NEWARK — Backstage at "America's Got Talent" last night looked like a circus village had taken up residence.

Children in twinkling glitter paint and gold leotards eagerly accosted boxes of pizza while men in paint-splattered pants, a master "earth harpist" and two mixed poodles, alongside their owners the champions of the night, headed for an impromptu red carpet.

Howard Stern held court with entertainment reporters, his dark brown tendrils backlit expertly on a small practice stage.

"I think we essentially swallowed a small town and made a whole bunch of new friends," said John Schreiber, CEO of New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. "Not only the 2,000 people a night who came to the theater, half of whom had never been to Newark before."

He's been present for nearly every "America's Got Talent" broadcast from the venue's Prudential Hall. For two months the show has drawn both out-of-staters and New Jerseyans to NJPAC twice weekly to sit in front of the "AGT" stage around judges Stern, Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne, the dramatic set framed by a giant white wave decked with alternating flashes of red, blue and purple light.

The ultimate victor was The Olate Dogs, an outcome that fulfilled a prediction made by Stern Wednesday night.

The dogs and their trainers, Richard Olate and his son Nicholas, used what Howard called that "warm and fuzzy feeling" to their advantage. When the fluffy pups did wheelbarrows and backflips, it was cuter than any human could be, however young or adorable.

NJPAC first announced it would host the NBC talent competition in April. The move from a Burbank, Calif. studio to Newark was directly connected to New York-based Stern joining the show as a judge.

America's Got Talent Final at NJPAC 16 Gallery: America's Got Talent Final at NJPAC

"Newark! Who knew?" said Stern, the judge who arguably got the most attention. It's an exclamation "The King of All Media" has repeatedly uttered during the series' tenure here. ("I think they should throw a parade for me for bringing the show to Newark," he asserted last week.)

"They walked into the theater and they saw the potential," said Schreiber of "AGT" producers, calling the Newark audience a "fourth judge."

On Monday, even the high-wattage Justin Bieber touched down at the Newark stage for a taped performance that aired during last night's results show.

But live last night were the R&B singer Ne-Yo, Green Day and Blue Man Group, the rapper E-40, and the singer Frankie J.

Another surprise was the appearance of Joan Rivers, who came as a mentor to Tom Cotter.

As for the contestants, the seventh season of "AGT" has proven to be precisely what Mandel forecasted: One that wouldn't go to any singer. The six finalists were a dog group, musician, young dance troupe, two artist acts and a comedian.

Many breakout moments of the competition came from those who were gradually eliminated. There was Turf, the contortionist-dancer from San Francisco, and Andrew De Leon, the young man who performed in an unexpectedly operatic voice. Then there was David "The Bullet" Smith, a professional human cannonball who holds the same world record his father once did for flying farthest as his own projectile. In July the daredevil make a successful touchdown into a net at nearby Military Park.

On the lighthearted end was Horse, the guy that won Stern's praise for being hit in the crotch with various items.

It's uncertain whether the show will return to Newark for its eighth season.

Stern said he wants production to continue in Newark, especially if he continues with the show.

There is an option in the series' contract with NJPAC for another two years, said Schreiber.

"I think that if the decision is made by Howard to come back, my best hope is that they'll come back here," he said. "I can't imagine that they'll look for another theater."

However, judge Osbourne said she will not be back. While saying goodbye to one of the eliminated acts, The Untouchables, she said, "Don't be sad, cause it's my last show too."

Follow @starledger

Related coverage:

• 'America's Got Talent' 2012 winner: Olate Dogs take the title