'America's Got Talent' 2017: Howie Mandel Publicly Begs Nick Cannon To Stay As Host [VIDEO]
America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel is really hoping Nick Cannon reconsiders leaving the show.
Mandel was the guest co-host on The View Friday morning, where he addressed the topic of Cannon wanting to leave his position as host of America's Got Talent. The AGT judge spoke about how difficult it's been to see this Cannon battle with NBC.
"I'll be honest with you. I'm very pained right now because the thought of doing and going ahead without Nick Cannon is unthinkable," Mandel admitted.
Cannon posted a lengthy Facebook rant about NBC last week in regard to a report that the network wasn't happy with a joke he told in his Showtime stand-up special. He says in the special that he has a different persona for America's Got Talent and that he cannot speak as freely as usual because it would "mess up the white money" and that the series makes him lose his "black card."
The host wrote in his message that he cannot reckon with working for a corporation that would "attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices." Many speculated that Cannon is quitting AGT for good, even if NBC hasn't officially commented on anything yet.
"Nick Cannon is a comedian. Nick Cannon is a musician. Nick Cannon is - you ever see 'Wild N Out' on MTV? It's a very different Nick Cannon," Mandel said on The View, drawing comparisons to his own mature-themed act vs. his persona on America's Got Talent.
Mandel then looked directly into the camera and made a plea for Cannon to stay on board.
"Nick, say it ain't so. Please come back to work. I think he's the best host on television.... Nick, the show will not be as good without you. You've got to come back," he said.
Mandel said they are two weeks away from filming the upcoming 12th season, so Cannon's official decision will likely be revealed very soon.
