Howie Mandel liked Hundred Fingers’ final America’s Got Talent performance so much that he was willing to put his own money behind the South Korean magic group. He was considerably less interested in hearing Mel B’s criticism.
During the Sept. 22 Season 21 performance finale, Mandel called Hundred Fingers’ routine the best magic show he had ever seen and said he would personally help produce a Las Vegas show for the group if they did not win the competition.
Mel B also praised the act but attempted to point out a few moments she thought were not completely synchronized. Mandel told the group not to listen, pushed her microphone away and then took it from her hand as she continued speaking, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The exchange came after a season in which Mandel twice used his Golden Buzzer on Hundred Fingers, first during the auditions and again during the live quarterfinals. The group is now one of 10 acts waiting for the results of America’s vote.
Mandel Offered to Fund a Hundred Fingers Vegas Show Himself
Mandel began his critique by calling the performance “unbelievable” and telling Hundred Fingers that it was the best magic show he had seen.
“If you don’t win this whole thing, if America doesn’t vote for you, you need to have your own room in Vegas,” he said.
If no one else stepped forward to give Hundred Fingers a Las Vegas show, Mandel said he was willing to put up his own money and personally produce a show for the group.
Sofía Vergara was similarly enthusiastic, calling the act a “perfect performance for the finals of AGT.” KSI joined Mandel, Vergara and Mel B on the judging panel while Simon Cowell remained away from the show following back surgery.
Cowell sent a message that host Terry Crews read earlier in the broadcast. He wished the finalists luck, said he was disappointed not to be there in person and confirmed that he would be watching from home.
Mel B Tried to Critique the Routine Before Mandel Took Her Mic
Mel B began by admitting that Hundred Fingers had won her over after she had been less enthusiastic about the group earlier in the season.
She praised the finale routine for incorporating different levels and building a story she could follow before announcing that she had one criticism.
“Don’t listen to this part,” Mandel told Hundred Fingers.
Mel B continued, saying a few elements had not been completely in sync and that the performers would notice them when they watched the routine back. Before she could finish, Mandel reached over and knocked her microphone aside.
She retrieved it and completed her thought, calling the routine a great performance. Mandel then took the microphone directly from her hand.
His red “X” buzzer sounded moments later, apparently unexpectedly. Both judges reacted with surprise before Mandel pointed toward Mel B and covered his head with his hands.
The judges could offer feedback during the finale, but they no longer controlled who advanced. The Season 21 winner is being decided by viewer voting.
Hundred Fingers Received Two Golden Buzzers From Mandel
Mandel’s enthusiasm for Hundred Fingers began during the group’s audition, when their card illusions earned his Golden Buzzer and moved them forward in the competition.
He used another Golden Buzzer on them during the quarterfinals after a masked magic routine, sending the group directly to the finale.
Hundred Fingers joined Acro Canine Crew, Come Here, Geno Ploeger, Lai Noelle, Nene Royal, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, Unitree and Veronika Goroshkova in NBC’s Season 21 Top 10.
Four finalists, Hundred Fingers, Nene Royal, Lai Noelle and Unitree, reached the finale through Live Show Golden Buzzers. The remaining six advanced from the semifinals through viewer voting.
The winner will be announced during the Sept. 23 results show at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.