Highlights of Episode 2 on NBC's "America's Got Talent"

Episode 2 of this season's "America's Got Talent" was more like the "Gong Show" and the relationship between judges Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan heated up.

NBC's "America's Got Talent" was in Seattle, Washington for this round of auditions. The show began with a winner, Melissa Villasenor, which got the Seattle audience off to a great start. Here's the list of favorable acts by the judges:

Melissa Villasenor

Melissa started the show off with a bang as she told the judges that she wanted to be in comedy and an impressionist. Looking cute in a full skirt, boots, long-sleeved white blouse, and a headband, Melissa began her act by imitating Barbara Walters. She was a big hit when she imitated Christine Aguilera singing the national anthem. All three judges enjoyed her audition and this contestant is on her way to Las Vegas.

Anita McCoy

Anita was incredible. This 69 year old woman performed doing somersaults, splits, and using the hula hoop. She was inspiration to those of us that can't coordinate our muscles anymore, and yes, I did say that she did a split on stage. Howie Mandel jumped out of his seat proclaiming, "No one's ever done that before"! The judges were "wowed" and Anita is off to Las Vegas.

Zuma Zuma

This was a class act performed by a group of high energy adults wearing black-and-white tiger striped costumes. They came to "America's Got Talent" from Kenya and performed tumbling acts, acrobats, jump rope, and they did it all without mats! A fabulous group of contestants to watch, this group may find themselves in Las Vegas even if they don't win on "America's Got Talent"!

Sadie

"America's Got Talent" is open to anyone at any age, and 8 year old Sadie stood before a full-house audience and belted out her jazzy tune! Do we have another Jackie Evancho on stage? Not the same genre of music, but Sadie can flex her notes like the best of them. The judges, especially Sharon Osbourne, were blown away and this 8 year old is packing for Las Vegas.

"America's Got Talent" wouldn't be fun and lively without showing clips of some of the 'quickie no's' that were buzzed by the judges. Some of these acts were Litz Plummer and Robert Close, the Rice Rockettes, Mr. Mystic, and we were shown a full clip of identical twins Andrew and Charles Goodry performing a stiff version of "My Girl". This act became fun when Howie Mandel joined them on stage to show them how to sing, except Howie didn't know the words to the song.

Mauricio Herrara

This dude comes from Costa Rica where he says he's a big hit, however, the judges found that statement questionable. A cross between Tom Jones and Elvis Presley, this dude's vocals were off yet he swayed his bottom half to and fro to get a reaction from the audience and judges. Piers Morgan called his act "disco nonsense" and gave a resounding 'no' vote. The easily pleased Howie said 'yes' and begged Sharon to say 'yes'. Much to my surprise, Sharon gave in and we will have to see this dude at least once more.

Carlton Baltimore

Carlton livened up the show and stretched the differences between judges Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan. Carlton is a 57 year old street performer and he plays the 'paper horn'. Carlton not only buzzed his performance on stage, but Piers Morgan was the first to buzz him. Piers was so disgusted that he left the stage while Carlton continued his performance. Howie voted 'yes' and said that he would also vote 'yes' for Piers who wasn't on stage. Emcee Nick Cannon told Howie that he couldn't legally do that and they brought a disgruntled Piers back on stage to vote. Howie told Piers that he was the opposite of fun, and the rivalry continued between these two judges. No, we will not see Carlton perform again on this show.

If you've got talent and would like to audition for "America's Got Talent", you can follow this link to instructions from Nick Cannon. The show is still looking for more talent, so why not audition?

Tonight is a special two-hour episode of NBC's "America's Got Talent" and it begins at 9 PM ET.

Source: NBC's "America's Got Talent"; June 7, 2011

Image Credit: Microsoft Clip Art