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America’s Got Talent is Looking For You!

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By:  Janice Malone

Do you have what it takes to be named the most talented act in America? Would you travel a few hours for the chance at one million dollars? NBC’s No. 1 summer reality series “America’s Got Talent” (AGT) continues its nationwide search for season-nine acts with open auditions for any age and any talent. The auditions are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for performers across the country to showcase their talent in 90 seconds to the series’ producers, in the hopes of being able to take the stage in front of the “AGT” judges. Every type of performer is welcome – last season’s competitors included musicians, dancers, magicians, contortionists, comedians, singers, jugglers, animal acts and everything in between. “AGT” crowned Kenichi Ebina the season eight winner on Sept. 18. He won the $1 million prize and is currently headlining the “America’s Got Talent Live!” tour. (See story on Kenichi Ebina in the Tribune archives). Hosted by television personality Nick Cannon, the show also features celebrity judges Howard Stern, Melanie Brown, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel.

Jason Raff is currently an executive producer on “America’s Got Talent.” Raff helped launch the top-rated summer series in 2006 and has been with the show for all eight seasons. Among Mr. Raff’s many successes, includes producing the 2007, “Clash of the Choirs,” a live television event that aired the week before Christmas. Raff served as the executive producer and director on this series. BBC Worldwide produced the special four-night series, which featured celebrity choirmasters Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly Rowland and Blake Shelton, all who embarked on a musical challenge — to assemble and train America’s “greatest” choir and compete against each other. Here in this chat Jason Raff shares some details about the behind the scenes world of America’s Got Talent.

cover story pix#1 (jason raff)

Jason Raff America’s Got Talent executive producer

TRIBUNE: What are guys looking for? Or is it just come one, come all?

RAFF:  “That’s pretty much how we are on America’s Got Talent. Each year is always a little bit of a surprise and it seems the bar is always raised a little higher than in the previous season. It’s bigger, better, different, unusual—and that’s what we’re looking for.”

TRIBUNE: In your leisure time do you ever spot people with an unusual talent and you later tell them who you are and what you do?

RAFF: “That happens all the time. As I’ve traveled around, I’ve seen talent on the street on my off times in various cities; talent outside of restaurants, street performers, you name it. I often tell them who I am and what I do and then just invite them to come to one of our auditions. I also have a lot of friends who have seen acts and have emailed me pictures of the performers. So yes, we’re always looking for good and unique talents.”

TRIBUNE: Over the last 9 seasons, have there been any acts or a performer that’s a bit unforgettable for you?

RAFF:  “Yes, that has happened. Over the years it’s been times when we’ve had a day of auditioning just hundreds of people but then at the end of a long day, sometimes the last person or next to the last person is the one who will have talent that just gives us goose bumps while they’re performing. And that’s when we know this person’s life is going to change once they get before the judges, the cameras and. America. Watching that quick progression on how a person’s life changes like that is just unforgettable to me.

TRIBUNE: Are there any copy cat similar shows like yours in other countries?

RAFF: “America’s Got Talent brand started nine years ago in this country and since then there’s now France’s Got Talent, Britain’s Got Talent, Russia’s Got Talent, and so many more. It’s fun to watch many of these shows on YouTube. It’s sometimes just blows me away that I’ve been on the ground floor of a show that’s now being seen in 80 countries around the world!”

TRIBUNE: Why do you think this show is such a big hit, as compared to other similar big TV talent shows?

RAFF: “I think it’s the overall nature of the show itself. The show is open to anyone of any age and any talent. As a viewer, you really don’t know what you’re going to see on stage next. And there are many times when I don’t even know who’s going to walk into the audition room either. It could be an amazing 3 year old singer or a 98-year-old who can tap dance up a storm. But we always hope its some great talent or something you’ve never seen before on television. We’ve had acts with just one or two members and then we’ve had some with as many as 110 members. Of course this made it a bit tough when we had to fly all of them to New York City. America’s Got Talent is an old time variety show, like the old Merv Griffin Show or the Ed Sullivan Show.”

For more information and to pre-register for the city nearest you, visit: http://www.americasgottalentauditions.com/

 


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