The fifth season was aired during 2010, between June 1 to September 15; NBC initially considered moving the program to its 2009 Fall schedule, to match that of the move made by  rival series So You Think You Can Dance, but decided against this action.
Audition were held between January to April; televised auditions took place within Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, and Portland (Oregon), while non-televised auditions held by the program's producers were held in Atlanta and Philadelphia.
This season was the first in the program's history to accept registration through online auditions via YouTube, and adopt a format on its live episodes that would be standard for future seasons, until production began on the eighth season.

As Hasselhoff had signed himself up as the host of a new television program prior to filming of this season beginning, his role as judge was taken over by comedian and game show host Howie Mandel.
Along with the cash prize, the winning act was also given a performance at the Caesars Palace Casino and Resort on the Las Vegas Strip and made the headline act of the America's Got Talent Live Tour that year, alongside the runner-up, 3rd place, and the other top ten finalists.
This season was won by singer/musician Michael Grimm, with classical singer Jackie Evancho coming in second, and performance group Fighting Gravity placing third.
The fifth season was aired during 2010, between June 1 to September 15; NBC initially considered moving the program to its 2009 Fall schedule, to match that of the move made by  rival series So You Think You Can Dance, but decided against this action. Audition were held between January to April; televised auditions took place within Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, and Portland (Oregon), while non-televised auditions held by the program's producers were held in Atlanta and Philadelphia. This season was the first in the program's history to accept registration through online auditions via YouTube, and adopt a format on its live episodes that would be standard for future seasons, until production began on the eighth season.
As Hasselhoff had signed himself up as the host of a new television program prior to filming of this season beginning, his role as judge was taken over by comedian and game show host Howie Mandel. Along with the cash prize, the winning act was also given a performance at the Caesars Palace Casino and Resort on the Las Vegas Strip and made the headline act of the America's Got Talent Live Tour that year, alongside the runner-up, 3rd place, and the other top ten finalists. This season was won by singer/musician Michael Grimm, with classical singer Jackie Evancho coming in second, and performance group Fighting Gravity placing third.
America's Got Talent