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Prince Poppycock may just surprise Piers, video from AGT Sept. 14

By April MacIntyre Sep 15, 2010, 16:50 GMT

A file picture shows British journalist and Britain\'s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan ....a Ninny! EPA/DANIEL DEME

Piers Morgan is crossed off Prince Poppycock's Christmas card list.

The flamboyant operatic mime-like performer even called Morgan, the new Larry King for CNN, a "ninny" as Piers explained that he made the Cardinal sin of believing his own hype at the end of the contest, and taking the fun out of the performance.

Plus, Piers told Poppycock he may have lost the "America's Got Talent" crown.

The otherworldly creation of singing store clerk John Quale, 32, from Los Angeles was the only act to get the buzzer on Tuesday's edition of the NBC variety competition.

Piers Morgan was not a fan of "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot."  This was the song a Welshman named Paul Potts performed to a standing ovation years ago on "Britain's Got Talent."  Morgan told Poppycock, "You were guilty I'm afraid, of that terrible crime that many contestants do at this stage, of taking yourself a little bit too seriously. And the whole point of Prince Poppycock is that you're great fun. You're a great showman. You make me smile. And you didn't make me smile tonight..."

The other three finalists fared better, as soulful Mississippi native Michael Grimm, the fedora-wearing singer and Jackie Evancho, the savant 10-year-old opera star from Pittsburgh, both did well with their performances of Michael Bolton's "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "Ave Maria" from Verdi's "Otello" respectively. Fighting Gravity is in the running still too.

Sharon Osbourne stood to applaud for Poppycock. Howie Mandel said his act was "brilliant" and noted that it will be up to America to determine who will win the $1 million prize, to be announced tonight. She also lashed out at Piers and said he was taking himself "too seriously."