America’s Got Talent progress report: How’s Tyra Banks doing?
So how is she doing manning the operation through one season on the air? For the time being, we’d argue that she has a good bit to feel good about. First and foremost, her exit replacing Nick Cannon hasn’t had any impact on the ratings at all. Through the first five episodes, the show is averaging over a 2.6 rating in adults 18-49 and over 12.5 million viewers. These are the best ratings of the summer, and they also are an increase from the ratings from this time last year. The number of shows that post ratings increases year-to-year are extremely rare, so you do have to take that as a positive sign for the show’s longevity.
As for whether or not Tyra is an enormous factor in these ratings, the one thing that we will argue is that she brings a lot of name recognition and fan support from America’s Next Top Model. She’s also done what you would want the host of this show to do: Have fun, be supportive, and make sure that the show doesn’t become a three-ring circus. She doesn’t have some of the goofiness of Cannon, but she’s got a clear understanding of what her role is and what this show should be. This may be a talent competition, but we do like to think of it more in some ways as a weekly variety show where you don’t quite know what you’re going to get.
Now, the true test for Tyra is going to come during the live shows, given that this is when the rubber hits the road in so many ways with any host. The audition shows are all taped, so the producers can put together a nice package surrounding any person in the role. This is where things ramp up since you’ve got the challenge of dealing with a teleprompter, having to keep everyone on time, and also being entertaining somehow simultaneously. We’ve said this many times, but hosting a live competition show is one of the most underrated jobs that is out there in the TV business. There are so many different moving parts to it, and it’s almost always difficult even more professionals. The real talent is finding a way to make it look almost easy, and that is what some of the best hosts out there are able to do.
When AGT returns to the air…
There’s another audition show coming on Tuesday, one that will feature presumably Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer act. Beyond that, we’ll head over to the Judge Cuts round and see how the remaining non-Golden Buzzer acts fare there. You’ll also get a chance to see some guest judges!
If you missed it, be sure to head over here and check out our take on all of the Golden Buzzer acts so far.
How do you think Tyra is doing so far as the host of America’s Got Talent? Be sure to share in the comments. (Photo: NBC.)