The stars were out at NBC's big fall kick-off party, but no one was having as much fun as Jerry Springer and Piers Morgan. The two opposing sides of some very emotional dice on America's Got Talent actually get along famously ... when they're not still bickering over whether a certain 4-year-old contestant should've gone home.
We talked to Jerry and Piers about what they're looking for on the show, whose name gets chanted the most and why Springer has become a total softie.Do you ever miss the "Jerry!" chanting when you're hosting Talent?
Jerry: [Laughs] Oh, no -- joking aside, the show is about the people that are on. And it's so neat because these people are not famous -- in our pop culture society, we're just used to seeing all these celebrities.
Piers: And also, to be honest, they prefer to chant "Piers! Piers!" It's a bit embarrassing for Jerry.
Jerry: [Laughs] But we never get a chance to see people before they're famous -- some of these people will be. So we're seeing this transition: regular person from a small town in middle America and, all of a sudden, wow.
What does it take to impress you?Jerry: I just like their stories.
Piers: He's a sucker for 4-year-old girls.
Jerry: She was great.
Piers: He was so upset when Kaitlyn went home. He was more upset than she was!
Jerry: I was!
Piers: I think they did well with the voting. They totally just put the sympathy to one side and voted for talent ... that's what it should be now.
So what does the competition come down to now?
Piers: At this stage of the show? Talent. Who's the most talented, who's the most entertaining. They have to have both.
Jerry: But the truth is, if I told you this great singer was gonna come on and sing, you may listen and say, "That's pretty good." But if I told you that a 4-year-old girl was gonna come out here, you would really watch that, wouldn't you?
Piers: Jerry, it's over! He's just became a grandpa and he's being a softie about it ...
A grandfather -- congratulations!
Jerry: A little boy. Richard Nathaniel. "Richard! Richard!" [Laughs]
Will he be inheriting the Springer empire?
Jerry: [Laughs] Well I'm not sure he'd want it -- I want the kid to have a good life.
Piers: You know, I used to watch The Jerry Springer Show when I was a teenager ... Jerry was getting into his 70s. [Laughs] I used to think, Wouldn't it be funny one day to work with Jerry Springer. I thought it would be me coming on as one of his contestants. But here we are -- having a blast.
So is that your only guilty pleasure show? And Jerry, what does the king of guilty TV watch?Jerry: Yeah, I'd like to take this opportunity to formally apologize. I think my show is the guiltiest. It's been 18 years -- we're starting to get the children of our original guests on, which is wrong because they were told not to procreate. But America's Got Talent ... that's a clean, all-American, rah-rah show.
Piers: It's Jerry's redemption really ...
Jerry: It's my only shot at heaven. [Laughs] I mainly watch sports and politics ...
Piers: Gossip Girl is quite a bit of a guilty pleasure ... I'm big into that.
You know that Madchen Amick, who's playing the sexy older woman who seduces Nate, is here tonight?
Piers: She is? Well then why the hell am I still talking to you? [Laughs]
America's Got Talent' Photos
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Eli Mattson stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Indiggo stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Dorae Saunders stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Tapping Dads stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Tapping Dads stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Indiggo stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Kaitlyn Maher stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Bryan Cheatham stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Dallas Desperados Dancers stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Host Jerry Springer stars in the "episode 312." Airs Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
NBC















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-01-2008 @ 10:05PM
DEBBY said...
I am so very upset. i can't beleive Nuttin But Strinz came in third. I'm not taking anything away from the others they were great, but nuttin but strinz blew everyone out of the water. Not only were they a fresh act, but they wrote all their own material. They kept the audience pumped up and NEVER had a bad performance. I am very disappointed.
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10-01-2008 @ 10:47PM
Elizabeth said...
Neil Boyd has brought opera back to the spotlight. Praise God for him, as we need another talented tenor after Pavarati's death. I've not really been a fan of opera until recently, and Neil brought tears to my eyes. I hope he sticks with the opera and doesn't try to cater with contemporary stuff. I'd also like to add that with the top 10, all were so talented it was excruciating to see any of them go... especially Kaitlyn.... she is a child superstar and should be protected and cherished and nurtured. I'm so glad she did not win and get put into a Las Vegas spotlight... not the place for a 4 year old.
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10-02-2008 @ 9:40PM
sharon said...
Tears seems to be why people voted for this untalented man that won which is shocking those that watched. Hopefully he will fade out quickly. As far as Kaitlyn, another one that should have never made it past day one. Not talented, just cute. Has nothing to do with talent. What a waste of our time to have to watch either one of the very untalented people. I would have rather watched some of the most ridiculous of acts.
10-05-2008 @ 9:45PM
Dawnell27 said...
I know it must be pretty hard to decide between 5 excellent and talented people, Im happy for Neal Boyd, he sang wonderfully. But I also thought Queen Emily was absolutely wonder as well, and would like to know what is going to become of her. Will she be making a music CD and when this will be coming out? I am waiting to see her in the stores, her singing was so wonderful. I will be buying her cds! Congrats to everyone, Your all Excellent!
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1-24-2009 @ 4:11PM
Anthony Vaughn said...
Dear Jerry,
I am a kid really interested in Vampires but, No I am not one. I looked over previous shows of yours and there was one that has a Vampire on it. I loved it. I didn't get to see it all but, I don't want to see previous ones, I would like to see new ones. Since Vampire movies like 30 Days of Night, Twilight, Blade, True Blood, and etc. Since Vampires are becoming more and more popular, could you perhaps do another show about them. I would love to be on your show if you did this but, I'd probably be to nervous to say anything especially with all of those eyes staring at you like a statue. Lol. But, that doesn't mean I can't watch it. I don't have cable but, I do not know what to do about watching your show if you did do this. Could you do one show on ABC. We are out of school Monday for a teacher workday. Could you do it then to. Please.
Email me back if you want, I love your show bye.
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