Did a comedian win season 10 of America’s Got Talent?
Do you consider ventriloquists comedians? Then yes, and yes again.
Because Paul Zerdin became the second ventriloquist to win the $1 million grand prize and a headlining gig in Las Vegas when NBC’s AGT host Nick Cannon announced his name at the end of Wednesday night’s finale. Zerdin edged out stuttering stand-up comedian Drew Lynch, who became the third stand-up to finish runner-up on AGT (Tom Cotter and Taylor Williamson previously earned second-place finishes in seasons 7-8, respectively).
Terry Fator, who won season 2 of AGT, joined Zerdin onstage during the finale. Fator went on to sign a $100 million contract residency in Vegas.
Zerdin also was the third British act among the 10 to make this year’s finals, joined by Piff the Magic Dragon and The Professional Regurgitator.
Zerdin, 43, previously enjoyed great success in the UK, including wins in ITV’s The Big, Big Talent Show in 2006.
He is a fine ventriloquist, but his voices sound much more similar than top ventriloquists, so his looks put him over the top. Oz is a significantly better performer, but a magician won last year, which likely cost him. Drew Lynch had some good jokes, but received more votes as an inspiration than as a comic. Sadly, because of his impediment, he delivered very few jokes per segment. Gary Vider was a very deserving finalist, with very clever material. Heidi’s repeated refusals to give him even token praise after the audience was roaring became so embarrassing that I think the network told her to at least fake it in the finale.