On top of the $1Million grand prize, the winner gets a dream opportunity to headline "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT LIVE" in Las Vegas!

We wanted you, our loyal fans, to be the first to know!

The winner will appear on Friday, October 17th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with surprise guest appearances from your other favorite acts from the series!

Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster outlets! See you there!

Here is the link in case you want to check out:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/17004122...mp;minorcatid=0

Ok, so the winner is announced about 3 weeks before the Vegas show right?

So, can someone please tell me how you put together a 90 minute Vegas show in less than 3 weeks. Without knowing who the winner is in advance, how will the production crew know what kinds of sets they'll need, the costumes, extras, etc.? Or will the show be nothing more than another episode of AGT? Does anyone know how much time the winner really gets on stage after the "surprise guests"? And in the end, is it really the winner's "Vegas Show"?

Is this one show the entire Vegas portion of the prize? The way the judges keep stressing it, you would think the winner gets a one-year contract. But s/he doesn't. Unless you're really talented and ready.

Most of my favorite acts have been eliminated...Not sure I'd pay to see an entire Vegas show with a couple of good, but mostly marginal, singers.

I went to Ticketmaster via the link and much to my surprise, the "good" seats are already gone.

I wonder how many of them will be on Ebay if certain people win.

I just did a quick search and would have been able to get a pair in the first level off the floor, just off center stage (U6) for $49.99/each (plus $9.99 handling.) Pretty good seats if I do say so myself, unfortunately my checkbook can't afford the other costs that would go with them, as much as I might enjoy a trip to Vegas.

So with all the talk about Vegas by the judges and the posters here, there's only the one show, right?

I can see how you could be confused into thinking that the winner got a year stay in Las Vegas. However, the show has been very good about only saying things like "a headline act in Las Vegas" but never actually saying how long they'd be there. My guess is that it will probably be a little like Terry Fator who had to earn his way to a long term contract. Even Bianca Ryan is performing at the V Theatre in Las Vegas.

I agree that a 90 minute show in Las Vegas would be interesting to put together, but looking at the front runners they have enough good content already that it shouldn't be a problem. Plus, I'm sure they'll intersperse the show with "Guest Performances" so you might get an hour of the winner if you're lucky.

When will they announce the guest that will be appearing for the Oct. 17th show in Las Vegas?

I would imagine they'll announce it withing the next couple of weeks, as soon as it's announced we'll post it.

JD/Forum Moderator

All of the Top 5 acts are winners. There are no losers if an act makes the Top 5. They all have talent, otherwise they would not have made it to the Top 5 among 1,000s of acts that auditioned.

With that being said, I thought about which act I would want to see and be would be willing to pay to see. Considering that tickets are $40 - $100 US, plus the cost of round trip airfare, one night in a hotel, the cost of local transportation, the cost for meals/food, etc. I realized that none of the acts are worth paying at least $250 - $400 US (or much more) to see for 90 minutes.

There are bills to pay, food to put on the table, etc. The economy is in shambles, homes are being foreclosed, the banking system is in trouble, the stock market is on a roller coaster, etc. And NBC/AGT wants us to pay to see an act that America has made popular? You would think that NBC/AGT would have a televised special for one hour that would promote the winner(s) of AGT 2008, considering that America helped to make it #1 in the ratings.... But I realize that NBC/AGT wants to capitalize on any money making opportunity it can. Whatever....

Regarding cost of tickets, airfare, hotel, etc....it never occurred to me that anybody would go to Vegas to see a certain show. I have always assumed that people are there for gambling and go to a show for a little diversion. This would reduce the investment down to the cost of tickets only.

Whatever. I still would not pay the amount of money need to fly to Vegas for a diversion. There are many who are hurting from the reality of the current status of the US economy. There are still bills/mortgages to pay, food to put on the table, children to care for, etc. Maybe next year Americans will be able to put money into the pocketbooks of NBC and the America's Got Talent team.

I agree with you. My husband was seriously injured a year ago and has been out of work since. I would love to see the live show, but seriously with heating fuel at over 4 bucks a gallon, "ain't" anybody from the Northeast that should be using hard earned money on Vegas this year. For those of us who have other more pressing obligations, like surviving, perhaps the show will be out soon after on DVD??

I've heard that tourism is declining. Makes me wonder about how often "Vegas" is mentioned on the show. It's like they're trying to instill in the viewers' minds that, if they can afford to go someplace, Vegas is the best choice.

Last I looked, there were still plenty of mid- and lower-priced tickets yet to be sold. Makes you wonder if people are holding out until they know the winner. If it's going to be the judges' favorites, Nothin' but Strings, I wonder how many more viewers will rush out to buy tickets.

In some ways, I hope that the event will not be sold out. It will be an important message to NBC, AGT, Simon Cowell, and others that they should not be trying to influence the opinions of the American public. Sure, people may vote for their favorite, but asking them to pay to see them in Las Vegas is another story. From what I've seen, if they are looking for one act to fill up an auditorium, it would either be Donald or Eli. It appears that the fans of these two singers are passionate for them -- and they would pay any amount of money to see them live.

JMHO

To fans of any of the Top 5 acts on AGT 2008. I saw this press release of the Vegas show. So if you're interested in seeing any of the Top 5 acts live, you can do so. The winner of AGT 2008 will headline the show though.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/amer...}&dist=hppr


America's Got Talent Launching First Live Stage Spectacular for One Night Only on Friday, October 17th MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

Headlined by the Soon-to-Be-Crowned Season 3 Champion & Featuring Performances from All of the TV Show's Top 5 Finalists Hosted by Jerry Springer with a Special Guest Performance from Season 2 Winner Terry Fator & More Tickets Are on Sale Now

I hope they let the Russian Bar Trio perform this week, if they have recovered. I also would like to know what happened to them. What accident was it or what was the injury? We have their misfortune to thank for getting Donald back and owe a debt to them. They were a good act that you had you holding your breath. Let them perform!

GhostFan - There was a lot of hype at the time of the Russian Bar girl's injury that made it sound like something dire had occurred. I read an interview with her a couple weeks after the fact in which she said that she'd slipped off the mat and sprained her ankle.

Thanks, MLP. Glad it wasn't serious. Kismet for Donald.

I've decided to put my money where my mouth is. If Donald wins, I'm going to the 17th show in Vegas. I've said he will draw people to his show and I'm one. It would be interesting to see if the other contestant's fans will go if their favorite wins.

I don't know anyone who can plan a trip to Vegas in 2-1/2 weeks. Who wants to wipe out their savings account in this kind of economy?

I think they said the chick hurt her foot or something during rehearsal.

I've heard a lot of chatter about how people would only go see their favorite of the 5 in Vegas and that Donald wouldn't bring a crowd. So far, though, it seems Donald fans (not talking about family & friends) are the only ones willing to put up.:-).

I might have gone if we could at least see the top ten perform. I agreed up to that point and would like to at least see some of our favorites. I'm not paying to see Neal.

I think they are all performing. Terry Fator is performing as well. They made a point to say that the show on the 17th was "ALL of your favorites from this season" plus Fator. Neal just gets to go last. That's all he won as far as Vegas goes.

I read in Eli's blog that besides the 5 finalist there will be 3 other performers from the top 10: Elvis, Paul Salos and Jonathan Burket.

This is still a big expense except for those who live in the area, I think. I know I would like to see the show but it's out of the question. I'll wait until Eli tours in the near future (hopefully!)

A number Donald fans are going to the 10/17 concert, so they can see him in concert. So much for those who thought he wouldn't draw people. And now I just read about his upcoming concert in San Antonio, Nov 2nd. (http://blogs. mysanantonio. com/weblogs/jakle06/) and that he may be going on tour and putting out a new CD. I'm sooooo excited, I won't be able to sleep all night! ABSOLUTELY THRILLING!!! I'm looking up flights to San Antonio now.

How much are tickets to the show? I refer to the LA show, the semi-finals I guesss you'd call it. I've signed up for tiks on this website but the website gives no info regarding when these tiks will be available or for how much. Also, very importantly, when will be the next opportunity to go to a show. I assume next summer?? Please, does anyone have details about tickets to the next show, I presume, season 4? Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I planned my trip to Vegas around getting a fabulous seat at the America's Got Talent show at the MGM Grand Oct. 19, 2008. I was not disappointed - rather I was impressed that the contestants were actually BETTER in person than on TV.

But, the main attraction for me was Neil E. Boyd and I couldn't wait for him to sing opera. His first song, for his Mama (don't know the name) - beautiful. Okay. Then he did a very long, dragged out (it seemed) version of All By Myself. Looking around, people looked bored, some left, and I know, as much as I flew there for the purpose of seeing him in person, I nearly left too (because the pattern for the night was 2 songs per performer) - but I was holding out hoping he'd sing the opera. I wasn't disappointed. He was tremendous.

During the TV show, I believe it was Sharon that reminded Neil that he should stick with the opera but someone isn't really listening. Afterall, this was the first real-live show after TV, that people were paying for, and 2 out of 3 weren't opera. I'm hoping that whoever is managing Neil's career now can guide him the right way. I'd be happy to pay to see him again but if I knew the majority of what I'd hear wouldn't be opera, I wouldn't go.

So I guess the question is: where may I put my 2-cents in written form so that maybe it'll make a difference? I'd hate to see this very talented, extremely well liked individual fail because of those type of choices.

I already had my trip planned and was able to obtain tickets to the show for my sister (who lives in Vegas) and for myself. We enjoyed the show tremendously, although I am sorry to say that Neal was not my favorite. The performances were all fantastic; it seemed that every performer reached his/her peak when they walked on that stage. Our only complaint was the hard seats! I am hoping that the show will be there next year when I make my annual trek.