Host Nick Cannon and Celebrity Judges Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan Will Attend Each Taping

UNIVERSAL CITY, California – March 11, 2010 — NBC’s top-rated summer show “America’s Got Talent,” will tape shows in front of a live audience in cities across the country beginning this Friday, March 12, and Saturday, March 13, in Los Angeles. After Los Angeles, the #1 talent competition series will travel to Portland, Dallas, Orlando, New York and Chicago through March and April.

Host Nick Cannon, returning judges Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan as well as this season’s new judge, comedian Howie Mandel, will be at each taping.

To attend a taping please apply for tickets at: http://www.ocatv.com/. If viewers would still like to audition for season five, videos can be submitted online only at www.agtauditions.com.

Upcoming tape dates and locations are as follows:

LOS ANGELES
March 12-13
The Orpheum Theater
842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, Calif.

PORTLAND, ORE.
March 17-18
The Keller Auditorium
222 SW Clay
Portland, Ore.

DALLAS, TEX.
March 25-26
The Music Hall at Fair Park
909 1st Avenue
Dallas, Tex.

ORLANDO, FLA.
April 7- 8
Hard Rock Live/Cafe Orlando
6050 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Fla.

NEW YORK CITY
April 21-23
The Hammerstein Ballroom
Manhattan Center Studios
311 West 34th Street
New York City

CHICAGO, ILL.
April 27-28
The Chicago Theatre
175 N. State Street
Chicago, Ill.

“America’s Got Talent,” NBC’s top rated summer series from “American Idol” producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television, returns for a fifth season this summer with a two-hour premiere on Tuesday, June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) followed by a Wednesday edition debuting June 2 (9-10 p.m. ET).

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. The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage hoping to win America’s hearts — and the $1 million prize.

Singing chicken farmer Kevin Skinner was crowned the winner of season four and the victory moved the humble country singer to tears in front of the live nationwide audience. Skinner, who also took home the show’s $1 million prize, headlined the “America’s Got Talent Live,” show hosted by Jerry Springer at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas this past October.

“America’s Got Talent” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television. Simon Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz (“American Idol”), Jason Raff, and Ken Warwick (“American Idol”) are executive producers.

Source: NBC Press Release

Tickets available here

LAS VEGAS, Nevada /PRNewswire/ — FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino will launch a live version of America’s Got Talent, NBC’s top-rated family entertainment show produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO TV. It was jointly announced by Andy Felsher, SVP, Games, Entertainment and Live Events for FME, and Thomas McCartney, President and CEO of Planet Hollywood Resorts & Casino.

Produced by FremantleMedia Enterprises and SYCO in conjunction with Planet Hollywood, America’s Got Talent Live will kick off its 10-week run on October 7, 2009 at Planet Hollywood’s 1300-seat CHI Showroom in Las Vegas with shows every Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets for America’s Got Talent Live are now available here.

In making the announcement, Mr. Felsher commented, “America’s Got Talent is ideal for a live show extension, offering fans another means of engaging with their favorite performers. The show offers all the excitement of being in the TV studio in Hollywood and will allow guests to get up close with a special celebrity host. Further, America’s Got Talent Live will offer family fun for people of all ages.”

“We are thrilled to welcome America’s Got Talent Live to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The stage show is a perfect fit for Las Vegas and for our resort as it offers our guests great variety in a dynamic setting,” said Mr. McCartney. “There is no better spot in which to showcase this talent than here in our CHI Showroom and we look forward to working with FreemantleMedia and SYCO TV on this exciting venture.”

Now in its fourth season, America’s Got Talent is one of the highest-rated television shows. Since its debut in 2006, its ratings have regularly outpaced every other broadcast of the night, and occasionally of the week. This summer, the show once again rated #1 in both overall viewers and the key 18-49 demographic.

America’s Got Talent Live underscores FME’s reputation in building brands beyond television and follows on the heels of similar live extensions with The Price is Right in the US and Australia, Grand Designs in the UK, and The American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. FME works with their own and third party brands to create 360 degree immersive experiences so dedicated fans can experience their favorite brands on multiple platforms from TV, live events, online and console games, to soft goods, stationery, food & beverages.

SOURCE Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

It was announced that Terry Fator and all of the America’s Got Talent Top 5 will be performing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Neil.  America’s Got Talent promises to have some surprise guest appearances as well.

Tickets are available here

Neal discovered opera music in his senior year of high school, when his brother was forced to do a school project involving the Three Tenors. His brother had little appreciation for the music, but Neal was so enamored by the passion and skill of the famous trio that he started practicing how to sing in Pavarotti’s Italian style. A creative seed was planted, and Neal went on to study speech communications and music at Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Missouri’s Columbia branch – graduating from both in 2001. He later went to the New England Conservatory in Boston to study opera, which led to a lead role in the World Premier Opera. With "America’s Got Talent," Neal hopes to finally realize his dream of becoming an international opera star, and inspiring the younger generations the way he was inspired.

The other contestants scheduled to appear are runner up Eli Mattson, Nuttin’ But Stringz, Donald Braswell II, and Queen Emily.