Simon Cowell returned to the judge's seat this week, this time on America's Got Talent, but he now seems to like things he'd usually hate, and it's great.
When he was first welcomed on as the show's new judge, he replied with a "let's get to work", seeming like his usual self, but when the acts came on it all changed.
A Kiwi comedian stunned Simon Cowell and earned a standing ovation on America's Got Talent with a performance in which he felt himself up.
Christchurch mime Sam Wills performed on the US reality TV show overnight, earning praise for his show that also included a lip sync to Endless Loveand a pantomime performance to Lady In Red.
The America's Got Talent judges didn't seem impressed when The Boy With Tape On His Face first came out on stage.
Wills' gag is that he wears tape over his mouth, and performs using the pseudonym 'The Boy With Tape on his Face'.
The Boy With Tape On Fist Face performing for the judges on America's Got Talent.
While Cowell and the rest of the show's judging panel seemed unimpressed when he first arrive on the stage, they were quickly stunned by Wills' hilarious performance, giving him a standing ovation.
After seeing him perform, the judges loved the New Zealand comedian.
"I like the fact we don't know who you are. It was simple ... clever, unique, brilliant," said Cowell.
Fellow judge Howie Mandel called Wills' act "brilliant" and Heidi Klum and Mel B also rose from their seats to applaud.
Wills later took to Facebook to share the video and to say: "Thank you for all of your amazing support already!! Let's see how far we can take this thing!"
Well this is the little video that I now ask you all to share as much as possible. Thank you for all of your amazing support already!! Let's see how far we can take this thing! https://youtu.be/O70Ww9vzjvg
While Wills' act is new to Americans, the 37-year-old comedian has been forming as The Boy With Tape on His Face for nearly a decade.
He began the act while performing in New Zealand at the Comedy Festival, but continued with the guise when he moved to London in 2008.
He has performed the act at the Royal Variety Performance, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and once shared a dressing room with his comedy heroes, Penn and Teller.
Wills told the Herald he liked the role because it meant he wasn't recognised once he took his stage make-up off.
The Boy With Tape On His Face eventually got a smile out of judges Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell.
"I am kind of lucky in the sense that once I take off the tape and put on my glasses, people don't recognise me. It is like a Clark Kent/Superman moment but in reverse," he said.
Working as a mime was also good because it meant it obscured his accent.
"That's the other thing - once you take the tape off people don't want to hear you speak, they hear a horrible New Zealand accent," he said.
The Boy With Tape On His Face earned a lot of laughs for his performance.
After Wills had departed the stage, Cowell's good mood continued into the rest of the show.
He also humoured a six-year-old comedian saying: "I think America is going to fall in love with you. I've got a feeling about that", before waving him goodbye.
A man shoved a pair of scissors and a meat hook up his own nose and Cowell gave him a standing ovation - his first of the night - proclaiming it to be "fantastic".
A dancing dog, a couple of clairvoyants, an acappella singing group - all of them passed without incident, and some even managed to pass with praise.
Boy With Tape on His Face received a standing ovation from the judges and the audience.
Things got even weirder when his feedback started to sound like someone (probably Paula Abdul) was telling him what to say through an earpiece.
A 13-year-old opera singer was praised for being "such a sweet person", and "so humble". A magician was called "unbelievable", and Cowell said the act took him to "the happiest place", and then he invited the magician to move in with him.
