America’s Got Talent is bringing back the best of the best with their special edition season, America’s Got Talent: The Champions. The Champions season follows 50 acts that previously shined during previous seasons of AGT from all over the world. From those 50, nine are comedians (and don’t worry, we aren’t counting ventriloquists or jugglers as comedians). Stand-ups didn’t fare well on the competition show until we saw New York City’s Tom Cotter finish runner-up to a bunch of dogs (you can read our interview with him here). While we all love sideshow circus acts and children’s dance troops, we know you’re probably rooting for the funny folks. Here’s a primer for you.
Lost Voice Guy
Lost Voice Guy, a.k.a. Lee Ridley, won Britain’s Got Talent in 2018. The comedian has had a disability since early life that has left him unable to speak. Instead, he uses a computerized communication aid to perform his routine.
Preacher Lawson
Preacher Lawson was on season 12 of AGT. He made it to the finals in 2017, losing to child ventriloquist Darci Lynne. His amazing energy and stage presence were often praised by the judges and the Los Angeles-based comic is bringing it back for the Champions season.
Drew Lynch
Drew Lynch finished second in his season of AGT back in 2015, but the nice guy comedian is back to compete again. Lynch was left with a stutter after a sports injury caused damage to his vocal cords, but that didn’t stop him from rising to the top of the pack during his season.
Vicki Barbolak
Vicki Barbolak may have already been eliminated, but she’s hilarious. She made it to the final rounds on season 13 with her trademark brand of trailer park humor and jokes about her daughter.
Samuel J. Comroe
Samuel J. Comroe is another comedian that had to overcome a speech issue to shine on his season of AGT. The comedian isn’t shy about talking about his experiences with Tourette Syndrome on stage. He was a finalist in 2018 and is bringing his fast-talking style back to the stage for Champions.
Piff the Magic Dragon
Okay, so Piff the Magic Dragon might seem like a magician, but the show often also lists his act as comedy and it really is both. His tricks are good, but what makes his act great is his comedy. Before appearing on the 10th season of the show, he had already performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Since then, he has had a residency in Las Vegas and toured as a supporting act for Mumford and Sons.
Tom Cotter
Tom Cotter was introduced on AGT’s seventh season. While the comedian lost to the Olate Dogs, he was already a veteran comic when he came on the show. He had previously appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Last Comic Standing. How long has he been doing comedy? He taped a half-hour Comedy Central Presents in 2003.
Taylor Williamson
Taylor Williamson was runner-up on the eighth season of AGT as well as a semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing. On the tenth anniversary of the show, judge Heidi Klum revealed that Williamson was her all-time favorite act.
Tape Face
Tape Face is usually referred to as a “comedic mime.” His act is weird, avant-garde, and feels miles away from the usual clean comedy that makes it onto the show. Under the tape is Sam Wills, a New Zealand prop comic, busker, clown, and mime residing in London. The only comedian without words, he’s a fun one to watch compete.