With NBC’s summer show America’s Got Talent (AGT) premiering in less than a week, controversy has been swirling over the new host, Tyra Banks. Banks is a former model, the brains behind “America’s Next Top Model” and an actress. She will be replacing rapper and comedian Nick Cannon who hosted the series for eight seasons.
As advertising for Season 12 of AGT is increasing, more and more fans are publicly displaying their disappointment with NBC’s choice of host. While some former fans are refusing to watch the series all together, others are out crying to “bring Nick back.” More fans are playing off of the photo of Howie Mandal circulating with the caption “It’s. About. To. Go. Down.” with disgruntled fans claiming “viewership and ratings? Yeah it is about to go down."
For those who don’t know, AGT is a variety act talent show that provides participants an outlet to showcase their talents- anything from throwing up quarters, to splashing in a pool from death-defying heights, or more predictable acts such as singing. The show lasts the majority of the summer and offers a one million dollar prize to the winner, who last season was a 12 year old singer, dubbed affectionately by Simon Cowell “the next Taylor Swift.”
Cannon built a loyal fan base around his participation in acts, funny jokes and banter with the judges. As season 12 approaches, seeing if Banks will commit to half of the crazy stunts Cannon has been involved in throughout the years will be interesting.
Cannon quit the show after saying a racial joke and being threatened with losing his job by NBC, explaining he did not want to be affiliated with a company that “attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices.” All that being said Michael Che used the N-Word on Saturday Night Live and is still employed with the company. We live in a country that is Land of the Free- free press, freedom of religion and most importantly freedom of speech which should only carry certain limitations in regard to safety. Oppressing people for their speech goes against the fundamental values which this nation was built on and makes me question if America is truly “Land of the Free.”
While devoted fans of AGT are going to miss Cannon’s hilarious antics and outrageous socks, only time will tell if Banks will be able to bring more than just good looks to the AGT stage. One thing is for sure, Banks definitely has big shoes to fill, but the AGT fan base should at least give her a chance before immediately dismissing her and the show all together.
