America’s Got Talent
From LoveToKnow Reality-TV
NBC's America's Got Talent is a talent show reminiscent of Star Search where performers of all types (singers, dancers, magicians, comedians) perform for the winning title.
America's Got Talent Details
America's Got Talent debuted the summer of 2006. During the third season, airing in 2008, the top winner earned a one million dollar prize. The winner is featured as a headliner in a show on the Las Vegas Strip, although the first season suspended that idea when concerns arose about underage performers.
As with many other reality shows, America's Got Talent's origins lie across the great pond in Great Britain. The show is based on a talent contest called Opportunity Knocks. The show began as a radio program featuring amateur talent and made the transition to television in 1956.
Cowell purchased the format, but delayed the premiere of it in Britain and the U.S. until 2006.
Auditioning Winners
Auditions for the first season took place in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Chicago. Judges view the acts. When all three judges have veiwed the contestants they review and pass the best acts on to the semi-finals.
The first season's winner was Bianca Ryan, an 11 year old singer. Her audition blew the judges and audiences away. The young singer is still in school and released a record in 2007.
The second season winner, Terry Fator, is a ventriloquist from Mesquite, Texas. The local news dubbed him a human jukebox and his talent carried him through all the elimination rounds to win the jackpot. In 2008, he received a contract with The Mirage hotel in Las Vegas to headline a show for them.
The third season winner, Neal Boyd is an insurance salesman from Missouri. The 32 year old sang opera and charmed the judges and the nation.
Summer Television
The show consistently wins the most watched television show of the summer beating out Fox's So You Think You Can Dance. NBC announced the pick up of a fourth season to air in the summer of 2009. Open calls are announced on NBC's website. Applicants can fill out their interest and their act for consideration. Applicants will join a mailing list where they will receive notice of auditions coming into their area. Performers who are under 18 years of age will require their parents' consent to perform.
Tickets
The show is filmed in Los Angeles. You can fill out a form on the website to be notified when the new season's tickets go on sale. Jerry Springer is set to host the fourth season with judges David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan. Sharon Osborne who hosted in seasons two and three is set to be replaced in season four.
Learn More
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© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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