‘America’s Got Talent’ Recap: Neil Patrick Harris Joins Judges, Sends Piff The Magic Dragon To Radio City Music Hall

Neil Patrick Harris acted as guest judge on America’s Got Talent first round of Judge Cuts on Tuesday, July 14.

NPH Appears On America’s Got Talent As Guest Judge

Now that the auditions are over, it’s time to narrow down the acts to determine who will get to compete live at Radio City Music Hall. In this episode, the judges were tasked with narrowing down 20 acts to a Top 7. Harris was invited by judge Howard Stern to sit alongside judges Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel, and he came in with very high standards. “Bring it, have fun. We’re here to support you if you’re great, and we’re here to tell you why you’re bad if you suck,” he told the contestants at the top of the episode.

NPH was a natural on AGT, and even volunteered to help some contestants with their acts. He was the lucky man who got to be held by Professional Cuddler Samatha Hess, though Harris didn’t seem to enjoy it. Hess got five X’s and was sent home.

Top 7 Move On To Radio City Music Hall

As a guest judge, Harris also got to his own Golden Buzzer, the special buzzer that each judge gets to hit once to send an act straight through to Radio City Music Hall. Harris, a magician himself, chose to hit his buzzer for Piff the Magic Dragon, the sarcastic and grumpy magician.

Finally, after all 20 had performed, the judges took some time to deliberate and announced the acts that would be going through to the next round:

Chapkis Dance Family

MYQ Kaplan

Freelusion Dance Company

3 Shades of Blue

Samantha Johnson

Sylvia Sylvia

Notable acts that didn’t make the cut included the 13-year-old singer Alondra Santos, who received a standing ovation and glowing remarks from the judges. In the end, it’s likely Santos was not chosen because she was up against Samantha Johnson, who gave a flawless performance that was very tough to beat.

Next Tuesday at 8 p.m. on NBC, Michael Bublé joins America’s Got Talent as a guest judge.