Howie Mandel isn’t sure whether America’s Got Talent will remain in Los Angeles — and he has an even more immediate question about his own future on the show.
The comedian told TMZ Tuesday that he has not yet been offered a contract for the next season of AGT, meaning his return to the NBC competition series is not guaranteed at this point.
Mandel was spotted at his podcast studio in the Los Angeles area, where he acknowledged that he has yet to be approached about signing on for another season.
It also remains unclear whether America’s Got Talent will continue filming in Los Angeles. Mandel said production could potentially move to Atlanta, although he indicated he would prefer to remain in L.A. and sleep in his own bed.
If the show does leave Los Angeles, Mandel even floated an unconventional solution.
The longtime AGT judge suggested using hologram technology through his company, Proto Hologram, potentially allowing him to participate without having to travel as much if production moves out of California.
Mandel also addressed the larger trend of television productions moving away from Los Angeles, saying he believes the exodus is unfortunate and could have a bigger economic impact on California than many people realize.
For now, however, there is no confirmed announcement that America’s Got Talent is leaving Los Angeles — and Mandel himself doesn’t yet have a deal for the show’s next season.
Away from AGT, Mandel is also building his presence in competitive gaming. He recently introduced TMZ to his Global Gaming League team, “How We Do It Gaming,” and said he believes the emerging league could eventually rival major sports and entertainment brands such as the UFC and WWE.
He is currently looking for players to join his team, giving Mandel another project to focus on while he waits to see what comes next with America’s Got Talent.
