AMERICA’S Got Talent fans have criticized the show after host Terry Crews revealed a major format change ahead of the live shows.
The latest season of America’s Got Talent kicked off on May 28, when judges Simon Cowell, 64, Sofia Vergara, 51, Howie Mandel, 68, and Heidi Klum, 51, began auditioning artists from around the world.
On Tuesday, Terry said the popular talent show would go on hiatus during the Paris Olympics during a two-hour broadcast that marked the end of auditions for the 19th season.
Before signing off, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine star made an announcement that left fans on X/Twitter fuming, as he explained that the divisive Golden Buzzer will now also be a big part of the live shows.
“For the first time in America’s Got Talent history, the Golden Buzzer is about to air,” said the 55-year-old host. “Another one from each juror will send the acts straight to the final.
“This summer, anything can happen,” he added.
Viewers declared that the “desperate” decision to use Golden Buzzers in this way “makes no sense” as they reacted to the season 19 twist on X/Twitter.
“This is even worse than golden buzzers cut by the judge,” one fan wrote. “As if live shows are for the audience to vote on, not the judges.”
“I don’t like the golden buzzer. It was never really about talent,” complained another. “I saw the judges basically force guest jurors to give the film to whoever they wanted.
“This is just telling fans, ‘We don’t like who you vote for,’” they added.
“If someone asked you to describe what #AGT is, if you’ve never seen it, your only option would be to say ‘oh, it’s just a show about acrobats where 4 people press a buzzer that makes golden confetti rain down’.” a third comment read.
“Such a desperate attempt to generate something new because a golden buzzer of a live show makes no sense. #AGT,” wrote a fourth person.
“#AGT A Golden Buzzer for the Lives?? Nah, they must be trolling [crying emoji]”, another user criticized the decision.
The Golden Buzzer debuted in season nine, with the special button giving judges the option to send acts directly to the live shows.
Fans will remember that Paul Zerdin was the first contestant to get a Golden Buzzer pass, with the ventriloquist winning season 10.
At the start of season 19, it was revealed that the judges could use their buzzers to speed up two candidates each instead of one.
America’s Got Talent judges
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THOUSANDS of candidates took to the America’s Got Talent stage to show off their skills.
Along with Terry’s Golden Buzzer, the twist meant that a total of nine acts could theoretically jump straight into the live shows.
In March, Simon praised the quality of the performances that will be featured in season 19, telling People: “In the first two days we used more Golden Buzzers than ever before – that must be a good sign!”
Simon used his Golden Buzzers to send singer Liv Warfield and drone group Sky Elements through to the next stage of the competition.
Heidi said it was an “honor to press my golden buzzer” for groundskeeper Richard Goodall, who wowed the judges with his rendition of Journey’s hit Don’t Stop Believ.
She also sent Pranysqa Mishra straight to the live shows after the nine-year-old sang Tina Turner’s Don’t Stop Believing.
Radio personality Howie Mandel tapped Sydney dance group Brent Street and 14-year-old Reid Wilson for their stunning rendition of Lesley Gore’s You Don’t Own Me.
Sofia chose to promote Malambo group Legion and Japanese comedy duo Schumacher, while Terry used his Golden Buzzer in favor of Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi.
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