Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a contestant on America’s Got Talent (AGT)? Well, this year’s semifinalist, Greg Morton, knows all about it.
The 60-year-old comedian from Woodstock, Ont. said he’s enjoyed comedy his entire life.
Growing up, he’d watch the Ed Sullivan Show and listen to comedy records daily. Morton said it wasn’t until high school that he realized he could make a living out of it.
His comedic background is extensive. Morton said he has years of experience as an animator, voice actor, and director. However, for the last 35 years, he said he’s worked as a full-time stand-up comedian.
Morton had his own special at Utah's Dry Bar Comedy club in 2018. He said a few clips from the show went viral and got the attention of the recruitment team at AGT.
He said they contacted him shortly after and asked if he’d like to audition for the 2019 season.
“They started getting my story and talking to me, and we discussed what I wanted to do on the show,” he explained. “I went with Star Wars – which is, I think, one of my best pieces.”
In that piece, Morton re-enacts characters from Stars Wars.
Morton said one emotion stood out over all the others on the day of his audition: fear. However, he reminded himself that being afraid would only jeopardize his chances of advancing to the next round.
“When I went on…all of my fears just melted away,” he said. “There is so much love coming out of that audience. I don’t see how you could fail.”
His audition received a standing ovation from the crowd and four ‘yeses’ from the judges. Morton said the feeling was surreal, and it’s something he’ll never forget.
“It felt like it was a beginning of a change in my life and in my career at that moment. At that point, things were going to be different, and they certainly have been.”
He said the season was full of “incredibly talented people.” Morton said the contestants were like family, and the judges were extremely supportive.
“The atmosphere backstage or in the green room, you wouldn’t believe,” he said, laughing at the memories. “Impromptu jam sessions would break out. We would have pictures with each other goofing around and having fun…Everyone was very genuine.”
Morton said he knew his happy times were coming to an end as the semifinals grew closer.
“I had already prepared myself. There was one moment in the show where I was standing out there…laughing to myself,” he reminisced. “I was smiling because I’m about to be voted off, and I don’t think it really dawned on me.”
Morton said he really wanted to make it to the finals but was grateful for the journey.
He said he might consider going on AGT Champions in the future, but for now, he needs to recover from his eventful time on the show. However, he said there is a feeling of withdrawal that surfaces after being sent home.
To counteract this and continue doing what he loves most, Morton arranged a comedy tour. It started in Ontario back in October, with Oshawa’s Regent Theatre as one of the first stops. He’s since wrapped that leg of the tour and is currently performing throughout America.
Although he said he’s having a great time, he also misses AGT and the friends he made this past season.
“I can tell you a lot of people are missing it right now,” he said. “But now we all go on with our own lives. It’s weird…It was a good time. Very special.”
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