Even if you’ve never watched NBC’s summer blockbuster America’s Got Talent, you’re probably aware that Howard Stern is now one of the show’s three judges (along with Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne). The show created a controversy when Stern was chosen to replace Piers Morgan for season seven, which began in May. And within a few weeks, when the shock-jock reduced a 7-year-old rapper to tears, it became clear why.
He might be too mean.
AGT attracts talent—singers, dancers, magicians—but it also attracts battiness. Since it launched in 2006, the show has seen male pole dancers, wince-inducing contortionists and a guy who cuts hair frenetically like Edward Scissorhands.
Contestants are selected by the producers, including host actor/rapper Nick Cannon. Then they’re taped, going before the judges in several venues around the country. The judges use their buzzers to send many of the acts packing. Acts that are not buzzed out go on to the next round. About 150 contestants get to make that trip. After that round, the finals are taped live, this year from NJPAC.
The finals moved to the East Coast from Los Angeles to accommodate Stern. Jason Raff, the executive producer with Simon Cowell, says New Jersey was chosen after the producers saw the Newark venue. “It’s great to be in New Jersey, the hotbed of reality TV, but it’s really the arts center that sold us,” Raff says.
“Trying to produce a show on the East Coast of the variety nature is a huge challenge. NJPAC quickly rose to the top because they understood the show, and they made it clear they can handle something like a guy diving into a kiddie pool from 60 feet up in the air.”
Would the producers rather be in New York? Maybe. “Is it better to say ‘Live from New York’?” Raff asks. “It sounds a little better than, ‘Live from Newark.’ But we’re not going to find a small theater off Broadway that’s going to let a guy shoot himself out of a cannon.”
How true.
By the time the show reaches Newark, the judges will have narrowed down the field to about 75 finalists. The public votes in the final round, but the judges’ critiques still count, if only unofficially; their opinions have a way of swaying voters.
Those still standing for the final round have their eyes on a not-insubstantial prize: The most popular act will get $1 million and a chance to headline a show in Las Vegas and on a national tour.
Want to be part of the audience at NJPAC? There’s already a waiting list. If the wait doesn’t deter you, go to on-camera-audiences.com/shows/Americas_Got_Talent to register. The show is taped live and will air Tuesdays and Wednesdays except for July 2 and 3, which are a Monday and Tuesday; and September 4 and 6, which are a Tuesday and Thursday.
Click here to read a profile of new NJPAC chief John Schreiber.