America's Got Talent's Pranks Continue With the Bella Twins

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America's Got Talent's History of Pranks Continues With the Bella Twins

By John Dudley

Published Jul 2, 2022

Former AGT Judge Nikki Bella and sister Brie pranked the AGT judges with a fake brawl. It is the newest prank in AGT's long pranking history.

NBC's America's Got Talent continued its long tradition of judges pulling pranks on one another in Episode 3 of Season 17. Former judge Nikki Bella brought her sister along to treat the panel to an act gone off the rails. AGT has featured pranks several times throughout the years, and this one continues the legacy.

Nikki Bella judged the recent season of AGT: Extreme. On the podcast she shares with her sister, Brie, the pair concocted a prank for this season's judges panel. The pair donned costumes that were extremely effective at concealing their identities. They proceeded to give what can only be described as an unconventional performance leaving the judges perplexed. While amusing, the fireworks did not start until the two pretended to get in a fight and put their WWE skills to use. They even ended up flying off the stage and smashing Simon's buzzer with one of their faces. The WWE superstars added levity to the night, just like fellow WWE superstars recently brightened MasterChef Jr.

AGT, while lighthearted summer fare, comes with a lot of built-in tension and drama. Contestants' hopes and dreams are made or dashed with the press of a button. AGT wisely tempers the drama with large amounts of humor. AGT's style of humor is unlikely to give offense, which is refreshing after the Oscars controversy and fallout. Much of the humor comes from the contestants themselves, they do have comedians after all, but much comes from how the judges interact with each other.

The judges rely on witty banter, but occasionally they let loose with a memorable prank. In one, Simon Cowell pretended to be shot by a crossbow bolt fired by a blindfolded Sofía Vergara, much to her chagrin. In another, the judges were honored with busts of their heads at a ceremony, and Simon Cowell's was purposefully hideous. On seeing it, the outspoken judge was left tongue-tied for once in his life, and viewers could see him weighing the need to be polite with the need to dispose of the bust. The pranks originate with the judges and act as a signal to the audience that the judges are all having the times of their lives. AGT needs this kind of goodwill as judges and hosts like Nick Cannon, Gabrielle Union and Howard Stern have all had less than glowing reviews of their time on the show.

AGT got a nice moment, but it was an equally great moment for the Bellas. It seems like every day a WWE star lands an acting role, and the Bellas are looking to be the next WWE superstars to cross over into the mainstream popularity. Even though Nikki fit in well on AGT: Extreme, this is the first time the show allowed her personality to be on full display. Pranks and jokes turn into real opportunities sometimes, and the Bellas' characters would look right at home in a WWE ring, but the exposure to AGT's broad audience could yield dividends as well.

NBC's AGT maintains an optimistic attitude. Even Howard Stern showed his positive side when judging. The Bellas' lighthearted prank fit in perfectly with the tone of the show and joined the growing list of pranks in the show's long history and left viewers ready for the next one.

America's Got Talent Season 17 Airs Tuesdays at 8:00 on NBC.