<P> During the live shows , a group of acts ranging from only a Top 20 ( season two ) , to as many as 60 , compete for viewers ' and judges ' votes . In the first season , the judges could not end an act 's performance , but could either `` check '' or `` X '' the performance during their critique . Since season two ( 2007 ) , judges have been able to end an act 's performance early , and the `` check '' was removed . Generally , acts each perform first in a live round consisting of a series of quarterfinals . In seasons with YouTube auditions , the round of live judging of YouTube finalists takes place then , as part of these quarterfinals . Then there may be additional shows for `` Wild Card '' acts -- acts that one or more of the judges select to be given one more chance for audience vote despite previous elimination . From these shows , the existing group is narrowed through votes by the public and / or the judges ( depending on the season ) . Acts then move on to a semifinal round , and even further rounds ( such as a `` Top 8 '' or a `` Top 10 '' , depending on the season ) through a series of weekly shows , which trim the number of acts down each time based on a public vote . In the majority of seasons , judges have had no vote from the semifinals . All these rounds culminate in a live final , which has consisted of anywhere from four to ten acts throughout the seasons . The act with the most votes is declared the winner , given $1 million , and , since season three ( 2008 ) , a chance to headline a show on the Las Vegas Strip . </P>
<P> During the live shows , a group of acts ranging from only a Top 20 ( season two ) , to as many as 60 , compete for viewers ' and judges ' votes . In the first season , the judges could not end an act 's performance , but could either `` check '' or `` X '' the performance during their critique . Since season two ( 2007 ) , judges have been able to end an act 's performance early , and the `` check '' was removed . Generally , acts each perform first in a live round consisting of a series of quarterfinals . In seasons with YouTube auditions , the round of live judging of YouTube finalists takes place then , as part of these quarterfinals . Then there may be additional shows for `` Wild Card '' acts -- acts that one or more of the judges select to be given one more chance for audience vote despite previous elimination . From these shows , the existing group is narrowed through votes by the public and / or the judges ( depending on the season ) . Acts then move on to a semifinal round , and even further rounds ( such as a `` Top 8 '' or a `` Top 10 '' , depending on the season ) through a series of weekly shows , which trim the number of acts down each time based on a public vote . In the majority of seasons , judges have had no vote from the semifinals . All these rounds culminate in a live final , which has consisted of anywhere from four to ten acts throughout the seasons . The act with the most votes is declared the winner , given $1 million , and , since season three ( 2008 ) , a chance to headline a show on the Las Vegas Strip . </P>
how many acts make it to the live show on america 's got talent
how many acts make it to the live show on america 's got talent
ranging from only a Top 20 ( season two ) , to as many as 60
ranging from only a Top 20 ( season two ) , to as many as 60