The battalion of surprises lined up for the tenth anniversary celebration of "America's Got Talent" has yet to show any sign of stopping, and the latest tribute to one of the most remarkable talent search competitions on TV today is the airing of "World's Got Talent" on Wednesday, August 5, following the recently conclude two-hour special, titled "10 Years of Talent," on July 29.
Hosted by Mariah Carey's former husband, Nick Cannon, the special episode showcased the best and most memorable performances featured in "America's Got Talent" in the past 10 years, according to Broadway World. As for the "World's Got Talent" episode, viewers will be treated to a collection of the most remarkable numbers featured on the show from contestants around the globe including the performance of the lovable Susan Boyle.
Distinguishing itself from other reality talent competitions seen on TV nowadays, "America's Got Talent" caters to everyone - regardless of age, gender, race and talent. In fact, the show has actually thrived in highlighting talents that are deemed unconventional by TV contests such as "American Idol" and "The X Factor." By embracing the odd and the awkward, "America's Got Talent" has opened doors for the rest of the nation to showcase their abilities that fall outside the realm of singing and dancing.
Opening up on the origins of "America's Got Talent," Piers Morgan, one of the first judges featured in the show, disclosed that the talent competition is actually the brainchild of none other than "The X Factor" judge Simon Cowell. Morgan shared, according to Observer, "None of us were sure really what was going to happen with it. I've got to say at this stage, great credit to Simon Cowell." He went on to reveal that the whole idea of creating "America's Got Talent" took the former "American Idol" judge merely 10 minutes to figure out over a casual lunch outing. Morgan, who also served as a judge in "Britain's Got Talent," said that Cowell envisioned a show that allows people to "come and do whatever they liked to be judged" - that is, "an all-around talent show."
Morgan further shared that such talent competition - one that lets in anyone who believes he or she has a talent to show off - "is no longer on television in England, in America, anywhere," according to Cowell. Hence, the manager of the hit band, One Direction, aimed to bring back such format. Visualizing the show, Cowell told Morgan that three judges will be included - "one meanie, one nice woman, and one 'crazy,' and then they'd have buzzers." Little did Morgan know at that time that Harry Styles' mentor was on the verge of creating the "most watched format in the history of reality television." Morgan added, "This is really a modern version of The Gong Show."
"America's Got Talent" Season 10 featured a number of widely popular guest judges including "White Chicks" star Marlon Wayans, who will once again be seen in the big screen in the upcoming parody of EL James' "50 Shades of Grey," titled "50 Shades of Black," and "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris. Apart from sitting in the judges' table, the "Gone Girl" actor is also the first guest to try the "golden buzzer" introduced earlier this season. Alongside these guest judges are the regulars, namely, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Howard Stern.
