“Oh no, oh no, oh no,” Cowell said.
He then turned to the audience and explained, “I don’t like clowns.
I hate them.”
Simon Cowell is not a fan of (most) clowns.Kevin Winter/Getty
“I’m here to show you guys clowning in a different light,” he promised.
And it was definitely different, but also seriously impressive.
Jelly Boy swallowed more than one sword and sometimes fire and even electricity.
The judges were cringing.
But by the end, Cowell himself was smiling and raised his hands to clap.
Sofia Vergaracommented, “You’re really not a clown.”
“That’s a good point,” Cowell agreed.
Kevin Winter/Getty
Vergara said it was, “surprisingly good.”
“We normally get this,” Cowell said, holding up a foam nose.
“That wasn’t clowning.
That was fantastic.”
When it came time to vote, Vergara and, yes, even Cowell were in.
Jelly Boy shut him down: “Tricks are for kids.”
Nevermind, though, because Mandel didn’t hold it against him.
“Very rarely does a clown get four yeses!”
Genuine surprise was on Jelly Boy’s face (under the clown makeup) as the judging ended.
Sofia, you faked us all out on that one, hostTerry Crewstold her.
Audition episodes of the show continue Tuesdays through July 23 on NBC.
