After AGT’s First Live Episode Of Season 19, Simon Cowell’s Super Specific Criticism Might Actually Win Votes For One Singer

After AGT's First Live Episode Of Season 19, Simon Cowell's Super Specific Criticism Might Actually Win Votes For One Singer

As a seasoned gamer who has seen more reality TV competitions than I care to admit, I must say that the latest episode of America’s Got Talent left me on the edge of my seat. Richard Goodall, the middle school janitor turned singer, once again proved why he is a force to be reckoned with. His rendition of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” was nothing short of captivating, and it’s clear that he has a unique talent that sets him apart from the rest.


The hit show, America’s Got Talent, has officially resumed after its Olympics hiatus, and the first live performance of Season 19 featured eleven standout acts chosen by judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Terry Crews during their auditions. The viewers now hold the power to determine each performer’s fate (except for the recent golden buzzer surprise), and I believe that some constructive criticism provided by Simon Cowell in the August 13 episode could potentially boost singer Richard Goodall’s chances of reaching the finals, as scheduled in the 2024 TV lineup.

If Goodall manages to advance throughout the competition, he might become the next champion of America’s Got Talent, as he was the first to receive a golden buzzer in this season! While the acrobatic group Hakuna Matata Acrobatics earned Sofia Vergara’s golden buzzer during the live premiere of the season, Goodall received that recognition for his audition from Heidi Klum after astonishing everyone with his rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” in May. For his quarterfinals act, the high school janitor and singer invited his fiancée to the stage and performed Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.”

The audience loved it, but Simon Cowell had one less than celebratory note for Goodall, saying:

Hey there! As a massive fan of yours, let me tell you straight up that you’ve left quite an impression on us for a very long time now. Honestly, Richard, I wouldn’t have picked the song you went with in your audition. To me, it seemed a bit too traditional compared to your first performance which was truly exceptional. But hey, you absolutely crushed it and there’s still so much room for growth. If you manage to move forward, believe me when I say that you’re definitely in the running for this entire competition!

To put it in my own words as a fan, receiving constructive criticism from Simon Cowell is always an experience, but getting a mix of critique and praise has got to be the best! I must admit that I share the judge’s view that Richard Goodall’s Journey cover added something unique to his audition, but that doesn’t mean his Michael Bolton rendition doesn’t deserve a spot in AGT. In fact, I believe both performances showcase his talent and versatility.

To put it simply, Simon Cowell’s critique on AGT might have actually been beneficial for Goodall in the long run. His remarks served as a reminder of how tough his audition was and hinted at unrealized potential that we’ll hopefully get to witness… provided enough viewers vote for him to progress further. In essence, while Cowell’s comments weren’t entirely positive, they could potentially stir curiosity among voters and encourage them to see more of the singer.

Fun fact: “Don’t Stop Believin'” came out as early as 1981, while “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” was initially released by Laura Branigan in 1983 and later re-released by Michael Bolton in 1990. The latter song, which Michael Bolton co-wrote, is actually older than the song Goodall performed in the quarterfinals! If you missed the performance, here’s a link to check it out: [Performance Link]

In the live episodes of America’s Got Talent, Richard Goodall often finds himself performing last. This means that if an episode runs overtime, there might not be much time left for the judges to provide feedback due to the need to roll the final credits promptly. Despite this constraint, the judges, including Simon Cowell and his peers, acknowledged that Goodall had delivered a stellar performance. However, it’s important to note that only three of the acts performing would advance in each episode.

Hakuna Matata Acrobatic is already guaranteed to move forward thanks to Sofia Vergara’s golden buzzer, but Richard Goodall is still up against rap duo Flewnt and Inkabee (who got some critiques of their own), shadow dance group Attraction Juniors, singer Liv Warfield, dance group Hypers Kids Africa, music group Ashes & Arrows with an original song, dance group Los Osos High School, baton twirler Phillip Lewis, dog act Roni Sagi & Rhythm, and teen contortionist Arshiya.

Tune in to NBC on Wednesday, August 14 at 8 p.m. ET for the results of the audience vote that will determine whether Richard Goodall’s America’s Got Talent journey will continue. You can also revisit earlier episodes of Season 19 streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription.

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2024-08-14 14:37