I don’t know if I’ve just become a bigger fan of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and therefore have more of an understanding of what’s happening on this show, or if it’s more obvious editing, but it seems like this year, the judges really didn’t miss a beat in putting together the show’s top 48.

Part of the reason for my supposed clarity is the presence of Howard Stern, who took over as a judge on the NBC show for Piers Morgan. Morgan always seemed like the show’s bored monarch, saying “Entertain me!” and yawning halfway through before pressing his buzzer.

Stern’s as tough a judge as Morgan, but always seems to have a good reason for either keeping someone or giving them the gate.

So now that we have our top 48, I’m going to share my thoughts on who’ll likely be the favorites to take it all.

Now, this doesn’t take into consideration the YouTube contestants, of course, since they’ll be introduced after the top 48 put on their first votable performances. And you can’t discount the YouTubers at all – that round was where we first met child opera star Jackie Evancho two seasons ago.

(And if you want to meet the entire top 48, you can find a good roundup at Television Blend, courtesy of Patrick Hodges.)

Here’s my top 10 in alphabetical order. What I’m looking for here is the answer to this question: “Who would I pay money to see perform?”

All That! – This group of cloggers is a rarity in the world of reality competition: A group getting their second go-round. All That! performed in AGT’s first season, finishing as the show’s runner-up, and they’re even stronger than they were back in 2006.

Aurora Light Painters – Using pens and photography tricks, these guys put on a very odd show that is quite entertaining. Sort of a sci-fi version of last season’s Silhouettes dance troupe.

Ben Blaque – He’s got Criss Angel’s haircut and wardrobe, and he’s awesome with a crossbow. But Blaque also has stage presence for days.

Joe Castillo – Another artist who brings the Silhouettes group to mind, Joe creates drawings with sand, shifting it into place for some remarkable work.

William Close – It’s one thing to create instruments, it’s another thing entirely to turn the entire theater into an instrument, but that’s what William does in creating what he calls an “Earth harp”. It is absolutely remarkable and makes William my odds-on favorite to win.

Tom Cotter – A comic who’s already carved out a nice career for himself, Tom is trying to do what has proven to be nearly impossible on this show – be a straight-ahead, gimmick-free stand-up comedian and make a dent. Fortunately, his seasoning and great timing might just do the trick.

Eric Dittelman – Never thought I’d be backing a mindreader, but this guy is a lot of fun to watch. Instead of being intense, he’s playful, and he somehow knows how to pull off the trick.

Tim Hockenberry – I’m really only putting him here because a male singer has won each of the last four seasons. He’s pretty good, but what was the last album you bought by either Neal E. Boyd, Kevin Skinner or Michael Grimm? (That said, last year’s winner, standards singer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., was great. I would definitely see Murphy if given the chance.)

Spencer Horsman – A young escape artist who already knows how to send a thrill through an audience. I’ve already started calling him “Lil’ Houdini”, and his escape from a box full of water is definitely worth seeking out.

Olate Dogs – Dog acts can get a little repetitive, so in order for this charming act to move forward, they’re going to have to really be creative.

Sebastian “El Charro de Oro” – He’s only 10, and yet he’s got a voice so powerful he doesn’t even need a mike. Will America warm up to his style of music? We’ll find out.

My top picks at this point are William Close, Spencer Horsman and possibly Ben Blaque. That said, Tim Hockenberry’s got history on his side. But this season’s got a wide range of acts, so it should be a cool next few weeks.