Simon Cowell did not demonstrably take Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer: reports say he tried to reach for it during AIRFOOTWORKS’ performance on the August 20, 2024, live episode of America’s Got Talent. The attempted grab became a joking exchange between the judges, which headlines described as a “steal” or “hijack.”
What happened during AIRFOOTWORKS’ performance?
AIRFOOTWORKS, a dance group, performed during the August 20, 2024, live-show episode. Coverage of the episode says Cowell stood and reached toward the live-show Golden Buzzer associated with Mandel, prompting a playful dispute between the judges. The available accounts describe an attempt, not a confirmed transfer of the buzzer or an award by Cowell.
A recap says judges had assigned turns for the live-show buzzer that episode. That is a report about this broadcast’s format, not evidence of a permanent or current AGT rule.
Why headlines say Cowell “stole” the buzzer
“Stole” and “hijacked” are colorful shorthand used in headlines for Cowell’s reach toward the buzzer. The narrower account is that he tried to grab it while it was associated with Mandel’s turn. Without a verified view of the full episode, the headline language should not be read as proof that Cowell took control of the buzzer or pressed it.
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What did Cowell reportedly say?
A Yahoo Entertainment report indexed on August 21 attributed this line to Cowell as he stood and reached toward the buzzer: “I am just about to get myself fired.” Because the original episode and full report could not be independently reviewed, treat the wording as a quote attributed by that report rather than a verified transcript.
When did the moment happen?
- August 20, 2024: The live-show episode featuring AIRFOOTWORKS and the reported buzzer exchange aired, according to episode-recap coverage.
- August 21, 2024: Yahoo-indexed incident coverage described Cowell’s attempted reach and reported his line.
- August 22, 2024: World Best Talent published an indexed YouTube clip listing identifying Cowell, Mandel, AIRFOOTWORKS, and the buzzer incident.
The dates distinguish the televised moment from later reporting and clip publication; the listing date alone does not establish what happened beyond its description.
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