Latest news with #Cowell
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
America's Got Talent Almost Didn't Air? Simon Cowell Explains Why
Since its debut in 2006, America's Got Talent has grown into a global brand. America's Got Talent (AGT) is one of the longest-running reality shows in television history. It became a stage where people from around the world could showcase their unique and sometimes unbelievable talents. Now, the show has kicked off its 20th season on NBC from May 27. But did you know it almost didn't make it to television at all? In a conversation with People to mark the show's milestone, Simon Cowell, who created and launched the show in 2006 and is also one of its judges, shared how AGT was close to being shelved before it even began. 'It was a very difficult show to sell actually, to be honest with you. Because we made a pilot and the pilot was dreadful, I mean really, really bad. So, it was dead," Cowell admitted. At the time, NBC called Cowell to ask about the new show. He had only seven minutes of footage which he described as 'just about watchable." Still, he took a chance. 'They called me and they said, 'What's this new show like?' And I went, 'Oh, it's brilliant.'" When they asked to see it, he invited them over. 'I just showed two minutes or three minutes of this show. And they loved it. They bought it. And that was it," Cowell said. He added, 'If they hadn't made that call or come to my house that day, we wouldn't be having this conversation today because the show, honestly, it was over." Since its debut in 2006, AGT has grown into a global brand. NBC went on to produce 20 seasons in the US while several spin-offs were launched in different parts of the world. For Cowell, AGT was more than just another show, it was something he had dreamt of for years. Growing up in the UK, he used to watch early versions of talent competitions. After being a judge on American Idol in the early 2000s, Cowell started thinking about something bigger. He enjoyed the experience but felt there could be a show that featured not just singers but all kinds of performers. 'It was a light bulb moment… and it evolved into what it is now," he said of AGT. Since then, AGT has gone through many changes. Golden Buzzers were introduced, and social media became a key part of the show. Most recently, season 20 will focus more on what happens behind the scenes. 'I've seen this sort of evolution over the years of how things have just gotten bigger and better, more creative. And that is a really, really good feeling when you see that. We always say it is the best job in the world doing this," Cowell said. America's Got Talent Season 20 airs every Tuesday at 8 PM ET/PT on NBC. First Published:
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Simon Cowell reveals shock act he credits for making Britain's Got Talent a global success
The performance was seen by more than 500 million people within a few days. SIMON Cowell has credited one act with being responsible for the global success of his Got Talent TV format. The talent show boss said the singer's first appearance on Britain's Got Talent was the sole reason he was able to sell the show to more than 30 countries. 3 Simon on latest series of BGT with fellow judge Amanda Holden Credit: ITV Cowell said the star's first audition in Glasgow came at a crucial time as social media was just taking off and it was seen by more than 500 million people within a few days. The performance led to huge demand for the show from TV channels all over the globe and Got Talent has been named the world's most successful reality TV format ever by Guinness World Records. And Simon told how that success is down to the life-changing viral performance from Susan Boyle back in 2009. Boyle, of Blackburn, West Lothian, auditioned for the ITV series at the age of 47 and revealed she lived alone with her cat and had never been kissed. She took to the stage wearing a gold frock in front of a sceptical audience and judging panel and stunned them with her incredible performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables. Cowell, 65, said: "No one knew who this lady was. "She was from Scotland, a little village, and she goes on Britain's Got Talent and within 48 hours the clip had 500 million views. "You have to think about that and go 'it's hard to describe, but it's the most unbelievable feeling.' "We sold the show to 30 more countries after that. It was unbelievable." Cowell was speaking to US entertainment site Deadline about the success of the talent show format to mark the 20th anniversary of America's Got Talent. AGT judges and fans break down in tears after watching the 'best audition of all time' in new post (reshared Susan Boyle's audition).mp4 Britain's Got Talent debuted in 2007 and versions of the show have since been broadcast in multiple countries including Iran, Vietnam and Uzbekistan. Cowell has previously said Boyle's audition is his favourite of all time and it taught him to "never judge a book by its cover". Boyle, now 64, was catapulted to fame after her audition and has since released eight albums and sold over 20 million records. Earlier this month she revealed she is to make a musical comeback after fearing she would never sing again following a stroke. The Scots singer has returned to the recording studio for the first time in six years to work on new material. 3 Susan Boyle has turned into a world famous singer since her audition. Credit: Getty 3 Her performance ensured the show would become a major hit. Credit: Handout In April 2022 she suffered a major stroke which left her unable to speak and sing properly, with significant muscular weakness down one side. After undergoing intensive vocal coaching lessons, which helped restore her speech and singing voice, she is now planning to release new music and go on tour again.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
You Have to See Light Wire, the Brazilian LED Dance Team That Earned Simon's Golden Buzzer on ‘America's Got Talent' Premiere
On Tuesday's (May 27) season 20 premiere of America's Got Talent, judge Simon Cowell was blown away by a Brazilian crew that combined LED technology and dance for a simply mesmerizing show. The troupe is called Light Wire, and their show has to be seen to be believed. The movements of four dancers onstage cascade from LED lights on their costumes up to larger-than life light illustrations on the screens, also including massive animations, like a stage filled with water or the dancers shifting into the head of a snake. The whole thing is soundtracked by powerful music that drives home the biggest moments. More from Billboard Who Won Every Season of 'America's Got Talent'? These Enhypen-Approved Wireless Earbuds Are Currently $60 Off On Amazon: Shop Here Teddy Swims Talks Favorite Pieces From His Kay Jewelers Collab, Re-Upping The Brand's Iconic Jingle and Fashion Inspo While only four dancers appeared onstage during the performance, a full team dressed in black rushed to the stage once it ended, showing the group effort it takes to put on the production. The full judges' panel — Cowell, plus Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and returning judge Mel B — rose to their feet after the show ended, with Mandel marveling of Cowell: 'He's still clapping!' Cowell acknowledged how moved he was by the performance, saying, 'You never, never know when you're doing a new year whether you're going to see something better than you've seen before. And honestly, I'm not just saying this, this is one of the most beautiful, stunning acts that I have seen across all the Got Talents. You were so emotional. I don't know why you were nervous, because you were always going to get one of — you know what's coming…' The veteran talent-show judge then pressed his Golden Buzzer, raining gold confetti over the proud performers. Backstage, he was seen telling the team: 'It was actually magic. One of my favorite ever acts.' See the full set for yourself below: Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Victims identified in small plane crash near Broomfield
DENVER (KDVR) — The victims of a small plane crash near Broomfield on Saturday have been identified by the Boulder County Coroner. The crash occurred around 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, after the Beechcraft Bonanza took off from the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport and immediately tried to return. The plane didn't make it back, crashing just across U.S. Highway 36 and Midway Boulevard from the airport in a Boulder County open space field. Popular mountain pass opens at earliest point in season in 6 years On Thursday, the two men on board the plane when it crashed were identified as Euguen Knutson, 80, and James Gelaude, 74. Upon impact, the plane burst into flames. North Metro Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene where the plane was on fire and were able to extinguish the fire quickly. Mark Daugherty, deputy chief of operations for North Metro Fire Rescue, said Saturday that the crash was a 'tragic incident.' The airport said that the pilot called Air Traffic Control and reported an issue with a door being open. 'We're going to have to come back and re-land, we've got the door popped open,' one of the plane's occupants can be heard saying on Air Traffic Control recordings. Air controllers then can be heard giving instructions on which runways were available and where the plane should go to safely land at the airport again. After about 90 seconds, the controllers repeated the information, hoping the pilot heard them. Free on Your TV • New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Within two minutes of requesting to re-land at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, an air traffic controller can be heard making the solemn announcement. 'Tower, that Bonanza just went down north of 36,' someone can be heard saying. Aviation expert Steve Cowell told FOX31's Nate Belt that what played out on the ATC recording was the right response from both the pilot and tower. 'They know you're in a critical situation, an emergency situation, and they're going to afford you every opportunity to get back to the airport safely,' Cowell said, noting that flying with a door open would be distracting. 'The pilot really has to concentrate on navigating that airplane to where he needs to be to get that airplane back on the ground safely.' However, he said that's not what brought the airplane down. 'It's noisy in that cockpit, it's disruptive to maybe what you're normally used to, but it's not something that would bring an airplane down,' Cowell said. Cowell also told Belt that the door opening is not a problem specific to the Beechcraft planes, and that the Federal Aviation Administration would notify pilots of any patterns. The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Broomfield Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff's Office are investigating the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Nahar Net
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
British Ambassador visits Lebanon's eastern borders with Syria
by Naharnet Newsdesk 22 May 2025, 17:37 British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell visited Thursday Lebanon's eastern borders with Syria to see first-hand the UK's efforts to support the Lebanese Armed Forces' (LAF) enhanced border security capabilities. "This visit underscores the UK's commitment to strengthening LAF capabilities in extending state authority over its border with Syria, countering smuggling activities, and safeguarding local communities," the British Embassy said in a statement. During the visit, Cowell met with military and local officials. The Ambassador and the Mokhtar of Yanta Riad Saab and other local citizens visited a solar-powered water pumping station as part of initiatives aimed at strengthening civil-military cooperation, within areas of operation for the Land Border Regiments (LBRs). Following his visit Ambassador Cowell said: "The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its support for Lebanon's sovereignty and security. Our partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces is crucial in helping to maintain stability across Lebanon, and protecting the livelihoods of those living near the border. I am proud of our support and the UK's role as a key partner to the LAF; through the UK Integrated Security Fund we have supported the establishment of the Land Border Regiments (LBRs) on the border with Syria since 2013 and have provided over £115m worth of assistance to the LAF. The Land Border Regiments have helped reinforce the security of this border and the authority of the Lebanese State's authority over these areas. In Yanta, I was impressed to see the solar-powered water pumping station project benefiting hundreds in the area. This project delivers a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution to the water supply needs of the Yanta community. An excellent example of the LAF and communities coming together."
