America's Got Viewers...

“America’s Got Talent” helped NBC take Wednesday night last week, it also took the coveted 18-49 demographic by a slim margin over FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Although the show is experiencing notable ratings, really, the show has not been the same since the departure of David Hasselhoff.

"Hoff" was the over-the-top personality that show and audience members had grown to know and love. Howie is a great guy (Despite being an unrelenting acclaimed germaphobe), but something about the show is simply remiss.

We are not big fans of boy host Nick Cannon and would have preferred someone as host a little more mature and experienced. Further, it is not necessary to constantly 'plug' Mariah Carey's music every season. Please, a little more tact would be appreciated here...

But, then again, the lackluster season could be the level of talent this year. (Photo/ Courtesy of NBC Universal)

Hoff-Tastic!

Former Baywatch star, David Hasselhoff, has announced that he is leaving America's Got 'Chicken Catcher' Talent, to star in his own reality show on A&E.

I was behind David one day in lovely grid-lock traffic on 405 freeway for a nice 45 minutes, so I have a soft spot for Hoff (Watching Knight Ridder as kid also helped).

Even better, I'm guessing the show will be called something revolutionary such as, "Hoff" - ? Or, another variation of a title that would undoubtedly contain his name and/or reference.

Having said, one could be certain the show will be big in Germany. You gotta' love the confidence...
(Photo/ANI)

America's Got Talent Again

Today, let's talk about Talent...Of course, outside of my endless bounty of persona, there are others...Or, so Network Execs would have you believe in America's Got Talent.

Say What?
Now, before you start snickering with laughter, as I often do upon hearing this alleged proclamation (Well, I'm Brit and never remiss opportunity). Why I always inadvertently mutter the word ("Less") at the end of the word Talent as purely imaginary reflex...Ah, I'm rolling into a good mood again over this revelry.

With said, this week marks the return of another season of America's Got Talent (NBC). Not sure if you have been watching past seasons (Do not feel badly, I have not as well), so for our sake let us review the intended premise of the show for context.

According to a recent press release issued by friends at NBC:

"America's Got Talent" -- From "American Idol" producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television -- returns with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show's fourth season. The multi-talented entertainer-producer-comedian Nick Cannon joins as the new host. The series will continue to be presided over by the explosive combination of celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff. With the talent search open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent" has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country -- all hoping to win America's hearts and the $1 million prize.

We'll see...

Dancers, Singers, Musicians and Simon?
You may or may not be aware that our friend Simon is largely responsible for creating the show and of course heavily involved in the show's production (Hence the similar look to American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, et al).

However, the good news is that Simon does not appear as a judge due to the conditions of his American Idol contract. Despite this, Simon does appear as a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

Out with A Springer In With A Cannon
The major change in the new format is the addition of 'Mr. Mariah Carey', I mean Nick Cannon is surely a cutie-pie. Mariah, you know I think the world of ya' - After all, you gave us Glitter (Terence Howard, I am still mad at you) and Mimi you taught me how to work out on the Stairmaster wearing my 4” heels – who knew?

My question, and this may appear from nowhere, “What do you see in this kid?” I am all about looking forward to being 40 and dating a 20 something year old (With certain conditions such as maturity being one of them...).

My point (Yeah, I am searching for one as we speak), is that if the intention is to 'Young up' the show for an MTV crowd, choosing Cannon was a definitive move (Jerry Springer is much too old and completely not relatable).

However, the question remains if this was the correct personality to choose from the perception of experience, strength (As in appeal), and persona. Nick (Cannon) may be too young for such an enormous task.

A host of this type of high-level visibility in this type of top tier program, should be well experienced, confident and prepared to engage the contestants and have the ability to mix-it-up with the judges to enhance the entertainment value. From a timing stand point, the show cannot afford such a dramatic re-build of audience...This type of adjustment in brand strategy would need to occur over several seasons.

My suggestion would have been to bring in someone like a Rosie O'Donnell type of personality, but with charm (To be clear, I am NOT a fan, but she can bring in the ratings). NBC had yet another opportunity to make an impact and change the landscape, but yet again failed to break away from mediocrity of same.

Moreover, let us look at the panel of judges. David Hasselhoff - Really, You HAVE to LOVE the lack of shame and enthusiasm that this man reeks - it's an ongoing charming smarmy and caricature of himself. Honestly, who could make a drunken cheeseburger escapade on the floor look like such fun? Well, Cheeseburgers and hard liquor do not mix (I am aware of this for a number of reasons, the first being when I used to eat meat some years back and the other in 'Unruly' times - let us just say...).

Further, Sharon Osborne - terribly well mannered in Prime Time to the point of excessive and unnatural from the persona we know and love. I exclaim, who is this Fembot and what have you done with the real Sharon Osborne? Final judge Pierce Morgan; 'Brits' love their Pierce...Brosnan that is...and 'Brits' really meaning me. Enough with the recycle of Brits, Simon. America's Got Talent is a show that should be judged by American Talent!

Calling All Talent
What may be equally as interesting is that the show (Reminiscent of the Gong Show - I'm big Chuck Barris fan), is the variety of participants. Really, where else can you have a 50 something year old couple dangling from a Hula hoop in a hippie drenched love fest, a fire breathing and wearing (Literally) magic act, a broke down parody singer, and a heart-wrenching group of kid singers with a mother recovering from a coma? Well, that's the 'talent' in America's Got Talent. Put on your boots...

Here is the audition schedule:

• Tuesday, June 23: Audition Show #1 (2 hours)
• Wednesday, June 24: Audition Show #2 (1 hour)
• Tuesday, June 30: Audition Show #3 (1 hour)
• Wednesday, July 1: Audition Show #4 (1 hour)
• Tuesday, July 7: Audition Show #5 (1 hour)
• Wednesday, July 8: Audition Show #6 (1 hour)
  

So, it possible to find yet another Paul Potts and/or Susan Boyle? We have seen the evidence of the American Paul Potts (Neil Boyd) and my speculation is that an American Boyle copy has already been secured by Producers of the show. Why should the Brits have all of the fun?

The TV Week In Review

And We're Back!
Welcome to the end of another (insert your preference here) week. Tis' Sunday around la la land and it is a good time review the happenings and big announcements of the week around the small screen.

So, what's up?
Let's discuss the most important events from the week related to television - you know the format, statement of the facts followed with commentary from Yours Truly.

Here's to that...

1. The Heather Locklear Incident: According to authorities, long time actress Heather Locklear was arrested last Saturday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of controlled substances after a citizen called 911.

Further the stalker (I mean caller), reported Locklear demonstrated strange behavior, driving back and forth over a pair of sunglasses on the pavement and revving her car's engine (That's called Friday night in my world). After leaving the parking lot, Locklear stopped her car on the street and stumbled out of the car, said the caller, who followed the actress.

My Comment: First, the reports failed to mention that said caller also snapped photos and sent them to TMZ, prior to calling 911...So much for concern.

Second, Heather (America's Sweetheart) has gone through several dramatic, public events over the past and I need not recount the details. Remember, most people experience similar events, however when you are celebrity, the events of your life are played out for news media fodder - read this statement again aspiring actors willing to give up your life for this...

Now then I say this, "All the more reason to bring back Melrose Place!" - CW are you listening? You can easily catapult your position within the interest of my TIVO (Yes, I still watch America's Next Top Model - Love ya' for that show!). My point is that you revive Melrose Place with Heather Locklear, of course.

For those who may not be aware, Melrose Place was one of my favorite television shows of all time (Besides Cribs - MTV).

Indeed, there was time while I was in school where I would absolutely clear my schedule to watch a prime-time show (At the time, it was Melrose Place on Fox every Monday night). Time would stand still for an entire hour and my friends and I would have "Melrose Monday".

Best time of my life really...

2. America's Got A Talented Opera Singer: Insurance salesperson Neal E. Boyd from Missouri, won the $1 million prize of America's Got Talent, as a novice Opera singer.

My Comment: Well, that's funny - this sounds much like last summer's British version of Britain's Got Talent in which Paul Potts, a cell phone salesperson, who won last year's first season of the show with HIS operatic performance in which he received a standing ovation and the victory. Did we have to copy the same story as well stateside?

3. The Great Veep Debate: Earlier this week, the much anticipated airing of the Vice Presidential debate between Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden aired to a record audience of just close to 70 Million viewers (Of course, it helps when your show is broadcast across every network simultaneously).

My Comment: Quite frankly, I was not able to view the full program...Alright, I was not able to view ANY of the program. However, I did briefly hear of the results from others who had watched the spectacle.

Shout out to the 3rd Graders!

4. SNL Parodies Continue: Former Saturday Night Live cast member Tina Fey continues to parody Alaska state Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a series of late night skits.

My Comment: First, I am a huge fan of Tina Fey (Although, I did call her Megan Mullally once). As well, I do not watch 30 Rock (NBC), however I enjoyed her early work on SNL in years prior.

Today, I cannot say much for Saturday Night Live either. The humor on the show is simply too juvenile for my 'grown up' comedic tastes. Some of the skits are clever, but most are just plain silly high school level humor and low brow exploits (I see enough of this in real life, don't care to watch it on TV).

Speaking of...I just as the rest of the world, do not know Sarah Palin and probably would not even be remotely concerned to know.

However, thanks to Tina, I have stumbled upon the parody videos on YouTube and found a laugh or two out of the spot on comedic impersonations of Palin at the hands of Fey.

A-ha! I think Tina Fey is really Sarah Palin actually - genius political strategy: Lovable political comedian on television to entrusted political leader of the real Free World...Brilliant! I believe there was a movie about such a premise a few years back.

I know, perhaps we need to give Tina her own Daytime Talk Show?!

Oh well, here's to another great week...Cheers!