THE SUMMER'S #1 SERIES, 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT,' CONTINUES THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT VARIETY ACT SENSATION ON TUESDAY, JULY 1

Auditions Continue In Dallas, Chicago And Atlanta Featuring Acts Such As A Sword Swallower, A Painting Pig And George the Giant

BURBANK, Calif. � June 30, 2008 � "America's Got Talent," NBC's #1 smash hit show of the summer, will air a third 2-hour audition episode on Tuesday, July 1 (9-11p.m. ET), with judges Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan traveling to Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta to decide which acts are worthy of a spot in the Las Vegas Callbacks.

While in Dallas, the judges are first faced with an interesting mix of lackluster acts including a group of creative cowboys, a lame line dancer, and an array of animal acts � including a pig that paints -- that unfortunately do little to impress. Thankfully, things start to look up when they discover a spunky and determined country singer, an amazing young pianist, and a Frank Sinatra impersonator who deserves a spot on the Vegas stage.

Then it's off to Chicago where the judges meet a slightly odd man by the name of "George the Giant," whose unique way of drinking milk is like no other � and something that America will not soon forget.

Finally, the judges land in Atlanta where it seems the first several acts have a tendency to "expose" themselves in a variety of manners that, unfortunately, is neither attractive nor talented� until sword swallower Dan Myer has the judges grabbing their throats and gasping in shock!

This Tuesday's episode is the last two-hour audition episode of the summer and will be followed by hour-long episodes beginning July 8 (9-10 p.m. ET). The series will take a brief hiatus during the Summer Olympics and return August 26 (performance episodes) and "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. This year, "America's Got Talent" is again one of the summer's #1 shows, and the first two episodes have averaged over 12 million viewers.

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.