TV Blog

By Rose M. Berkowitz

January 27, 2010 2:23 PM | Link to this

Why I Decided NOT to Audition For "America's Got Talent"

Let me start by saying, modestly, that I'm a wonderful singer. I can do just about any style that doesn't involve screaming or yelling. I know literally hundreds of songs, from the 1890's to the 1990's. I especially love The American Songbook. Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Doris Day (before she went cutesy) — these are my role models. I have always thought of myself as a troubadour. I can interpret a song and move an audience. Unfortunately, my life circumstances have never permitted me to fully pursue my dream. (I do have some semiprofessional experience in local stage, TV, and radio.)

But now, recently widowed, whole life turned in a new and unwelcome direction, I needed an adventure--something to look forward to. This fat Baby Boomer was going to try out for America's Got Talent! I was betting there are a lot of other Baby Boomers out there who'd appreciate my gift and my chutzpah, and enjoy hearing my kind of music. I thought a Vegas show would be an ideal venue, and of course I could find wonderful ways to spend a million dollars.

So I signed up for an audition in Dallas this coming weekend. I downloaded the paperwork from their web site, and began perusing the forms. Everything seemed pretty straightforward. But then I got to the "Participant Consent & Release" form. I was stunned by what I found. I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me in essence you're required to sell your soul to the AGT Producers in order to even "possibly" get an audition!

The way I understand it, they have no obligation to you, but you are required to do everything they say "in connection with the Program." The Producers can conduct physical, mental, and background examinations whenever they see fit, and use the information obtained any way they want. They can delve into any and every aspect of your life and your life history; they can lie to you or about you to anyone for any reason. There is no room for negotiation, no right of refusal. They may ask you to sign all kinds of additional contracts (such as "Television" and "Touring"), which you must accept in order to participate. They don't even hint at what provisions might be included in these other contracts.

Ignorance or misunderstanding of what you're signing gives no protection. And contestants are prohibited from telling anyone any behind-the-scenes details about the Program, or making any public complaints. You must agree to "hold harmless" the Producers and anyone else involved if anything goes wrong. Any right to sue is theirs, with you footing the bill. I'm sure this release is standard practice in the industry. I understand their need to protect themselves, and it would be nice to think they're basically good people who have your best interests at heart, but come on. This is showbiz, after all.

How much can you trust in the good intentions of people who are doing this to make money off your creativity and talent (not to mention your naivete)? Yes, I understand that the contestants hope to make money off the Producers' experience, contacts, funding, etc. But is it worth signing over control of your life?

After digesting this information, I've decided it's better to be unknown and safe, than famous and sorry. Too bad, Baby Boomers! I guess you'll never know what you missed.