Howie Mandel, Piers Morgan Talk "America’s Got Talent" Finale

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – With summer coming to end, so is NBC’s yearly talent scouting staple, “America’s Got Talent.” The search for this year’s next great variety act is nearly over, with a top 10 that includes singers, dancers, cyclists, and what can only be described as Prince Poppycock.

“America’s Got Talent” is entering the finals, which will narrow down the remaining contestants to a winner destined for on-stage stardom, including a Las Vegas stage show and $1 million. The finalists vying for the prize include blacklight performers Fighting Gravity, extreme cyclist Jeremy VanSchoonhoven, and 10-year-old Opera singer Jackie Evancho.

Howie Mandel, who’s wrapping up his inaugural year as judge, has sat through some major “wow” moments (check YouTube for when little Jackie first showcased her huge voice) and some of the more questionable talent during the audition rounds. But Mandel is still one of the show’s biggest fans.

“I cherish and celebrate anybody that really has the gumption to get up and try to entertain,” Mandel told AHN. “These are acts that I’ve never seen before or even seen anything like it before. So I’m surprised each and everyday, I’m excited each and everyday, and can’t wait, like a fan, to go to the show.”

This year, only half the top 10 are singers, compared to last year where nine out of the ten were there for their vocal prowess. Although three out of the four past seasons have been won by singers, including Bianca Ryan and Opera singer Neal E. Boyd, judge Piers Morgan, who’s been with the show since its inception and also judges “Britain’s Got Talent” along with Simon Cowell, thinks anyone can take the win.

“I’ve done this for five years, I think the overall talent is better than I’ve ever known it to be before by a long way,” Morgan told AHN. “It’s very exciting and wide open and I think any one of five acts that can win this year.”

The finale of “America’s Got Talent” airs September 15th on NBC.

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