America's Got Talent

America's Got Talent, produced by Simon Cowell, has been billed as the world's largest talent show. Now in its seventh season on NBC, the show continues to provide audiences with the widest variety of acts imaginable. The series premiered in 2006 with politician turned controversial talk show host Jerry Springer hosting. Although there have been some personnel changes across the seven seasons, the show has maintained the original format which features three judges who provide colorful and constructive commentary on acts ranging from ensemble clogging to magic to trained animals. The original three America's Got Talent judges were Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff, and Piers Morgan.

Current host, actor/musician Nick Cannon, joined the show in 2009 at the start of the fourth season. The host's charisma, combined with the entertaining acts and the unique mix of personality provided by the judges continue to draw audiences to NBC each summer. Comedian and game show host Howie Mandel joined the judging panel for the show's fifth season, replacing David Hasselhoff. And comedian/radio talk show host Howard Stern took over the judge's seat previously occupied by Piers Morgan for the start of the seventh season. Sharon Osbourne has remained the one constant throughout the show's history, occupying the middle judge's chair and providing her own kind of gentle criticism to contestants since the first season.

Although the judges continue to offer their opinions after the audition period has ended, it is the TV audience who has the final say as to who wins America's Got Talent. After each week's show, America is able to vote via phone and internet to determine which contestants will remain in the running. And the prize is no small potatoes. The winner of America's Got Talent receives an annuity worth one million dollars and a stint as a head-lining act in Las Vegas.