The third season of America's Got Talent kicked off touting more than 200,000 acts that auditioned in front of an audience of thousands in theaters across the country. The new audience component made it so the crowd acted as a fourth judge, cheering and jeering the contestants as they saw fit as the contestants set off on a journey that each hoped would end with the $1 million prize and a show in Las Vegas.Grim Start in The Big Apple: The auditions begin in New York City. Bill B. Curlee aka Serious Mysterious, a 52-year-old scrap metal worker, was first out of the gate, and his Elvis-inspired rendition of Tom Jones' It's Not Unusual made judges David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan hit their buzzers immediately, but Sharon Osbourne let it linger on and on until the judges had a chance to lambaste him. Curlee's bit was followed by an entire opening montage of terrible performances, including the tongue-stretching antics of 18-year-old Nick Afanasiev.Jonathan Arons, 32 of NYC, was the...

America's Got Talent got warm and fuzzy again after a raucous season premiere. On a night of impressive displays and stories that tugged at heartstrings, the judges walked away feeling like theyd seen some serious acts that could find themselves in the finals, battling for the $1 million grand prize.Just Beat It: Looking to get rid some of the worst performers right off the top, the night began with a montage of bad performances that had buzzers buzzing and the audience booing.Sing us a song: Eli Mattson just might become the new Piano Man after impressing the judges with his rendition of Marc Cohn's Walking in Memphis. Before the audition, he told some stories about traveling around the country trying to make something of a career in music, but by the time it was over he had judge Sharon Osbourne wondering why he hadnt already been signed by a record label. Judge Piers Morgan also said that Eli could be a finalist.On my grind: So what if Grinder Girl has been performing on The ...

Another night, another round of boos and cheers and oohs and ahhs from the crowd in three cities where America's Got Talent stopped on the way to the Las Vegas callbacks. In another two-hour episode, judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff watched all manner of talent, human and non-human, take to the stage in hopes of winning the $1 million grand prize and a chance to perform on the Vegas strip.Hold the line: Professional line dancer Corky Duke kicked off the night with Piers calling him a waste of time. More bad auditions followed, including tap-dancing banjo player and a hula hoop juggler whose only real flaw was her inability to catch the hula hoops she tossed in the air.Good golly, Miss Holly: Holly Hardin, a 19-year-old country singer, tried to play the Kellie Pickler card as she claimed she didn't know how far her hometown was from Dallas. She sang These Boots Are Made for Walkin' which didn't impress Sharon and the Hoff, although Piers said he liked it ...

Jerry Springer welcomes us to Atlanta, our first location, and we're introduced to Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff, who look ready to send some folks to Las Vegas.Billy Dodson Our first Georgia contestant is Dodson, a 29-year-old health inspector who looks very much as if he could be a bouncer on Jerry Springer's daytime show. But surprise, surprise, he fires off a fully soprano rendition of Habanera from the opera Carmen. Piers hits his buzzer by word No. 5 and Sharon barks that he should sing like a man. The vote: NO.Alex Pyles Toothy and southern-accented Pyles is next. The 10-year-old and her father (notable for facial hair that belongs in the WWE) essentially perform a mediocre up tempo fight scene with daughter fighting off father with several graphic faux kicks to the groin. One assumes her talent is some combination of self-defense and martial arts. Piers buzzers rather quickly, but David thinks Pyles is very cool and very different. Sharon is on ...

Apparently there's no need to formally introduce our judges (who I've heard are Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff) this week. Let's just get started.Michelle Wallace: A banker who considers her voice a gift to share with the whole world takes a long time imploring the crowd to get on its feet and wave its hands then officially stinks at singing All By Myself. Three quick buzzers, followed by Sharon recommending Michelle listen to a recording of her voice. The vote: NOBruce Block: Block is back for a second year, having gone through to Vegas last year as a magician but being dealt the tough break of an assistant quitting right before his second round performance. This year he's laying on a bed of nails with an assistant (has he learned nothing?) singing and dancing on top of his shirtless body. David goes on stage and stands on Block himself to prove the nails were sharp. Piers votes 'no' but he's in the minority. The vote: YES.Dorae Saunders: Host Jerry Springer ...

Jerry Springer tells us the show is in the Big Apple (New York City) for the very last time. We meet our three judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff and it's time to beginPerry Zanett: We learn Zanett thinks he is among the greatest actors the country has ever had, a claim difficult to believe given that he's dressed like King Friday from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Zanett launches into some Richard II and is greeted almost instantly by a buzzer. Piers thinks the thespian is a complete waste of space and Sharon and David, for the most part, agree. The Vote: NOAfter Zanett is run off stage we go right into a . . .Vignette of NO -- Animator Inflatable Theater, essentially a guy inside a strange Q*bert-looking cube costume (you had to be there) is first, and isn't allowed more than a few seconds into his dance thingy. Next is Sweet-Lou Fusco, and one hopes Sweet-Lou is better at inspecting pharmaceuticals than he is at singing Michael Jackson. For David, it ...

The seventh and final week of opening auditions on America's Got Talent proved, mostly, that what happens on MySpace should stay on MySpace. After visiting six cities across the land, Tuesday night's episode gave a chance at the $1 million prize to people who had uploaded their auditions on MySpace.com. It would be the last chance for contestants to make it to the Vegas callbacks for a shot at glory.The result was mixed, but mostly unfavorable as only a couple of heartwarming stories emerged from a crowd of mediocre or worse performances.Best of the night: The biggest crowd pleaser of the night went to the show's big finish, Army Sgt. Daniel Jens, whose story of spending 15 months in Iraq, got the crowd on his side quickly. Jens said his guitar playing and singing helped keep morale high for him and his fellow soldiers in the desert and that he was proud to have a chance to perform in front of such a large crowd and on national television. Jens sang Edwin McCain's I'll Be, with ...

It was such a lackluster night on America's Got Talent that even had judge Sharon Osbourne admit, I can't take this anymore. In fact, the judges all got up and made a trip backstage at one point to fire up the performers, who were failing to live up to the expectations that got them to the Las Vegas callbacks in the first place.The episode took the contest's 113 remaining acts and cut the group to 60. Those will be cut to 40 in a special 90-minute episode at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT Thursday that will determine which acts will continue to the performance rounds in Hollywood.The lack of anyone in the audience contributed to the lack of energy in the Vegas round, which started with an interesting twist: Some of the acts would be sent packing without getting a chance to perform. The judges went back over the first-round audition tapes and and came up with a list of what appeared looked like a few dozen who got an early ticket home. One dramatic moment came when the judges divided the 113 acts...

A special 90-minute episode of America's Got Talent on Thursday narrowed the field of contestants down from 60 to 40. The episode aired on a special date and time in order to wrap up the Vegas portion of the competition before going on a three-week hiatus for NBC's coverage of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. When the show returns on Sept. 2, it will be for the live semifinal round in Hollywood.After the taping of the auditions, one semifinal act, the Russian Bar Trio, had to forced to drop out of the competition because one member, Christine, suffered a serious injury while trying to do a jump. Fans have been asked to vote online for that act's replacement from a list of eight wild-card picks laid out by the judges at nbc.com/AmericasGotTalent.There was only enough room for one RandB singer, so when it came down to Bryan Cheatham and Kyle Rifkin, it went to Bryan, the former Chippendales dancer.Paul Salos, the 71-year-old Frank Sinatra impersonator, talked about this show being his last...

In the first live show of the third season of America's Got Talent, host Jerry Springer got things moving by announcing that the 40 contestants in the semifinals are vying for a $1 million prize and a chance to headline a show on the Vegas strip, saying the prize is the biggest, ever, anywhere in the world.Ten acts performed Tuesday night, five will move on to the next round. Those will be announced Wednesday night before 10 more acts hit the stage. It was also announced that Donald Braswell, the singer whose vocal chords were severed in a freak accident 11 years ago, won the viewer vote that determined the 40th spot in the semifinals that opened when the Russian Bar Trio had to bow out due to injury.Best of the bestNeal E. Boyd: The insurance salesman turned opera singer stole the evening with a powerful performance of Somewhere (There's a Place for Us). He got a standing ovation from the all three judges, who scooped praised upon him by the shovel full when he was done. Judge ...

The semifinals were in full swing Wednesday night on America's Got Talent as five performers from Tuesday's show moved ahead in the competition while five others discovered the end of the road.America's vote proved in favor of true talent, with the gimmicks being cast aside in favor of true performers, including Neal E. Boyd, the opera singer; Jessica Price, the singer/guitarist; modern clog dancers Extreme Dance FX; and percussion group The Cadence. The judges picked the fifth and final act to move on, and they were left to choose between 10-year-old martial artist Elite, and the 1920s and hip hop fusion group The James Gang. With a heavy heart, judges Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne gave The James Gang the two votes they needed to move on and dashed the hopes of the young girl who kicks some choreographed butt. She cried, then smiled, then left.On to Wednesday's performances...Best of the night: The evening was again stolen by the final act, and this time it was Queen Emily. The ...

Last week: Five finalists were determined, five were sent home and 10 more awaited their fate. The 10 performers from Wednesday's show were the first to find out if their journey toward the $1 million prize would end or continue. Four voted by America and one voted by the judges would continue on the path to the big prize. After a quick recap of all 10 acts, the performers were asked to step to the front of the stage in pairs. The acts continuing with America's votes were: Frank Sinatra impersonator Paul Salos (over the Slippery Kittens); The Wright Kids (over trombonist Jonathan Arons); Daniel Jens (over George the Giant); and Queen Emily (over RandB quartet Kazual). That left the judges to decide who would continue between Beyond Belief Dance Company and he Zooperstars, who came fifth and sixth in the public vote. Piers went with Beyond Belief Dance Company and Sharon, after some hesitation and admitting that every show needs silliness, voted for the Zooperstars. That left the ...

Judge Piers Morgan, who buzzed half of the 10 performers on Tuesday night, said he should have buzzed at least two more. Sharon Osbourne said the stakes are higher now and that there's no more Mrs. Nice Woman anymore. This is serious, and we are looking for a superstar.To the results...: It was time to eliminate five acts and let five continue to the next round. After a night that was mostly disappointing, it was anyone's guess as to who would make it through. Magician Bruce Block wasn't there because of illness. To add insult to ill health, he was booted. The acts voted through by America were: baton twirler Jonathan Burkin (over the Texas State Strutters); singer and guitarist Sarah Lenore (over drag queen and opera singer Shequida); Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall (over impressionist Matthew Piazzi); and the Taubl Family.That left the judges to decide who would continue between the dance group SickStep and opera singer Michael Strelo-Smith, who had talked back to the judges ...

The America's Got Talent crop for 2008 was narrowed on Tuesday night to the 20 semifinalists still in the running for the $1 million grand prize and a headlining gig in Las Vegas.To the results: In the results everyone wanted to know about, 4-year-old singer Kaitlyn Maher made it through to the next round, advancing over Flambeaux thanks to America's vote after Wednesday's performances. The other three acts to make it by popular demand were urban violinists Nuttin But Stringz (over Indiggo); pianist and singer Eli Mattson (over Dorae Saunders); and singer Donald Braswell (over The Dallas Desperados Dancers).The judges were left to decide the fate of RandB singer Bryan Cheatham and The Tappin' Dads. The vote was split, at first, with Piers Morgan giving his vote to Cheatham while Sharon Osbourne supported the Dads. That left David Hasselhoff to break the tie and, after complimenting both acts and telling Cheatham he could headline a Vegas show, The Hoff voted for The Tappin' Dads and ...

The second half of the top 20 got their chance to perform for a shot at the top 10 on America's Got Talent on Wednesday. The first half of the final 20 performed on Tuesday night, and the final 10 would be announced during a special results show on Thursday night.After a time-killing montage all about how great it would be for the winner to get a show in Las Vegas, last year's winner took the America's Got Talent stage for a special appearance. Fator got a nice plug in for his headlining show at The Mirage that starts on February 14, and his new book called, Who's the Dummy Now?It was a night that would separate the skilled from the less deserving, and one judge even had a dose of reality for the 4-year-old fan favorite Kaitlyn Maher. Some of the best performers in the competition stepped their games up even further, while a small handful made some decisions that could backfire when the results are revealed.Best of the night: Donald Braswell, who Sharon thought was dated, ...

The final 10 performers were announced on a special, action-packed, 30-minute episode of America's Got Talent on Thursday, and the results came with a few shocking moments.The big question on many viewers' minds was whether 4-year-old Kaitlyn Maher would make it into the finals. Judge Piers Morgan suggested on Wednesday night that it had been fun, she was their princess, but it was probably time for her to go home and make way for a more deserving finalist. Did America heed his words?No. Kaitlyn stood nervously at first but became very excited when host Jerry Springer called her name over the dance group SickStep for a spot in the final 10. The last push to the $1 million grand prize and a headlining gig in Las Vegas begins for Kaitlyn and the nine other finalists on Tuesday night. So, who were they?To the results...: Thursday night's special results show broke the final 20 into the groups in which they performed. Tuesday night's performers were the first to hear the results of ...

The top 10 finalists on America's Got Talent took the stage Wednesday night as America would cut the group in half, deciding the final five that would be announced in a special results show on Thursday.With no more judges' picks remaining, it would be up to America to make the right choices. Judge Piers Morgan said voters would have to make responsible choices tonight. The games are over, the sympathy votes are over. This is the real deal. He seemed to be clearly talking about 4-year-old Kaitlyn Maher, who has skated through into the top 10, possibly taking the spot of someone more deserving. What would America do?Luck be a top 5 finish? Frank Sinatra impersonator Paul Salos talked about his long-time admiration of Ol' Blue Eyes and said he was going to knock 'em out with his rendition of New York, New York. Piers buzzed him about halfway through and later told Salos he'd done Sinatra with style and it had been a pleasure watching him. Piers said Salos is a million-dollar guy...

Thousands of auditions led to the top 10, and Thursday night, America's votes decided which five performers would still have a shot at the $1 million grand prize and a headlining show in Las Vegas.It was a packed 30-minute results show that somehow still had time for Natasha Bedingfield to perform her current single Angel.Host Jerry Springer promised some very major shocks with the results. Would the promise hold true?To the results: Jerry first asked uran violinists Nuttin' But Stringz and family band The Wright Kids to come to center stage. One safe, one going home. Nuttin' But Stringz lived on, leaving The Wright Kids to cry a little as they watched their journey on the show.Next up were Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall and single mom Queen Emily. Joseph was all shook up when he got news that he'd be going home. Apparently, America could help falling in love with him. Queen Emily moved on. Joseph kept a strong smile on his face and threw up the Hawaiian hang loose sign with his...

America may have talent, but it doesn't have much money these days. Therefore the first part of America's Got Talent was pre-empted on the east coast by an address from President George W. Bush about the failing economy and the $700 billion banking bailout plan.After 15 minutes, it was time for Jerry Springer to get the show started. He addressed the Presidential interruption and said the one-hour performance finale would be done quicker to accommodate the last-minute change.First, some deep thoughts from each of the five finalists...Queen Emily: I never thought that life could be this way. You see if on television all the time. But when it's happening to you, it's... wow.Donald Braswell: I've gone through incredible challenges, and to be at this place in my life is just unbelievable for me. I am so close to fulfilling my dreams right now.Nuttin' But Stringz: We started out going against hundreds of thousands of acts in America. Now it's down to five. We came from two kids playing ...

In what host Jerry Springer called the closest vote the show has ever had, a champion for the third season of America's Got Talent was crowned Wednesday night.The finalists -- singers Donald Braswell, Eli Mattson, Neal E. Boyd and Queen Emily, along with violinists Nuttin' But Stringz, brother Damien and Tourie Escobar -- had the judges baffled as to who would win.David Hasselhoff said it was impossible to call a winner before Springer introduced the top 10 finalists first-ever joint performance. They all contributed to a rendition of Kelly Clarkson's winning American Idol song A Moment Like This. It started and ended with 4-year-old Kaitlyn Maher singing solo.Sharon Osbourne said all of the people on the stage would go on to have amazing careers in the entertainment industry.Leona Lewis, a Simon Cowell discovery, stopped by to perform her single, Better in Time.Terry Fator, this season's winner and all of your favorites from Season 3 will perform together on Oct. 17 at the ...