Judge Hasselhoff

Older but still a hunk David Hasselhoff returns to network TV 

(Los Angeles, California) "America's Got Talent," the new TV contest that promises to feature a grab bag of singers, dancers, comedians and more, has an eclectic panel of judges to match. Brandy ("Moesha"), David Hasselhoff ("Baywatch") and British media figure Piers Morgan will be scrutinizing aspiring stars for the NBC series set to debut next month. The program, from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell and FremantleMedia, the company that produces Fox's hit singing contest, will be hosted by Regis Philbin.

"We have three different judges from three different backgrounds. Expect the unexpected," Cowell said in a statement Thursday. The variety contest begins with a two-hour episode 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 21. It will air regularly from 9-10 p.m. Wednesday, with a half-hour results show beginning Thursday, July 13, at 8:30 p.m. As with "American Idol," the judges will decide which of the acts advance to the final round while viewers ultimately decide who gets the $1 million prize. Brandy is a Grammy Award-winning singer whose TV credits include the specials "Cinderella" and "Double Platinum." Hasselhoff, who was an executive producer and star of "Baywatch," is a popular singer in Europe and has appeared on stage in New York and London musicals. He's in an upcoming Adam Sandler film, "Click." Morgan, a former editor of the London Daily Mirror, has hosted TV shows including "The Importance of Being Famous" and "The Death of Celebrity" and just started a weekly newspaper for children, "First News."

*by The Associated Press