Howie Mandel Reveals Why He Is Easier on America’s Got Talent Comedians

Howie Mandel admitted during interviews ahead of the live shows that he is significantly more lenient toward comedians competing on America’s Got Talent than he is with other types of performers. According to coverage from Entertainment Weekly, the judge and stand-up comedian believes comedy faces an inherent disadvantage against high-octane spectacle on the NBC reality competition.

Mandel has served as a judge on the series since 2010. During preparations for Season 21, he noted that comics often follow acts involving acrobatics, fire, or dangerous stunts, leaving them to win over an audience with nothing more than conversation.

Absolutely. And easier on comedians than the actual audience, Mandel told Entertainment Weekly when asked about his judging style.

The Unique Pressure of Stand-Up on AGT

According to reporting from Entertainment Weekly, Mandel pointed out that stand-up performers experience immediate audience feedback in a way other contestants do not. While a singer or magician completes an entire routine before waiting for applause, a comedian realizes almost instantly when a joke fails to land.

It’s a harder job. It really is a harder job to be a comedian, Mandel said, noting that he understands the difficulty of writing material and eliciting laughs every 30 seconds from strangers who do not know the performer.

Mandel draws his perspective from performing up to 200 stand-up shows annually across the United States and Canada. Out of the 44 acts selected for the Season 21 live shows, only two stand-up comedians advanced to compete for the one million dollar prize: Cris Sosa and Daniel Alvarez.

Behind the Judges’ Callbacks and Cris Sosa’s Strategy

Citing an interview with Parade, comedian Cris Sosa sought direct advice from Mandel during the Judges’ Callbacks round, which was filmed at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles with guest judge Nikki Glaser. Sosa recalled that Mandel urged him to be memorable and deliver a distinct moment that viewers would discuss after his set concluded.

Sosa told Parade that Mandel’s guidance helped him lean further into his physicality and act-outs. The contestant also reported a significant surge in audience reach following his television appearances, growing from roughly 70,000 followers on social media to more than 130,000.

Season 21 continues to air weekly on NBC, with episodes available for streaming through Peacock.