Did America's Got Talent Judges Send The Wrong Act To The Finals?

Terry Crews America's Got Talent NBC

Warning! The following contains spoilers for America's Got Talent results show that aired Wednesday, September 16. Read at your own risk!

America's Got Talent has sent another batch of contestants on to the finals, and as is tradition, the audience and the judges got a chance to save an act at the last minute. America chose to save Kenadi Dodds and move her on, which left the judges to decide between whether Max Major and Bad Salsa would move on to the next round. The judges conferred, and upon the return from commercial moved Bad Salsa to the next round.

It was a decision that I was personally shocked by. I know it's a coin toss how well America's Got Talent receives magicians, but even then, Max Major has been impressive in a way that I haven't seen from Bad Salsa. The two Indian fast dancers have some skills, to be sure, but is it the type of performance that's worthy of going to the finals?

Bad Salsa America's Got Talent NBC

I love the act, but a common criticism of Bad Salsa is that they sacrifice technique for speed at times, and that may have landed them in the bottom three. The speed is the crux of their act, so I certainly get why they wouldn't slow things down, but there have been times when I've noticed some mistakes that, as an inexperienced layman in the art of dance, I have to think people who do dance notice a lot more.

Maybe Max Major cheated in his previous semifinal act and created a scandal that America's Got Talent subtly responded to by not picking him to advance? In reality, I do not think Bad Salsa has a legitimate shot at winning Season 15. They may be the bit of action the finale episodes need, but can this act really thrive as a Las Vegas show?

This is where I hesitate because, with my constant recognizing of errors in their fast performances, the novelty of the act lessens. More practice is needed to truly craft this performance into a bonafide stage show and live up to the glory of past America's Got Talent winners. Max Major may not have won Season 15 either, but at least I can see the roadmap for how his performance works in a Las Vegas setting.

Truth be told, this all may be a moot point because Brandon Leake still looks to be the frontrunner amongst these finalists, in my book. And, if Bad Salsa winning isn't in the cards in Season 15, perhaps they could return in a Champions spinoff season and end up winning it all with just a bit more work. Again, I'll admit letting through Max Major after his faux pas wouldn't necessarily be the right call either, so the judges basically did what they could.

America's Got Talent's live finale airs on NBC Tuesday, September 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Do you think Bad Salsa deserved a slot in the finals? Comment in our poll below and continue to stick with CinemaBlend for the winner and all the fun of the finale, and for the latest news happening in television and movies.

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Mick Joest
Content Producer

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.