Better than Paul Potts?

How’s this for Yankee ingenuity: It was announced last night, at this year’s premier of America’s Got Talent, that the winner will not only walk away with a cool one million dollars, but will also perform on in Las Vegas!

That’s right folks, it’s the American version of the Royal Variety show–the Las Vegas Strip.

Judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and David Haselhoff waded through a sad version of Elvis, tongue exercises, trombones, violins, tap dancers, a (male) Britney Spears impersonator, the requisite 4-year-old angel girl singing “Somewhere Over There,” and a twirling fire baton performer who was bullied in school, before ending with what may have been the best act of the night…

You guessed it, a salesman singing Nessun Dorma!

Here’s how Sammi-T, writing for the TV Grapevine, got it down:

Insurance salesman Neal Boyd is the last to compete. He is an opera singer who wants to win for his mom. She not only made sacrifices to get them through the tough times, but she always encouraged him. He is incredible–I’m not even an opera fan, but I’d buy his CD. Not only does he have the audience on their feet, but David gives him a standing ovation as well.

David is blunt and tells him he is the front runner and he is fabulous.

Sharon says he has a spectacular, sincere voice. She jokes that she would buy insurance from him.

Piers tells him he is incredible and a special talent. It is no surprise that Neal is on his way to Vegas! He calls his mom backstage to tell her the news and that he loves her.

That is all for tonight folks, join us next week for more of America’s Got Talent! See you next week!