With Heidi Klum, Americas Got Talent tries quartet of judges
FILE - This Sept. 23, 2012 file photo shows model Heidi Klum arriving at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. NBC says Klum has been added to "America's Got Talent" as its fourth judge. The network announced Monday, March 4, 2013, that Klum will join fellow incoming judge Mel B this summer for the talent competition's eighth season. Howie Mandel and Howard Stern will be back at the judges' panel.(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Judge-flation has hit "Americas Got Talent."
One season after the addition of Howard Stern for a reported $20 million failed to goose the shows ratings -- which actually fell noticeably -- NBC announced Monday its next big "AGT" idea:
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Add a fourth judge.
That judge: Heidi Klum, the statuesque, wooden host of "Project Runway."
"As we look to develop an act that will get the worlds attention, we and the contestants will benefit from Heidis international sensibility and understanding of what works in todays global entertainment industry," enthused NBCs head of alternative programming, Paul Telegdy.
"Heidi Klum brings huge experience to Americas Got Talent from her background as a model, designer, actress, TV host, producer and successful business woman," chimed in "AGT" executive producer Trish Kinane.
"Americas Got some serious Talent!" explained Klum.
The addition marks the first time the show has had a four-judge panel. Klum will join Stern and Howie Mandel, as well as fellow newcomer Mel B (a.k.a. Melanie Brown), who replaces Sharon Osbourne.
"AGT" isnt the first competition show to feature four judges: NBCs own "The Voice" has four, Foxs "The X Factor" has four and Foxs "American Idol" has tried both four and three. But its the first time a competition show has hired a fourth judge one season after shelling out $20 mil to hire "the king of all media"-- not to mention the cost of moving the show to New York for "KoaMs" convenience.
This past May, about 10.5 million people tuned in to watch Sterns debut on "AGT." Thats about 32 percent fewer viewers than the 15.3 million who watched the previous seasons debut.
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Among 18- to 49-year-old viewers who are the currency of NBCs ad sales, Sterns unveiling came in 14 percent short of the previous season starter.
Meanwhile, former Victorias Secret undies model Klum cut her teeth on reality competition as a host and judge on "Project Runway," which famously moved fr! om Bravo ! to Lifetime network, causing much uproar in the biz. In its most recent iteration, "Project Runway" averaged 2.5 million viewers.
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