A Chilliwack man turned in one of the most spectacular nail-biting moments in the history of AmericaB次元官网网址檚 Got Talent.

Matt Johnson appeared on the hit television show Tuesday night (June 8), walking out onto the stage to be judged by Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and a few million viewers.

The 47-year-old is world-renowned illusionist/escapeologist who has previously appeared on BritainB次元官网网址檚 Got Talent, Penn and TellerB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址楩ool UsB次元官网网址� and The Late Late Show.

Before launching into his audition, Johnson was asked by Mandel if he was married, and what his wife thought of his dangerous occupation.

B次元官网网址淢y wife actually asked me to stop doing it because of something that happened just a year ago, and IB次元官网网址檝e not done it since,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淚 was working on a dangerous escape and I actually hung myself and drowned at the same time, and I ended up in the ER.B次元官网网址�

But Johnson told the judges he couldnB次元官网网址檛 handle being away from his passion, and he was there to B次元官网网址渇ace his fears and prove that he could do it again.B次元官网网址�

Whether out of honesty or showmanship, Johnson added that heB次元官网网址檇 tried the trick he was about to perform only once, in rehearsal the day before.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 pay attention at school, so this is what I do for a living,B次元官网网址� he laughed as the audience and judges gasped.

Over the next 112 seconds Johnson was strapped into a straight-jacket and hung by his ankles upside down, attached to a device with two massive circular saw blades spinning at 2000 revolutions per minute.

B次元官网网址淚 have to get myself out, the right way up and get my ankles free to escape before the saw falls,B次元官网网址� he said to a silent theatre. B次元官网网址淚f not, IB次元官网网址檓 going to literally be cut in two.B次元官网网址�

With Vergara and host Terry Crews shouting B次元官网网址楬urry up!B次元官网网址� and Cowell rendered speechless, Johnson succeeded in wrestling his way out of the straight jacket and righting himself a split second before the saws fell. The crowd erupted with a standing ovation and judges were on their feet.

B次元官网网址淎nyone who puts himself in this position, the trouble is things go wrong, and that could have been catastrophic,B次元官网网址� Cowell said after catching his breath. B次元官网网址淏ut you are brilliant. Brilliant. Respect.B次元官网网址�

Johnson got four yes votes from the judges and moves on to the next round of AmericaB次元官网网址檚 Got Talent. Over 110 thousand people have already checked out his audition on YouTube.

eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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