A Chilliwack man turned in one of the most spectacular nail-biting moments in the history of America香蕉视频直播檚 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 Britain香蕉视频直播檚 Got Talent, Penn and Teller香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播楩ool Us香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淢y wife actually asked me to stop doing it because of something that happened just a year ago, and I香蕉视频直播檝e not done it since,香蕉视频直播� he explained. 香蕉视频直播淚 was working on a dangerous escape and I actually hung myself and drowned at the same time, and I ended up in the ER.香蕉视频直播�

But Johnson told the judges he couldn香蕉视频直播檛 handle being away from his passion, and he was there to 香蕉视频直播渇ace his fears and prove that he could do it again.香蕉视频直播�

Whether out of honesty or showmanship, Johnson added that he香蕉视频直播檇 tried the trick he was about to perform only once, in rehearsal the day before.

香蕉视频直播淚 didn香蕉视频直播檛 pay attention at school, so this is what I do for a living,香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 have to get myself out, the right way up and get my ankles free to escape before the saw falls,香蕉视频直播� he said to a silent theatre. 香蕉视频直播淚f not, I香蕉视频直播檓 going to literally be cut in two.香蕉视频直播�

With Vergara and host Terry Crews shouting 香蕉视频直播楬urry up!香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淎nyone who puts himself in this position, the trouble is things go wrong, and that could have been catastrophic,香蕉视频直播� Cowell said after catching his breath. 香蕉视频直播淏ut you are brilliant. Brilliant. Respect.香蕉视频直播�

Johnson got four yes votes from the judges and moves on to the next round of America香蕉视频直播檚 Got Talent. Over 110 thousand people have already checked out his audition on YouTube.

eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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