America's Got Talent

America's Got Talent is a reality talent competition in which contestants compete for a $1 million prize. It is hosted by Nick Cannon, a comedian, musician and actor, recognized by many for his lead in the movie Drumline.America's Got Talent: About Nick

Season five began airing on June 1, 2010, with the addition of Howey Mandel as the newest judge. He replaced judge David Hasselhoff, who left the series to pursue a new unnamed television project.http://www.tvguide.com/News/Hasselhoff-Departing-Talent-1013457.aspx Mandel was trigger happy on the buzzer, as he began his new position as judge. He is thrilled to be a part of the show and may add some much needed new blood to the judging line-up. In his words, I have been with this show since day one. I have been doing it and judging it, in my underpants, on the couch. This year we are going to find a star. I promise you, we are going to find a star.http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2010/06/americas_got_talent_premiere_r.html

The season begins with auditions with the judges. Similar to The Gong Show, if the judges don't care for the audition, they press a buzzer. If all three judges press the buzzer the contestant is eliminated from the competition. (They have been known to cheat and press each other's buzzer.) In the semi-final round, the viewers of the show call toll free to vote for their favorite contestant, eliminating one contestant each week.

Season one of America's Got Talent was judged by David Hasselhoff, singer Brandy, and ex-journalist Piers Morgan. The show was hosted by Regis Philbin. Season two Sharon Osbourne replaced Brandy as a judge, and talk show host Jerry Springer replaced Philbin. In season 4, Nick Cannon replaced Springer.

While taping auditions for the 4th season of the show, it was reported that judges Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff got into an extreme argument after disagreeing on the approval of a set of contestants. Hasselhoff threatened to head-butt Morgan and verbally assault him. The argument ended when the audience booed Hasselhoff and the judges left the stage for a cooling off period.