"America's Got Talent," NBC's top-rated summer series from producer Simon Cowell's Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America, returns this summer with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show's eighth season. The live shows again will originate from the New York tri-state area. This year, high-octane entertainer and former Spice Girl Mel B. joins supermodel, designer, producer and TV host Heidi Klum as the newest judges. They'll take their seats alongside comedian, TV host and producer Howie Mandel and outspoken radio personality and author Howard Stern. This marks the first time that a fourth judge has been added to the panel. Actor, producer and comedian Nick Cannon returns as host.
With the talent search open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent" has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage hoping to win America's hearts and the $1 million prize.
Last season, traveling dog act Olate Dogs was crowned the winner. Olate Dogs is a high-energy, fast-paced dog act filled with impressive pet tricks led by Richard Olate and his son Nicholas Olate.
In season six in 2011, West Virginia native Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. beat out thousands of acts to take home the coveted $1 million grand prize. He signed with Columbia/Syco records and released his first album, "That's Life," that November. Murphy Jr. is currently performing in select U.S. cities.
Mississippi-born soul singer Michael Grimm was named the winner of the fifth season's competition. The win moved the humble soul singer to tears as he took home the show's $1 million prize. After headlining the national "America's Got Talent Tour," he toured with the legendary Stevie Nicks and Heart. Season five also brought national attention to then-10-year-old classical singer Jackie Evancho, who has gone on to release several bestselling albums.
Season four winner Kevin Skinner released his debut album, "Long Ride," in 2010. Pop opera singer Neal E. Boyd won season three and has since performed for audiences that included U.S. presidents. Season two winner Terry Fator - a ventriloquist from Dallas - achieved his lifelong dream when he was crowned the champion. After the win, he went on to sign a deal to headline at the Mirage in Las Vegas, where he continues to perform. Singer and songwriter Bianca Ryan won the premiere season of "America's Got Talent" when she was just 11 years old.
"America's Got Talent" is produced by Simon Cowell's Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly, Trish Kinane and Rob Wade are the executive producers.
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Day and Time
Premieres June 4 (9-11pm ET) on NBC
Live shows begin July 23 (9-11pm ET) on NBC
Season premiere
June 4, 2013 (9-11pm ET) on NBC
Host
Nick Cannon
Judges
Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Howard Stern
Executive Producers
Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly, Trish Kinane, Rob Wade
Summer's most popular talent show returns with two holdover judges — Howard Stern and Howie Mandel — and two new additions, Spice Girl Mel B and Heidi Klum. For the next few weeks, the show will be in its pre-taped and edited cycle, giving the new judges a chance to find their footing. But it's still not too early to warn them to be careful about what goes out over that open mike when the live shows arrive. As The Voice's Adam Levine discovered with the overreaction to his annoyed response at losing two of his singers, there are people out there who are incredibly, oddly eager to be offended.
Heidi Klum Marks Post-’Project Runway’ Career With ‘America’s Got Talent’ Debut
Heidi Klum is ready to move beyond her judging days on Project Runway, but isn’t straying too far in the reality television world.
The supermodel and fashion icon made her debut on the revamped judges’ panel on season 8 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, albeit to tepid reviews.
The departure of longtime judge Sharon Osbourne after a dispute with NBC led the way for Heidi Klum to join the show along with former Spice Girl Mel B.
The two join returning judges Howard Stern and Howie Mandel, but the opening episode of America’s Got Talent came with mixed reviews.
“In Tuesday’s two-hour premiere, this new group seemed diluted – more like a conscientious committee,” People magazine noted. “The circus craziness was diminished, despite acts that included a snake trainer who blew up a balloon and then goaded a rattlesnake into popping the balloon with its fangs.
“A talent show ideally requires a show-bizzy, even cheesy energy and personality so vivid it doesn’t matter if it also happens to be vulgar – this goes for not just the contestants, but for the judges. Klum does not bring that to the table.”
Heidi Klum isn’t the only one looking for a fresh start on America’s Got Talent. Mel B is joining the show after a contract dispute kept her from a commitment to appear on Australia’s Got Talent.
Mel has already appeared on on The X Factor in the UK and Australia, but a breach of contract between two Australian television networks kept her from appearing on Australia’s Got Talent.
When she got the chance for a stint on America’s Got Talent, Mel B jumped at the chance.
“I got the phone call and got offered the job and was like, ‘Yeah!’ I love this show, and of course the fact that it’s now in New York at Radio City Music Hall — that’s a legendary place that makes the show even more exciting,” she told Hollywood Reporter. “It’s a great family show, and people love watching it. I’ve watched for many years; I sit down with my kids and watch it. It’s nice to be a part of it.”
Mel B and Heidi Klum can be seen on America’s Got Talent on Thursday nights on NBC.
Anna Christine, 10, Sings 'House Of The Rising Sun' On 'America's Got Talent' (VIDEO)
A mega-talented and very mature 10-year-old, Anna Christine, wowed the judges during the premiere episode of "America's Got Talent" Season 8. She sang "House of the Rising Sun" -- and sounded well beyond her years -- while she played the keyboard.
The judges unanimously voted to send Anna Christine to Las Vegas to continue on the show.
In a pre-audition interview, the 10-year-old said that her mom was her biggest supporter. "She's always been there, and she always will be, and I don't have to worry about anything as long as I'm with her," she said.
Watch Anna's audition in the clip above, and the judges reaction below.
Ratings: America's Got Talent Premiere Tops The Voice
NBC topped Tuesday, led by not The Voice, but America's Got Talent.
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The Season 8 premiere, featuring new judges Mel B. and Heidi Klum, drew 11.1 million viewers and a 3.1 in the adults 18-to-49 demographic, edging lead-in The Voice (10.6 million, 3.0), which hit a series low in both measures. However, Talent was down six-tenths from last season's premiere and posted its lowest-rated opener ever.
On Fox, So You Think You Can Dance (4.4 million, 1.6) dropped three-tenths, while ABC's Extreme Weight Loss (3.8 million, 1.0) and CBS' Brooklyn D.A. (4.1 million, 0.8) both slipped two-tenths.
Special Head is over. the trick was pretty obvious. the seat lifting him up, you can see his head when he "disappeared"..and clearly the outside part was prerecorded
Special Head is over. the trick was pretty obvious. the seat lifting him up, you can see his head when he "disappeared"..and clearly the outside part was prerecorded
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In my opinion it has the most entertaining audition episodes out of all the competition shows. 
But it's not really fair that their choreographer has been part of the show for 3 seasons in a row now.
