According to Gary Strauss of USA TODAY, 12 new acts chosen from 20,000 audition YouTube videos submitted for inclusion on NBC’s America’s Got Talent (Tuesday, 9 ET/PT).
Okay, it’s summer. Some people read books at the beach. I’m scanning Google News for the latest developments at YouTube.
Anyway, the YouTube candidates were culled to about 40, and then winnowed down to 11 by AGT producers and show judges Howie Mandel, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne. YouTube viewers then selected Pittsburgh’s Jackie Evancho — a 10-year old opera singer — to round out Tuesday’s competition.
The show has traditionally relied on live auditions, including some 70,000 this year. But it is bypassing traditional auditions and using YouTube to select some pretty odd acts, including an accordion-playing pooch and a flaming pizza juggler.
Hey, I’m not making this stuff up.
For those who love the classics, Wednesday’s show will include a performance by an inspirational comedian, whose 2006 video, “Evolution of Dance – By Judson Laipply,” has been watched almost 150 million times. Check it out. Hey, it’s summertime!