Howard Stern, Paul Zerdin Own ‘America’s Got Talent’ Finale: Shock Jock’s Farewell Joins Ventriloquist’s Joy [Video]

Paul Zerdin won the America’s Got Talent finale as Howard Stern bid the show farewell. And what Paul and Howard had in common was that both feel overwhelmed by their emotions. But while Stern was saying goodbye to a show that showed the shock jock’s softer side, Zerdin was greeting a world of stardom in which he’s already shining.

“Really, really tired and euphoric, all in one. I’m overwhelmed,” Paul told People about winning America’s Got Talent.

Zerdin expressed his gratitude to America’s Got Talent for choosing him to take home the grand prize in the finale, which is showcasing his delightful dummies at Planet Hollywood.

“I guess it is like the performer’s ultimate dream to be able to headline your own show in Las Vegas, and I’m so lucky and I’m so grateful to the American people for giving me this chance.”

Of all of Zerdin’s characters, however, he named Howie Mandel as his favorite. Paul persuaded the show’s judge to play puppet during one of his performances. Watch below to see what you think.

https://youtu.be/9aP_kJMdDvQ

And those who travel to Planet Hollywood just might see other guest stars appear in place of the ventriloquist’s dummies.

“I’m gonna come up with a list of names and see if they can make it happen,” promised Zerdin.

Howard also got emotional when discussing what America’s Got Talent meant to him for a very different reason, reported MSN.

Stern has had a long career, known as a shock jock for decades. But, an entirely new group of people have come to love the softer side of Stern through the show, as he reveals in a farewell video.

Watch the video below to see the shock jock express his love for America’s Got Talent and New York.

https://youtu.be/CJ_T8e5FGc0

“I’ve had such incredible moments on this show. I really have… It has been phenomenal,” mused Stern in the video.

Why did he become a judge? Howard pointed to the many times he was refused the opportunity to become someone big.

“I thought it would be really cool to be a judge, because I think I have something to offer. If I had any dream about this, it’s that I could take someone who was struggling and seriously give advice. I was told over and over again that I had no talent. I was in college radio. No one was banking on me.”

https://youtu.be/FdDbzBuNKT0

But what a difference success makes, reflects Stern. Not only has he succeeded on a radio, but serving as a judge for four seasons on America’s Got Talent has made the formerly forbidding Howard Stern into someone kids want to hug.

“I’ll go to a restaurant and parents will bring over their 10-year-olds to sit on my lap to take a picture. I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’ It’s kinda funny to me because this never happened to me in my career,” admitted Howard.

Stern initially revealed that he planned to leave America’s Got Talent in June.

[Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images]