As the fall season approaches, all your summer TV favorites are coming to an end, including a pretty spectacular season of NBC's America's Got Talent . Sure, the competitive reality series has been able to fill the summer void left by The Voice and American Idol (alum Simon Cowell created AGT), but the show has emerged as so much more than that. I mean, have you been able to keep a dry eye during those Golden Buzzer moments? I haven't. But as the season finale airs on Wednesday night, you might be wondering when will America's Got Talent return? According to Zap2It's TV By The Numbers, the series has been renewed for Season 12, which debut in 2017 with judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B. and Howie Mandel all coming back.
No specific date has been set, but since America's Got Talent is traditionally a summer series and has premiered its seasons in either May or June, I'd say it's safe to be on the look out for new episodes around those months. Aside from the emotional Golden Buzzer moments, what's great about America's Got Talent is that it features more than just singers — magicians, comedians, and even acrobats get in on the action.
Before the next winner is crowned on Wednesday night, here are some of the season's best and most memorable performances.
Grace VanderWaal Sings "I Don't Know My Name"
The judges — and the internet — has fallen hard for this 12-year-old ukelele player and singer with a truly unique voice. Cowell even called her "the next Taylor Swift." Her audition got a Golden Buzzer and currently has over 34 million views on YouTube.
Laura Bretan Surprises Judges With Opera
The 13-year-old seemed so young, nervous, and unassuming on stage, then she opened her mouth and belted an emotional rendition Puccini’s "Nessun Dorma." It was an audition that stunned the judges and the audience, earning her a Golden Buzzer. But no one should really be surprised — the 8th grader has already won Romania's Got Talent , according to the Chicago Tribune.
Jon Dorenbos' Magic Map Touchdown
The football player impressed judges in the semifinals with this magic trick that uses a big ol' map of the USA, giant footballs, and a calculator. Talk about multitasking magic.
Duo Guerrero On The Tightrope
This married couple auditioned with a high-risk acrobatic act on a tightrope outside of the studio. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions with this one.
Sofie Dossi Sparkles & Flies
Does she even have bones? This teen contortionist keeps on stunning with her bone-defying moves, especially in the air in the above semifinals performance.
Tape Face Uses Howie Mandel In His Act
The mime has tape on his face, so they call him Tape Face. His act is way outside the (mime) box, but always entertaining — especially when he brings the judges in on the fun, like Howie Mandel above.
And there's a lot more talent where that came from, but fans will just have to wait until 2017 for even more stunning performances.
Image: Trae Patton/NBC
