If you were given the chance to ask The Hoff any question knowing that he would answer it, what would that question be? We can't promise we'll pick your question to ask, but if we do you'll not only get the answer, but it'll come straight from The Hoff himself.

Be creative...and be nice. Regular message board rules apply, even when you're just asking questions.

Is this really going to be a talent competition or another singing contest? Don't get me wrong, singers are talented, but I was hoping that this show was going to be about different kinds of talents. There are plenty of contests that allow singers and groups to show their talents, I am just hoping that this year the focus will be more on the unusual talents that you can't just turn on your radio and hear. And if you pick a group, please make sure that everyone in the group is talented and not just one singer.

here's how i'm looking at this year's competition...NBC is in trouble with primetime programming...DOND can only last for so long...Heros is GREAT but it goes away for weeks at a time and you lose people for doing that...and for the rest of the schedule...ehh...

NBC needs to find a talent or two that they can spin off this show (AGT)...last year they had noone with personality that i can remember of (well maybe leonid, hehe)...NBC really couldn't use any of the acts for their talent pool and create a show that America would love...

maybe this year, they can do that...give us something different, something off the charts, something we wouldn't expect...give us someone that will actually become a STAR...it will make america feel that they were part of that act's success...

glad to hear sharon osborne is part of the show...i think she'll be terrific...don't know about jerry but i guess time will tell...im excited to see this show come back!!!

If the talent is really good this year, would you ever consider doing a traveling tour like Idol does? Just thinking if a singer doesn't win there wouldn't be CD's and such to purchase. If the final 10 were really great, might make a great show to go and see if it was close by. I know ya'll mentioned a Vegas show once for the winner......but I'm not traveling to Vegas to see an act I just watched over and over on TV for a few weeks.

Second.....seems from recent press Simon doesn't like children. I really loved the Grease bit.....Simons Idol Jr. didn't seem to cut it. I think you should have filmed High School Musical II auditions and made a killing!!!!!!!!!!!!! Money....Money.....Money.......

Not a question...just an opinion...
Honestly, I would like to see someone other than a singer to win AGT. We already got American Idol for a singing competition, as well as Grease...

Another crap show being put on the air instead of The Black Donnellys.

.....A year goes by before this show returns to air. This board dies and the fans have gone. You won't get a response from hardly anyone regarding your topic until the show comes back on the air. Hopefully then, people will return. Can't really expect a "fan base" when a show is off the air for so long.

In principle, I agree...
But I didn't even learn about the show or start watching it until after the season was over, by downloading the highlights.

The title bothers me. It sounds as though NBC has hired on a group of high school drop outs. Shouldn't it be "America HAS talent"? Do we really want to perpetuate bad grammar?

I think Jerry is perfect for the show. Especially if the has been Haselhof is on the show.
He is such a loser!

just wondering if anyone knows what Piers' talent is....He sure seems to hate everyone, like Meghan Miller is doing a "Children's act" according to his opinion, when really, she was extremely talented and I'm very happy for her that she's making it. Just wondering what he can do that's so great, where some people he doesn't even give a chance...

Sharon...........where's Ozzy?? Love ya both.

the contestents are good but the judges suck big time. get better judges

Piers needs to go by by!!!!!
He is an errogant Simon want-to-be with no real place in this show.
Piers is just a JERK with out the substance or ability to judge real talent.
GET RID OF HIM OR LOSE YOUR AUDIENCE!!!!!!!

I was disturbed by the behavior of Piers toward two of the little girls who sang tonight. His criticisms were beyond constructive, they were down right mean. These children come to this show aspiring to sing and do the best that they can. I hardly think that the deplorable comments Piers made to them, with a national audience viewing, should be acceptable to NBC. How insecure and embarrased they must have felt. A feeling that should not have been inflicted on them by some big bully adult. I hurt for them especially the little girl who was crying back stage. Even if it isn't done publicly I feel that Piers owes them an apology for the meanness. Hopefully this experience will not deter them from any of their future aspirations. I would hope NBC would have a closed door meeting with Piers and give him a lesson on how to give constructive criticism to a child or replace him.

My name is Jason m. I also wish that Piers either stops being mean or NBC should be kicking him out Because if he keeps it up i will no longer watch the show NBC needs to rethink Piers rudeness.

I and my family all agree that judge Piers is awful for the show. He has been totally (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXed) from our family. There is no reason for the comments he puts out to the children. We just have to come to the conclusion that Piers is a very unhappy person with himself as with others. He needs to be booted. My family watched American Idol and loved it for years and still do. We were ready to get into this show, but Piers spoiled that for us, because we refuse to watch the show anymore with him as a judge. He is absolutely horrific!

I think this show is wrong. On tonight's episode, an Elvis impersonator walked out on stage in full Elvis attire and before he even said one word all three judges gave him the X. This is not only humiliating to the performer, but it is also a very judgmental act. This man was not given a chance. Piers stated that no one in the audience would even want to hear him sing, especially because of the way he was dressed. They then gave him a chance, but they made him stop after he sang only a few short words. This is wrong on so many levels. The last time I checked people from all over the world were dying to get into America because it is the land of opportunity. In all my years of schooling I've been taught that America is a great country because of the freedoms its citizens are allowed. How can a show like this dare use "America" in its title when its judges are just going to be judgmental and not even give someone a chance? Many people in this country wonder why young girls have such low self-esteems. Well this show just helps that cause. There are so many vulnerable, young children watching this show who have hopes and dreams to become an entertainer. After witnessing such horrendous acts, how can these young children still want to audition for anyone? Children are so vulnerable and to have to witness someone not even given a chance is just wrong.

I think this man deserves an apology and a second chance. I will never watch this show again and I will tell all my friends and family what a disgrace it is.

I completely agree. To tell you the truth, I had no idea who Piers was. So I decided to come to this site to read about the judges. There are certain ways to deal with adults and there are certain ways to deal with children. And I don't think that he should use his qualifications as an editor as an excuse to be mean.

Now one thing I absolutely don't understand is why he would treat his own kids one way--and then when another kid around his kids' age comes on the show--he treats them as if they're adults who need the full criticism. Personally, I find that a lot of these kids are way too young to be on the show and shouldn't be on there in the first place. But if they are on there, I would like for someone to actually remind Piers that they are just children and they're not fully developed in singing or cheerleading or whatever they do.

I always feel like I'm going in circles on message boards when I'm angry or upset, but I also hope that I got my message across...

I thought the show was ,well piers was rude and did not need to talk to or treat people with such dis respect!! If I had to judge the judge piers, I would say you get a F-. You at this point would steal candy from a baby. or shall we say sell you mother for the way you were behaving. Theres a way to say something in a tackfull way. I dont blame sharon for walking off, I would of too. It makes me not want to t une in any more, just rubbish..... disapointed shame shame shame on you.....

I didn't watch the show last year, and tuned in tonight for the first time because my mom had and said it was really good. I must say, this will probably be both the first AND the last time I tune in. Even more than the judge Piers, I think this show's producers should be ashamed of themselves. THEY are the ones who made the decision to advance those two young girls to the group of 20 to appear before a national audience, for no other apparent purpose it seems than to subject them to painful humiliation before a national TV audience. I hardly found this entertaining.

Yes, kids who want to be in show business have to learn to deal with rejection and disappointment. My problem is that these kids were intentionally advanced so America could watch them experience those things. Is this what NBC considers 'good TV'?

I agree with sooooo many others. Piers has got to go!!! I applaud Sharon for walking off when she did. I doubt Piers is smart enough to figure it out but I hope the makers of the show are smart enough to get Piers off the show before viewers, who were very loyal to the last years show and would have been this year also, decide to just never watch it again.

I watched this show last year and was very disappointed that the only finalists the judges cared to forward were singers and dancers. There are many "talented" people in America and they don't all sing or dance. This is NOT American Idol or Nashville Star which requires singing. I was hoping this year would be different. The aerialist tonight had talent...not everyone can climb up ropes and maneuver as he did. The dogs took special training and many hours of attention to create the talent shown tonight. I think the judges need to pay more attention to the word "Talent" and hopefully can salvage some memorable Americans this season to end up in the finale. Bravo Sharon for being yourself and voting on your own. Boo to Piers for his rudeness to the contestants. Shame on David...you ARE an American!

will Regis Philbin make a guest appearence

Piers is a JERK! It is disgusting to watch his desperate attempts to imitate Simon Cowell! How come that this complete joke from some cheap British tabloids judges America’s talent? This show was advertised as inspiration for people and not humiliation. It was advertised as a show for all ages and all styles and now when they see children, acrobats or animals they say that “it is not for this show.” Let’s admire the little girl who stood up for her mom! Let’s admire a man who rescues the dogs from shelters! And Piers HAS TO BE REMOVED! We, the audience, don’t have to listen to this cruel and obscene man.

My question is, WHY IS PEIRS A JUDGE!!!???? Between my mother and I, we counted that he didn't "X" 6 people tonight. OUt of ALL those people, only 6 didn't get "X"-ed. Come on now. The show is Called AMERICA'S got talent. NOT BRITIAN's got talent!!

this is to the creators of the show. I agree with the numerous others who have commented on Piers' behavior on tonights show. My wife and I were very upset with his comments and atitude. We have decided to not watch the show again until Piers is removed as a judge. You are putting this show on for the viewers and it looks like there are a lot of loyal fans who are disgusted by this mans actions. hopefully these comments will fix the main problem with this show.

I'll throw in my name for the Piers bashing too. Definitely too harsh on the little kids. Not saying they should have gone through, but he didn't have to do it like that.

But, folks, you need to remember what they want: To copy American Idol and cash in on its success. So, you gotta have a mean Brit, right? Now, if Sharon would just clap with her arms out straight and Hoff would call everyone "Mutt", I think they might have something there.

On another note:

Hey Producers, please don't show me the best part of an upcoming act when you do the "Still to come..." segments. Like the dog on a rope tonite. That was killer and I knew it was going to happen before I watched it. You can still have the audience stay by saying maybe "Can this guy get a dog on a rope?" or something to that effect.

Sorry, one more:

Yes, no more singers. Got enough of that already. Unless they are really really good or at least play some instruments.

Piers aren't you ashamed for the way you abused little kids on national TV? Shouldn't you issue a public apology and send them all to Disney or something? Your behavior was appalling.

A big thanks to Sharon and Jerry for standing up for the kids.

This show is unwatchable now. Last season was great. This one I am done with.

I would like to encourage the judges to watch a performance by Dave Koz, a professional saxophone player that I have been listening to for many years. I have been to several of his concerts as well. Piers stated after Mr. Big Beal performaned for the final Dallas audition that he had never seen anything like it. I HAVE! That performance was an exact copy of what I have seen at Dave Koz's concerts. The same hand, leg, and eye movements even. He even played one of Dave Koz's songs! He showed no talent and should not have gone on. Talent on an instrument is showing your own personality and feelings through what you play, NOT copying someone eles's performance. Besides, copying is easy. I have been able to copy several different artist on my saxophone since my sophmore year in high school. However, I know how to perform a song my own way with my own style and personality. Mr. Beal however, does not.

Piers is a good judge who honestly shows his true opinion to people. People who start crying because of his seemed "meaness" simply can't handle the truth about their talent. His behaviour in the first episode of season 2 was perfect for a judge.

While he may be a good judge, he has no tact. Especially when it comes to the kids. There was no reason for him to blast those kids the way he did. It is one thing to criticize like that with adults they should expect it (it is after all a Simon Cowell show) , it is another to use the same tactics towards young children who are up there on a national stage. Young children are way too impressionable when it comes to their self esteem. They will be returning to their schools and peers who all watched the show too. He needs to lay off the kids.

pier writes for an english newspaper (from what i read). has he got talent...um, NO. in america, with his attitude (and not having simon as his bunkbuddy) he'd be living in the streets. he also has , i think, 3 kids who i hope he doesn't treat like those on the show. i won't be watching that show again because lifes too short to have to deal with being upset over a nobodies mouth..... it's sad really.... and amazing someone hasn't thumped him around the parking lot....

Piers you are a really mean man and if you don't straighten up, I'll tell everyone of my friends and tell everyone of my relatives not to watch your show. My friends will tell all of their relatives too. By the time that's done, thousands of people will not be watching your show. I also think that was really mean of you to say that the dogs should go back to the pound ! If I were your boss, I would have fired you by now. Please have some thoughtfulness for others. from, Meg age 9 Florida

Shame ,Shame on NBC. I am so upset that you call America got talent. A Family show. A show for what family. Since when is it ok to be so mean. Sorry that , Not tv for the American people.And The people that but it on the air. Where is your head.maybe they need new people running NBC. People keep telling you your show is awful and you don't change a thing. By the way your other show are great. But Come on now you people must have EYES and Ears - Watch the Show NBC.

I enjoyed last year. I am from the Boston area and remember a campy talent show called Star of the Day.

Last year AGT was fun. This season is already off to a horrible start. I don't care about the judges. I want to see some folks perform. You wasted over an hour on the moronic judges and their antics. If any of the three of them had talent they would have their own shows.

I'll give the show another shot, but I expect to see more acts and less of the judges.

I watched the show for the first time last night (06/05) and I'm done with it for the following reasons:

1) I don't consider the belittling of children entertainment.
2) The Duttons are a professional act with their own theatre in Branson, MO, performing hundreds of shows annually and making a fine living from their talent. Again, Mr. P showed his obvious dislike for children and hit the button when the cute "hooks" under three feet tall made their way to the stage, fiddles in tow.
3) Speaking of Mr. P......the world already has a Simon and doesn't need another. I don't watch "Idol" because of him and won't watch "Talent" again because of you.
4) Jerry Springer? You've got to be kidding! Set the tone for the show with a host and judges possessing talent........throw in a some people skills for good measure and you might have the basis for moderate success.
5) I'm tired of knock off shows.....except for Dancing with the Stars.....LOVE IT!

Didn't you hear, they say American Idol's not about singing anymore, if you listen to the idiots on the American Idol boards, read some, you'll see what I mean. Which is exactly why I'm not watching that dumb show anymore.

NBC if you are trying to lose viewer, then you are doing an excellant job! NBC complains about being 4th in the rating, I wonder why? You have had a couple of great shows (The Black Donnelleys) and you take them off and put on more reality shows. The reality is whoever is in charge over there has no clue to what the public wants. My family are loyal NBC viewers, MON.- Heroes, Tues. -Law and Order, Wed-Crossing Jordan, Thur.-all evening, Fri.-Law and Order. Mon.-Fri.-News, Jay and Conan, Sat.- SNL. Do your loyal viewers a favor we have enough reality to deal with and I don't know about your other viewers but never in my reality has anyone I have known, purposely ruined their own wedding, or have had the dilema of trying to decide a 20 year old or 40 year old. Most importantly who cares what Trump thinks!!!! Please do not even let me get started about this show I gave a chance to last night America's Got Talent, waste of my time and electricty, turned it off half way and read a book. Maybe that is the solution, just turn off NBC. One last thing, can you please sell The Black Donnelleys to another network so us viewer with some brain cells have something to watch.

Piers is a rude, arrogant jerk who has no "real" talent of his own! What qualifies him to be a judge in a talent competition? Being bud's with the executive producer (Simon Cowell) does not qualify him as a true judge of talent. At least on the "Grease" talent search, the judges where all respectable members of the Grease community (e.g. the creator of the original Grease, a choreographer, and the person who is puting the show on).

Hey, Creators/Execs...Listen to everyone after ONE show.

Piers is a finished man in Britain. He is a famous collector and publisher of lies and scandals. He buys dirty stories of dishonest royalty butlers and doctors of rehab clinics. He was rebuked by the Press Complaints Commission for breaching the newspaper industry's code of conduct. NBS states that he was a close friend with Princess Diana. What a lie and what “a friend!” He betrayed every memory of her by publishing the stories of Diana’s butler Burrel.

The man has no shame or decency. Scandal after scandal follows him. The question is why he is a judge of an American family show? If he cannot find a job in Britain why does he get it with NBS? Simon Cowell must have such a charitable heart to help his friend to get the job.

I just want to voice an opinion. I am sincerely DISGUSTED with the treatment of the performers by the judges. It is ridiculous to tear apart people who have enough courage to get up there in the first place. This is a blatant attack on the American Spirit and I will not be watching the show again. I am sure that will not make anyone cry, but someone at NBC needs to get their act together and have a little control over what goes on in that studio. Making children cry is absurd--they are trying their best to realize their dreams. Is it really the judges' (one in particular) place to squash that? Can't you be more uplifting and encouraging rather than a ridiculous jerk?? Please, NBC and judges, try to find it in yourself to be an advocate to the American Spirit and the dreams of these people--sure, they aren't going to win a million dollars, but do you have to completely strip them of everything in front of millions of people? Plain ridiculousness and makes you look like very small people. Maybe we should stick to American judges??

The kids that perform their "talent" on stage are too pathetic to accept the fact that their talent is not worth one million. They cry when they are criticized and it is not fault of the judges. Many people in this forum complain that Piers is too tough as a judge. Well, sorry to break it to you, but that is his job - judging whether the talent is worth one million. He criticizes so the performers can improve their talent for the future. Judges such as Hasselhoff seem to judge based on emotion rather than talent. This is not what judging is. If the kids performing can't handle being criticized, don't perform at all!

I agree 100% with other comments on last night's America's Got Talent. It was horrible. 3rd rate show in my opinion and that's being generous. You are not attracting serious talent. Piers's treatment of contestants was totally unacceptable. I understand the producers leaving these segments in; they thought it would bring attention to the show. Well, it worked against you. You have very questionable "talent figures" hosting this show. I almost didn't watch it because of Jerry Springer. The funny thing was...he was the only entertainment of the night. He actually did a good job much to my surprise. David is an alcoholic that needs treatment; not more attention. Sharon is an intelligent woman in many ways, but please! Look at her family. Disfunctional is not even discriptive enough. And whoever this Piers THINKS he is!!! I find him totally obnoxious. The way he treated the children was beyond belief. I back Sharon all the way. I would have walked off the set also. Except I wouldn't have come back. I won't be watching anymore and I bet I'm not alone!!!!! You need to just start over.

I agree that there were many on that stage that should not have even shown up. Was there performance REALLY worth a million dollars...not a chance! However, the judges "job" is NOT to be arrogant jerks and humiliate people in front of millions. Some of the acts embarrassed and humiliated themselves, but the ones who did a fair job (however, not million dollar material) don't deserve to be treated like the scum of the Earth! There is a difference between "constructive criticism" and being totally rude. Wikipedia defines Constructive criticism as "the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one." Piers did NOT give any sort of "constructive criticism" to these contestants!

NBC;; Your show is fantastic. Don't worry about these Newbies who say they are disgusted with AGT. Its a captivating show, you can't stop watching it! Maybe David Hasselhoff is a little to overboard and you might need to replace him next year, but Piers and Sharon are really good judges. Also, you need an Age Limit so less Newbies think that its bad when a judge tells a girl they aren't worth 1 Million Dollars.

No one is saying to pass the less than perfectly talented children on to the next level. It's one thing to critique adults that way (they came to the show on their own. They are adults and they should be able to handle criticism and it's whether it is worthless or not). Children on the other hand were brought by maybe a well meaning but misguided parent or other adult. They aren't capable of handling viscious and mean-spirited critiques. Should the parent or guardian have known better? Probably but the real true villian in all of this is the network that allows it to be aired. In short, I don't give a flying you know what about what is said to an adult, but when you hurt children, then I have an issue. I'll give this show one more time and if it's not significantly kinder and gentler to children, I'm done with it.

why do you tell the persens family what to do and be so strict about it? I can not belive how quickly you buzed pepole out. you could have just given them a chance. how would you feel if someone broke your dream? i think you would feel like that judge is pretty strict. i sure would think the judge was strict.
bye,
Faith (age 8)
p.s. Be a lot nicer. The angry face is like you.