America's Got Talent Talent Search Announced

Reality TV is the red-headed stepchild of television. The entire genre gets unfairly maligned if you ask me. “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” and “The Apprentice” all are some of the best televison shows on today. Yet, almost every year something comes on to make me hide my head in shame when somebody asks me how I can watch Reality TV. This time, Simon Cowell is getting the blame... again.

NBC’s new show “America’s Got Talent” is beginning a nationwide talent search for singers, dancers, comedic performers, and unique novelty acts! Ahh, novelty acts. I’m sure we’ll get some idiot who can burp the National Anthem or a stinkin’ magician to try out. Oooh, what about mimes? Simon Cowell (American Idol) and Ken Warwick (American Idol) , executive producers of “America”, are to blame for this, just in case you felt like writing to your congressman to stop this form of torture.

What’s that? You think you have talent? You have a latent desire to embarrass your children? Fear not, we have the locations of the talent search.

The audition dates, times and locations follow:

* Los Angeles -- April 6, 7 and 8 -- Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel, 711 South Hope Street (south side of Wilshire), Los Angeles, 90017. APRIL 6 -- official kickoff with Simon Cowell

* Chicago -- April 12 and 13 -- The W Hotel (Chicago City Center), 172 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60603

* New York City -- April 17 -- The Westin Hotel Times Square, 270 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

* East Elmhurst, New York -- April 19 -- The Crowne Plaza Hotel (LaGuardia Airport area), 104-04 Ditmars Blvd., East Elmhurst, NY 11369

* Atlanta -- April 22 and 23 -- America's Mart, Building #2 (Atlanta Gift Mart), 230 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30303

There is no age limit for this contest. I just hope my Grandma doesn’t think that she can still breakdance like she used to.