Gina Brillon Among the 10 “America’s Got Talent” Finalists Vying for $1M Grand Prize

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Brillon’s got Talent-ed plans…

America’s Got Talent’s 16th season will end this week with the 41-year-old Latina comedian among the finalists who could walk away with the $1M grand prize.

In addition to Brillon, the 10 finalists include aerialist Aidan Bryant, singers Brooke Simpson, Jimmie Herrod and Victory Brinker, magician Dustin Tavella, comedian Josh Blue, quick change artist Lea Kyle, Northwell Health Nurse Choir, and the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team.

The show’s top ten finalists will be joined by a swathe of celebrity guests on the show on Wednesday September 15 including Idina Menzel, Pentatonix, Bishop Briggs, George Lopez, Rico Rodriguez, Olympic Silver Medal gymnasts Jordan Chiles and MyKayla Skinner and AGT season nine winner and Las Vegas headliner Mat Franco/

In addition to the grand prize, the winner join America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Live at Luxor Hotel and Casino this fall.

It comes as the show, which was created by Simon Cowell and is produced by his Syco Entertainment and Fremantle, remains the most-watched summer program for the eighth consecutive year and the most-watched summer broadcast unscripted program for the 16th consecutive year.

NBC said that the show had reached more than 60M viewers across linear and digital platforms.

Sofia Vergara Returning to the Judges Table on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara’s still got talent…

The 48-year-old Colombian actress and former Modern Family star and her fellow America’s Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel will all return for season 16 of the hit NBC talent competition series.

Terry Crews also will return as host.

The Season 16 premiere date will be announced later.

AGT will host one final nationwide “Last Chance Audition” for the upcoming season on Saturday, March 6. Interested acts can register at http://www.AGTAuditions.com for a virtual audition slot where they will perform live for show producers. The best acts discovered that day will then go on to perform for the AGT judges.

America’s Got Talent dominated the ratings last summer as the No. 1 series on the Big 4 networks in total viewers and led NBC to 18-49 wins among the Big 4 on every Tuesday night (excluding sports). The show was the most-watched entertainment program nearly every week it aired. Additionally, AGT amassed 2.95 billion views across all digital video platforms in 2020 and was ranked the No.3 most-social broadcast series last year.

Vergara, who has been the highest paid actress in American television for seven consecutive years, from 2013 to 2020, joined the judges panel last year for Season 15.

“America’s Got Talent” Releases First Look Photo of Sofia Vergara at Judges Table

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergarahas taken her seat at the table…

America’s Got Talent has released a first look photo of the NBC talent competition show’s season 15 judges panel, with the 47-year-old Colombian actress as a new addition and the first ever Latin judge.

America's Got Talent - Season 15 Judges Table

In addition Vergara, the photo shows AGT creator and judge Simon Cowell, longtime judge Howie Mandel, returning panelist Heidi Klum and returning host Terry Crews.

The revamped panel comes after the NBC competition series filled its two vacant chairs last week, following the exits of Gabrielle Unionand Julianne Hough, who were let go in November after one season.

This will be Modern Family star’s first turn as a judge. Klum was a panelist on AGTfrom 2013-2018.

The first round of production for America’s Got Talent: Season 15 will take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium throughout the month of March.

The series is co-produced by Fremantle and Syco Entertainment.

Sofia Vergara Named First Latin Judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara’s got talent… and a new job…

The 47-year-old Colombian actress and Modern Family star has been added to the judges panel of NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Vergara, a four-time Emmy nominee, will appear alongside Heidi Klum, who was a judge on AGTfor six seasons, from 2013-2018.

They’ll be joined by returning judges Simon Cowell, AGT’s creator and executive producer, and Howie Mandel, as well as host Terry Crews.

“I’m so happy to join my new family onAGT,” said Vergara, who’ll be making AGThistory. “This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show. I can’t wait to watch all the talent and have fun with all you guys!”

Vergara and Klum succeed Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough, who were let go in November after one season on AGT. Union’s ouster sparked controversy and triggered an investigation over allegations of a hostile work environment on the reality show. Results of the investigation, which was supposed to wrap by the end of January, have yet to be made public.

Shortly after Union and Hough’s exit, Vergara emerged as NBC’s top choice for a replacement. She met with executives from NBC and AGTproducer Fremantlein mid-December to discuss the possibility. By mid-January, word started getting out that Klum would be back, retaking her seat.

Klum never left the AGTfranchise — she’s been a judge on spinoff America’s Got Talent: The Champions since its launch last season.

Vergara is coming off an 11-season run as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC’s hit comedy Modern Family,a role that has earned her four Emmy nominations.

“Sofia’s infectious energy and sharp wit will blend perfectly with returning favorites Heidi, Simon, Howie, and Terry. As both a respected actress and successful entrepreneur, she embodies the American dream that is synonymous with AGT’s transformative stage,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Alternative & Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.

Sofia Vergara May Be Headed to the Judges’ Table on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara may be on the hunt for new talent…

The 47-year-old Colombian actress, currently in her final season on ABC’s Modern Family, may be the newest judge on NBC’s summer reality series America’s Got Talent.

Vergara reportedly met with top executives at the network yesterday. It was a broad, general meeting to discuss a number of possible projects and collaborations, including Vergara joining the America’s Got Talent judging panel.

According to TMZ, which first reported about the meeting, reps for AGTproducer Fremantlealso were present.

AGThas two vacancies after the reality hit created and executive produced by Simon Cowellopted not to bring back as judges Gabrielle Unionand Julianne Houghfollowing one-season stints.

The firings triggered a wave of controversy after it was revealed that Union had complained of a toxic work environment and racism before being let go. The backlash prompted NBC and Fremantle to launch an investigation, which is ongoing.

Vergara recently appeared in and executive produced 365 Days of Love, a daily docuseries for Facebook Watch. It came from Latino-focused entertainment company Raze, which Vergara co-founded with Emiliano Calemzuk and Luis Balaguer.

Vergara has earned four Emmyand four Golden Globe nominations for her role as Gloria on ABC’s Modern Family, now in its 11th and final season.

Angel Garcia Advances to Next Round on “America’s Got Talent” with Spanish Audition

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Angel Garcia has nothing to be sadabout…

The 12-year-old Latino singer, who hails from Los Angeles, has made a major impression on America’s Got Talent.

Sounding like a true angel, Garcia wowed the judges during his official audition.

Inspired by his father to pursue music, Angel performs his take on Jose Jose’s Spanish classic “El Triste” during his audition airing July 10.

Although the clip doesn’t include Simon Cowell, Mel B, Howie Mandell and Heidi Klum‘s reactions, the judges and crowd seem very impressed in this clip of the performance.

In the end, Garcia managed to advance the next round, earning three yes votes, with only Mandell voting no.

Kirstin Maldonado & Pentatonix to Host Second Christmas Special on NBC

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstin Maldonado is ready to celebrate the holidays on television again this year…

The 25-year-old half-Mexican and part-Spanish American singer/songwriter and her Pentatonix group mates will return to NBC for their second holiday special.

The Grammy-winning a capella vocal artists’ A Very Pentatonix Christmas is set for Monday, November 27 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on NBC, with an encore airing on Wednesday, December 6 at 8:00 pm.

The one-hour show will feature The Voice coach and fellow Grammy-winner Jennifer Hudson joining for some favorite holiday tunes. Also appearing are comedian and former Tonight Show host Jay Leno and 13-year-old America’s Got Talent winner and ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer.

This week, Pentatonix released a new, deluxe version of its 2016 platinum album, A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe, and will start a Christmas tour on December 3.

The group has sold more than 6.4 million albums in the U.S. alone, won three Grammy Awards, and received a Daytime Emmy nomination.

Last holiday season, A Pentatonix Christmas Special averaged a 1.4 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 7.5 million viewers overall, according to “live plus same day” ratings from Nielsen Media Research. That improved the timeslot versus NBC’s averages for the prior season by +27% in 18-49 (1.4 vs 1.1) and +1.5 million persons, or +25% in total viewers (7.5 million vs. 6.0 million).

A Very Pentatonix Christmas is executive produced by John Irwin Entertainment in collaboration with RCA Records and Pentatonix.

NBC Moves Vasquez’s Supernatural Series “Midnight, Texas” to Mondays

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Yul Vazquez is moving to Mondays…

NBC has made a few tweaks to its summer schedule, including moving Midnight, Texas, starring the 52-year-old Cuban American actor, to Mondays.

The supernatural series, based on the book series from True Blood author Charlaine Harris, will now premiere on Monday, July 24, instead of Tuesday, July 25, in the same 10:00 pm ET time slot.

The move to Mondays allows the show to make its full run in the same time slot throughout the summer. Monday 10:00 pm also is historically a strong time slot for summer – CBS launched Under the Dome in that slot and the series ran for three seasons.

Additionally, the series premiere for Jennifer Lopez’s World of Dance has moved to 10:00 pm ET on Tuesday, May 30 from its original May 8 slot, now piggybacking with the return of America’s Got Talent.

The move also allows the show to remain on Tuesdays throughout its run. It initially was scheduled to switch to Tuesdays after three weeks.

Hollywood Game Night has moved to June 22, from its original date of August 7. With that, The Wall time slot has shifted to 9:00 pm ET, and The Night Shift to 10:00 pm ET.

Here’s the revamped schedule:

TUESDAY, MAY 30
8 PM AMERICA’S GOT TALENT Premiere (previously announced)
10 PM WORLD OF DANCE Premiere (new date)

THURSDAY, JUNE 22
8 PM HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT Premiere (new date)
9 PM THE WALL Premiere (new time)
10 PM THE NIGHT SHIFT Premiere (new time)

MONDAY, JULY 24
10 PM MIDNIGHT, TEXAS Premiere (new date)

NBC to Premiere Lopez’s Reality Competition “World of Dance” in May

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is ready to dance this May…

NBC has set its 2017 summer schedule, which includes the 47-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer’s brand new reality competition series World of Dance.

Executive produced by Lopez, who will serve as judge alongside NE-YO and Derek Hough, will premiere on Monday, May 8 at 10:00 pm ET.

Step Up dancer and actress Jenna Dewan Tatum hosts the reality show that’s produced in partnership with global dance brand World of Dance and will result in a $1 million prize for the winner.

After its post-The Voice debut on May 8, World of Dance will move to its regular Tuesday 10 p.m. timeslot beginning on May 30, following America’s Got Talent. (

For more about World of Dance, click here.

Miranda to Make “Saturday Night Live” Hosting Debut in October

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is bracing for a sketch-filled October…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican actor and Hamilton star/creator will make his debut as host of NBC’s long-running sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live on October 8.

Miranda recently wrapped his award-winning Broadway run as composer, lyricist and performer in the musical sensation and multiple-Tony winner Hamilton.

Miranda, who recently graced the cover of GQ, will be joined by musical guest Twenty One Pilots, also making their SNL hosting debut. The duo (Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun) recently made history becoming the first alternative group ever with two simultaneous singles in the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 — “Ride,” from their multi-platinum studio album Blurryface, and “Heathens,” from Suicide Squad: The Album.

SNL has added three new featured players for the upcoming season: improv performer Alex Moffat and America’s Got Talent finalist Melissa Villaseñor, as well as Mikey Day, who has been a writer on the show since 2013.

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