'AGT' technical issue leads to offbeat performance and a red buzzer for beloved Japanese act
The final round of the Qualifiers took place Tuesday night on America's Got Talent, during which one of the remaining 11 acts, Travis Japan, suffered an audio issue that led to them being buzzed by judge Howie Mandel.
The sound issue was painfully obvious for the boy band from Tokyo, but while viewers were quick to point out that it wasn't their fault, the judges were pretty harsh on them.
Mandel told the group, "Well, you know, listen, I'm a big boy band fan, I am. My buddy here created one of the biggest ones, One Direction. I love BTS. I know this is J-pop. You got to hit some of the notes when you're singing the solos. They were really off on those notes. The rapping wasn't good. It seemed like a parody. This was like a Saturday Night Live sketch. If Liza Minnelli went to Japan and put together a boy band, this is what it would look like."
Simon Cowell semi-agreed as he shared, "It's quite difficult singing live. If you were to rewind this performance and turn the volume off, it would be great, because you're great, the personalities are fantastic, love the choreography. The song was dreadful. Your nerves got you. It was actually just the wrong song, full stop." However, despite roasting their song choice, Cowell still loved them as he added, "I just really, really love you. You made me laugh, you're really entertaining, you're fun. I just wish you had chosen a better song. Why didn't you ask me?"
And later in the show, Howie may have felt bad about his remarks because following Japanese yo-yo artist Shu Takada's performance, he shared, "I think you redeemed your country again tonight. Japan has to be proud!" Simon chucklingly pointed out, "By the way, Howie is only saying that because I saw his Twitter page after his very rude remarks to the boy band, and [fans are] not happy with him!" To be honest, Howie’s shady comment probably only caught him more flak.
Video Transcript
[AUDIO LOGO]
[MUSIC - TRAVIS JAPAN, "PARTY UP LIKE CRAZY"]
- (SINGING) Somebody told me that you want me [INAUDIBLE]. Yeah. So I can [INAUDIBLE] coming--
KYLIE MAR: The final round of the qualifiers took place Tuesday night on "America's Got Talent," during which one of the final 11 acts, Travis Japan, suffered an audio issue that led to them being buzzed by judge Howie Mandel.
- (SINGING) [INAUDIBLE] get a feeling when I know you will be there. Gonna see you soon. So soon. Ha, when I know you'll be in the same country.
[BUZZER]
When I say something's going down.
KYLIE MAR: The sound issue was painfully obvious for the boy band from Japan. But while viewers were quick to point out that it wasn't their fault, the judges were pretty harsh on them.
HOWIE MANDEL: They were really off on those notes. The rapping wasn't good. It was-- it seemed like a parody. This looks like a "Saturday Night Live" sketch. If Liza Minnelli went to Japan and put together a boy band, this is what it would look like.
KYLIE MAR: However, despite heavily roasting their song choice--
SIMON COWELL: The song was dreadful. Your nerves got you. It was actually just the wrong song, full stop.
KYLIE MAR: --Simon Cowell still loved them.
SIMON COWELL: However, I love you. I just really, really love you. You made me laugh. You're really entertaining. You're fun. I just wish you had chosen a better song. Why didn't you ask me?
KYLIE MAR: And later in the show, Howie may have felt bad about his remarks because following Japanese yo-yo artist Shu Takada's performance, he had this to say.
HOWIE MANDEL: You also, I think, redeemed your country again tonight. Japan has to be proud. And I am so proud that you're on the show.
SIMON COWELL: By the way--
HOWIE MANDEL: I can't imagine the amount of hours you've spent--
SIMON COWELL: --Howie is only saying that because I saw his Twitter page after his--
HOWIE MANDEL: Yeah, there's nothing in English.
SIMON COWELL: --very rude remarks to the boy band.
HOWIE MANDEL: I didn't make a rude remark.
SIMON COWELL: And they're not happy with him.
[AUDIO LOGO]
