"Auf Wiedersehen!  One day you're in, and the next day, you're out.  You may leave the runway."  Er, I mean the stage.  Supermodel Heidi Klum is expanding on her Project Runway hosting skills into the realm of hardcore talent judging.  That's right!  The Body is joining the judges' panel for America's Got Talent.

Heidi will be joining veteran judges Howie Mandel and Howard Stern, along with fellow newcomer (and former Spice Girl) Mel B.  As you recall, Sharon Osbourne quit at the end of last season when the network wouldn't allow son Jack to appear on a high impact, military-inspired celebrity reality competition show due to his recent MS diagnosis.  Can you blame her? 

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The first round of auditions are set to start today in New Orleans.  According to TMZ, NBC sources are confirming Heidi as the last minute addition to the talent show.  If there was any doubt, it was likely squashed when Heidi arrived in the Big Easy last night.  Coincidence?  I think not. 

Apparently, last minute negotiations secured the supermodel's spot on the panel.  The site even scored a picture of the newly erected set…with Heidi's name prominently displayed below the X she'll use to crush the souls of those brave enough to audition.  Good times! 

Here's hoping that Mel B. is tough on the talent, because I really don't see Heidi being very harsh  Maybe she'll surprise me, but I'm not going to hold my breath. 

TELL US-DO YOU THINK THAT HEIDI WILL BE A GOOD ADDITION TO AGT?

[Photo Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com]

There is some full blown drama with America’s Got Talent.  Long time judge Sharon Osbourne has quit, accusing NBC of discriminating against her son Jack Osbourne in light of his recent Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.

According to Sharon, Jack was in negotiations with NBC to star alongside Nick Lachey and Dean Cain (now that would be quite a trio!) in a military-inspired reality show called Stars Earn Stripes.  However, after Jack found he had MS, the network basically handed him his walking papers.  If that is the case, shame on you, NBC!  Of course, the show’s producer David Hurwitz claims that a deal with Jack was never finalized.

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RadarOnline.com reports that Sharon isn’t going to go quietly, and can you blame her?  The always straight-shooting matriarch says, “I just can’t be fake … it’s discrimination, and it was badly handled … it’s time to move on.”

She reveals that she will be breaking her contract to sever ties with the network, stating, “[A]ll [NBC] can do is stop me from being a judge on another network for five years.  They can’t make me do something I don’t want to do.”

The Stars Earn Stripes’ producer admits, “He was somebody we were in talks with,” but reiterates that no deal was ever inked.  In fact, in light of Sharon’s anger, NBC even offered to pay Jack’s salary for the show.  Hmmm…that isn’t something the network should offer if it wasn’t feeling guilty about giving Jack the boot, don’t you agree?

Of course, as Sharon explains, it was never about the money.  It was about the principle.  She states, “[Jack] didn’t want the money. He wanted his gig. It gave him something to look forward to when he was diagnosed. Think of the good that it could have done to show other people who have this [condition] that your life is not over.”

The peacock is trying to avoid any negative publicity from the incident, and recently released the following statement:  “Sharon has been a valuable part of the NBC family. We regret any misunderstanding and wish Jack well.”  Yikes.  Awkward!

While NBC is trying to keep it classy, the network is firing back to make it known that Jack was never fired.  According to TMZ, NBC does admit that it did consider Jack’s diagnosis in the decision not to cast him.  The network states, “We hold medical information in strict confidence and therefore cannot comment specifically about Jack, but as a company that cares deeply about the health and safety of everyone on our shows — especially one like Stars Earn Stripes that requires dangerous water stunts, strenuous physical activity, and uses live ammunition — we required all potential participants to undergo medical vetting to ensure that they could safely participate.”

Continuing, the statement reads, “Although we did not ask Jack to participate in the competition, we were able to offer him two substantial alternative roles on the show, both of which he declined. This network does not discriminate on any basis.”

In conclusion, NBC adds, “Our hearts go out to [Sharon], Ozzy, Jack and his family at this time.”  Wow this a tough one.

TELL US-WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?  AN UNDERSTANDABLY PROTECTIVE MAMA BEAR OSBORNE OR A NETWORK THAT DOESN’T WANT TO ENDANGER A REALITY STAR?

[Photo Credit: Apega/ WENN.com]

Remember when Susan Boyle first took up the stage to sing on British’s Got Talent- no one expected any real talent until she opened her mouth to sing. The audience members and judges were wooed by her amazing voice.

America’s Got Talent may have found their own Susan Boyle following several discouraging acts. The first good act was a woman with scars from a fixed cleft lips. She had auditioned for several castings in the past but was rejected due to her looks. Kari Callin is a radiology technician from Seattle who had big dreams of becoming a professional singer. She definitely pulled the classic Susan Boyle move when she shocked the audience. She received a standing ovation from the judges and audience members. 

Tell us: Has America’s Got Talent found America’s Susan Boyle in Kari Callin? You be the judge.

America’s Got Talent is currently casting for their upcoming season. More information and audtion dates for season 4 are listed below.

If you have talent the judges want to see you. So apply today for an audition.

AUDITION VENUES

This year we are holding auditions in more cities than ever before. If you cannot travel to a city on the list below, you can submit a videotape of your act. Look at the bottom of this page for details on video submissions.

COMING NEXT…
NEW YORK CITY – MARCH 13TH – 15TH
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001
Please do not contact the venue

MIAMI – MARCH 28TH & 29TH
Hyatt Regency Miami
400 South East Second Avenue, Miami, FL 33131
Please do not contact the venue

SEATTLE – APRIL 25TH & 26TH
Location TBD

HOUSTON – MAY 9TH & 10TH
Location TBD
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

If you cannot make it to an audition, there are two ways to submit a video of your act. You can mail in the tape or upload a video of your performance. The length should be 2-3 minutes. All music performed must be a “cover version” of a popular, published song. NO ORIGINALS please.

Upload

Upload your video when you click on mynbc (located in the center of this page) to apply for an audition.

Mail-In

1) We will accept VHS & DV tapes along with DVDs. (Please NO hi-8 or formats that need VHS adaptors.) Label the tape or disc with your name, act name, address and phone number.

2) Download and complete the following forms. Eligibility Requirements/Casting Information Sheet/Personal Release Form (Adobe Reader is required to view the forms. Click here to download a free copy if you do not have it installed.) Please take your time and answer all the questions.

3) Send it to us:
America’s Got Talent, Season 4
3727 W. Magnolia Blvd., #808
Burbank, CA 91505

Please submit your video by March 20th 2009.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND YOUR TALENT!