Near disaster in the America's Got Talent semi-finals as Gymkana performer is set on fire

By ANDREA MAGRATH



Dangerous: Gymkana started out well with a stunning and perfectly timed routine, but failed to impress Piers, who was booed for buzzing out the group early on in the act



It was an eventful night on round two of America's Got Talent semi-finals, between Piers Morgan getting a little too eager on the buzzer and a near-disaster during gymnastics group Gymkana's act.



The talented troupe from Maryland had the judges on their feet, gasping in horror after a ring of fire came crashing down on top of one of the performers.



The dance team started out well with a stunning and perfectly timed routine, but failed to impress Piers, who was booed for buzzing out the group early on in the act.





Accident: Then near-disaster struck, when one of the gymnasts caught the edge of the ring of fire, bringing the flames down on top of him as he crash-landed on the floor





Then near-disaster struck, when one of the gymnasts caught the edge of the ring of fire, bringing the flames down on top of him as he crash-landed on the floor.



The judges were on their feet as the young man lay on the floor on fire, while the performer who had been holding on to the ring nursed a burnt arm.



Piers was forced to defend himself for buzzing the group just seconds before the incident. 'You're every good at what you do, it was every repetitive though,' he said.



'I think as it goes as badly wrong as it just did... I feel for you you have my sympathy but obviously when you have someone lying on the floor with fire all over him, it's not a good day at the office.



Nick interrupted Piers' review, saying, 'Well personally I think you buzzing them made them nervous and maybe caused the accident.'





Concern: The judges were out of their chairs asking if the gymnast was all right





Sharon commented: 'You were at lemmings tonight. The thing is, I was looking for the performance value from you and tonight I didn't see that. But I thought you were tremendous.'



Howie retorted: 'I disagree with both of them. As a headline act, you have so much to give.'



After being checked out by a medic side of stage, both of the injured gymnasts were declared fine.



As always, Anna Graceman dazzled everyone in the auditorium with her stunning vocals.







Talent: Anna Graceman wowed with her own take on Mötley Crüe's 'Home Sweet Home, earning herself a standing ovation from the audience and judges





The spunky 11-year-old, in a pink and black tutu dress wowed with her own take on Mötley Crüe's 'Home Sweet Home, earning herself a standing ovation from the audience and judges.



Sharon informed her that her friends from the band were watching her performance, as she had called to let them know after she heard Anna would be singing their song.



Both Piers and Sharon called the youngster's act the performance of the night.



Piers Morgan drew criticism for buzzing out three separate acts throughout the course of the evening.





Risqué: Piers was early on the buzzer for pole dancer Steven Retchless, saying that the only men who should be sliding down poles should be firemen





He was early on the buzzer for pole dancer Steven Retchless, saying that the only men who should be sliding down poles should be firemen.



After his third buzz, Morgan insisted: 'I believe the buzzer is here for a reason and we're judges and I'm looking for perfection or as near to it as possible.



The comment was directed at jump-rope act Summerwind Skippers, who performed a routine to Britney Spears' song Till the World Ends.



Morgan added: 'The last time, we forgave you for for making a mistake. But tonight you made one, then you made another big mistake towards the end of the routine so I buzzed you to be fair to the other contestants.'





On the buzzer: Morgan was also harsh on Summerwind Skippers, saying 'The last time, we forgave you for for making a mistake. But tonight you made another one so I buzzed you to be fair to the other contestants'





The other two judges were furious with Morgan for buzzing again. Howie Mandel said: 'You brought edge to skipping.



'I want to take this moment to apologise because I don't think you should be buzzed at this level and it affects the act.



'It's so great to see the progression you've made you have turned into such great performers,' Sharon said. 'You know how to work an audience and have grown so quickly over the past few weeks and I know you're going to be here for the final.'



Piers was far more enthusiastic about another dance troupe, Fatally Unique.



Emerging in Hannibal Lector- style costumes, the troupe performed a high-energy routine which dazzled Sharon and Piers, but underwhelmed Howie.





Scary: Howie questioned if dance troupe Fatally Unique were fatally unique enough to get through to the finals up against the other dance acts



Sharon told them: 'You guys move with such speed and precision its really breathtaking to watch, the speed you perform at is unbelievable.



'It seems this year is definitely about mean dance. Happy dance is dead, gone, out of vogue. I loved what you did tonight, really well done.



Piers added: 'This was a totally fresh routine. I loved the determination in your faces. After that performance I think you are one step nearer (to winning this).'



But Howie wasn't convinced. 'You are phenomenal at dancing but the bad part is there are so many great dance acts,' he said. 'I wonder if you are 'fatally unique' enough, which America has to decide.'





Push the button: He asked for the trio to assist with his trick, which involved each of them selecting a button which was connected to a detonator, exploding one of four boxes suspended above the stage





Illusionist Landon Swank from Alaska once again thrilled the judges, this time involving them in his daring stunt.



He asked for the trio to assist with his trick, which involved each of them selecting a button which was connected to a detonator, exploding one of four boxes suspended above the stage.



On a video link from inside one of the boxes, he said: 'I've tried to predict which number you will pick and I'm locked into my decision.'



On Landon's command the judges each triggered the detonators, exploding boxes 1,3 and 4.

Landon emerged in one piece from box two. He then asked Piers to push the detonator for that box, which then exploded.



A stunned Howie exclaimed: 'Wow, absolute wow! Last time I was concerned because you came very close to killing yourself. This time I was concerned because we came close to killing you. My heart is pounding. That was amazing.'





Great heights: Despite his spectacular stunt, Captian Splash failed to bowl over the judges with his drop





Piers commented: 'You have been a real dark horse, coming in as a wild card. Tonight what we've seen is someone who took a chance with this incredible extravaganza. Very dangerous, very exciting.'



'My hands are shaking,' Sharon said. 'I'm so nervous but I have to tell you the whole presentation was A+, it was fantastic. The whole nine yards - it was sensationally executed.



She added:'In the past most of our magicians have shown us the big tricks early, but you've been saving yourself and pacing yourself.'



Audience favourite Landau Eugene Murphy divided the judges when he sang I've Got the World On a String.



America's Got Talent: Steven Retchless - Semi Finals





America's Got Talent: Gymkhana - Semi Finals





source: dailymail