America's Got Talent: Fantasy League: Mel B makes triumphant return as judge and slams Golden Buzzer during spin-off series premiere

02/01/2024

The 48-year-old Spice Girls singer joined judges Simon Cowell , Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel , as well as host Terry Crews , for the two-hours series premiereMel last served as a judge on the 2019 spin-off series America's Got Talent: The Champions that also consisted of all-star acts from various past seasonsShe previously was a judge on America's Got Talent from season eight through season 13 and was the first judge to use the ability of the Golden Buzzer

Mel B made a triumphant return to the America’s Got Talent franchise on Monday as a judge in the latest spin-off series and promptly used her Golden Buzzer.

The 48-year-old Spice Girls singer joined judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, as well as host Terry Crews, for the two-hours series premiere of AGT: Fantasy League on NBC.

The new show features the judges coaching all-star acts from across the Got Talent franchise with the winning act receiving a $250,000 grand prize and their coach also being named as a champion.

Ten acts performed during the series premiere representing various coaches, but only five advanced as a result of audience voting to the next round.

Mel last served as a judge on the 2019 spin-off series America’s Got Talent: The Champions that also consisted of all-star acts from various past seasons.

Mel B made a triumphant return to the America’s Got Talent franchise on Monday as a judge in the latest spin-off series and promptly used her Golden Buzzer

She previously was a judge on America’s Got Talent from season eight through season 13 and was welcomed back by Heidi, 50, and Howie, 68.

‘It’s like getting the family back together,’ Heidi said.

Simon also grudgingly admitted to Mel that he ‘actually missed’ her.

The English singer known as Scary Spice when she rose to fame with the Spice Girls in the 1990s was the first judge to receive the ability to use the Golden Buzzer.

Judges during the season can use their Golden Buzzer to either advance one of their own acts to the finals or steal an act from another judge while also advancing them to the finals.

Franchise creator Simon, 64, was thrilled after his brother-sister danger act Billy and Emily England crushed their daring roller-skating routine that featured flaming knives attached to her skates.

‘Simon is very lucky to have you in his squad,’ Howie said. ‘This is one of the most dangerous, exciting stand-out acts we’ve ever had in Got Talent history.’

Mel told the dynamic duo they were ‘spectacular’ and asked her rival Simon if he liked them.

The 48-year-old Spice Girls singer joined judges Simon Cowell , Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel , as well as host Terry Crews , for the two-hours series premiere of AGT: Fantasy League on NBC

Franchise creator Simon, 64, was thrilled after his brother-sister danger act Billy and Emily England crushed their daring roller-skating routine that featured flaming knives attached to her skates

‘Simon is very lucky to have you in his squad,’ Howie said. ‘This is one of the most dangerous, exciting stand-out acts we’ve ever had in Got Talent history’

Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Simon Cowell were together once again for the spin-off

‘Like them? I love them,’ Simon said.

‘But, you know what? Guess who has the Golden Buzzer tonight?!,’ Mel said.

‘No, you can’t,’ Simon protested.

Mel ignored him, stood up and gleefully slammed her Golden Buzzer stealing the act from Simon and sending them straight to the finals.

Confetti fell from the ceiling and Mel rushed to the stage to congratulate her new team members.

‘Whose team is it?,’ Mel asked and the audience answered, ‘Mel B!’

Terry, 55, asked Emily how it felt to receive the Golden Buzzer from Mel.

‘I feel really excited. I feel amazing,’ Emily said with a huge smile.

‘Like them? I love them,’ Simon said

Confetti fell from the ceiling and Mel rushed to the stage to congratulate her new team members.

‘Honestly, when Simon called me (to join the series), the 11-year-old Emily was a little bit upset. I really wanted to be part of Mel B’s team,’ she admitted.

‘I actually feel like I’ve just been dumped,’ Simon said.

Mel continued to celebrate with her new act as Simon lamented his loss.

‘I got dumped in front of everyone. And they weren’t even unhappy,’ Simon said.

Mel also got back at Simon when he made a crack about the Spice Girls after her comedian Tape Face performed.

The mime comedian, who was a finalist on season 11 of AGT, made Simon part of his act and blindfolded him.

Tape Face performed while Simon was unable to see him play a cup-and-ball game that ended with a roar of applause from the audience as Simon walked back to his seat confused.

‘That was brilliant,’ Mel B said. ‘You know why it was so good? We got to see you, and we got to see Simon just standing there looking pointless.’

‘Honestly, when Simon called me (to join the series), the 11-year-old Emily was a little bit upset. I really wanted to be part of Mel B’s team,’ she admitted

Tape Face performed while Simon was unable to see him play a cup-and-ball game that ended with a roar of applause from the audience as Simon walked back to his seat confused

‘I stood there. I didn’t sing. I felt like a Spice Girl,’ Simon shot back.

Mel grabbed a nearby glass of water and doused Simon for making fun of her popular girl group.

‘So, unfortunately Mel won’t be joining us for the rest of the series,’ joked Simon, who also is an executive producer of the series.

Heidi proudly coached Hans, a fellow German who irks Simon, and he performed playing Liberace’s piano while singing a unique rendition of the Elton John song The Bitch Is Back.

He finished his zany performance with an accordion solo and a shoutout to Simon.

‘I know you love it Simon,’ Hans said.

Mel enjoyed it and heaped praise on Hans for his energetic performance.

‘My cheeks are hurting me because you bring so much joy to the stage,’ Mel said.

‘I stood there. I didn’t sing. I felt like a Spice Girl,’ Simon shot back

Mel grabbed a nearby glass of water and doused Simon for making fun of her popular girl group.

Simon was soaked by Mel for making fun of the Spice Girls

‘So, unfortunately Mel won’t be joining us for the rest of the series,’ joked Simon, who also is an executive producer of the series

Simon, however, said it wasn’t his ‘cup of tea.’

‘If I’m being honest with you, he can’t sing, he can’t dance,’ Simon said.

‘If I can’t sing and I can’t dance, when am I taking over your job, babe?,’ Hans fired back.

The episode opened with Howie’s dancer Kristy Sellars performing a stellar routine that featured a tall pole and stunning background visuals.

Shadow puppet act Shadow Ace got coach Howie into the act by using his head as props during the performance, including: a turntable, a drum and a piano.

The Filipino puppeteer won over the audience with his dance moves to Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot and Nell’s hit song Hot In Herre.

‘That was genius. Because weirdly, it made you realize how difficult this is,’ Simon said. ”Cause sometimes you don’t want to see everything, but actually by seeing everything, it made it even funnier.’

‘I could not stop laughing,’ Mel B said. ‘You’ve brought me so much joy just bashing Howie’s head over and over. I loved it.’

Terry at the end of the episode announced that Howie’s acrobatic dance act V. Unbeatable had advanced as a result of voting by superfans.

‘If I can’t sing and I can’t dance, when am I taking over your job, babe?,’ Hans fired back at Simon

The episode opened with Howie’s dancer Kristy Sellars performing a stellar routine that featured a tall pole and stunning background visuals

Shadow puppet act Shadow Ace got coach Howie into the act by using his head as props during the performance, including: a turntable, a drum and a piano