America's Got Talent

Howie Mandel thinks it's not too soon to joke about Mel B's divorce drama -- as evidenced by the nanny "news" he broke to us.

We got Howie heading into the Laugh Factory Wednesday night, and he told our photog it will be business as usual when "America's Got Talent" returns because he knows how to keep Mel B cracking up.

We'll see if she digs his nanny material, but if that doesn't work ... Howie says he's got a backup plan.

Tyra Banks' first week on the clock as "America's Got Talent" host has been a smooth transition from Nick Cannon ... despite fears her inner diva would be out in force.

Sources close to the show tell us ... TB's already building chemistry with the judges, who seem stoked to be working with her. She officially took over when taping started Monday in L.A., and we're told producers loved her over-the-top approach, which is "way different" from Nick.

That's no diss -- they say it's not that it's better. It's just a change.

The funny part -- we're told production assistants were warned of Tyra's rep as a diva, and told it's best to tread lightly. However, there's been none of that. So far.

1 week down. About 6 months to go.

Regis Philbin has done A LOT of TV over the years, so we gotta cut him a break that he just forgot about one big gig.

We got Rege at LAX Friday and asked about the Nick Cannon replacement for 'AGT'. The 85-year-old hosted Season 1 back in 2006. He was replaced by Jerry Springer who hosted for 2 years and then it was all Nick.

Joy is there with her longtime hubby's CV at the ready!

Tyra Banks will be the new host of "America's Got Talent" ... this after multiple attempts to hire a comedian failed.

Tyra was not on the radar after Nick Cannon quit. The top 3 candidates were Marlon Wayans, Brandon Mychal Smith and Tone Bell. Marlon was asking for more loot than producers would pay, and then Brandon was tapped but we're told some of the honchos just weren't down with it.

Filming was supposed to begin last week, but Mel B had a death in the family ... so it was put on hold, rendering the show hostless.

Howie Mandel posted a video Sunday announcing the news, and Tyra confirmed it as well. She just finished her long-time gig on "America's Next Top Model."

So finally ... someone everyone agreed on. Season 12 is off and running.

Marlon Wayans says NBC's decision to replace Nick Cannon on "America's Got Talent" with another black guy has nothing to do with race, but the question ... is Marlon talking code?

We got the comedian Friday night at Catch, and he tells our camera guy that replacing Nick with someone like Brandon Mychal Smith is strictly a numbers game, and that race isn't even in the equation.

So what did Marlon mean when he says NBC was just looking for someone with "a like smile?"

Brandon Mychal Smith is all but signed to be the next host of "America's Got Talent" ... this after negotiations with Marlon Wayans fell apart over money.

Multiple sources connected with the show tell TMZ, the deal is not done but it will happen soon, possibly in the next day.

We're told Marlon was first choice ... in no small part because he's a major name and has a history with the show as a guest judge. Our sources say reps for both sides went back and forth several days ago but Marlon wanted more than the network was willing to pay.

Brandon -- who's hysterical as a rapper on "You're the Worst" -- will cost way less, but one source said the other advantage is that he will become part of the show in a more seamless way than Marlon, who has an extremely strong brand independent of the show.

One source warns these deals sometimes fall apart at the very end, but it looks like Brandon will get the gig.

Nick Cannon's 'AGT' replacement will get painted as a "Sambo," as far as Brandon T. Jackson is concerned.

Brandon was leaving La Scala in Bev Hills Tuesday when our photog asked if he'd be interested in taking the gig since Nick has quit. He couldn't be stronger.

Nick and Brandon go way back ... the 'Percy Jackson' star was featured on a season of Nick's "Wild 'N Out."

We broke the story ... 3 black comedians are in line to fill the hosting slot ... Marlon Wayans, Tone Bell and Brandon Mychal Smith.

Marlon Wayans seems flattered to be a front-runner for Nick Cannon's old "America's Got Talent" gig, but thinks they'd have to address one BIG, black, elephant in the room first.

We broke the story ... 'AGT' producers have narrowed down their search to Marlon, Tone Bell and Brandon Mychal Smith. Marlon says he's focused on other projects like his TV show, but realizes hosting 'AGT' would be huge.

Nick Cannon quit 'AGT' because he felt the show didn't really want a black host ... which may be why he's baffled that the 3 finalists for his replacement are all black.

We got the former 'AGT' frontman Sunday night at Craig's, and he gave us his choice ... although we think he's kidding.

Simon Cowell has whittled down his pick for a new host on "America's Got Talent" to just 3 guys -- one of whom is Marlon Wayans ... TMZ has learned.

Production sources tell us 'AGT' brass is zeroing on Wayans and 2 other comedians to replace Nick Cannon. The other guys are Tone Bell and Brandon Mychal Smith.

Wayans is obviously the big name here ... but we're told the 2 others have just as much of a chance to land the new gig considering their acting and comedy chops.

Bell is a stand-up and actor who's worked on shows like "The Flash," "Truth Be Told," "Chelsea Lately," and "Key and Peele." He's also made appearances on "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" and "Comedy Knockout."

Brandon Mychal Smith is a straight up Disney kid, who starred in shows like "That's So Raven," "So Random!" and Disney movies "Starstruck" and "Let It Shine." He also played Little Richard in the James Brown biopic "Get On Up."

And of course, there's Wayans -- who's been in TONS of movies and shows. He's even got NBC hosting experience for their show "I Can Do That" ... so he might have this in the bag.

"America's Got Talent" is off to a rough start ... filming has been cancelled next week because of the death of Mel B's dad.

Martin Brown died Saturday after a 5-year battle with Myeloma. He was 63.

Producers have cancelled filming Monday and Tuesday, but even when it's back there's a big challenge ahead, because the show is host-less ... this after Nick Cannon quit.

Mel B said she and her sister were by their dad's side when he passed.

RIP

Howie Mandel did everything but drop to his knees ... begging Nick Cannon to return as host of "America's Got Talent."

Howie -- 1 of 4 judges on the talent show -- made a passionate plea Sunday at LAX. Howie's pretty damn adamant -- Nick's the heart and soul of the show.

Nick Cannon isn't fretting about his decision to walk away from $4.5 mil a year as the host of "America's Got Talent" ... because his head was never really in TV.

We got Nick at a high school in the Bronx with members of NYC's Black Lives Matter ... a much bigger priority for him than the boob tube.

As for who should replace him on 'AGT,' ... why the white Nick Cannon, of course.

Nick Cannon's done with "America's Got Talent," but their advertising department did not get the memo.

The 'AGT' Auditions Twitter account just plugged audience tickets for the live auditions -- during which Nick typically mingles with performers -- and the promo still features Cannon with the caption, "Returning for Season 12."

Nick's made it clear he's not coming back because he's pissed at how he's been treated ... so it's probably time to crank out a new image.

Maybe something with Ryan Seacrest instead?

Nick Cannon was "shaken to his core" and seriously questioned his value as an entertainer after NBC unleashed its fury on him, and that led him to the decision to quit "America's Got Talent."

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, Nick was devastated when he learned the network was on the verge of firing him as host of 'AGT.' He looked at the long history of entertainers -- Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman and many others -- who trashed their networks right on their shows, and the brass allowed it. Yet Nick went on Showtime, made a few "harmless comments about NBC," and he was threatened with termination.

One example that hit home with Nick was Tracy Morgan, who made a comment during a show and suggested he might knife his son if he found out he was gay. NBC execs defended Morgan.

We're told Nick started to question his own self-worth as an entertainer, thinking he was being treated differently from the others because he just wasn't that good.

He also took into account losing his salary ... we've learned Nick has been pulling in around $4.5 million a season for 'AGT.'

Nick, we're told, was in a terrible state after NBC went on the attack. One source says it was emotionally harder on him than dealing with his very serious medical problems, including Lupus.

Cannon decided in the end he believed in himself and was undervalued by the network ... so he quit.

Ryan Seacrest knows a thing or 2 about hosting talent competitions, so he's automatically the front-runner to replace Nick Cannon on "America's Got Talent" ... the question, is he into it?

We got Ryan leaving Heart & Hustle gym in L.A. Tuesday and he made it clear ... he loves the show. As for whether he'd take it, watch the video and judge for yourself.