Simon Cowell is returning to the U.S. to judge America’s Got Talent, the summer NBC show he executive produces. NBC’s confirmation of the long- called him “a music executive, TV producer and star of some of the highest-rated television shows in the world” whose “discerning eye for talent and candid remarks have transformed popular culture and made him… continue reading
America’s Got Talent’s best season finds a winner, loses its best judge
After 10 seasons, America’s Got Talent ended up where it has been before: with a ventriloquist winner. But it has also been places it has never been before, thanks to excellent casting, production design, and judging by Howard Stern, who’s leaving the show. British ventriloquist Paul Zerdin won the $1 million and Las Vegas show,… continue reading
Recap: America’s Got Talent finale, Best Time Ever’s premiere
NBC’s three hours of reality television last night—two hours of live performances by America’s Got Talent‘s finalists, the one-hour premiere of Neil Patrick Harris’ Best Time Ever—offered a lot of surprise, but mostly that was disappointment. So much potential, so little delivery. AGT’s finalists stumble in the finale Nearly all of the all-male finalists on… continue reading
A brief history of America’s Got Talent
This week, America’s Got Talent concludes its 10th season. AGT is the reigning summer ratings champion, routinely crushing all else, reality TV and otherwise. It endures despite more than 100 percent turnover in its judges and hosts during its lifespan, never mind a string of not-so-impressive winners. Below is a brief history of the NBC… continue reading
America’s Got Talent’s finalists are a fascinatingly odd mix
America’s Got Talent has long promised to find the best Las Vegas-worthy act, but has often just discovered forgettable singers. Even when singers didn’t win, other mediocre acts did. The last few seasons have gotten the show out of that rut for the show’s winners, but out of last year’s six finalists, four were singers—four!… continue reading
Who are the puppeteers behind AGT’s Ira the puppet and his mom?
Only 450 votes helped to save a puppet act on America’s Got Talent: Ira and his mother Miriam Fennelbloom were saved by the Dunkin Donuts Google search live vote, which is actually a thing. America’s Got Talent has committed to Ira and Miriam as puppets; even their intro packages are shot as if Ira and… continue reading
Reality TV dominating ratings right now
Last week, 13 of the top 20 broadcast network shows were reality TV, and if the FIFA World Cup game and post-game wouldn’t have been included, 100 percent of the top 10 shows would have been reality television. All four networks have shows in the top 10 non-sports shows, too, though NBC is dominating with… continue reading
Howard Stern says he’s leaving America’s Got Talent
Howard Stern said this morning that he’s leaving America’s Got Talent, the NBC show he’s judged since season seven in 2012. He revealed that on his radio show, saying he’ll be doing another TV show of some kind. On the show this morning, @HowardStern pretty much definitively said he’s not going to do AGT next… continue reading
Watch a guy squirt milk out his eye, and other great America’s Got Talent acts
America’s Got Talent kept up the entertainment in its second episode and, for the most part, the talent. I’m just enjoying it so much, from the banter between the judges to the acts, from the outstanding to the bad. Even the acts with obvious tricks were amusing, like the guy who regurgitated things. But no… continue reading
In its 10th year, America’s Got Talent has its best start ever
America’s Got Talent started its 10th season last night, and in its first four hours, had what I think is its strongest, most watchable start yet. From its judges’ chemistry–Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Mel B work exceptionally well together–to its truly strong acts, the show is off to a good start. And… continue reading
Sharknado, America’s Got Talent may become theme park attractions
Universal Orlando is considering adapting at least two of its networks’ properties–America’s Got Talent and Sharknado–into live theme park stage shows, according to surveys sent to some people as part of its “feedback initiative.” Screenshots posted to Orlando United and posted by Behind the Thrills say Universal is “thinking about adding a new live show attraction to its theme park line… continue reading
The best thing Nick Cannon has ever done on America’s Got Talent
…is this:
Nick Cannon booed trying to fake a shot for America’s Got Talent at Knicks game
America’s Got Talent‘s host Nick Cannon was repeatedly booed at a New York Knicks game last Wednesday at Madison Square Garden while trying to film a segment for the show during which he faked a trick shot. It’s unclear whether the crowd was booing his faked shot or the way it was being used to… continue reading
Actually Vegas-worthy act wins America’s Got Talent
Kenichi Ebina, a performance artist and dancer who does not sing and does not suck won America’s Got Talent, which means this unwatchable mess of a show finally has an act worthy of becoming a headlining Las Vegas act. Last year, a mediocre animal act won, breaking the streak of mediocre singers winning. While I… continue reading
America’s Got Talent drama: contestant accused of stealing bit from comedian who was at the audition
Actual drama erupted at a taping of America’s Got Talent on Thursday night in Hollywood, when Howie Mandel called out a comedian for doing an act similar to one he’d previously seen performed by another comedian–who just happened to be the warm-up comedian at the audition that night. /Film’s Peter Sciretta was in the audience… continue reading