Cowell Goes for Variety With New TV Show By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer Mon Mar 27, 5:25 PM
LOS ANGELES - Simon Cowell's new TV talent show promises to be a real circus.
Singers, comedians, jugglers, animal acts and anyone else hungry for stardom will be welcome on "America's Got Talent," the summertime series that Cowell, the tart-tongued judge on Fox's "American Idol," is producing for NBC.
Group acts or singles, old or young _ all are eligible to try for the $1 million prize, he told a telephone news conference Monday.
"You can be 2 years old, 100 years old. You can be the next Destiny's Child, you can be the next Jackson 5 or you can be the next David Copperfield," Cowell said. "This is a show literally open to anybody."
Auditions dates were announced Monday, with tryouts set for Los Angeles on April 6-8; Chicago, April 12-13; New York City, April 17; East Elmhurst, N.Y., April 19, and Atlanta, April 22-23. Would-be contestants also can apply online.
An air date for the series has yet to be set, NBC said.
Cowell, an English record-company executive who became a celebrity on "American Idol" and was part of its British precursor, "Pop Idol," said he's a longtime fan of American shows that featured a variety of performers.
The "time is right" for a contest open to performers of every stripe, he said. Cowell won't be a judge on the show but very qualified "A-list" celebrities have expressed interest, he and fellow executive producer Ken Warwick said.
Cowell was asked about whether he was aware of Wayne Newton's "The Entertainer," which ran on E! Television Network last year and had a similar goal of showcasing diverse talent.
"Yes. And I hated it," he said.
For such shows to work, Cowell said, it's crucial to include the audition process. In "America's Got Talent," as in "American Idol," viewers will learn who makes the cut in the five city auditions and then see further dismissals as the semifinals unfold in a Los Angeles studio.
How the semifinalists are dumped will be "very brutal," Cowell said. He didn't offer details.
Cowell, who's joined ranks with the "American Idol" producing team on "America's Got Talent," is apparently intent on giving every American _ and every TV network _ a chance for fame and fortune: He's also producing "American Inventor" on ABC.
"American Idol" is a consistent ratings leader for Fox. "American Inventor" scored as a top-20 show in its March 16 debut against college basketball but now has to prove itself against CBS' tougher "Survivor."
Does Cowell fear diluting the valuable "American Idol" brand?
No, he said. Instead, he hopes that "America's Got Talent" will be a different type of show that fills the gap when "Idol" is off the air.
Asked if the new show might compete directly against Fox's, Cowell replied: "That will never happen."
This message has been edited. Last edited by: The Un-Abdul,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Lol ... just when you thought it was safe to turn on the TV ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Um....if I'm reading this right.....this is just like American Idol execpt open to everyone and money is involved. Geez why not just call it American Idol (the other version)
/\__/\ (>' '< ) (,,)(,,) Bob for world domination!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Originally posted by luvs2talk20: Didn't FOX have a similar show not too many summers ago? Or am I wrong...too many "talent" shows to keep straight these days, I guess.
There was that America's Most Talented Kid (but I think it was on like NBC or something..)
Originally posted by luvs2talk20: Didn't FOX have a similar show not too many summers ago? Or am I wrong...too many "talent" shows to keep straight these days, I guess.
There was that America's Most Talented Kid (but I think it was on like NBC or something..)
Yeah, I remember that show...it scared the heck out of me. The show I'm talking about was like the gong show, but more modern. They had all sorts of stupid acts on it, but I can't remember the name of it right off hand...
Well, ya never know ... maybe it will be entertaining.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Troubled pop princess Brandy Norwood could be replaced as a judge on Simon Cowell's "America's Got Talent" by Sharon Osbourne, reports the New York Post, citing a report on Televisionary. With significant legal trouble in Brandy's future, stemming from her involvement in a car accident in which a woman was killed, as TMZ first reported, Osbourne may step-in to take Brandy's spot. Studio sources say that talks are "ongoing" with Osbourne, who also appears as a judge on Cowell's blockbuster UK talent-contest hit, "X-Factor." NBC had no comment.
------
I hope thats true! Sharon is a great judge!
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
LOL....I'm already a friend. His band is at myspace.com/woodbelly I have one of their songs on my page.
Sorry for the improper posting in threads. Callie, or another Mod, can you maybe just move the posts to the proper thread when that happens. It's not fun getting yelled at.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
America's Got Talent has just scheduled three special performances featuring David Hasselhoff, The Muppets, Stomp, and a number of surprise celebrity guests!!
Also, there is a surprise celebrity duet on it
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
I watched the rerun of the finale performance show last night because I missed it when it first ran earlier in the week. Did anyone else watch it? The top 4 are are very talented but I still would like Cas Haley to win.
Just a reminder: The final results show will be on Tuesday, August 21st at 8pm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
I watched it when it was originally on. I love Cas Haley! But the ventriloquist is pretty amazing too. I am always totally blown away when he performs. The girl is too young and her voice too immature to win...taking Pears' stance. ;-) and as for "Butterscotch," how did she get that far? Anyway....I love Cas!!!!!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Haha....that is the same video Paula posted....sorry, it's just that good.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
The show I'm talking about was like the gong show, but more modern. They had all sorts of stupid acts on it, but I can't remember the name of it right off hand...
