“Fun” Friday: AGT puts the fun back in summer with its nineteen season on NBC
By Debbie Waltz
NBC premieres its 19th season of America’s Got Talent in preparation for summer and family fun. As with previous seasons, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofía Vergara join creator Simon Cowell as they search for America’s next sensation; this show differs from most because it features talent of all categories. This year is a little different from previous seasons, seeing as each judge gets 2 golden buzzers.
Why the change?
To put it simply, there’s just so much talent; it’s too hard to choose. Simon was right, though. How do you choose between a jazz group whose band members and lead singer have so much energy and a pack of 1000 drones set to create its light show? You can’t. They both are so different they belong in a box of their own.
Already in its third episode, the show has struck a chord with audiences on such issues as disability and mental illness. Similar to Musa Motha’s story, Brazil-born contestant Samuel was diagnosed with cancer at age 13 and they had to amputate his legs. Unlike Musa, he is self-taught and improves his technique by watching videos; he calls himself a B-boy. Here is Samuel’s audition:
If you are interested in reading my previous post on Musa. (Link to article on Musa)
On the other hand, Howie Mandel was touched by the Reklaw’s and their original song,” People Don’t Talk about.” Dedicated to their mother who lost her battle with mental illness, this song gives a voice to struggling in silence. The brother/sister duo hopes the song provides a platform for a more open and honest dialogue about society’s stigma with mental illness and promote more understanding in social circles