‘America’s Got Talent’: Google’s Instant Save returns, Mat Franco to perform

With next week marking the first official live show for “America’s Got Talent,” we figured that we would go ahead and share what we feel are some of the most important pieces of information.

First and foremost, let’s begin with the competition side of things: For the second year in a row, the Google Instant Save is going to return as a way to ensure that one act in jeopardy can be saved by the show’s live viewers. In some ways, we love and hate the twist. It is a great way to increase engagement for what would otherwise be a show where everything is predetermined; however, it does in some way screw over those watching on the west coast who really do not get to be a part of the proceedings.

Aside from that, let’s talk about some great news for the first results show Wednesday: Mat Franco is returning! The magician and winner of last year’s show will be performing for the first time on “AGT” since the victory, and we imagine he’ll have something really great cooked up. Since winning Franco now has a Vegas show entitled Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly, and he will also have a special on September 17 entitled “Mat Franco’s Got Magic” that will begin starting at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time.

We’re happy that Franco is getting this results-show gig, and we also have to give a hand here to NBC for giving him probably the best platform for a reigning champion that this show has ever had. Most of the singers failed to receive this sort of promotion, and Terry Fator is the only other champion who we’d say is still a huge name besides Mat.

If you missed it, head over here to see the list of acts performing in Tuesday night’s show! Also, sign up here to get some other talent-oriented TV news on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: NBC.)