Should ‘America’s Got Talent’ Get Rid of The Golden Buzzer?

America’s Got Talent has really changed since its inaugural season in 2006. We’ve gone from no Golden Buzzer, to a Golden Buzzer, to multiple! Has the Golden Buzzer gone too far? 

The Golden Buzzer Was Once Used as a Tiebreaker

In the beginning, judges were able to decide which acts were the best and which wouldn’t go through to the next round of the competition. Later, in Season 9, the show introduced a special new feature called the Golden Buzzer.

The Golden Buzzer, at this time, was used as a way to break a judge tie. The first ever Golden Buzzer was a novelty act, Dustin’s Dojo. During this season, judges were Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel. Dustin’s Dojo put on a great novelty act, but the judges were conflicted on the result. While Mandel and Stern loved the act, Mel B and Klum didn’t seem to get it.

Stern wanted to see Dustin’s Dojo again, so he hit the first ever Golden Buzzer on the series. Since Season 9, the Golden Buzzer has become a consistent reward on the show. Each season, judges are able to give one Golden Buzzer in the audition round. In the current day, judges and even the host is able to give out the Golden Buzzer multiple times in the competition. 

Is The Golden Buzzer Necessary Now? 

In America’s Got Talent Season 20, fans got to see the most Golden Buzzers to date. Judges were able to give two Golden Buzzers in the Auditions, one in the Quarterfinals, and even one in the Semifinals (that was scrapped). The host even was able to give two Golden Buzzers in the Auditions. In past seasons, the Golden Buzzer would make it so acts could skip a portion of the competition, sending them directly to the Finale. 

Now, acts that earn the Golden Buzzer in the auditions are safe from the judge’s deliberations, but still have to compete in the Quarter, Semi, and Finals. Quarterfinals Golden Buzzer recipients got to skip the Semifinals and reappeared in the Finale.

Since the Golden Buzzer is so used now, it has us asking, is it really necessary anymore? On one hand, the Golden Buzzer is a great award to give to memorable acts, on the other, having more Golden Buzzers brings down the excitement of the award. 

If I had to make the decision, I’d return to the formatting of one Golden Buzzer per judge and host per season. I think that acts should be able to skip a round with this award, like in the past. Adding multiple Golden Buzzer rounds a season has really taken the excitement out of the formatting and honestly, it’s become a bit predictable who will receive the Golden Buzzer at this point.