America’s Got Talent host Terry Crews reveals major show change before hiatus – but fans say ‘it makes zero sense’
AMERICA'S Got Talent fans have criticized the program 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, as judges Simon Cowell, 64, Sofia Vergara, 51, Howie Mandel, 68, and Heidi Klum, 51, began auditioning acts from around the world.
On Tuesday, Terry said the popular talent show would be taking a hiatus for the duration of the Paris Olympics during a two-hour broadcast that marked the end of auditions for Season 19.
Before signing off, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine star made an announcement that has left fans on X fuming, as he explained that the divisive Golden Buzzer will now also be a big part of the live shows.
“For the first time ever in America’s Got Talent history, the Golden Buzzer is about to go live,” the 55-year-old presenter said. “One more from each judge will send acts straight to the finals.
"This summer, anything can happen," he added.
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Viewers declared that the "desperate" decision to use Golden Buzzers in this manner "makes zero sense" as they reacted to the Season 19 twist on X.
"That's even worse than judge's cut golden buzzers," one fan wrote. "Like live shows are for the audience to vote, not judges."
"I don't like the golden buzzer. It's never truly been about talent," another complained. "I have seen the judges basically force guest celeb judges to give it to who they wanted.
"This is just telling the fans 'We don't like who you vote for'," they added.
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"If someone asks you to describe to them what #AGT is if they'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 it rain gold confetti'," a third comment read.
"Such a desperate attempt to generate something new because a live show golden buzzer makes zero sense. #AGT," a fourth person wrote.
"#AGT A golden buzzer for the lives?? Nah they have to be trolling [crying emoji]," another user slammed the decision.
The Golden Buzzer debuted in Season 9, with the special button giving judges the option of sending acts directly through to the live shows.
Fans will remember Paul Zerdin was the first contestant to get a Golden Buzzer pass, with the ventriloquist ultimately winning Season 10.
At the start of Season 19, it was revealed that judges could use their buzzers to fast-track two auditionees each, instead of one.
America's Got Talent judges
THOUSANDS of hopefuls have graced the America's Got Talent stage to showcase their abilities.
Here is some more information about the A-list judges.
Simon Cowell - On October 22, 2015, it was revealed Simon was replacing Howard Stern on the AGT judges panel. He became a judge during the program's 11th season and has since remained a series regular.
Heidi Klum - In March 2013, Heidi was announced as Sharon Osbourne's replacement on AGT. After a few seasons off, she returned during Season 15.
Sofia Vergara - On February 27, 2020, NBC revealed Sofia was replacing Gabrielle Union for AGT season 15.
Howie Mandel - Out of all the panelists, Howie Mandel is the longest-tenured judge on America's Got Talent. Howie joined the hit reality series during the show's 5th season replacing David Hasselhoff.
Together with Terry's Golden Buzzer, the twist meant a total of nine acts could theoretically skip straight to the live shows.
In March, Simon praised the quality of performances that will be showcased on Season 19, telling People, "In the first two days we’ve used more Golden Buzzers than we’ve ever used - that’s got to be a good sign!”
Simon used his Golden Buzzers to send singer Liv Warfield and drone group Sky Elements to the next stage of the competition.
Heidi said it was an "honor to hit my Golden Buzzer" for janitor Richard Goodall, who blew the judges away with his rendition of the Journey hit Don't Stop Believing.
She also sent Pranysqa Mishra straight through to the live shows, after the 9-year-old performed Tina Turner's River Deep - Mountain High.
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Radio personality Howie Mandel picked Sydney-based dance group Brent Street and 14-year-old Reid Wilson for his impressive 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.
