Magician Mat Franco, who last year rose above tens of thousands of acts to become the season 9 winner of NBC’s hit reality-competition series “America’s Got Talent,” is returning to the network for two primetime specials.
Titled “Mat Franco’s Got Magic” the specials will capture Mat traveling from his home in Rhode Island to Las Vegas, stopping off at incredible locations, wowing celebrities, performing street magic and visiting the family, friends and everyday Americans who helped make his dream come true. When he reaches his final destination, Mat will learn what it takes to put on a high-profile show and fulfill his dreams of becoming a headlining act in Las Vegas at the LINQ Hotel & Casino.
“Mat displayed remarkable skill in winning the most recent season of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ and we’re thrilled that these specials will document his new journey opening a show in Las Vegas,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment.
Toby Gorman, EVP, Alternative Programming, FremantleMedia North America and Executive Producer, “Mat Franco’s Got Magic” said, “Mat is an incredibly dynamic and talented magician and he fascinated us all as he rose to the top on “AGT.” We’re delighted to be working with him again, and taking audiences across America on a journey of magic and imagination.”
“I grew up watching magic specials on NBC, so this opportunity is just so exciting and beyond my craziest dreams. I’m thrilled and honored to have the chance to bring magic back to primetime major network television,” said Franco.
Mat is the first and only magician to win NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Almost entirely self-taught, the 26-year-old Rhode Island native began developing his own shows before the age of 10 and took the stage at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas by the time he was 15. Mat’s headlining show in Las Vegas will take place at the LINQ Hotel & Casino and feature his signature improvisation-fueled and humor-laced performance style, partly honed through his years as a hugely in-demand college act.
An NBC rep tells OMFGTV that as of right now, there is no projected time frame for when the first special will air.