LOS ANGELES – "America's Got Talent" will hold auditions in eight cities for its second season, which will include a "boot camp" that gives some contestants the chance to work with experts, NBC said Monday.
The $1 million-prize contest hosted by Regis Philbin is open to would-be stars in all fields, including music, dance and comedy.
An 11-year-old Philadelphia girl, singer Bianca Ryan, was chosen the first winner after wowing viewers with her rendition of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart."
Ryan has signed a deal with Columbia Records/SYCO, an imprint of Simon Cowell, the record company executive and "American Idol" judge who's an executive producer of "America's Got Talent." Her debut album is to be released Nov. 14.
The series is set to return at midseason on NBC, although an air date has yet to be announced. Cowell said Monday it would likely be back on in March.
Contestants who make it through the televised audition segment will be sent to a camp to perfect their skills with pros in their field of entertainment.
David Hasselhoff ("Baywatch"), singer-actress Brandy ("Moesha") and British media figure Piers Morgan will return as judges next season, NBC said.
The audition schedule released by the network:
• Branson, Mo., Sept. 25-26
• Las Vegas, Oct. 3
• San Francisco, Oct. 7
• New York, Oct. 11
• Atlanta, Oct. 16
• Boston, Oct. 20
• Los Angeles, Oct. 24
• Chicago, Oct. 29
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