Like a couple of nuts, The Man on the Couch and I stayed up late (much too late) Tuesday night because we couldn’t stop watching the season premiere of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

My one complaint is that most of the acts that were passed through were shown only briefly – a ploy to get us to keep watching every Tuesday night. Lucky for producers, their plot worked and I can’t wait for next week.

Although there were numerous flops that took the stage from coast to coast, this season definitely is proving to be more emotional and entertaining than previous seasons.

There’s also more at stake. In addition to the $1 million, the winner will receive a contract to perform on the famed performer’s oasis, the Las Vegas strip.

After all, it has worked out well for last season’s winner, ventriloquist Terry Fator, who signed a $1.5 million-plus contract with the Las Vegas Hilton.

Even though I haven’t had a good peek at all the acts that made it to Vegas, I can tell you one thing: Neil Boyd will be around to the very end. It’s not often, if ever, that an average Joe insurance salesman has the talent to sing opera and stun a crowd, but Neil Boyd has what it takes.

I wiped my eyes more than once Tuesday night. From the baton-twirling teen who was made fun of in school for his passion, to the 4-year-old singer that stole our hearts, to Boyd, who is destined to be one of America’s favorites, the performances were impressive.

Since there’s not a chance in you-know-where that judge Piers Morgan will read this, I feel safe in noting that he appears more reasonable since his appearance on “Celebrity Apprentice” and actually complements his co-judges, Sharon Osborne and David Hasselhoff.

I’m not saying that the judge known for being harsh and over-the-top has turned into a teddy bear, but Morgan’s more of a human being this time around and appreciates the contestants who put it all on the line for a chance to make their dreams come true.

Next week, we’ll see the Vegas callbacks where things should get more competitive and a few of the acts, like the singing and dancing Indiggo twins who made it through because they’re just plain scary, will be weeded out and the best will move on.

“America’s Got Talent” can be seen in another two-hour special at 9 p.m. Tuesday on NBC, and I have a feeling there’s going to be at least one more tearjerker act in the works.

adolloff@bangordailynews.net

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