‘AGT’ Fans Want Big Changes to Show Before Next Season
America’s Got Talent viewers are making their voices heard when it comes to changes they want to see for future seasons, with many calling for the end of Golden Buzzers.
The debate started after a user on the AGT Reddit forum suggested for the next season, the long-running competition series should do a “bare bones battlefield,” getting rid of “golden buzzers,” “sob stories,” “singing acts,” and contestants that have appeared in previous seasons.
“Let’s just have a survival of the fittest type season. Everyone for themselves,” the user wrote. “No mention of social media views and likes. No mention of personal hardships. No judge favoritism. No sappy over exaggerated reactions.”
Many fans agreed, especially when it came to the overuse of the Golden Buzzer. “The overuse of Golden Buzzers has ruined the show. What’s the purpose of voting?” said one commenter.
“I don’t mind the initial golden buzzers, but the ones in the quarter finals, I am just not understanding,” another added. “I would like to see no judges buzzing in the lives. Let the people vote with minimal input from the judges.”
The Golden Buzzer concept was introduced in Season 9, with each judge being allowed to press their Golden Buzzer once during the season to send an act straight through to the next round. This changed in Season 10, when the Golden Buzzer was upgraded to send an act straight to the live shows.
Since then, the number of Golden Buzzers has only increased. In Season 11, host Terry Crews was given a Golden Buzzer. Seasons 16 to 18 introduced a Group Golden Buzzer. Season 19 saw each judge given two Golden Buzzers for the auditions and then another Golden Buzzer to use in the Quarterfinals, which would let an act advance straight to the finale.
The currently airing Season 20 saw Crews given a second Golden Buzzer, and the judges will be able to collectively give out another Golden Buzzer in the semifinals, allowing an act to skip the voting and head directly to the live finale.
One Reddit user wrote, “The quarter finals golden buzzers need to go bye bye.”
“Agree. No reason a judge fav should just sail to the finals Let the act get there like every other act. Earn their way with votes,” said another.
Another said Crews shouldn’t have a Golden Buzzer, arguing, “There’s no reason for the host to have a buzzer. They should have a neutral presence among the cast.”
“Terry Crew has no real qualifications on giving a gold buzzer. He’s a host. And that’s all his role should be,” said one user.
Others want AGT to ban singing acts, with one Reddit commenter explaining, “I do wish we had no singers. There’s so many singing shows but none where an act like Light Balance can really go on.”
Another said they’d be fine with singers “as long as they disallow covers,” saying the singing acts should have to perform “Nothing but original music.”
“And no one who has already had a recording contact or been on other shows. They already had their shot,” added one fan.
One big issue fans expressed was the constant “sob stories,” with a Reddit user explaining, “Sob stories get soft critiques by the judges. No one wants to talk down to ppl who had it bad. But really their act and their story need to be kept separate. Just bc they had hardship doesn’t mean they are automatically a great singing group.”
The topic of sob stories heated back up after the Birmingham Youth Choir advanced to the semifinals this week, thanks to America’s votes. While many were shocked by the result, one Reddit user explained they made it through “Because it’s reality TV and a large majority of people love a feel good and/or sad/redemption story. Unfortunately that’s pretty much it.”
“I really don’t like the singing acts on AGT. There’s too many of them and they tend to be the ones with the biggest sob stories. But I guess some people like them since they get the votes,” said another.
“They should ban Choirs all together competing it’s absolutely beyond a joke at this rate. You just know they’ll get a GB and I think they should be banned,” another wrote.
Many fans said they want to see more “variety acts,” such as comedians, dancers, acrobats, etc. As one fan put it, “I prefer variety acts because there are already other shows for singers,” though they admitted “singing is still a talent, so it shouldn’t be banned.”
What changes would you like to see on AGT? Should singing acts be banned? Are there too many Golden Buzzers? Let us know your thoughts below.
America’s Got Talent, Season 20, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8/7c, NBC
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Comments are closed on this story.
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C
I find it odd that people from other parts of the world become contestants on AGT. What happened to "America"? People from other than the old US of A shouldn't be part of the competition.
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G
Judges from other countries shouldn't be judging either. Don't even have an American judge. Pathetic.
8 2
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O
Are there American acts on other versions like Britain’s Got Talent
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B
Why did Mel B even bother coming back between her & Howie they were so negative @times&he was just plain crotchity unless he really liked the act!! Time for them both to go!!
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B
Mel B is so RUDE & her constantly saying " I don't get it or understand it" grates my nerves. Is she that thick headed? All the other judges look at her like she is when she makes stupid comments like that.
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O
I don't mind a judge giving negative reviews, that's their opinion. But Mel B can be rude about it.
As for Howie, I love him as a comedian...I mean, he's pretty funny...but he seems so jaded by many of the acts. He's even said in the past that he's not a fan of dance acts. That's alot of the acts! This season he did love two of them, but that's rare for him.
I hate to say it because I like them, but they both are not good at judging for this particular show and both need to go.
Ugh, I hate to say it but there it is.
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B
Agree with all the suggestions.
I have one more - have the cameras stay ON THE ACTS!! NOT the judges or audience!! And stay in one spot!! I swear sometimes I get motion sickness with their "artistic?" angles!
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D
I would like to emliate the results show. Only takes a few minutes to announce the acts going through. It doesn't need to take an hour. They just drag it out and do other things between.
American Idol and Dancing with the Stars got rid of their results show due to low raitings. Instead you can announce the results at the beginning of next week shows. American Idol does a live vote on performance night and announces the results at end of the show.
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G
I think AGT should do away with the golden buzzer. When the buzzer is used especially early in the show more deserving acts have lost out. AGT acts should be judged on their merits of their talent and the sob stories should not be part of their act.
Also watching AGT has become a screeming fest. When the acts are performing or the host and judges are talking the audience should be quiet. Most of the time it is difficult to understand the act over all of the noise. AGT is great, but changes need to be made.
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C
I also do not enjoy the results shows...why pick 5, just to reduce it to 3?? Either make it a 30 minute show, or just eliminate that whole thing and announce the 3 at the end of the show ...
13 2
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R
Some can't vote during the live show but have to wait until later bc of the time zone.
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J
I agree with a lot of the other viewers. The golden buzzer ruin the show. They all should have the same opportunity through the voting. Also there are too many singers. There are other singing competitions but no other competitions for variety acts.
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B
Why should any group of talented people be banned ? That's absolutely ludicrous and prejudiced
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R
Get rid of Howie Mandell
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G
And Simon but its his show so that won't happen. He thinks he's so much better than everyone else and all he's good for is selecting good singers and plastic surgery. Not exactly a gift to the world.
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B
Aren't they also competing for an act in Vegas not just the money? How is a Youth Choir going to hold down a Vegas venue for a month? People should not be allowed to compete if they do not or are unable to do the Vegas act for the month and draw a decent audience.
Children's choir, nope.
Golden Buzzer in first round, yes. Past that, no.
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R
I LIKE SINGERS, DANCERS, BUT THEY SHOULD BE IN THEIR OWN CATEGORY TILL THERE IS ONLY PERSON/GROUP IN EACH CATEGORY AND THAT PERSON THAT WON THEIR CATEGORY GOES ONTO COMPETE AGAINST THE OTHER WINNERS OF EACH CATEGORY IN THE FINALS. EACH PERSON MUST BE AMERICAN NOT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. ITS CALLED AGT NOT WORLD GOT TALENT.
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B
Isn't that the meaning of segregation?
Have we really resorted to segregation people again ?
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C
Biggest change I would like to see is the shows cancellation. This season was awful without a single act that I even thought was decent.
7 4
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B
Show the contestants instead of scanning the room.
This is a talent show correct not a documentary about there life challenges , mishaps
My opinion is that Sofia or Mel B do dress seductive there is no reason to show there beast , it's a famliy show , they're suppose to set an example. Especially Sofia raises her arms up , hopefully they stay in her dress. I dont really care for there antics you've had classier judges. They don't give I out the class that the show had at the beginning don't get me wrong I'm not a pured I love watching real comedy and people engaging but not that stupid stuff it demeaning.
I have been a faithful watcher but I'm truly not going to keep watching these things ruin it for me.
I watch all of the different competitive shows but this year I thought I would give it another go but. Nope
Thank you for your time
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G
Shocked no one mentioned GET RID OF MEL B! She is so annoying, rude, negative and not too bright!
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G
No golden buzzers.and only America acts.if they want to have a world act that's fine.
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B
Yes there are to many golden buzzers I think their should do away with them altogether also I would like to see less people from other countries by the way its America got talent
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O
The acts need to be from the US. So many other countries have their own version. It’s called Americas got talent
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B
I agree with everything but also didn't like the judges being able to X buzz in the semi-finals. Their time for buzzing is over by then. Don't like the Golden Buzzer at all. What was with Mel B? She hated everyone this year. Contestants should live in the US. It's AMERICA'S GOT TALENT.
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M
These are people who are haters of the show and are very negative towards singing groups and what people have gone through aka sob stories. These people should just keep to themselves cuz they’re only hurting AGT and don’t care who they hurt. Haters, stop hurting our country. AGT is awesome the way it is.
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O
I'd like it if the lady judges wore somewhat more family friendly tops...we really don't need to see that much...flesh
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G
Singers are what the voice is for
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P
I agree with the comments about tje golden buzzers giving an unfaor advatage and tje sob stories, i also agree that it shpuld be peeps from tje usa, and territories, because every other country now has their own got talent.
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R
The Show should be called Worlds Got Talent, NOT America’s Got Talent. Hardly anyone is from America, even the Judges are not from America. What is that all about!
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R
Many of the acts that have gone through in season 20 make good opening acts for a show, but can’t sustain an entire show. This has been true for several years. I also think it is a good time to change out a couple of judges, and Terry Crews as the host. The show needs a total makeover. Also, the results show is boring and should be eliminated. Give the results at the end of the regular show or the beginning of the next show.
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O
I agree with the too many golden buzzers. This season just confused me. I was like...wait, didn't they already push the golden buzzer? It should only be used once per judge, then a Terry buzzer and then an audience buzzer. That's it. And in that order. That's six acts, that's enough. And it should only be used to send the act to the semi finals. They need to prove themselves to get to the finals. Plus, it shows too much favoritism to use it more than once, which can sway the audience.
As for the choir singers, I mean get real...where have you EVER seen a residency of a choir act? Uh huh, and you never will.
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B
I have enjoyed the show & judges since day one. Keep it going with no changes.
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O
One Golden Buzzer per whole episode. Terry is an actor as well...deserves buzzer too. No sob story backgrounds, gives talent an edge. Also keep talentlt in America, it's not an International, World's Got Talent!
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A
At first I liked the idea of the Golden Buzzer but then it seemed it was used too frequently. So I think they should get rid of it. As for the judges beingvfrom other countries, America is made up of people from other countries so it doesn't make sense to want to get rid of the judges from other countries. Our forefathers were from other countries.
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G
Time for Howie to go. We need a new panel
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P
The Golden Buzzers in the auditions are completely meaningless. They automatically go to the live shows, whereas everyone else gets picked to... automatically go to the live shows lol. They kinda forgot they got rid of the Vegas rounds, so it doesn't really do anything anymore.
Also, the complete misunderstanding of what "Anniversary" means. Season 20 is NOT your 20th anniversary. This year marks the 19th anniversary of AGT. They constantly keep saying "20 years ago" despite the fact the show premiered in 2006. They made the same mistake back in 2015, calling it their 10-year anniversary.
The irony is they could technically milk the 20 for 2 years, by emphasizing "20th season" this year, and "20th anniversary" next year, but I think they just don't know how to do math, lol
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B
1) they need to take away the winning prize of getting a show in Vegas. Because there are soo many acts that advance in the show that there is no way people would go see in Vegas!
2) I agree that sob stories make it advantage.
3) go back to just 1 golden buzzer per judge in the initial round but If they do keep the golden buzzer in quarterfinals I think it would only be fair for the judge to be able to wait until the end of all acts competing to award the golden buzzer. (Howie skipped a great act or two because it was “too early” so he just gave it to the 2nd to last act of the night)
4) they should have separate groups.. singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, variety, etc so we don’t get soo many of each of them they will just have a limited amounts at the end.
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O
Should just be American acts.
No golden buzzers and less singers
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G
Keep the audience cheers lower, we cannot hear what the judges say, or the act is saying.
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O
I agree there are too many sympathy votes being given. I think it may be time for new judges and definitely too many golden buzzers.
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O
Time to give the heave ho to all the current judges and get new ones, especially Howie Mandel. If you watch episodes of Britain’s Got Talent on You Tube, there’s a whole different vibe versus the US version and the judges critiques are more in li e with audience reaction. And in the US, no more singers. To many sympathy votes.
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O
I totally agree about the golden buzzer, enough is enough. But my major beef is with the directors of the show. The home audience is not given the same view of the acts because the camera is constantly chasing angles, flying all over the place and catching everyone's reactions, instead leave it one position and give us the same show the live audience gets to see without all of the reaction shots. We spend more time watching people's reactions than we do enjoying the act. A few are fine, but again, enough
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O
I hate Golden Buzzers, I hate that the judges will still hit their x when the audiences are the ones voting, not the judges. I think the sob stories influence people instead of the talent. I agree about no singers as there are other shows for that. Also, it is called America's Got Talent---- it should only be those who live in America. Other countries have their own version of this show. They should make a version of this show for kids....make AGT adults only!!
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R
I think that the real talent is often sent home & they bring back some pretty bad/boring acts, ie: choirs, the guy who thought he could dance? Like for real?? Agreed, too many sob stories. Just have the original golden buzzer when they audition & thats it.. let America do the rest.
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G
I also agree with other viewers that the golden buzzers and sob stories should go. I feel for people but this is a competition of talent not who has the best sob story. Also, it seems as if they group the best acts in one quarter final and and go from there. The fourth quarter finals was really boring. Another thing I'd like to see changed as a viewer from home is the cameramen panning the reactions of the judges and audiences during a performance. I want to see the performance.
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B
Ban Howie! Keep Mel!
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G
I think the golden buzzer should be used 1x by each person including Terry. And it should only be used IF they are that good! And maybe get the audience advice before using it. I also think that they're should be an age limit again.
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G
I think the golden buzzer should be used 1x by each person including Terry. And it should only be used IF they are that good! And maybe get the audience advice before using it. I also think that they're should be an age limit again.
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