• Rapping granny, contortionist and singer steal the show on 'America's Got Talent'

    Virginia Sherwood/NBC

    Who's "Got Talent"? Granny G, the 80-year-old rapper, does, if Tuesday night's performance was anything to go by.

    By Sean Daly, AGTnews.com

    Howard Stern likes opera-singing nurses and rapping grandmas. Who knew? Night two of "America’s Got Talent" auditions brought the traveling circus to San Francisco, where the acts got more compelling — and so did the backstories.

    No one captured the hearts of the judges — and the audience — like 21-year-old Alonzo “Turf” Jones, an “extreme hip-hop contortionist dancer” who was homeless for two years after being kicked out of his home by his mother. Turf, it seems, can do things with his body that hurt most of us just to watch. But he is certainly impressive to watch.  And when he started crying tears before the judges even spoke, you could feel potential voters already throwing their support behind him.

    “You are a true original and I think you are what we’re looking for,” Howard told him.

    Turf will easily make it to New York — and he’ll probably have some company from his hometown.

    Ratings Slip with addition of Howard Stern

    Among the night’s other standouts:

    TIM HOCKENBERRY, 49 (singer)
    Tim showed up with his girlfriend, 3-week-old baby girl and a standard issue back story about battling the bottle. Singing in public made him nervous, he said. “The only time I could pull it off is if I had enough beer or wine in me. I knew I was an alcoholic pretty early — around 17 or 18 years old.” Now clean and sober, the Binghamton, New York native took the stage to deliver a raspy version of “You Are So Beautiful” that Joe Cocker might have had a tough time beating. Tim has the look, sound and story to win the whole thing.


    LUIS MENAGHIN, 54 (nurse)
    Up until now, the only audiences that had heard Luis’ amazing opera voice were the folks at the old-folks home he works at.  “Every day down at work they gather after lunch in the lobby, and I sing for half an hour for them,” he explained. “I tell them that I sing opera for them because it helps them with their bowel movements.” Turns out the Brazilian import (by way of Utah) has quite a voice.  He’s no Susan Boyle, but impressive enough to make it to Vegas and probably beyond.

    DAVID GARIBALDI & CMYK’S, 25 (concept painters/dancers)
    Both original and amazing, David had the audience roaring as he performed a dance routine with his team while each of them took turns splashing colored paints on a huge canvas. In less than 2 minutes they had created an incredible portrait of Beethoven (though Howard admitted he thought it was a painting of him).

    See the boy Howard Stern made cry

    GRANNY G., 80 (rapper/comic)
    Where else in prime time can an octogenarian come on stage with a walker, grab her backside and earn a free trip to Vegas? Granny G performed a rap that basically warned young men to be responsible and not ditch their baby mamas. But all she really had to do was come on stage and smile. If the judges let her advance to New York, expect Granny G to be a shoo-in for the Top 10.

    What do you think of the talent so far? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • Howie Stern proves a perfect fit on 'America's Got Talent' premiere

    Mark Seliger / NBC

    On the season seven premiere of "America's Got Talent," Howard Stern proved he fit right in with his fellow panelists Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel.

    By Sean Daly, AGTnews.com

    Teenage cloggers, a light up dance squad and a musician paying something called an “earth harp” emerged as early favorites on Monday night’s season premiere of "America's Got Talent."

    But the real story, of course, was the arrival of Howard Stern, who settled into the judges table so perfectly you almost wonder how the show got by for six years without him.

    As promised, the foul mouthed, stripper-loving King of All Media was both compassionate and honest as he sifted through several dozen (mostly horrible) auditions in both Los Angeles and St. Louis. What we didn’t expect was his razor sharp sense of humor.  Stern had a one-liner for just about every occasion.  

    "First of all, I wish I looked like you,” he told one performer.  “God punished me with this face, and you've got my face."

    When Miss Less -- a 55 year-old singer who lets her 22 cockatiels eat out of her mouth -- arrived on stage, Stern couldn’t help but ask the burning question on everybody’s mind:  “If you were on an island and all you had were your birds, would you eat them?”


    Exclusive: See The Boy Howard Stern Made Cry

    Surprisingly, the biggest insult was not from Stern -- but directed at him.

    After telling an off-key guitar player: “I’ve been in radio 35 years and you are too weird for my show,” the scorned auditioner shot back: “That might hurt my feelings if I respected your opinion.”

    For the most part, season seven looks a lot like all the others.  There was a guy who put scorpions in his mouth, a little girl who looked about 5 performing aerial silks, and a crazy circus sideshow act who stuck long needles through his cheeks. (Ouch!)

    Among the night’s most memorable acts:

    WILLIAM CLOSE, 42 (sculptor/musician)
    Close had the judges eating out of his hand as he played his homemade “earth harp” -- a giant instrument with strings that spanned all the way to the rear of the Orpheum Theatre. "I made my career on originality, and I bow to you,” Stern praised. “Perfect."  This act was by far the most impressive to look at, but you have to wonder how he can step it up each week. Expect William to advance to New York but fizzle out by the semifinals.

    BEN BLAQUE, 32 (crossbow shooter)
    The night’s scariest act involved Ben -- who looks like he just stepped out of the pages of GQ -- shooting arrows at tiny objects while trying not to impale his brand new assistant. (He made no specific mention of what happened to his last helper. Perhaps what we don’t know won’t hurt us.)  Since no blood was shed, Howard loved it. Expect Ben to also make it to the live shows, but not much further.

    Stern Takes Shots At J.Lo, Seacrest and Spears

    LIGHT WIRE THEARE, 25 - 43 (dance company)
    The crowd in St. Louis LOVED this troupe that created cool visual effects by wearing light up costumes in total darkness. Just one problem: haven’t we seen this somewhere before? Last year Team iLuminate did the EXACT SAME ACT (without the fake dinosaurs).  They made it all the way to third place. These guys will need to show us something much more original to have that kind of a run.

    ELEMENT DANCE CRU, 12 - 18 (cloggers)
    So this is what clogging looks like in the 21st century? Hip, urban, cool. All three judges love them.  Well, they were the most original dance team of the night and are our sleeper act to make the top ten.

    What did you think of Stern's first night and the rest of the premiere action on "AGT"? Take our poll and  share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • What did you think of Howard Stern on 'America's Got Talent'?


    Hey now! Shock jock Howard Stern's first night as a judge on "America's Got Talent" is now in the bag! What did you think of him?

    Have more to say about his performance? Tell us on our Facebook page! 

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    Results
    Total of 18,152 votes

    37.7%
    He was fantastic! But I knew he would be.
    6,844 votes
    28.7%
    Stern surprised me! Better than I expected.
    5,209 votes
    5.1%
    Meh. I liked Piers Morgan better.
    922 votes
    5.7%
    He was terrible!
    1,026 votes
    22.9%
    I didn't watch.
    4,151 votes

  • Howie Mandel on the new 'America's Got Talent': It's bigger, more insane

    By Ree Hines

    What can "America's Got Talent" fans expect when the next season of the competition kicks off? Well, other than 100 percent more Howard Stern? According to judge Howie Mandel, the whole show will be bigger and better than ever before.

    Mandel joined "AGT" host Nick Cannon on TODAY Monday morning to give his take on what's to come.

    "I think (the tapings so far have) been bigger, more exciting, more insane than it has ever been," he raved.

    And as for that notable addition of a certain shock jock, Mandel promises viewers will be pleasantly surprised with his approach.


    Mandel, Cannon judge fourth hour's drunk talents

    "I think people are going to be surprised by Howard Stern," the returning judge insisted. "I think they're going to be surprised by how compassionate, passionate, sensitive and serious he is about being the consummate judge."

    After that assurance, TODAY's Al Roker gave Mandel a first-time tour of Studio 1A. See what the funnyman thought of it in the above clip.

    The new season of "America's Got Talent" premieres May 14 on NBC.

    Will you tune in to "AGT" to judge the newest judge for yourself? Tell us on our Facebook page.

     

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  • Howard Stern brings edge back to 'America's Got Talent'

    By Sean Daly, TODAY.com contributor

    Mark Seliger / NBC

    "America's Got Talent's" panel of judges: Sharon Osbourne, Howard Stern and Howie Mandel.

    Love him or hate him, Howard Stern is looking like just the man to reinvent “America’s Got Talent.”

    Both controversial and compassionate, he brings an element of danger and unpredictability to the aging reality show.  Even producers admit they are never quite sure what he might say or do next.

    After six years, NBC’s highest rated summer series was becoming a bit predictable, too plain vanilla. Despite its 15 million or so viewers, “AGT” began to lack edge, excitement and cultural relevance. With the exception of opera cutie Jackie Evancho and a few other noteworthy acts, there was simply little buzz left.

    (TODAY.com is powered by msnbc.com, which is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

    Stern changes all that. NBC and show creator Simon Cowell have made an all-in bet -- and a darn good one -- that the King of All Media will ignite a national conversation about the family-friendly variety show and drive ratings even higher.  

    Stern has become an icon in broadcasting because he knows exactly how to keep people guessing. At auditions in New York last month, he appeared to confirm his worst critics’ nightmares by reducing a second-grader to tears -- then artfully turned himself into a hero by rushing on stage and embracing the young boy.

    “It is difficult to look into the eyes of a (kid) and say, ‘I am going to give you the X,’ ” he admitted a few weeks ago.  “But I am not going to sit there and suck up to a 7-year-old either.” Nor should he.

    I’ve had the opportunity to cover “AGT” since it debuted in 2006, and I was in the audience for Stern’s first day of auditions in Los Angeles. There was a new excitement in the air with him on the panel. The crowds were bigger and rowdier. But the rest of the show was largely the same: a steady parade of jugglers, comics and dancing poodles. 

    Stern approached each act with far greater compassion and constructive criticism than his predecessor, Piers Morgan -- who often seemed to be intentionally cruel and mean spirited.  That could be one reason insiders say the new lineup of judges -- Stern, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel -- seems to get along so much better, both on screen and off.

    The new season of “America’s Got Talent” kicks off Monday and features a breathtaking goth opera singer, an all male tap dance team and a stunt man who shoots himself out of a cannon.  But the real star of the show is Stern.


    “I wanted to do this because I really love the show,” he told me a few weeks ago. “I don’t want to be the guy who comes in here and ruins it.”

    There seems to be little danger of that.

    Who do you think will be the best judge this season: Sharon, Howard or Howie? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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  • 'America's Got Talent' contestant's infant saved lives with organ donation

    Virginia Sherwood / NBC

    Sean Milan DeBose on "America's Got Talent."

    By Sean Daly, AGTnews.com

    Pass the Kleenex, please!

    Sean Milan DeBose — an L.A. area internet comic/dancer appearing on Monday night’s premiere episode of "America's Got Talent" — has one of the show’s most touching backstories ever.

    More from AGTNews: See the boy Howard Stern made cry

    DeBose, who uploads comedy videos to YouTube under the name DiscoSean21, buried his 6-month-old son, Sean II, two days before Christmas of 2008 — after the young boy’s organs were used to save the lives of four other children. 

    “His heart went to an 18-month-old baby girl,” DeBose shared in a video on his YouTube channel. “She was in her last days.  He was able to keep her alive.  His liver went to a baby boy.  And his kidney’s went to two other babies.  My son is a true hero.”

    Baby Sean apparently passed away from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the entertainer says.

    “I sat there with my son and I prayed to God and I cried,” DeBose shares.  “When I [spoke] to him, little tears would come out of his eyes.  I know he could hear me.  I know my son was fighting as hard as he could.”

    More from AGTNews: Vegas week Q&A with Sharon, Howie and Howard


    “I made him promises telling him I was going to make it as big as I can, maybe get my own television show.  Maybe make movies.  He was going to follow in my footsteps.  Now that my son is gone, I want to keep my promise.  I won’t quit for nothing.”

    Which backstory do you remember most from "AGT"? Will Sean's top it? Tell us on our Facebook page.

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  • Howard Stern: Britney Spears will be a 'train wreck' on 'X Factor'

    By Access Hollywood

    Matt Sayles / AP file

    “America’s Got Talent’s” newest judge, Howard Stern, brought plenty of shock to the latest press event for the NBC talent reality competition when he was asked about the report Britney Spears has signed on to judge “The X Factor.”

    “I think it’s a wonderful decision, Britney still thinks the Earth is flat,” Howard said. “Listen, I think we’re going to tune in to see her, if she can sort of function through the thing.”

    (TODAY.com is powered by msnbc.com, which is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

    VIEW THE PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ team: Then & now

    The “AGT” judge doesn’t think the pop star will be able to offer up any useful advice to the contestants on the FOX singing competition.

    “As far as any real criticism, I think Simon [Cowell] and L.A. Reid will be doing that. I think Britney is going to stand there and eat a lollipop and wear a sexy outfit. I don’t anticipate great opinions out of her,” he continued.

    VIEW THE PHOTOS: Britney Spears’ early years — a look back!

    Howard also took a shot at “American Idol” while slamming Britney.

    “I think she’s going to sit there like J.Lo and [say], ‘Oh, you’re wonderful. You’re terrific. Do you think I could get a perfume endorsement out of this? You think I could perform on the show?’ I think that’s what it’s about,” the radio personality said.

    Regardless of his issues over the report Britney is joining the FOX show, Howard said he will be watching if it happens.


    VIEW THE PHOTOS: Pop princess Britney Spears

    “I’ll tune in to see what kind of train wreck she is, absolutely,” he added.

    “America’s Got Talent” returns to NBC on May 14 at 8 p.m.

    VIEW THE PHOTOS: Crazy! Sexy! Cool! The planet’s hottest pop stars take the stage

    Do you think Howard is right and that Britney will judge like J.Lo does on 'Idol'? Or do you think Britney will bring something new? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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  • Howard Stern on 'Got Talent' gig: Someone should be fired for hiring me

    By Ree Hines

    Should loyal "America's Got Talent" fans really worry about legendary shock jock Howard Stern joining the primetime competition? Well, that depends on who you ask.

    According to TV watchdog group, the Parents Television Council (PTC), Stern's "vulgar and explicit" reputation could ruin the show's family friendly vibe, but what does the King of All Media himself say?

    "What a crazy idea, to put me on a family show -- someone on NBC should be fired for that," Stern laughed during a Thursday morning visit to TODAY.

    Of course, unlike the PTC, Stern was just joking.

    (FYI: TODAY.com is powered by msnbc.com, which is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

    In reality, the obviously media-savvy man feels he's a perfect fit for the show.

    "I'm not going on the show to disrupt the beauty of 'America's Got Talent' -- cause I love the show," Stern said.

    That's a fact that his many satellite listeners can attest to. Stern's an avid fan of many reality TV competitions, and he's turned analyzing them into a regular act and an art form on his show.

    "I merely wanted to go on and be a very serious judge," he continued. "And what we found as we traveled all over the country that it turns out, I'm the judge that everyone agrees with."

    TODAY anchor and Stern pal Matt Lauer couldn't argue that point. After attending a recent audition-round taping, he saw first-hand how audiences reacted to Stern. He also saw how Stern reacted to contestants -- including a 7-year-old rap hopeful who started to cry after the new judge X'ed him out of the running.

    "Well, of course, I felt horrible inside," Stern recalled. "I don't know the rules. I walked up on stage and I hugged him and I calmed him down. ... What am I? Frankenstein?"


    That's not to say that he won't be tough too.

    "I watch 'American Idol' sometimes, and those three judges, they don't have a word of criticism, and I think that's selfish," he insisted. "I think you owe it to the contestants to offer criticism."

    As for Stern, he's received plenty of that from the PTC, or as he calls them "a group of about seven people" writing emails from home -- a group he's not particularly concerned about.

    "NBC should pay them millions of dollars," he laughed. "The more they keep issuing the statements it makes me seem more interesting and controversial."

    Alas, Stern saved his controversial routine for another show -- TODAY.

    "I'm honored to be on the TODAY show. I never get to be at the TODAY show. Matt and I are personal friends. We sit at my home, we drink wine, and we evaluate the TODAY show."

    Stern's evaluation? "I liked when Al Roker was fat, compared to how he is today!"

    Then the radio legend hopped in the host's lap for some impromptu Lauer lovin'.

    Hear more from Stern and the rest of the "Got Talent" panel when the talent competition returns to NBC for its seventh season on May 14.

    Are you looking forward to seeing what the King of All media will bring to the show? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

     

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  • PTC warns 'America's Got Talent' sponsors about 'vile' Howard Stern

    Nbc / Mark Seliger/NBC

    The Parents Television Council has a warning for advertisers willing to spend their dollars on "America's Got Talent" now that radio legend Howard Stern is part of the show.

    By Ree Hines

    The premiere of the newly re-vamped "America's Got Talent" -- complete with an East Coast relocation and more importantly, the addition of shock jock Howard Stern -- is just days away. But while it may be inevitable, the Parents Television Council (PTC) is doing its best to fight the return of the talent competition anyway.

    In excerpts from letters PTC president Tim Winter claims to have sent to 91 former "America's Got Talent" advertisers, he explained the group's problem with the self-proclaimed King of All Media joining the show.

    "Programs like 'AGT' have offered millions of American families a brief respite from the otherwise-ubiquitous stream of violent, profane and sexually-explicit content on primetime broadcast television," a message posted to the PTC's website begins.

    But the watchdog group fears those days are no more thanks to the "vile antics" of Stern.

    "Stern’s reputation for sleaze and misogyny is well known," according to the excerpts. "And to our knowledge his only previous judging experience consisted of looking at insecure, naked young women and telling them whether or not they were hot enough to pose for Playboy."

    Which is, evidently, what inspired the PTC to contact the sponsors and attempt to warn them away from Stern's "obscene and grotesque material."


    "Does his decades-long penchant for profanity, his affinity for degrading and sexualizing women, and his proclivity for vulgar and explicit dialog, accurately reflect your corporate values?" advertisers were asked before the PTC answered the question for them. "The risk of associating your hard-earned corporate brand image with such 'shock' is not worth the cost involved -- a cost not just in terms of wasted media dollars, but also in terms of countless millions of dollars in customer goodwill."

    Of course, this isn't the first message the group has delivered about Stern's inclusion on the "America's Got Talent" panel. Shortly after the news first broke in December of last year, Winter blasted the decision. 

    As for Stern, he responded to that ruckus during an appearance on the show of former "Talent" judge Piers Morgan.

    "Whatever you think of me, I will give you an honest opinion," he said. "My goal is to find real talent, to actually find someone who can become a major superstar."

    Not exactly fighting words. In fact, the radio legend seems content to let his performance speak for itself.

    Catch Stern and the rest of the "Got Talent" panel when the show returns to NBC on May 14.

    Do you think the PTC's warning to advertisers will actually affect "America's Got Talent"? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

     

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  • Howard Stern: 'I'm going to be a strict judge' on 'AGT'

    By Tim Kenneally, TheWrap.com

    Mark Seliger/NBC

    Howard Stern has never been one to hold his opinion back, and that apparently extends to his upcoming stint as a judge on "America's Got Talent."

    The first footage of outspoken radio host Stern in his new capacity as "AGT" judge has emerged, and the self-proclaimed King of All Media makes it clear that he won't be coddling any contestants if they don't make the grade.

    More from TheWrap: Stern's $300M lawsuit against Sirius dismissed

    "I've gotta stick to my guns," Stern asserts in the clip. "You gotta get the very best talent. I don't want to go buzzer-crazy, but I'm going to be a strict judge, and I've gotta stick to that."

    Indeed, shots of Stern in action on the upcoming season indicate that he isn't afraid to throw out a zinger or two. "I haven't seen anything like that ever, and I hope I never do again," he tells one would-be entertainer. To a musical group playing instruments fashioned out of suitcases, he cracks, "Wouldn't the suitcases be better used for you packing up and getting off the stage?"

    More from TheWrap: Chloe Sevigny joins 'American Horror Story'


    Another musician, whose harp-like instrument is strung throughout the performance space, fares much better in Stern's estimation.

    "You turned this whole theater into an instrument," Stern raves. "That's originality, and I made my career on originality, and I bow to you."

    "America's Got Talent" returns to the air May 14 on NBC. (TODAY.com is powered by msnbc.com, which is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.) Until then, get an advance glimpse in this video.

    Judging from this clip only, do you think Howard will make a good judge? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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  • Howie Mandel 'thrilled' to work with Howard Stern on 'America's Got Talent'

    Chris Haston / NBC

    Howie Mandel believes the upcoming changes to "America's Got Talent," including the addition of shock jock Howard Stern, are thrilling.

    By Sean Daly, TODAY.com contributor

    Howie Mandel knows exactly where his bread gets buttered.

    Sure, “America’s Got Talent” may turn into “The Howard Stern Variety Hour” with the addition of the self-proclaimed King of All Media, but that’s OK. The veteran comic and third-year judge insists "without Howard Stern, it would just be season seven.”

    NBC and executive producer Simon Cowell have made an all-in bet on Stern, splashing his picture front and center in promos and even relocating the show to New Jersey at his request. Bold moves, indeed, that could bend the fragile egos of some co-stars completely out of shape.

    (FYI: TODAY.com is powered by msnbc.com, which is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)


    “Honestly, that doesn’t bother me,” Mandel told TODAY.com. “There is nobody more thrilled to be working with Howard than me. I am such a fan. I think he is one of the brightest people I know. And I think he is an asset to the show. I love the fact that his fans show up to the show. All of a sudden a 12 hour taping is the most exciting place they have ever been. It is like being at a rock concert.”

    Q:  Will we see a different type of act this year?  Is the overall talent pool changing?
    No, but I think if you look at the show each and every year, each year is more dangerous than the past. The show is more outrageous than it has ever been. Because I think that once you air something ... someone comes on and says ‘I am going to jump into 6 inches of water,’ then the next guy comes on and says ‘I am going to shoot myself out of a cannon’ -- which is more dangerous.  

    Q:  And yet every year, the singer always wins.
    This year I am hoping (not) and Howard is hoping (not). We always celebrate the variety. This year we have got more groups. And the variety acts are tremendous -- and more dangerous and more spectacular.  

    Q:  Do you think the show is better without Piers Morgan?
    I think it is very, very different.  I would never say better.  Everybody has their own taste. I love having Howard. He is truly a friend. Somebody I would socialize with. Somebody I listen to and somebody I am a fan of. I think that the excitement level is going to be ramped up.

    Q:  The judges are gelling better?
    Absolutely.  I think last year we were three people who came to work. And now we are three gelled. ... This team of judges is a fully formed friendship, and it is really different. I can’t really describe it, but we love every minute of it.

    Q:  By the way, congrats on your new show “White Elephant” getting picked up by NBC!
    Thanks. I am very excited. I have been offered many shows since “Deal or No Deal.” This is the first game show that I have chosen to do. All of the elements that I have loved about “Deal Or No Deal” are evident in that show. And it is something that we both play. But you are playing it face to face. Instead of playing it in the dark. You are deciding whether you want to pull something away from somebody.

    Q:  And once again it kind of involves making a deal.
    It does. That is my theme.

    Q:  What made you want to host again?
    This game so intrigued me. We developed it at my company. I could have hired another host.  But it is just so intriguing. I never thought there would be another “Deal Or No Deal.” But I believe we have another “Deal Or No Deal,” and I don’t want to give that up. I am selfish. I want to do it.

    No premiere date has been set for "White Elephant," but viewers wanting to see Mandel on the small screen can catch him, Stern and their fellow panelist Sharon Osbourne when the season premiere of "America's Got Talent" airs Monday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

    Do you think Stern will make a thrilling addition to "Got Talent"? Are you looking forward to the other changes in store for the show? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page?

    Sean Daly runs the blog SingersAndCritics.com, which covers reality singing-competition shows.

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  • Howard Stern is 'very confident' as 'America's Got Talent' judge

    By Access Hollywood

    Kathy Willens / AP

    Howard Stern is transitioning into his latest role as a judge on NBC’s reality competition “America’s Got Talent” with ease.

    “I got my feet wet in Los Angeles, we moved along, and as a judge, I feel very confident now,” the shock jock told Access Hollywood correspondent Jill Martin at “AGT” auditions in New York on Wednesday. “I seem to have become the judge that America agrees with.”

    View the AH photos: Hot shots of the fiery Sharon Osbourne

    The SiruisXM radio host said he hopes to be a source of valuable career advice and legitimate constructive criticism for the reality series’ hopefuls.

    “I was a fan of [‘AGT’] almost from the beginning and I take judging seriously. I’ve called out other judges on these shows for being frivolous, for holding back their opinions, you can’t do that,” he explained. “People are coming to be judged. You can’t be mean to be the mean judge. You can’t be funny to be the funny judge, you’ve gotta come from an honest place [and] offer people criticism that they can take home and use. And that’s what I do.”

    View the AH  photos: The verdict is in! Judges of reality TV

    Howard also shot down rumors of feuding between the judges, saying neither his fellow judges nor host Nick Cannon get on his “nerves.”

    “I hate when you tune into these shows and you see these false rivalries,” he told Jill. “I never liked the rivalry between Piers [Morgan] and Howie [Mandel] – I thought it was kind of fakish.

    “Howie’s been nothing but wonderful, and Sharon [Osbourne] too,” he added. “When I came in, I was the new guy and they were very accepting, they were gracious.”


    View the AH photos: Keepin’ it real with TV's hottest reality stars!

    “America’s Got Talent” premieres May 14 on NBC. 

    Of the three "AGT" judges, who do you think will be the best this season? Share your prediction on our Facebook page!

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