The Hoff is Off ‘America's Got Talent’ – Say Howdy to Howie

It's been quite a week for shakeups concerning talent show judges. While one departure is causing a bit of a buzz, we'll start with the exit causing a bit of relief in this writer.

After four Hoff-ensive years as a "judge" on America's Got Talent, David Hasselhoff is calling it quits. Let me take a break from my happy dance to tell you why. In a statement to People magazine, David says, “I am proud that I was part of making America’s Got Talent, the No. 1 rated show for the past four summers. It’s been a rewarding experience and now I’m thrilled to be able to follow my dream to do my own TV show, which will be announced very shortly.”

There are no details on this new show of his. Knowing the behavior I've seen from David these past four years, I wouldn't be surprised if there is no show. Still, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and wish him the best of luck on his new project.

I wish him luck because, hopefully, this means the Hoff is off America's Got Talent for good. I have never hidden my feelings of David Hasselhoff as a talent judge. Ever since Season 1, I couldn't find anything positive to say about David's work. Okay, so he sometimes made good decisions (he was the only one who voted against Ronny B, remember?). Still, from his incoherent inability to stick to a good definition of talent to his atrocious guest performances to his annoying string of Hoff puns this last season, I must say I will not miss David Hasselhoff as a judge.

Hot off the heels of Hasselhoff's exit, NBC has already revealed the replacement. Much like how NBC went with their own Alison Sweeney to host The Biggest Loser, the new judge will be Deal or No Deal host Howie Mandel. Apart from being the host of America's favorite briefcase-based game show (which will be going syndicated next season), Howie has been a professional comedian and actor for many years, starring in shows like St. Elsewhere and movies like Gremlins.

Paul Telegdy, executive vice president of alternative programming at NBC, says of Mandel, “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!”

I certainly hope Howie actually uses his experience as a Vegas performer to judge and guide the Talent contestants well. I'm not holding my breath, knowing that reality show judges don't really do all that much, do they? In any case, he can't be worse than David Hasselhoff. Right?

As of now, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne will remain as judges, with Nick Cannon still on board as host. These three haven't escaped fan wrath, either, but there's always hope that they'll improve. Once again, I'm not holding my breath.

In any case, the departure of David Hasselhoff is good enough of a reason for me to go back to recapping America's Got Talent after the abysmal fourth season. Season 5 can't be any worse, right? America's Got Talent will return this summer. See ya then!

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Tyler can be reached at tejayes@yahoo.com. What do you like? What do you hate? I mean, besides David Hasselhoff's singing.

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