NBC Orders New Seasons of America's Got Talent & Last Comic Standing  8/6/07

BURBANK – August 6, 2007 -- NBC has re-upped its popular summer series franchises "America's Got Talent" and "Last Comic Standing" for a third and sixth season respectively, it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"Both of these innovative series have proven to be summer staples and important franchises for NBC," said Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment. "We have the most watched show in 'America's Got Talent,' and one of the most upscale series in 'Last Comic Standing,' and now viewers can look forward to seeing these popular brand series with fresh new shows again next summer."

"America's Got Talent" (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET) has averaged a 3.6 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49, 12.1 million viewers overall) making it primetime's #1 series in total viewers. The talent competition series has improved the Tuesday 8-9:30 p.m. timeslot by 21 percent in adults 18-49 versus last summer.

"Last Comic Standing" (Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m. ET) hit a six-month time-period high for NBC last week scoring the network's strongest Wednesday 9-10 p.m. rating since January 31. The series is delivering a 2.8/8 in 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers overall this summer.

The pickup announcement comes as "America's Got Talent" is preparing for its live, two-part season finale with a special 90-minute performance episode on Tuesday, August 14 from 8-9:30 p.m. ET. The following Tuesday (August 21), the million-dollar winner will be revealed in an exhilarating two-hour live episode from 8-10 p.m. (ET).

Last week on "Last Comic Standing," the first of three head-to-head competitions took place to determine who will be the final five comedians. Then, starting August 22, the finalists perform and for the first time ever there will be an international vote to pick the last comic standing. The two-hour live season finale will be broadcast on Wednesday, Sept.19 (9-11 p.m. ET).

Bringing the variety format back to the forefront of American culture, "America's Got Talent," hosted by Jerry Springer, showcases the hottest performers from across the country, with the winner being chosen by the television viewing audience. Each week, the show features a colorful array of hopeful future stars -- singers, dancers, comedic performers and unique acts of all ages who have a chance to strut and perform in front of a panel of celebrity judges including David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan.

"America's Got Talent" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO TV. Cowell ("American Idol"), Ken Warwick ("American Idol"), Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Jason Raff ("Three Wishes") and James Sunderland ("Dancing on Ice") are the executive producers.

"Last Comic Standing," hosted by Bill Bellamy, along with the talent scouts Alonzo Bodden, ANT and Kathleen Madigan, traveled the world this season looking for the most talented new comedian. Auditions were held in London, Montreal, Sydney, Australia, Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis, San Antonio and Tempe. The winner will receive a $250,000 prize, an exclusive talent contact with NBC Universal and his or her own half-hour comedy special on Bravo.

"Last Comic Standing" is produced by Peter Engel Productions, Magical Elves and Universal Media Studios. The executive producers are Peter Engel ("Saved By the Bell," "The Next Best Thing"), Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz (Bravo's "Project Runway") and Barry Katz ("Action," "Dane Cook's Tourgasm"). Javier Winnik ("The Singing Bee") is the co-executive producer.

Source: NBC Press Release