to her is to really connect with her audience, telling her that’s the way to get votes. 

What I like about Kristy, is that she takes an activity  that is seen as tasteless by a lot of people, and makes it a work of art. Her routine sort of involves a pink desert and a spinning wheel. This routine comes off as a cool video game sequence. Absolutely amazing.

Simon called her performance the best they’ve seen from her. Mel B said it was bloody good. Howie called it a winning performance. 

Jon Dorenbos - Magician - Team Mel B- Season 11 Third Place/The Champions Finalist

His daughter is in the audience and has never seen him perform before. Jon was in the NFL for 14 years prior to becoming a magician. Since competing on AGT, he’s release an Amazon best selling book and has toured the world. 

I love how Jon mixes being a magician and a motivational speaker. He’s doing a trick with his deck of cards in order. He puts some cards in a wine glass and gives the rest to Howie to shuffle. Each judge takes turns shuffling the cards. He takes all the diamonds out of the deck and shows the order to Simon. He reverses one of the carts and puts them in a second wine glass. The cards match up in red and black. That was a really cool trick. Not very mesmerizing, but still exciting.

Simon said it takes talent and personality, and called him a performer, and said this was him at his best. Howie calls him a champion. Heidi is mad he isn’t on her team. Mel B calls him incredible and thanks him for being on her team. 

Hans - Joke Act - Team Heidi - Season 13 Quarterfinalist/Champions Finalist

Hans is an annoying joke contestant who they keep bringing back. I’m not a big fan of joke acts making it far. So I’m hoping he doesn’t move on tonight. 

Ok Hans is singing Elton John’s The Bitch is Back. Ok why am I enjoying this. This is actually a lot of fun. He’s not an amazing singer, but somehow he’s actually entertaining me tonight. He’d be great as an actor or tv star using his character. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if he advanced tonight. 

Mel B tells him he brings so much joy to the stage. Simon says he can’t sing or dance, but calls him different. 

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Artist - Team Howie - AGT The Champions 3rd Place 

Kseniya is an international Got Talent Alum and sand artist who competed on AGT The Champions. She calls it a huge honor to be asked back again. She’s wanting to show her sons that anything is possible.

I’m not a huge fan of art acts on talent competitions, but she’s super talented. Her routine is dedicated to her kids and it actually pretty touching. However this isn’t my favorite of the night. One of her kids joins her on stage at the end of the routine. Nice

Howie calls the artistry amazing and emotional. Heidi calls her an amazing artist. Mel B said she was lost at one point, but called what she did spectacular. Simon says no one else in the world could do what she can do, calling it incredible. Howie thinks she’s gonna move on. 

V.Unbeatable - Dance Group - Team Howie - Season 14 4th Place/The Champions 2 Winners 

This dance group from India, was crushed when they finished in fourth place on season 14, but were happy to come back and win the champions. I legitimately think they could win it again. 

Their dance style has a lot of acrobatics and street dance elements, and is thrilling to watch. lol at them showing Hans backstage uttering “shit” watching their act. 

Heidi calls them incredible. Mel B screamed in amazement during the routine. Simon called the performance a step up, and loved they came back to put their title on the line. Howie wishes them luck. 

Marian Seiren - Singer - Team Mel B - Japan’s Got Talent Winner

Maria is an AGT rookie, after winning Japan’s Got Talent earlier this year. She’s an opera singer who admires Paul Potts and Susan Boyle.

She has a great opera voice. Not my favorite kind of music, but nonetheless, her voice is breathtaking. Absolutely amazing. Ok there’s a gimmick, she can sing both soprano and tenor. I kind of figured there would be one. I don’t know how I feel about people  using gimmicks like this on talent shows. Love her range though. 

Simon called the performance a surprise, and complimented the choice of song. Howie said it was good, but doesn’t know if it was great. Mel B urges the audience to vote. This could go either way honestly. The audience will either love her or absolutely hate her. 

Billy and Emily England - Skating Act - Team  Simon - Season 12 semifinalists 

Billy and Emily are a rollerblading act who competed on season 12. Since competing, they’ve been performing in Vegas. Simon wants them to show the audience how difficult their act is. 

Their moves are incredibly dangerous, but they’re absolutely amazing at what they do. This is not normal skating. Now they’re putting flaming knives on the skates. Fantastic routine 

Simon says this is what the show is all about. Howie calls it the most exciting standout act they’ve ever had. Mel B calls it spectacular, and PUSHES THE GOLDEN BUZZER! Billy and Emily England are straight through to the finals, and join Team Mel B! 

Tape Face - Mime/Comedian - Team Mel B - Season 11 Finalist 

Tape Face is one of my favorite acts. He combines mime with physical comedy and is usually absolutely hilarious at what he does. Hopefully he doesn’t disappoint.

The first part is the act involves him using. Pillowcase puppet to dance, then he brings Simon up for useless routine. Ok this wasn’t my favorite Tape Face routine. The material wasn’t kind of weak. I’ve Definitely see.  Share from him. 

Mel B liked that he made Simon look pointless. Simon said he stood there like a spice girl. 

Shadow Ace - Shadow Puppet Performer - Team Howie - Season 18 Semifinalist

Shadow Ace started doing shadow puppetry after growing up in poverty with no power, and did it to entertain himself. He was one of the most viral acts of last season, but was devastated when he was eliminated. 

He uses Howie’s bald head in a routine with different songs. He’s not one of my favorites, but this is the best I’ve seen of him. This is actually really good, and definitely worthy of moving forward. 

Kodi Lee - Singer/Pianist - Team Simon - Season 14 Winner/All Stars Finalist

Kodi is blind and autistic, but is a gifted singer and piano player. One of the best to ever compete on the show. Kodi is one to watch this season. Tonight Kodi is singing an original song for the first time on the show. The song, called Change, is an uplifting pop song. This is a great song. I imagine this will go up the iTunes Charts tonight. I love Kodi’s soulful tone, and musicality. Another great performance. 

Mel B calls Kodi a legend. Heidi loves the song and the vibe it gives. Howie is upset he doesn’t have a golden buzzer. Simon says he continues to surprise the panel, and calls him a great artist. 

It’s now time for results 

The acts moving into the semifinals are; V

V.Unbeatable (Team Howie)

Kodi Lee (Team Simon)

Shadow Ace (Team Howie)

Kseniya Simonova (Team Howie)

Kristy Sellars (Team Howie)

Eliminated Acts 

Hans (Team Heidi)

Jon Dorenbos (Team Mel B)

Maria Seiren (Team Mel B)

Tape Face (Team Mel B)

Honestly I would’ve swapped Kseniya with Jon. I wasn’t a big fan of hers tonight. I feel the rest of the results were spot on.

I’m thrilled that Billy and Emily got the golden buzzer, and I think they’ll be ones to watch.

I can’t wait for next week!