I'll start with what I don't want to see: I don't want this to be a singing competition. If NBC wants to do a singing competition, then have it's version of American Idol. I am sure that lots of people will watch it and lots of people will apply for it. I don't want a bunch of rappers, solos and groups of singers (even if they think they have a gimmick).

I do want to see acts that I will look at and go WOW!!! I could never do that because I either don't have that special skill or it would take years of training to do. Dance groups, magic acts, etc.... I want to be afraid to get up and go to the bathroom because I might miss something incredible!

I love the saxaphone...would love to see/hear someone really good on the show. Would love to see a great magician, one who does tricks on your mind, leaves you dumbfounded. I love lyrical dancing. I have seen some great routines done before at national competitions that I think would awe a crowd who normally doesn't get to see that style of dance. I've seen karate performed to music with acrobatics involved and it was enjoyable. It's America's Got Talent - How about one of those quick painters given the 3 minute or whatever it is time limit.... can quickly paint/draw a masterpiece. How about an instrumental band made up unconventional instruments.

I just want the unexpected. Even if you posses a typical talent, give it some "Hollywood".

I'd love to see any real talent that isn't "freak show" type of talent. Please.....no people that play music on their teeth, or fart the National Anthem!!

~Lisa~ (Nikki's mom)

I think you will be disappointed if that is what you are wanting. Its will have some talent, but it is not a talent competition but a reality show. What is going to get the ratiings will be on--not necessarily the best talent. Let me know if my prediction is right in a month or two. I look forward to hearing your replies.

Love the Saxaphone idea! I liked the others also, but playing an instrument that takes years of practice to get to a really great level is what I am talking about. That is a talent that you had to at least have an interest in in order to know that you were good at it. Singing is something that some people just naturally have a great voice, if you don't have a naturally good voice, then no matter how hard you try, it still won't be a good as someone who was born with a great voice and great pitch. I'm really hoping for something other than a singer or singing group winning.

" I wanted to see my lil self on that big blue stage...getting a chance to perform...."

http://www.myspace.com/kevinjoneil

Hey Kev, I was reading on the AI boards last night about a petition that was going to get the age raised. Ya might want to check out what they are talking about to see if it is anything serious. There was actually alot of posting about it.

Hey Q....I wasnt under the impression that my age was a factor...Simon did say all ages...anyways AGT took a look at me two times and they were impressed..it was just one of the doors I knocked on in my adventures and it wasnt the right one...its out there somewhere and i will find it....

K

http://www.myspace.com

hmmm...
experformer...you sound just a little like someone eating sour grapes if you know what I mean--are you ...?
a. someone who thinks they are talented and didn't make the show
b. a disgruntled ex-nbc employee
c. a disgruntled current nbc employee
d. someone who is legitimately talented but didn't get as far as they wanted
...just curious...

Actually none of the above, just someone who studies reality tv and understands the audition process. Despite everything said, auditions are held to cast a show. Lets take another show. We are casting the "Sound of Music". Of course you want the most talented people to be in your show, however, the 4 most talented people are all males over the age of 45. There are not roles for all four. So you take the most talented, right? Wrong-he has red hair and is about 280 pounds-doesn't fit the role of Cpt. Von Trapp. You choose the person that will fit the need of the show. Why would you think reality shows are any different? The creative team decides what roles they want on the show and fills them. That includes acts of "interest" rather than talent. Also, this is a television show-if people don't watch-there is no show. So you must remember demographis as will as including controversy/interest and don't forget-people to ridicule. Without the drama, there is no reality tv. Look at Sanjaya on American Idol-do you really think he was one of the top 20 singers they auditioned? NO-but he fit a demographic need of the young females that would watch and sit for 2 hours on the phone-and it worked out quite well didn't it. Sanjaya remaining on the show much longer than he should and created a great deal of media play-Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, news shows and radio shows across the country-everyone was talking about it. As a result ratings shot up!

So, do I believe the most talented people will get on the show? No-yes, some will-but everyone on the show representing the most talented auditioned-no. Do you think that all of the singers that meet the judges on American Idol are the best? No-some of the worst singers are put through just for the reaction of the judges. Lets be honest-people enjoy watching others get "put down". We love the tears, the hysterics, the drama-and in todays television-that's reality tv. So do I believe the "MOST" talented got through? Some yes-but an entire show of the most talented people auditioned? No-because nobody wants to watch a "plain" talent competition-the show is on for entertainment-there has to be conflict/emotions/highs and lows for that-some great talent will be left behind for the sake of ratings. Will the show represent the most talented in the USA-probably not-but it will represent the most interesting/absurd with some of the best talent in America. But hey-thats show biz!

Kev....read it again babe....I know your age hun.. all those nights in chat.. ....I was referring to American Idol. AI. Just seems to be alot of chatter on their boards to the age being raised..some petition or something.

Love your post.

Sound of Music....my daughters first ever musical she auditioned for. Brings back memories. Callback after callback until they had it narrowed to two families. One with dark hair/features and one with light hair. Two totally different looking families, various ranges of talents in them, but eventually they went with the dark haired group. My daughter being blonde was devistated. After a week of being at the theatre for night after night of callbacks until 10/11PM I think she was more exausted that anything. Took her two years before she would try again. We now realize that that was her hardest audition ever. She now stays busy with about 4 shows a year. Casting a show of any kind is hard work and so many things are involved.

Last night I went to see a theatre's production of Cabaret. "Sally Boyles" vocals were absolutely incredible, but I did not enjoy seeing her in lingerie. She also could sing well, but could not connect with the audience well. You could get lost in her singing and not even know what she was singing about. Not good for a musical when she is supposed to be telling the story.

Being a casting director for anything has to be a terribily difficult job.

Thank you experformer--I did misread your intentions, and I am happy to be wrong.
In principle, I agree, and I am sure that there will be some acts that leave America wondering, "how the heck did those people make it past the panel?" all for the ratings game, that is just the way it works. I, do however, also have to believe that some legitimately talented and amazing people will get through, but that the American public will vote off for reasons unknown--look at Miss Dolittle who was just voted off AI in spite of the fact that every judge said that she was by far the best singer left in the competition. That one made me sad as I was rooting for her as well.
There really is no telling how the viewing masses are going to react, but I am cautiously interested to see what they come up with this year-- and please-- no more Leonids!

ok...this is the way im looking at this competition this year...NBC is HURTING bad in the 'sitcom' category, REAL BAD!!! if they were smart, they are going to find a talent they can SPIN off this show this year...so a singer/band/group would be out of the question...but then again, it is simon's show, so he's thinking musical talent...

bringing jerry springer on board, im sure they're going to find a kooky act that america will fall in LOVE with...they made NO money off the girl that won last year...NBC should use this show as a spring board to create a true SUPERSTAR...one that we'll be tuning in for MUST SEE TV again...

can you do it NBC??? i guess only time will tell...

i'm excited to see what 'talent' they bring on board...

Yah, Kevin, I actually like people who actually go above the 3rd fret. You know. Just as a thought. And aslo I was under the impression the age is not a factor. I'm 13, and I've played at school dances, Niosa (Night in ol San Antonio) (Guitar, by the way) And I had a couple people tell me I should try to get on this show.

There is no age limit for this show. The age discussion was in reference to American Idol...NOT America's Got Talent.

...

Yes, your are absoluty rigth , AMERICAS' GOT TALENT should stay away from singers ,
thats why singers have American Idol.

I don't mind the singers as long as they are not the majority of the acts. There were quite a few musical acts I was rooting for that auditioned: Kevin Oneil, Silent Planet, GirlParts, Nikki Simmons, Justin Hamby, Burning Desire, and the list goes on. Despite their incredible talent, I don't think any of them made the show (unless they are being tight lipped about it).

I'd really like to see something spectacular. Acts that were on par with Nathan Burton and Kevin Johnson from last season. Some Poi Dancers would be great (I know of at least 2 that auditioned).

Honestly, I'm not sure what to expect. The turnouts for the auditions were not very good and I know a lot of seriously great performers were not called back (despite getting rave reviews at the auditions). One group was even praised by the Hoff after their audition and they still didn't make it onto the show. Things like that worry me. I'm pretty sure they were not overwhelmed with Amazing acts, so my guess is this will be the Gong Show revisited.

,Matt

I agree, is a shame that for get ratings they let go people who really have a unique talent , hopefully this season they let America make the decition and do not use people like Leonids to get the attention also I understand thet is America's got Talent but
I think that now have reality show for dancers and singers , AGT should be only for
uniquic variety acts.

I don't mind group singing acts, because they can't try out for American Idol. But singles, young & old, need to wait for American Idol or try out for another show.

I'd love more acrobatic acts. Like a Aerial Silk, Aerobic Gym, Adagio, Sports Acrobatics, ect. Anything Circus-y too, like Tightrope, Jumprope, Diabolo, Devil Sticks, ect.

Also anything not the usual. Plus anything that people can figure out. NBC already put 4 audition videos on there Youtube, and one was a Childs Magic Act where 2 kids "read" what their dad was holding in there hand. And since it's been uploaded, there has been about 5 responses on how to do that. Memory, Hidden Cameras, Hidden Microphones, ect. Thats no fun!

Plus, I think there should be an Age Limit on the show. 15 and Up. That way we don't have another Bianca incident and having somebodies parents capitalizing on there childs supposed talent to make Millions from.

I'd love to see a handsome young man dance and play the saxaphone...the instrument is great, but that would be a cool combination.

Gabby

You should check out Justin Hamby over at path2fame. I'm not sure about his dancing skills, but he's pretty handsome and can play one heck of a sax. He auditioned for AGT2, but I'm not sure if he made it onto teh show.

,Matt

I just watched the trailer on the website. The guy who said "YES!" seems to be a cute/quirky sax player...is that your friend?

I'm not sure which video you are talking about

You can see Justin's pic in our photo gallery at
http://path2fame.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=508

and you can read about him and see his videos in his Path2Fame forum at
http://path2fame.com/forumdisplay.php?f=136

Of all the nerve Matt71!!! I'm amazed that after all the badmouthing and backstabbing you and your 'gang' persisted in spewing as an attack on nbcskampy and last year's NBC AGT boards, you have the audacity to show face and bring another crew with you, only to promote your own website.
Then again, I shouldn't be surprised that the deceitful, lying, self-absorbed group that you and your comrades are, would take this step towards your own personal gain.
DESPICABLE, TWO-FACED, SELF-SERVING BEHAVIOR! Having viewed some other posts, it's obvious a number of your worms have already crawled in and infested this site.