America's Got Talent

"America's Got Talent" execs desperately want to keep Nick Cannon ... but if he really wants to walk, they likely won't hold him to his contract.

Production sources with knowledge of the situation tell us the show fires up next month, but honchos aren't scouting for new hosts ... at least not yet. They're hoping Nick has a change of heart.

If Nick holds firm, NBC likely won't sue him for breach of contract.

Nick Cannon doesn't see himself shooting the next season of "America's Got Talent" ... after NBC execs considered firing him over a racial joke he told in his comedy special.

TMZ broke the story ... NBC and 'AGT' honchos felt Nick had disparaged them and breached his contract by joking the network doesn't want him using the n-word, and insinuating it generally crushes his swagger while hosting 'AGT.' The special aired Friday night on Showtime.

That news pissed off Nick ... who now says he's loved hosting 'AGT' but "my soul won't allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices." He also says he doesn't care about the millions they pay him.

He adds, "I can not see myself returning." He told Howard Stern last week that he'd sue if they ever fired him over a joke.

As we told you, NBC decided to let the whole joke slide, but Nick clearly isn't forgiving.

He ended his FB post with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King -- "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."

Nick Cannon pissed off some NBC execs with a joke he made during a stand-up comedy special -- and it nearly cost him his job on "America's Got Talent" ... TMZ has learned.

While Nick was recording the special more than a month ago, he joked with the audience that NBC was making him lose his "black card" -- strongly insinuating the network wanted him to show less swagger on 'AGT.'

Sources familiar with the situation tell us NBC execs got wind of it when Nick was promoting the special on "The Howard Stern Show" ... and thought he was disparaging the network -- a violation of his contract. We're told his deal has a clause that bars him from talking about the network without approval.

There were serious discussions about axing him for breach of contract, or simply because ... if he's so miserable, why not just let him go?

Ultimately, the execs decided Nick had simply made a passing comment. We're told they like him and didn't want to blow the relationship. He'll be shooting 'AGT' next month.

As for the comedy special, it airs Friday night on Showtime and we're told the "black card" comment is in it.

Be prepared to have your mind blown by 10-year-old magician Kadan Bart Rockett and his little sister, Brooklyn.

The "America's Got Talent" semifinalists were at LAX Wednesday on their way to China ... when they took our photog's lunch money, tore it to smithereens and what happened next was crazy.

"America's Got Talent" winner Neal E. Boyd was involved in a single car crash that was so serious it sent his vehicle flying in the air.

The opera singer -- who won Season 3 of 'AGT' -- ran off a road in Scott County, Missouri at 8:45 AM, crashed into a tree, which then sent his car flying, and then into another tree.

There was also a passenger in the car ... it appears to be his 62-year-old mother.

Boyd reportedly was not wearing his seat belt. He and his mom are in serious condition at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Jon Dorenbos is having one helluva year -- after finishing 3rd on "America's Got Talent," the magician just signed a brand new 3 year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Seems like 3 is his magic number!

Of course, Dorenbos has been the Eagles' long-snapper since 2006 -- but after his massive success on 'AGT' coupled with the fact he's 36, some people thought he'd pursue the magic thing full time.

But that's not the case ... at least not yet ... with Ian Rapoport reporting that he just inked a new deal that will keep him with Philly until 2019!

Obviously, the contract won't stop him from expanding his magic career -- he just appeared on "Ellen" a few days ago and CRUSHED IT!

Congrats!

Grace VanderWaal didn't just get $1 million for winning "America's Got Talent" ... she also nailed down an extra $100 grand, and a slew of possible bonuses.

The 12-year-old 'AGT' winner from this past summer is set to receive the $100k advance for her 1st album, and then an additional $100k if the record pushes more than 500,000 units in its first year.

According to her contract, Grace is eligible for up to 4 renewals of her deal with Simon Cowell's record label, SYCO -- and each one comes with another $100k.

She rode her original tune, "I Don't Know My Name" all the way to the 'AGT' crown, and if she's got a few more hits up her sleeve ... the kid's set for life.

The Philadelphia Eagles long snapper who's KILLING IT on "America's Got Talent" says he's got another trick up his sleeve ... he's mentoring an NFL legend in the ways of the wand.

We got Jon Dorenbos out at LAX hours after he was voted into the 'AGT' finals, thanks to another MIND-BLOWING trick on the show.

Turns out, Dorenbos is spreading the magic love back at Eagles training camp -- where one of his all-time favorite players has taken an apprentice role.

BONUS -- We also asked Dorenbos one huge fantasy football question -- should you invest a draft pick in his Eagles teammate, Dorial Green-Beckham ... the massive WR from Mizzou???

Ryan Stock and AmberLynn Walker -- the "America's Got Talent" team that had an epic fail when she accidentally shot him -- have a follow-up stunt that will make you jump out of your skin.

The recently-booted contestants were on "TMZ Live" Thursday when Ryan decided to give himself the hook ... but this time, literally.

Check out the full interview on today's "TMZ Live."

"America's Got Talent" viewers just witnessed a truly scary moment when one contestant accidentally shot her husband in the throat with a flaming arrow.

Contestants Amber and Ryan, a sideshow duo, have made their mark on the show performing dangerous stunts. Tuesday's stunt was supposed to end with Amber hitting a target in Ryan's mouth with the arrow ... but her aim was way off and it struck him in the throat instead.

Our 'AGT' sources say Ryan's fine, he was just shaken up after the mishap.

John Hetlinger made it to the big time -- and it only took 82 years!

Hetlinger -- who went crazy viral for rocking out to Drowning Pool's "Bodies" on "America's Got Talent" -- will join the band onstage Friday in front of thousands at Chicago Open Air music festival.

Like a true rock star -- priority #1 is partying. The band says it's treating John to all the alcohol he wants.

Hetlinger will join Drowning Pool at their signing booth after their set -- here's hoping he gets to autograph someone's boobs.

Philadelphia Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos KILLED IT on "America's Got Talent" on Tuesday -- pulling off a magic trick that left Simon Cowell's jaw thiiiis close to the floor.

Turns out the 14 year NFL veteran -- and 2 time Pro Bowler -- dabbles in magic in his off time ... and put his skills on display on the NBC show this week.

82-year-old John Hetlinger just got an offer he can't refuse ... to go onstage with the wildly popular metal group Drowning Pool for an encore performance of "Bodies."

John rocked the audience of "America's Got Talent" with his rendition, and now Pool guitarist C.J. Pierce is trying to track down the grandpa.

The goal is to get John to Chicago for the Open Air Festival in July. C.J. says they'll cover John's travel and beer expenses ... and whatever else it takes.

Simon Cowell got put on blast when a paparazzo dared to bring up the "M" word while Simon's girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, was feet away -- and you gotta see the ex-'Idol' judge's reaction.

Truth is ... this clip is weird all around. Cowell was partying at Ago in West Hollywood after the "American Idol" finale, but did NOT seem like the guy America came to love/hate.

He talked about crappy old 'Idol' wannabes, replacing Howard Stern and even baby diapers -- and not ONE negative word from the guy ... until the whole marriage thing came up.

Simon Cowell is being sued for millions by a woman who has no talent when it comes to clearing wires.

D'Arcy Gurr was at a taping of "America's Got Talent" back in April when she tripped and fell on wires that were left on the floor.

She says in her lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the studio was overcrowded, which made things way more dangerous.

The incident occurred during a taping at the L.A. County Fair.

Nick Cannon got treated like an ENEMY at a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden this week ... when the crowd turned and hammered him with BOOS ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Cannon was shooting a segment for "America's Got Talent" on April 2nd -- during halftime of the Knicks vs. Nets game.

We're told producers came out first and asked the crowd to cheer ... but when Nick took the floor, the crowd showered him with hate.

At one point, Nick told the crowd, "Go ahead. Boo louder. Get it outta your system!" But the reverse psychology didn't work.

Eventually, Nick tried to pull off a trick shot (with the help of producers) ... but that didn't work either and the booing continued until the crowd got tired.

Hey, keep your head up Nick ... New Yorkers even booed Tim Tebow during a Yankees game back in 2012.

Who boos Tim Tebow?!