America's Got Talent (season 9)

New additions

On April 8, 2014, NBC announced that America's Got Talent returned to Radio City Music Hall for the live shows, which began on July 29. The Las Vegas rounds were eliminated. Instead, the "bootcamp" round of auditions was held in New York City in front of a live studio audience. Stern confirmed on his radio show that after three acts were taped during "Judgement Week", producers scrapped the live audience concept. Others asserted that the reason was because the show was having a hard time filling seats. Also in this season came the initiation of a "golden buzzer"—which was also unveiled on Season 8 of Britain's Got Talent. Each judge was permitted to press the buzzer only once during the season to have an act go through to the next round, typically used when there is a tie. This is regardless of the other judges' opinions. However, rather than sending acts straight through to the live shows as in Britain's Got Talent, an act on which the Golden Buzzer was used would only be given a free pass to the next round of the competition, Judgment Week. That format was added in the next season.

Forty-eight acts were sent through to the live shows. The judges chose 47 of these acts, with the last contestant chosen by the general public. For the last slot, contestants uploaded their audition videos to the Today website, and the top 3 performed on Rockefeller Plaza. Viewers voted for their favorite act to be sent straight to the live shows.

Preliminary auditions

The producers' auditions began on October 26, 2013 in Miami. Other audition sites included Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City and Providence, Rhode Island. Contestants could also submit a video of their audition online. Auditions in front of the judges were held February 20–22 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, which hosted the live shows during season seven. Judges' auditions were held in New York City at Madison Square Garden from April 3 to April 6 and in Los Angeles at Dolby Theatre from April 21 to April 26.

Golden buzzer

The Golden Buzzer was only used twice in its debut season. During the first episode, Stern used the golden buzzer for "Dustin's Dojo", a comedic martial arts act, and they were sent through to the next round. On the July 1 episode, Mandel pressed the buzzer to save "Emmanuel & Phillip Hudson", another comedy act with a popular YouTube channel. However, both acts were eliminated at Judgment Week.

Brown and Klum were not seen to use the golden buzzer to save any act. Either they did not use the buzzer, or they did but their acts' auditions did not air.

Special episode

A special audition episode aired on Sunday, June 22, 2014 (instead of Tuesday, June 24), showcasing the "best talent on the show this year so far". NBC also announced that two acts (who were not auditioning) would attempt, on the episode, to break one of the Guinness World Records. One act was successful, while the other was not. The successful world record breaker was Professor Splash, who was a contestant on season six.

Judgment Week

Judgment Week, the second round of auditions, aired as a two night special from July 22–23, 2014, and featured all the acts who made it through the first round of auditions competing for the first 47 spots in the live shows. The 48th spot was later filled by the winner of Today's Got Talent, as described below.

For the first time in the history of the show, this round of competition took place in New York City instead of Las Vegas. However, the format of this round remained the same.

Judgment Week Automatic Decisions

There were several acts where the judges automatically sent through the act immediately after their performance.

Following a malfunction with Psycho Jack's prop, the judges conferred and voted to send him home immediately.

Pre-Judgment Week Decisions

The judges went directly to the performers' home area and gave them the news that they were going straight to the live shows so they would not have to make the journey to Judgment Week.

Pre-Judgment Week Decisions (not shown)

Several acts went straight through to the live shows, but were not announced during the show.

Today's Got Talent

Performers were invited to submit a video of their performance to The Today Show website throughout June, and the top three entrants performed their acts on The Today Show on July 23, 2014. The performer with the most votes filled the 48th spot on the live shows. Today Show hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie announced the winner on the July 30th live results show.

Quarter-finals, week 1 (July 29–30)

Guests: The Rockettes, Enrique Iglesias and Sean Paul

There were no intentional buzzes during this episode.

Quarter-finals, week 2 (August 5–6)

Guests: Lindsey Stirling, Lzzy Hale

Quarter-finals, week 3 (August 12–13)

Guests: Kenichi Ebina, Taylor Williamson

Quarter-finals, week 4 (August 19–20)

Guests: Taylor Williamson and The Illusionists

Semifinals, Round 1 (August 26–27)

Guest: Ariana Grande

Snapple Save: America was allowed to vote for a contestant during each of the live semifinal shows via Google, saving them from getting eliminated. The acts that could be saved are those who finished in fifth, sixth and seventh place. At the end of the show, Nick Cannon announced who was Snapple Saved for the chance to be in the Top 12. The other two acts that finished in fifth, sixth or seventh position faced the Judges, who chose one as the "Judges' Choice".

Semifinals, Round 2 (September 2–3)

Guests: Maroon 5

Snapple Save: As in the previous week, America was allowed to vote for a contestant via Google, saving them from getting eliminated. The acts that could be saved are those who finished in fifth, sixth and seventh place. At the end of the show, Nick Cannon announced who was Snapple Saved for the chance to be in the Top 12. The other two acts that finished in fifth, sixth or seventh position faced the Judges, who chose one as the "Judges' Choice".

Top 12 (September 9–10)

Guests: The Muppets, Jackie Evancho

Snapple Save: As in the semifinal round, America was allowed to vote for a contestant after the live show via Google, saving them from getting eliminated. The acts that could be saved are those who finished in fifth, sixth and seventh place. At the end of the show, Nick Cannon announced who was Snapple Saved for the chance to be in the Finals. The other two acts that finished in fifth, sixth or seventh position faced the Judges.

As the judges tied in their voting, Miguel Dakota was announced to have received more of America's votes and advanced to the Finals.

Finale

The final competitive performances aired on September 16, with each of the final six competitors performing twice. On the finale on September 17, 2014, the $1 million winner was revealed along with performances by celebrity guests, more performances by the finalists, and finalist duets with a celebrity that will be determined by the producers.

Contestants who appeared on other seasons

Contestants who appeared on other talent shows

Other notable contestants

Larry the Mime was a fake contestant portrayed by Nick Cannon. All four judges buzzed him and said "no." He proceeded to insult the judging panel and the audience, before revealing himself.

U.S. Nielsen ratings