Insights from 'America's Got Talent' Judges on the Latest Golden Buzzer Regulations (Exclusive)

America s Got Talent Judges on New Golden Buzzer Rules

Trae Patton/NBC

America’s Got Talent is making a change this season with the new Golden Buzzer rule.

In season 19, instead of each judge - Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell, and Sofia Vergara - having one Golden Buzzer, they will now each have two. This means that an act chosen by the Golden Buzzer will go straight to the Live Shows.

Host Terry Crews will also have his own Golden Buzzer, giving acts nine chances to earn this special award.

Crews, 55, shared exclusively with We at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium during the America’s Got Talent season 19 auditions red carpet. He expressed the need for more Golden Buzzers, comparing it to running out of Halloween candy with trick-or-treaters still coming to the door.

Crews assured that everyone deserving of a Golden Buzzer will receive one this year. Mandel, on the other hand, was shocked by the news of an extra Golden Buzzer.

Mandel, 68, reflected on his initial reaction to the Golden Buzzer news. He expressed his awe at the ability to push someone straight to the live shows with just a touch of the Golden Buzzer, leaving him speechless.

Mandel is thrilled about the doubled power this season, calling it "epic" compared to past seasons.

On the other hand, Cowell may not be as enthusiastic about the Golden Buzzer as his 10-year-old son Eric. Cowell, who is the father of Eric with Lauren Silverman, mentioned that Eric is constantly interested in the phenomenon.

Cowell, who is 64 years old, shared with Us that Eric often asks about the Golden Buzzer. He questions, "Did you press the Golden Buzzer? What was it? Why’d you do it?" Sometimes, Eric even disagrees or wonders, "Why did you give that the Golden Buzzer?"

Eric got involved in the action and even tried his hand at the Golden Buzzer.

In the U.K. this year, the audience was really excited about something, Cowell shared. They cheered on a contestant and another judge's daughter to press the Golden Buzzer. They both ran up and pressed it, which was a first. The producers confirmed it was a Golden Buzzer moment, and he had used his first one.

America's Got Talent will premiere on NBC on Tuesday, May 28th at 8 p.m. ET. If you miss it, you can stream episodes the next day on Peacock.

With reporting by Kevin Zelman

Editor's P/S:

The new Golden Buzzer rule in America's Got Talent season 19 is a welcome change that will give more deserving acts a chance to shine. With each judge and the host now having two Golden Buzzers, there are nine opportunities for acts to go straight to the Live Shows. This is especially important in a season with so much talent, as host Terry Crews noted.

The increased number of Golden Buzzers also adds an element of excitement and suspense to the show. As judge Howie Mandel pointed out, the ability to push someone straight to the live shows with the touch of a button is a powerful one. It will be interesting to see how the judges use their extra Golden Buzzers and which acts they choose to support.