It's only been since February that “America's Got Talent” has been absent from TV screens. “America's Got Talent: The Champions” crowned card magician, Shin Lim, for its inaugural season. That incarnation has already been renewed for next winter, and the summer version of TVs most original talent competition has a new look for Season 14, as seen on May 28.

“Dancing With the Stars” veteran and two-time champion, Julianne Hough, started her new AGT job, alongside Gabrielle Union. Both accomplished ladies bring stellar repertoires.

Union is known as much for female activism as for her memorable movies, and for someone only 30 years old, Julianne Hough is a marvel.

Simon Cowell announced the AGT shakeup after Season 13, letting fans adjust to Heidi Klum and Mel B no longer being at the judges' desk. Klum fell for fun during a holiday version of the show.

Simon Cowell would have his wits tested with Julianne being in a “syndrome” of being too nice, according to Howie Mandel. Not to worry, before the end of the night, Hough learned to be hot on her X button.

Gabrielle Union was moved to give “something more” to the very special young man who closed the night, and anyone watching “America's Got Talent” would gladly agree.

Good at standing ovations

All of the “America's Got Talent” judges got to practice rising to their feet with applause. Voice artist, Greg Morton, at 60 years old, had a stupendous audition.

He offered a cavalcade of voices from the full Star Wars franchise and closed with Chewbacca. Host Terry Crews was blown away, and Morton may go deep in the competition. Howie Mandel credited that he already should be a “headliner name.”

Close-up magician Eric Chien is very different than “America's Got Talent” champion, Shin Lim, and he never tried to hide it.

He seemed as marveled as everyone watching by the way he changed cards from red to blue, and his vest, too. From there, cards transformed into coins, and everything vanished into a slender ribbon. Another unanimous decision to move forward, and a changed destiny for this young man.

Sophie Pecora had strong emotions to express through her songs, but she seldom showed off her talents in school, because she was frequently “torn down.” The 15-year-old singer-songwriter shed her inhibitions and fears to summon great courage in her song, “7TH Grade.” Her music related the silent bondage that bullies can inflict, and the freedom in not letting their wounds go “to my grave.” Gabrielle Union confessed that at 47, she was touched by Sophie's words.

Julianne Hough felt them as “truth.”

The X’s come forth

Both Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell took issue with how “constructive” Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union were being in their critiques. The guys suggested that sometimes ending the suffering has to be the simple answer, stamped by the red X. It took several acts like Monkey, a hairy man in yellow, before Julianne had had enough, but she learned how to be quick on the X draw before long. She even used her foot to press Simon’s signal.

Several acts needed only applause and approval, like pianist turned robo-dancer, Patrizio. He shocked and dazzled at the same time when he ditched his piano bench for dance moves that truly impressed Julianne Hough.

The members of the dance troupe, V.Unbeatable, all grew up in the slums of Mumbai, India, and their dream was just to get to the “America's Got Talent” stage. They did more than that. They put on a performance like no judge had ever seen, complete with bamboo poles. They are going to be stiff competition, in numbers and ability.

Jackie Fabulous delivered a comedy routine that lived up to her name, with warm and real humor that took on everything from mothers to weight loss challenges, and ended with a kiss from Simon. Gingzilla gave a self-description of being a “glam Ginger monster,” and left his beard in his performance of “She's a Lady.” There were also three farewells before Gingzilla said goodbye for now.

Fans will be seeing this all-around entertainer again.

The Human Fuse frightened the bejeebers out of everybody when the daredevil artist had his wife, a nurse, set him on fire and shot him into the air as a human arrow. Fortunately, he survived the ordeal even with broken ribs and won passage onto further rounds. Unlike most contestants, this performer hopes his “America's Got Talent” run will let him retire instead of moving on to places like Toledo for the next show.

An immaculate last song

The audience was cheering for Kodi Lee as he was escorted by his mother to the stage. Holding his guide cane, the 22-year-old announced that he was going to play “a song for you.” No one could imagine after his mom helped him settle onto the piano bench what would follow.

The mother, Tina, explained that music helped her son to “survive in the world,” which is not easy for anyone on the autism spectrum, much less being blind. She added that she knew early on that her son was an entertainer.

Kodi Lee demonstrated that truth as he opened with Leon Russell's “A Song for You.” The remarkable nuance and emotion in every verse belied the struggle that this artist surely faces every day. Julianne could not stop crying, and tears came to even Simon’s eyes.

Gabrielle Union allowed each judge to finish comments about the inspiration that Kodi Lee provided. It was made very aware that everyone was on their feet. Union then said that she wanted to give something more, and she pressed her golden buzzer.

On the first night of the new “America's Got Talent” Season 14, Simon Cowell and America witnessed something that they can never forget, and will never happen again in such a beautiful way.

Making connections doesn't always take words-- it only takes open hearts.
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