On September 9, 2025, the final quarterfinal Live Show of America’s Got Talent put extra pressure on Howie Mandel. He held the last remaining Live Golden Buzzer. Mandel’s scrutiny was intense from the jump.
The night’s lineup featured 11 acts, including Birmingham Youth, The BoykinZ, The Funkateer Dancers, Chuck Adams, Crash Adams, Gendai, Cole Swensen & Judy, Team Recycled, Mike Munz, TT Boys, and magician Zak Mirz. During Mirz’s interactive routine, Mandel hit his X mid‑performance and said the trick took too long to land. The crowd chanted for him to “take it back,” and Simon Cowell called his reaction “uncalled for.” Consequently, Mandel withdrew the X but maintained that the setup dragged.
Viewer reaction was split. Some fans blasted the move—one wrote, “Seriously Howie… ridiculous! Go home.” Others sided with the judge, arguing the pacing wasn’t tight enough and that the act “took too long.”
Even so, Mandel saved his biggest decision for late in the show. On the penultimate performance, he finally used his Live Golden Buzzer on Team Recycled, a dance troupe from Germany, awarding them a direct ticket to the finale. Explaining his standard, Mandel said he was “looking for an act that would step it up.” He believed Team Recycled delivered.
What’s Next for AGT
Voting opened after the September 9 show, with the three top vote‑getters set to be revealed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. We’ll soon see whether Mirz’s polarizing performance advances. Additionally, we will see how Team Recycled capitalizes on its finale berth as America’s Got Talent edges toward its Season 20 finish.
However you felt about the buzzer drama, AGT now has a clear stakes shift: Team Recycled is through, and the rest are in America’s hands.
That’s a wrap on #AGT Quarterfinals! You can rewatch and share all of tonight’s performances here: https://t.co/wyoct6KY65 pic.twitter.com/aRz0fj0w1o
— America’s Got Talent (@AGT) September 10, 2025
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