HOWIE MANDEL ('DEAL OR NO DEAL') AS NEW JUDGE ON TOP-RATED SUMMER SERIES 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT'

The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. "Howie is one of America's favorite entertainers and his sense of humor and energy are irrepressible," said Telegdy. "He's passionate about new talent and his years of experience across a variety of disciplines in entertainment, not to mention the fact that he headlines and performs in Vegas all the time, will bring new depth to our panel. He will be a real asset to our contestants and help them take their talents to the next level. We are thrilled to have him join Sharon and Piers and are sure that sparks will fly!" "We're thrilled to have Howie join the show," said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. "He's an extraordinary, multi-faceted talent whose success story spans the gauntlet of all things entertainment. He will no doubt bring a dynamic, poignant and entertaining perspective to the judging panel that is all his own." "I'm very excited about the opportunity to be a part of 'America's Got Talent' and for my production company to continue working with NBC Universal - but then again who am I to judge," said Mandel.

In addition to being a judge on the hit NBC show Mandel does as many as 200 concerts a year throughout the United States and Canada. Recently he release his memoir, "Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me." The memoir has been on the New York Times bestseller list for four consecutive weeks.

Open calls for season five will be held in Los Angeles (January 23-24), Dallas (January 30-31), Orlando (February 13-14), Atlanta (February 20-21) and Portland (February 28-March 1). If applicants cannot attend an open call in person, the producers would encourage them to submit a tape showcasing their talent. For additional information, including open call locations, and to pre-register please log onto http://www.AGTauditions.com "America's Got Talent" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television. Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Jason Raff ("Clash of the Choirs") Ken Warwick ("American Idol") and Georgie Hurford-Jones ("Britain's Got Talent") serve as executive producers.