Are you Team Terry Crews or Team Tyra Banks? Per Variety, NBC has announced that Crews will be the new host of Season 14 of “America’s Got Talent,” replacing Banks who opted not to return. While Crews is currently hosting spinoff series “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” which airs its finale on February 18, Banks emceed the flagship “AGT” program for two seasons. In our poll below, let us know if you’re happy that Crews has been tapped as the new host of NBC’s long-running reality TV show.
Fans sort of knew this decision was coming, especially after Crews told me last week, “I want to be the host for ‘Americas Got Talent’ from here on out. If Simon Cowell will have me back, I would be honored to do it again.” Crews wanted to be the permanent host because of the sheer “scale” of the production, declaring, “It’s literally like the Super Bowl every week. Everywhere I walk now, people are like, ‘I love you on AGT!’ This awareness I’ve never experienced before.”
Even though he’s hosted programs before like “Millionaire” and “World’s Funniest,” Crews admitted that he felt ready for the big leagues. “I kind of cut my teeth on those smaller shows and earned my way up, just like the acts that are going on stage. You’ve gotta do the small towns. You’ve gotta fight your way up.” He also added that as host he felt like he was “the bodyguard of these acts’ dreams.”
Banks hosted Season 12 and Season 13 of “AGT,” replacing long-time ringleader Nick Cannon. Banks began her career as a model when she was just a tiny tyke. She then moved over to the acting world before reigning supreme on fellow competition program “America’s Next Top Model.” During her tenure on the show she impressed viewers by picking two out-of-the-box Golden Buzzer acts: neon dance crew Light Balance and acrobatic dance group Zurcaroh.
As longtime fans of “AGT” may recall, Regis Philbin hosted the inaugural season back in 2006. He only lasted one year, with Jerry Springer replacing him for the second and third seasons in 2007 and 2008. Cannon then joined up with the show in 2009, with his final appearance being the Season 11 finale in 2016. Banks hosted the next two years, with Crews now being the official overseer for Season 14 in 2019, which debuts this summer.
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