Eclectic Mix of Auditions Include an Uncanny Tina Turner Impersonator and a Magician with a Pleasure for Pain

BURBANK, Calif. – July 14, 2008 – "America's Got Talent," NBC's #1 show of the summer, will air its next hour-long audition episode on Tuesday, July 15 (9-10 p.m. ET), with host Jerry Springer and judges David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne back in Atlanta and Dallas to choose which acts will move on to the coveted Las Vegas Callbacks.

First off in Atlanta, the judges are initially unimpressed with the crop of talent hopefuls. But things turn around when magician Bruce Block hits the stage, wowing the crowd and judges by lying on a bed of nails while his assistant tap-dances on his chest. Then it's Tina Turner time when impersonator, Dorae Saunders, takes the stage with his fabulous rendition of the diva's "Proud Mary." As the Atlanta auditions wrap, the judges can't help but marvel at the antics of the Zooper-Stars, a group of incredible inflatable dancing mascots who get the audience on their feet.

Once in Dallas, the judges are greeted by Barry Collier, a strange man whose extraordinary talent for mimicking barnyard animals is definitely not worthy of a callback; but that all changes when singer Donald Braswell takes the stage to share his amazing voice and comeback story. His appearance on "America's Got Talent" marks the first time he's performed professionally in eleven years since before a terrible accident that completely severed his vocal chords.

Tuesday's episode is the second of the hour-long episodes that will continue through to August 4 after which the series will take a brief hiatus due to the Summer Olympics, then returning on August 26 with original performance episodes. The "results shows" will begin airing August 27 (8-9 p.m. ET).

"America's Got Talent," NBC's hit summer series from "American Idol" producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television, has returned for its third season this summer with the hottest performers from across the country.

With the talent search open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent," hosted by Jerry Springer and presided over by celebrity judges David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne, has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. Each week, the show features a colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage in the hopes they'll win the viewing audiences' votes.

The third season kicks off with audition episodes shot on-location in theaters across the nation, including a "virtual audition city" on MySpace, as well as a "virtual audition city" on MySpace with the judges selecting the best acts who will advance to the "Vegas Callbacks." The acts that make it through the "Vegas Callbacks" will then move on to the live semi-final performance episodes where the American viewing audience will vote for their favorites each week. The series culminates with a live finale where one act will walk away with a million dollar prize.

Terry Fator, a ventriloquist from Dallas, Texas, had his life changed forever last August when he was crowned the second season champion. Not only did he win the million-dollar grand prize, but his lifelong dream to headline on the Las Vegas strip came true when he signed a contract with The Las Vegas Hilton in a deal worth more than $1.5 million dollars.

"America's Got Talent" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Televison. Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Jason Raff, James Sunderland and Georgie Hurford-Jones are executive producers.

(Photo courtesy of NBC)