As a regular viewer of reality television, I am concerned when it appears that people in charge of the competition make decisions giving certain contestants unfair advantage over their competitors. I saw such a situation this week on America's Got Talent.
Howard Stern, a popular radio host known for his outspoken behavior, recently joined the staff of America's Got Talent as the third judge. In this role, he has evaluated hundreds of acts that auditioned in the early rounds, and he was instrumental in choosing the 48 quarter-finalists. Once the show enters these final stages, however, the power is expected to shift from the judges to the viewing public. The judges maintain a certain level of control - they still give critiques, and each of them still has the power to buzz a contestant who is performing poorly - but the ultimate fate of the performers now belongs to the audience, voting for their favorites to advance to later rounds.
Somebody forgot to explain this to Stern. During his final critique during the show on Monday, June 25, he predicted that speed painter David Garibaldi, the dancing Scott Brothers, singers Shanice and Maurice, and a teen musician named Edon would advance to the next round before the voting actually began. By making this pronouncement, he appeared to be giving instructions to the audience. This marks the first time in my memory that a judge on America's Got Talent has made such a specific statement about the results before the fact.
The following night, all of Stern's picks advanced exactly as predicted. Shanice and Maurice, the Scott Brothers, and Garibaldi were declared to be among the top three vote-getters. Stern's fourth pick, Edon, was placed into a "judges choice" run-off with ventriloquist Todd Oliver. Stern had already predicted that Edon was moving on. And yet, there were still nearly 20 minutes left to the results show. The tension for the remainder of the evening centered around which of these two men would take the final slot. The result was anticlimactic.
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Article comments
1 - Matte Black Digital
I can see where you are coming from on this. And on his radio show he brings up AGT all the time now saying,"Just wait and see I'll be right on this.."
However, it is Howard Stern the King of all Media and they brought him on the show to add his flavor to the mix. And the voters don't have to listen to who he is pushing through.
2 - Worcestergirl
I guess you never watched Simon Cowell on American Idol ot X-Factor or any other talent show. Seriously? Hello...
3 - Claire Abraham
Yes, I've seen Simon Cowell's overbearing antics, and I didn't like it when he did it, either.
4 - drew
I am with worcestergirl on this. Judges on these types of shows are supposed to tell the audience their opinion. Your critique is simply splitting-hairs when referring to the difference between a judge's opinion opposed to prediction.
5 - tony mitchell
You are crazy. That's exactly what these judges do. You must think Americans are idiots and can't think for themselves. WE WANT their opinion. The reason Stern is so successful is he says what everyone is thinking......and that is exactly why AGT hired him. Don't be a hater!!
6 - SDJerry
Howie & Sharpon should follow Howard's lead on this.
7 - jdog
Cowell is the producer of AGT and Howard's boss. Pretty sure this is what he was for.
8 - Eric
You are way off and learn how to end a sentence your run ons are out of control
9 - Dr Dreadful
Eric: was that supposed to be ironic?
10 - doug
so if he had been wrong...would someone accuse him of being misleading?