MAIN Television Showtime at the Apollo

Most watched for the sometimes hapless performers who appear during the Amateur Night segment, the syndicated "Showtime at the Apollo" is currently hosted by actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg.

First broadcast in 1987, the show also features famous hip hop, R&B and soul performers who regularly hold sway over (compared to amateur performers) adoring live audiences.

The famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York is the venue for the show, originally hosted by actor and comedian Rick Aviles.

Other notable hosts have included Sinbad, Mark Curry, Steve Harvey, and Mo'nique.

Whoopi Goldberg took over hosting duties in 2006.

Additional Showtime notables have included Kiki Sheppard, who was the show's co-host from 1987 to 2002. Another sentimental favorite, Howard "Sandman" Simms served as the Apollo's original show-stopper as he danced his way - often to wild applause - to hurriedly escort heckled amateur performers off the stage. Simms was replaced by C.P. Lacey in 2000.

Today, the show continues to provide show business hopefuls a national stage.

Open calls for talent are regularly posted at the official Apollo Theater website, where acts are invited to Harlem to audition ... for all of 90 seconds.

If they pass the first round, performers are then invited back to compete for a hoped-for shot at Amateur Night.

Over the years, Amateur Night acts and the show's fans have become very familiar with the on-stage icon, the legendary "Tree of Hope", which performers are invited to rub for good luck before going on stage.

The tree trunk, located stage right, was part of a tree that once grew just outside the Harlem Lafayette Theatre, another top spot for African American talent during the Depression era. Underneath its branches is where performers used to gather for their own shot at stardom.

When Seventh Avenue was later widened in 1934, the tree had to be cut down, but at least some part of it survives today as a promise of a stellar career for an entirely new generation of performers.

Apollo Theater - The official site of Showtime & Amateur Night, with information on how you can apply and appear, complete ticket, tour & schedule information, theater history & trivia, photo gallery.

It's Showtime at the Apollo - Wikipedia entry featuring a detailed history, information on famous hosts & a list of top performers, pictures, related links.

It's Showtime at the Apollo - Fairly complete episode guide with related pictures and visitor message board posts, from the IMDb.

Showtime at the Apollo - TV.com - Background information including an extensive, but not complete, list of episode guides dating back to 1987, profiles of famous hosts.

Apollo News - Headlines from various sources around the Web on what's happening at the Apollo Theater this week, from Topix.net

also see -> Black History Month