Sure America's Got Talent is just another competitive performance show, but there's something different about NBC's show that makes it stand out in the crowd. American Idol still is the king--and it will be very interesting to see what Simon Cowell's The X Factor will add to the mix--but America's Got Talent has the singers, dancers, BMXers, and magicians--and just enough corniness--to remind us that this is a variety show at its best.
Tomorrow night--September 6--the finals begin for ten competitors. The results show airs on Wednesday. For pure, unpredictable entertainment, you need to check in on Tuesday night's show. The competitors have been ramping up their performances for weeks. What's great is that a few acts will amaze you (e.g., Susan Boyle of two years ago), and a few acts will bomb completely, resulting in CNN's Piers Morgan to press his giant X button (a la The Gong Show back in the 1970s).
What separates AGT from the others is that the grand prize is a headlining act contract in Las Vegas. Because normal rules don't apply in Vegas, any of these acts has a chance to win. I might not pay $5 to watch the Smarge Bros. Riding Show on my local high school stage, but in Vegas, why wouldn't I pay to see them perform? The Vegas factor is the game-changer for this shows' acts, which explains why a Landon Swank the magician is very much alive for the $1 million prize, as is the dancing group the Miami All Stars.
AGT is worth DVRing, at the very least. Watch it live if you want the full effect, but definitely DVR it and catch America's best variety show over the weekend.
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