[Chapter 527: The Premiere of America's Got Talent]
While Linton was hosting a carefree celebration party at the estate with Naomi, Catherine, and Michelle Reis, Sunday, June 16th, 9 p.m. prime time finally marked the long-awaited premiere of America's Got Talent on the MCA Television Network. After over half a year of preparation, the network launched the first episode.
In fact, by early April, all preliminary arrangements for America's Got Talent had been completed. MCA aired recruitment commercials across all its channels:
[In this vast world, the extraordinary is everywhere. MCA proudly presents the stage for America's Got Talent, inviting all of America's unique and gifted performers to step into the spotlight.
Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument, perform magic, or showcase incredible talents like acrobatics or imitation -- if you have a passion to perform beyond the ordinary, this stage is yours!
No registration fees. Open to every age, gender, region, race, and nationality.
The grand champion will receive a prize of one million dollars.
If your talent impresses on the America's Got Talent stage, Universal Studios and Linton Media will provide audition opportunities for films and television.
If your voice conquers the stage, Universal Records will open its doors with a record contract.
MCA Television presents America's Got Talent, the stage for rising stars. We look forward to your participation. Here's how to sign up...]
The ad ended boldly crediting "Show Creator: Linton Anderson."
...
Boom.
This announcement sent shockwaves across the country. A free, no-barrier talent competition airing on television with a million-dollar prize? Plus chances for movie roles or record deals with the prestigious Universal Records? This was 1996 America -- nothing like this had ever happened before.
For the dreamers struggling to break through, the lure was irresistible.
"Is this for real?" many young viewers asked in disbelief.
"Such an amazing opportunity, free to enter, on TV... and a chance to win a million bucks? To become a movie star or singer? Am I dreaming?"
"No way it's fake. The creator is my idol, Linton Anderson."
The network deliberately highlighted Linton's role as the show's mastermind -- not just to flatter him, though that was useful -- but mainly to leverage his surging star power. After publicly revealing the Beauty and Vitality pills, Linton had become a nationwide icon, so associating his name guaranteed attention.
It also boosted advertisers' expectations. Since his debut, Linton's projects -- singing, acting, writing, producing -- had all been successes. Take the neighboring channel's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire as a glowing example.
After the commercial aired, MCA's hotline was overwhelmed with calls. The public rushed to verify the ad's authenticity, then signed up in a frenzy.
...
Within days, America's Got Talent became a nationwide sensation. Newspapers across the country covered it, eager for clicks. The concept of a nationwide talent audition was brand new; from Los Angeles to New York, Alaska to Florida, even hopeful dreamers in Canada reported their excitement -- from students and office workers to farmers and laborers -- all ecstatic about the ad.
"The America's Got Talent stage, here I come."
"One million dollars is mine."
"I'm signing up."
"I'm becoming a movie star."
"I'm going to release my album."
In just one week, the show's production team received over 6,000 applications from across North America, and the number kept climbing.
Before the first episode had even aired, the entire nation was watching.
...
When registration closed on April 20th, the total number of applicants had soared past 10,000.
The producers announced a multi-phase schedule: the auditions in May and June, semifinals in September, and the finals in October.
Given the volume of contestants, the country was divided into 10 regional audition zones for convenience. MCA sent three judges to each zone: if all three judges illuminated red lights during a performance, the act ended immediately; a contestant securing at least two judge approvals advanced.
The next round, held in Los Angeles, followed the same voting logic, eventually narrowing the field to 50 semifinalists.
Semifinals picked the top ten finalists by the same process. The finals themselves were decided entirely by audience votes.
The show's early stages were edited into variety episodes broadcast weekly, while the semifinals and finals would air live.
They also announced a hotline for sponsors to buy advertising slots.
Though the show was the first of its kind nationwide, the smashing response before launch proved its potential. Major brands lined up, eager to invest.
...
After fierce bidding, Coca-Cola won the naming rights for the first season with a staggering $100 million deal -- just shy of Pepsi's $120 million sponsorship for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
But Millionaire was an established show in its third season, with proven ratings and advertiser ROI. America's Got Talent was brand new; its ultimate ratings were still unknown.
Coca-Cola's investment was a bold gamble, partly spurred by fierce competition to prevent Pepsi from cornering all major partnerships, and majorly due to Linton's involvement as show creator.
Besides, a smaller entrant, Little Tom Dairy, unexpectedly bid up to $80 million but backed off and settled for a $20 million product placement deal for prime branding.
In total, the show's product placements generated over $200 million in advertising revenue -- embedded spots within the program that didn't share revenue with affiliate stations.
The first season's production costs, under $50 million, paled next to the show's preemptive profits. Plus, there were traditional commercial breaks' revenues to consider when the show actually aired.
MCA Network president Melman and other executives were electrified. They vowed to make America's Got Talent their crown jewel, aiming to surpass Millionaire.
To ensure top-tier quality, they slapped on an extra $20 million budget, upgrading the main judges' lineup and enhancing stage design, lighting, and sound.
...
On May 10th, regional auditions kicked off nationwide with blazing intensity. By the end of May, they had amassed a treasure trove of incredible footage.
Among these gems were acts that truly amazed: soaring singers, breathtaking acrobats, extreme dancers, ventriloquists, and more.
There was also a high schooler named Meg with mind-blowing mental math skills. Judges and randomly selected audience members rattled off 20 numbers under 10,000; instantly, Meg summed them accurately. Through multiple rounds of random tests, not a single mistake.
Audiences both live and at home were enthralled.
Another standout was Madden, a librarian from a small southern town performing astounding feats of memory. The show set up three bookshelves loaded with over 300 books, each labeled with a number.
Audience members picked random book numbers and page numbers; then Madden had one minute to memorize that page. The book and page were displayed on a giant screen backstage, with Madden reading his back to the screen.
Three rounds of random selections had Madden perfectly reciting every word, stunning everyone. It felt less like an entertainment show and more like a top-secret genius recruitment at a leading research lab.
The debut episode kicked off with magician Dillon, dressed casually in jeans, a t-shirt, and a fedora, who confidently owned the stage.
Flashing his empty hat, Dillon pulled out fruits, soda bottles, then two live pigeons that immediately took flight -- all from the same small hat. The grand finale: two huge bouquets of flowers far exceeding the hat's volume.
Even a seasoned talent like Linton, at his level, watched through his TV in astonishment, unable to crack the trick.
The public, too, was mesmerized. America's Got Talent was set to redefine the entertainment landscape forever.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.