The fun part of America’s Got Talent is trying to predict what the act might consist of before they begin their audition. Some are more obvious than others, but when the twist is revealed, that’s the “Ode to Joy” if you will. For AGT‘s milestone season, the judges are looking for something special and unique. They are desperate to see something novel, unlike anything that’s come before. But despite wanting to be surprised, the judges certainly did not expect a novelty act like this!
Osaka Philharmonic, six gentlemen from Japan, came to AGT with a hope and a dream. During their introduction to the judges, they made it very clear that if they did not pass the audition round, they would break up. They said it so seriously that they, and Simon Cowell, truly believed it. But Cowell didn’t want to see them leave defeated and finished, so he was determined to help them get through by any means possible. And let’s just say, it was necessary.
Osaka Philharmonic Pulled the Wild Out of Simon
Per tradition, the judges chat with the act prior to their performance. It’s an opportunity for everyone to get acclimated as well as ease the performer’s nerves before they embark on the potential two minutes that could change their lives. Osaka Philharmonic arrived at the auditions less than 24 hours before their performance. And as Simon Cowell noted, they looked miserable.
Dressed to the nines in tuxedos, no one was prepared for this novelty act, mostly because they had no idea what they were going to do. After taking out harmonicas from instrument cases, the conductor removed a baton from dry ice. Then came the twist. Each member revealed their chest with a musical note on it. It would represent the note they would play on the harmonica in order to perform a song. Using the dry ice baton, the conductor touched each member’s nipple to play “Ode to Joy.” Their faces were priceless. The reactions from the theater ranged from utter disgust to uproarious laughter.
The novelty act was truly something else. Mel B, to the shock of no one, buzzed them; she had enough. But remember how Simon Cowell said he did not want to see them break up? Well, he needed Mel B on his side to prevent that from happening. So she had a solution to earn that X back. If Simon went up there and allowed them to freeze HIS nipple, she’d let them go through. So, it became an episode of “Simon Gone Wild.” He went on stage, lifted his signature black t-shirt, and had his nipple frozen for the world to see. Osaka Philharmonic is moving on, and Mel B promised she’ll never buzz them again as long as Simon is involved in the act.
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Simon Cowell Has a Heart
If you’ve been with Simon Cowell during the American Idol days, through his stint on The X Factor, and now on America’s Got Talent, there has certainly been a change in the once-infamously mean judge. Viewers used to clamor to see his sly and punchy remarks. But those days are gone. Instead, he understood the difficulty of putting oneself out there in a vulnerable position. So now, he’ll give constructive criticism and give more acts a chance to shine. He certainly has a higher standard for singers, but for other acts, Simon Cowell just loves to be entertained. With Charity Lawson, for example, he saw the star potential in her, so he halted her midway through and tasked her to perform a different song. Had he not, it’s likely Mel B wouldn’t have used her Golden Buzzer on her.
This bit with the Osaka Philharmonic really brought a refreshing side out of Simon, who truly seems so overjoyed to be a part of this historic 20th season. The importance of lasting this long on network television is certainly not lost on him. He’s playing along, he’s giving the acts the space to shine, and he’s reminding everyone that, despite his history as the mean judge, he’s not a bad guy! He is fun and has a heart! Now we wait to see how Simon and Osaka Philharmonic will collaborate next time out!
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8:00 pm on NBC. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.