NBC announced that former “Deal or No Deal” host Howie Mandel will join the hit summer series “America’s Got Talent” as a new judge when the competition reality program returns for its fifth season this summer. He will fill the spot left vacant by the departure of David Hasselhoff.
Mandel will join returning judges Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan, along with host Nick Cannon.
In addition to serving as a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” Mandel has a larger overall first-look deal with NBC and he will continue to produce projects via his production company, Alevy Productions.
“Howie is one of America’s favorite entertainers and his sense of humor and energy are irrepressible. He’s passionate about new talent and his years of experience across a variety of disciplines in entertainment, not to mention the fact that he headlines and performs in Vegas all the time, will bring new depth to our panel. He will be a real asset to our contestants and help them take their talents to the next level. We are thrilled to have him join Sharon and Piers and are sure that sparks will fly!” said Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.
“We’re thrilled to have Howie join the show. He’s an extraordinary, multi-faceted talent whose success story spans the gauntlet of all things entertainment. He will no doubt bring a dynamic, poignant and entertaining perspective to the judging panel that is all his own,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz.
“America’s Got Talent,” from “American Idol” producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television, has been the #1 summer series on broadcast television in total viewers for each of the last four years. Producers are currently searching the nation for the hottest and most unique performers to compete in season five. Open calls for season five will be held in Los Angeles (January 23-24), Dallas (January 30-31), Orlando (February 13-14), Atlanta (February 20-21) and Portland (February 28-March 1).
“America’s Got Talent” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television. Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Jason Raff, Ken Warwick and Georgie Hurford-Jones serve as executive producers.
