America's Got Talent Wraps at the Mahaffey

Free tickets to the taping of America's Got Talent were distributed throughout the area a few months back. Audience hopefuls were not guaranteed a spot inside the Mahaffey Theater and had to show up early if they planned on getting in on the action.

The cast and crew of NBC's hit television show, America's Got Talent, finished a two-day taping at the Mahaffey Theater on Wednesday night.

For hours, the line for ticket holders continued to grow from the east end of the Mahaffey down the sidewalk (south) where it eventually wrapped around the Dali Museum. 

Guests were given an unexpected surprise around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday when show host Nick Cannon emerged in front of the Mahaffey Theater, along with judges Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Howard Stern. Producers and directors gave instruction to onlookers while a camera crew captured every angle.

After a few minutes in the blistering sun, the celebrity cast retreated back inside the theater. Moments later, the line started moving as the doors opened to the Mahaffey. 

Hundreds showed up to be a part of the taping, but only a number of them were admitted.