Another season of America's Got Talent has come to an end, with competition as stiff as ever heading into the Season 19 finale in the 2024 TV schedule . After four months of auditions, applause, and even more golden buzzers than usual , host Terry Crews announced the winner of the $1 million grand prize: elementary school janitor-turned-singer Richard Goodall ! There was a lot to celebrate, but also something that I wish had been different. I for one couldn't be happier with the result, despite the fact that singers usually aren't my top picks on AGT and the Top 5 – comprised of comedian Learnmore Jonasi , human/dog dance duo Roni Sagi & Rhythm , drone light show team Sky Elements , and quick change magician Solange Kardinaly as well as Richard Goodall – was full of worthy competitors.
Between his story and his singing, Goodall was just my favorite of Season 19 . Plus, he just got married, which made it all the sweeter to see him win, and he got to team up with Neal Schon and members of Journey for one last incredible performance of "Don't Stop Believin'" early in the finale. Indeed, Richard Goodall winning isn't at all what I'd like to see change in the wake of the Season 19 finale.
In fact, what I'd like to see different isn't even something that AGT did for the first time this season. For some reason, it just hit me harder this time that the finale spent almost two full hours killing time before announcing the winner, and then only giving the winner moments of the epis.