‘AGT’ Recap: ‘America’s Got Talent’ Airs Birthday Party For Show’s Anniversary

America’s Got Talent returned to NBC with a special two-hour episode. Instead of moving on to the next round of the competition, the show aired their “20th birthday party.” The episode shared a bit of the show’s history, as well as judges’ favorite moments.

The crazy, two hour birthday special began with an incredible opening number featuring various, familiar faces. The returning contestants were Richard Goodall, Pack Drumline, Los Osos High School, Avery Dixon, Sara James, Alan Silva, and Billy and Emily England.

Following the opening number, the show looked back at the past 20 years. The footage began with the show’s original pilot, that was never broadcast. Following was a montage of most years, showing judging panels like David Hasselhoff, Brandy Norwood, and Piers Morgan. Many other years of the show and other judging panels and contestants were then shown. The montague ended with judges watching Jessica Sanchez’s first audition, then her most recent.

AGT Judges Look Back at Their “Firsts”

The next segment was featured around the judges’ first days on the show. Mandel began, talking about his first season on the panel in 2010. Notably, Mandel looks back at winner Michael Grimm. Being able to see Grimm reinvent his life proved to Mandel just how much winning AGT meant.

Mel B then looked back at her time on the show. One of Mel’s earliest memories on the show was a man with a rattlesnake and a balloon. Cowell then looked back at his first day. Remembering the nerves, until Jackie Lee took the stage as act one.

Finally, our newest judge Sofia Vergara looked back at her first season in 2020. Vergara even remembers the first time she hit her red buzzer, it was for act Eileen Chase. The segment then went on to discuss the red buzzer, showing various famous acts who earned it, like Jack Grady, Sethward, and Studmuffin Supreme.

To follow was a segment dedicated to the show’s in-person audience. The judges explained that the show is what it is because of the audience energy. As an example, judges mentioned Ben Lapidus’s “Parmesan Cheese” song. For those who may have missed it, all four judges gave Lapidus a red buzzer, but the audience cheering ultimately led the judges to retract their red buzzers.

For the majority of the birthday party, judges discussed how important social media has been in the popularity of the show. As we, Talent Recap, know from our own YouTube channel, some of these auditions have potential to earn thousands, if not million of views over night.

Former Contestants, Judges Look Back at Monumental Auditions

Throughout the night, judges looked back at some of the most memorable auditions, like Kodi Lee, Daniel Emmet, Duo Transcend, and more. Then, they went on to discuss some of the things that happen in most episodes, like Simon stopping acts, crazy danger acts, and unbelievable talent.

From there, returning contestants from the opening number got to relive their auditions. Avery Dixon rewatched his audition with both pride and tears in his eyes. After, the show looked back as some of the biggest winner’s lifestyles in 2025. This segment included Kodi Lee, Terry Fator, Mat Franco, Piff The Magic Dragon, and Angelica Hale.

Famous Pranks That Fans Still Remember

Beginning the prank segment was a portion about Cowell meeting Mandel for the first time. Apparently, Cowell knew he liked Mandel as soon as they met. He was thrilled about Mandel joining the show because it was “becoming too serious.” The other judges and host then went on to praise Mandel’s humor, on and off stage.

They then touched on the series of pranks that have taken place on AGT. There were plenty of pranks mentioned, like Howie trapping Piers in his dressing room, Mel being a physic or judges pretending to be wax figures at Madame Tussauds.

The episode then ended with a compilation of the show’s winners’ moments. This compilation featured both commentary from the contestants, as well as Cowell. It was truly the perfect book end to tonight’s episode.

America’s Got Talent Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Earlier today, America’s Got Talent early released the opening act of the night. The performance features percussion group Pack Drumline, singer Richard Goodall, and dance group, Los Osos High School.

Also included in this performance is saxophone player Avery Dixon, Rollerskating duo Billy and Emily England, singer Sara James, and aerialist Alan Silva.

America’s Got Talent returns to NBC on Tuesday, August 19 for the beginning of this season’s live shows. Be sure to tune in at 8 p.m. ET so you don’t miss any moment of Season 20.