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… ridicul

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