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I just got the official press release from NBC and Fremantle Media announcing Howard Stern as the new judge on America’s Got Talent.

This announcement is going to anger a lot of America’s Got Talent fans. I know since after I first posted about Howard Stern possibly replacing Piers Morgan as an America’s Got Talent judge I got a bunch of backlash from readers of this site. The most common response was, “I will not watch America’s Got Talent if Howard Stern is judge.”

I certainly appreciate the sentiment. America’s Got Talent has broad appeal across a large spectrum of ages and has generally (with a few exceptions) been a pretty family friendly show. Howard Stern represents the opposite of family friendly for most people. Maybe that’s the intent of the producers. There’s little doubt that Howard Stern as judge will make quite a splash with the media. AGT and Simon Cowell seem to enjoy a little bit of controversy.

For me personally, I’m still going to watch America’s Got Talent. I don’t like most of what Howard Stern represents either, but I wasn’t fond of Jerry Springer’s show either and I was amazed at how different Jerry was on America’s Got Talent compared to his show. Audiences loved Jerry. I’m not sure Howard will have the same sort of friendly transformation as Jerry had, but I’m willing to give him a chance.

The move of the America’s Got Talent live shows to New York is pretty interesting too. I’m sure it was to accommodate Howard Stern’s schedule. I’m not sure where the live shows are taped will matter much to viewers of the show. Although, it looks like my dream of finally attending a live show taping probably won’t happen. The trip to NY is a lot farther from Las Vegas than LA was.

Here’s the official press release from NBC:

12/15/2011 08:40

NBC ANNOUNCES HOWARD STERN AS THE NEW JUDGE ON THE TOP-RATED SUMMER COMPETITION SERIES “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” AS IT HEADS INTO SEASON SEVEN

Series Finds a New Home as Production of the Live Shows Moves to New York

Auditions for Season Seven Continue Around the Country

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – December 15, 2011 – NBC announced today that Howard Stern, American radio personality, television host and author, will serve as the new judge on the top-rated summer alternative series “America’s Got Talent,” produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television.

Stern will provide his feedback on the colorful array of hopeful future stars who are currently auditioning in major cities around the country for the show’s upcoming seventh season.

Production of the live shows of “America’s Got Talent” also will be moving to New York, where Stern will continue to helm his SiriusXM radio program.

The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC.

“Howard Stern’s larger-than-life personality will bring a thrilling new dynamic to ‘America’s Got Talent’ starting this summer,” said Telegdy. “He’s a proven innovator and his track record in broadcasting is truly remarkable. Howard is very passionate about this show and is fully committed to its future success.”

Stern helped to transform American radio and put syndicated satellite radio on the map on SiriusXM. As the outspoken, unedited and headline-grabbing host of “The Howard Stern Show” radio program, Stern was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005 and became a pop-culture icon with a massive loyal fan base. Since 1987, he has hosted numerous television shows, record-breaking pay-per-view events and home video releases. He also embarked on a five-month political campaign for governor of New York in 1994.

His two books, “Private Parts” (1993) and “Miss America” (1995), spent 20 and 16 weeks, respectively, on The New York Times bestseller list. The first book became a national sensation and was adapted into the feature film “Private Parts” (1997), a biographical comedy film that starred Stern and his radio show staff — and was a box-office success. Additionally, Stern performed on the film’s soundtrack which topped the Billboard 200 chart. Stern currently broadcasts his show “Howard 100” on the SiriusXM satellite radio station.

“America’s Got Talent” was the #1 non-sports telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in total viewers every week it aired over the summer of 2011, making it the #1 summer series in total viewers for a sixth year in a row. Last summer, “America’s Got Talent” delivered its highest-rated cycle ever.

“America’s Got Talent” is the only talent competition show that is open to any age and any talent. Auditions for season seven kicked off in October with upcoming open calls set for Austin, Texas, Charlotte, N.C. and San Francisco, Calif. For all the latest information and to pre-register, go to www.AGTauditions.com.

“America’s Got Talent” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television. Simon Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz (“American Idol”), Jason Raff, Ken Warwick (“American Idol”) and Georgie Hurford-Jones are executive producers.

For embeddable clips and full episodes of “America’s Got Talent,” please visit NBC.com’s official show site: http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/

For artwork and a complete press kit from the show, please visit the NBC Universal Media Village website at http://www.nbcumv.com.

Please follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nbcagt and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nbcagt

About NBC Entertainment:

NBC Entertainment develops and schedules programming for the network’s primetime, late night, and daytime schedules. NBC’s quality programs and balanced lineup have earned the network critical acclaim, numerous awards, and ratings success. NBC has earned more Emmy Awards than any network in television history. NBC’s roster of popular scripted series includes critically acclaimed comedy Emmy winners “The Office” and “30 Rock,” starring Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey. Veteran, award-winning dramas on NBC include “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Chuck.” Unscripted series for NBC include the new vocal competition hit “The Voice” as well as the popular “The Biggest Loser,” “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “America’s Got Talent.” NBC’s late-night story is highlighted by “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Last Call with Carson Daly” and “Saturday Night Live.” NBC Daytime’s “Days of our Lives” consistently finishes among daytime’s top programs in the valuable women 18-34 category. On Saturday mornings, the network broadcasts Qubo on NBC, a three-hour block that features fun, entertaining, and educational programming for kids, including the award-winning, 3-D animated series Veggie Tales.

About FremantleMedia North America:

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon “American Idol” (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “What Chilli Wants” (VH1), “Hole In The Wall” (Cartoon Network), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Family Feud” (syn), “The Price Is Right” (CBS), and “The X Factor” (Fox).

About SYCO:

Syco, with offices in London and Los Angeles, is a global music, television and film production joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment. Syco Television owns and produces the BAFTA Award-winning “The X Factor,” which has topped the charts around the world. Syco Television is also the owner of the “Got Talent” television format. Versions of both “The X Factor” and “Got Talent” are co-produced by Syco, and are shown in more than 70 countries and have won multiple awards including national television awards and BAFTAs.

Syco is also the record label home for such diverse international recording stars as Leona Lewis and Il Divo. Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 200 million albums and delivering more than 180 #1 records. Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 launched the global singing career of Susan Boyle. Her debut Syco album sold over 8 million units in six weeks, making it the world’s biggest-selling album of 2009 and the fastest-selling album in history, selling a total of 20 million records to date.

I’m always happy when I’m able to predict the America’s Got Talent Winner. Landau just had too many fans swooning over him. He’s got a great voice, so I’m not disappointed by him winning at all. Now I just need to find a way to get tickets to the AGT Las Vegas show.

I was also struck by this comment that someone sent me through our contact us form:

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., I just want you to know that there is a 65 year old white man who grew up on a cotton farm in Arkansas who has been pulling for you since you sang your first note on AGT and I was as happy as your were when you won. I hope you reach the top and stay ther and continue to be as humble and as real as you are now. You are an inspiraton to everyone who has watched you take this incredible journey and a credit to every hard working person in this country. Man, you owned that stage!

Congrats Landau Eugene Murphy!

Finale Red Carpet: Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Watch him talk about winning first place!

Finale Red Carpet: Stevie Wonder
Watch him talk about his duet with POPLYFE.

Finale Red Carpet: Patti LaBelle
Watch her talk about her favorite act, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

Finale Red Carpet: POPLYFE
Watch them talk about their AGT experience.

Finale Red Carpet: Jackie Evancho
Watch her talk about going from contestant to guest performer!

Time for me to use my magical abilities and predict the winner of America’s Got Talent 2011 winner. I must admit that this is quite possibly the hardest America’s Got Talent winner that I’ve ever had to predict. In the past, it’s usually been quite clear who was the favorite. This time all 4 acts are pretty extraordinary and I’d actually be fine if any of the top 4 acts win. I love when that’s the result.

Now for my AGT 2011 Winner: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.

I think that Team iLuminate will be up there with Landau battling for the last spot and the producers will love that Landau wins and not the amazing Team iLuminate.

Watch for POPLYFE to be sent home first. It’s too bad that I was right about the song choice. They should have chosen a song that featured her choice. I hope she gets picked up and we get to see her sing again. I’d pay to hear her sing.

Then, that means Silhouettes are going out next. I just hope they don’t flash any of the little kids crying. I tried to tell my wife that the little girl they showed was blind and started crying before I could even tell her.

There you have it. I predict another singer: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. will win. He does have a fantastic voice.

Who else is excited for the special performances by each act?

In case you missed it last night, here are the videos of the America’s Got Talent finalists and also Terry Fator’s performance as well.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. Performs

Team iLuminate Performs

POPLYFE Performs

Silhouettes Perform

Terry Fator Performs!

I’ll save my predictions for who is going to win America’s Got Talent 2011 until later. Instead, now I’ll make some predictions about the America’s Got Talent finalists performances tonight.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. – Much of the same. His voice will rule. He will smile. The old people will swoon and he’ll get lots of votes.

POPLYFE – I think they’re going to make a poor song choice. It’s going to be a disappointment since it will feature the band and not be a great song for the lead singer’s voice.

Silhouettes – A few moments of beauty, but with nothing all too spectacular. However, the kids smile after their performance will still steal my heart and many others. Regardless of how they do, what an amazing story.

Team iLuminate – Another exciting performance. Some unexpected choreography and lighting. It won’t be so wow that we can’t stop talking about it, but people will still love what they do.

Interesting. I didn’t realize this was what I was doing, but I’m basically predicting a bunch of solid, but less than sensational performances. I guess that’s the problem with 2 dance acts and 2 singing acts. How do you up your game in those 2 genres? It’s much harder to do that.

Of course, I hope I’m proven wrong and something blows me away!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I really enjoyed the performance of Il Divo on America’s Got Talent. It was a full scale production with some great singers. I loved it. In case you missed it, there’s the video below.

Il Divo Performs!

Turns out, some viewers didn’t agree with me and hated their performance. However, their response says it all. Here’s one example (although there were others that said something similar).

I thought it was America got Talent Not Mexico got talent, hated the group that sang the mexican song!!!! was not a good pick for the show that is titled America!!!!

Really? Did they say Il Divo sang a Mexican song? Really? First, that was Italian, not Mexican. Second, the idea that American’s don’t enjoy and don’t represent other cultures is just silly. America is the melting pot of cultures. I like to describe America as taking the best from every culture and enjoying all the best parts of the other cultures. One of those is Italian music. To say singing something in Italian isn’t American is just stupid. Hopefully this person is in the minority.

Even more viewers complained about Howie Mandel being naked on the show with many remarking that America’s Got Talent is a family show. I actually agree with them wholeheartedly. It was poor taste on the producers part and should have never happened. They could have made the joke with just the door shot. The naked Howie Mandel was inappropriate, unnecessary and terrible TV. Seems in line with the theme throughout this AGT season of the judges being terrible.

I tweeted out my predictions for tonight’s episode of America’s Got Talent. Only 4 acts will make it to the America’s Got Talent 2011 finals. Which 4 acts do you think will make it? Here’s my thoughts (using my tweets).

My America’s Got Talent 2011 Finals Locks:
pureagt Pure AGT
Tonight’s AGT Finals locks: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and Team iLuminate

My America’s Got Talent 2011 Finals Possibilities:
pureagt Pure AGT
Tonight’s AGT Final Possibilities: Anna Graceman, Landon Swank, POPLYFE, Silhouettes. I’m going to take Anna and Silhouettes.

My America’s Got Talent Final 4 prediction:
pureagt Pure AGT
So my predictions for the final 4 on America’s Got Talent are: Anna Graceman, Silhouettes, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and Team iLuminate. u?

Time to take a look at the final 5 America’s Got Talent finalists and discuss what kind of chance each one has at making the top 5 (at least it looks like it’s going to go AGT top 10 and then AGT top 5).

Landon Swank – I agree with whichever judge made the comment about Landon needing one perfect trick to make it into the top 5. He’s still got an uphill battle since magicians have a challenge getting votes. However, he has the look and the presentation to make it happen. I’m a little doubtful he’s got a trick so good that he’ll blow our minds. However, I hope he surprises me. I also hope he brings back his fiance. Otherwise, I’m not voting for him.

Anna Graceman – This girl really reminds me of Bianca Ryan. She doesn’t have quite as big of a voice as Bianca did, but she’s got more soul in her voice. I like it a lot and I imagine America does too. I’ll peg this one on song choice. The right song and she could easily win. The wrong song choice and she might not make the top 5.

Smage Brothers Riding Shows – I have to admit that I was impressed with their last performance. I thought they’d plateaued last performance, but they somehow found some ways to do new tricks in such a confined space. The only thing that does partially annoy me is that the judges have been acting like this is a new act. Well, it’s not really. Haven’t they heard of Travis Pastrano and the Nitro Circus? It’s a much bigger show, but has even bigger tricks. That part aside, I’ll be interested to see what they can do to make the act better given the stage limitations.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. – I guess this is a pet peeve post. Landau does have the voice of Sinatra. However, he’s not even close to as smooth of a performer as Sinatra. That can’t really even be compared. Sinatra had both the voice and the moves. So, let’s settle down on the Sinatra references. This said, I bet there’s a bunch of Sinatra lovers that are viewers of the show. He’s a safe top 5 and very possibly a winner.

Silhouettes – I totally disagreed with the judges on this one. I thought the performance was interesting, unique, different and great to watch. The first half was really fascinating and you didn’t know what they’d do next. The second half with the globe could be refined a bit, but I was glad to see that they’re still providing something unique and interesting. With that said, they’ll need to find a way to blow us away again like they did when we first saw them or I think they won’t make the top 5.

In case you haven’t been keeping track, here’s a look at the final 12 acts remaining in the AGT 2011 semifinals:

Anna Graceman, Singer
Fatally Unique, Dance Crew
Gymkana, Acrobatics Group
The Kinetic King, Trick Designer
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., Classical Singer
Landon Swank, Magician/Illusionist
Professor Splash, Shallow Diver
Silhouettes, Silhouette Dancers
Smage Brothers Riding Shows, Stunt Motorcyclists
Snap Boogie, Dancer
Steven Retchless, Pole Dancer
Summerwind Skippers, Jump Rope Acrobatic Troupe

This seems like an easier semifinals than the other one. I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this semi finals. Who’s guaranteed to go through, who’s on the edge and who has no chance of making it to the finals?