When it comes to judging talent, Piers Morgan figures that honesty is the best policy. That’s why he doesn’t waste time hitting the buzzer — or hitting those of his fellow judges.

“They take too long,” the colourful British TV personality declared in Los Angeles recently. “Some of the train wrecks have got to be buzzed right off, so ‘why wait?’ is my philosophy.”

Each week, Morgan and fellow judges David Hasselhoff and Brandy preside over a quirky parade of singers, dancers, yodellers and all sorts of other performers who are seeking fame and fortune on America’s Got Talent. The show has turned into the surprise hit of this summer.

In fact, NBC has already announced that the show will be back for a second season, in January.

A lot of the credit for the show’s popularity has to go to the talkative Morgan. He calls ‘em as he sees ‘em. And he isn’t above making a person cry now and then.

“I’m just being honest” Morgan says. “I can either lie and just say, ‘Look, you’re great’ or just be brutally honest with them. For some reason, when we British say it, you think we’re being overly mean, whereas I just think we’re being honest.”