Através da disponibilidade.
Em um entrevista com o ex-apresentador da AFV, Tom Bergeron, foi revelado que eles ocasionalmente usavam imagens antigas e selecionavam as pessoas que estavam disponíveis para serem as finalistas.
"Sometimes videos had aired in previous seasons; other times, it was a factor of our taping date and who could make the trip."
Além disso, os produtores escolhem os finalistas.
- The voting procedure for the Contestant Shows will be as follows, unless otherwise specified:
A. Of the videos included in each Contestant Show, the Producer will
select three (3) finalists based on humor and/or uniqueness as
determined by Producer in its sole discretion. During the taping of
the show, members of the studio audience will vote for their favorite
video from among the three (3) finalists and use an electronic voting
system (or an alternate voting system, including but not limited to
voting by the general public in person, by telephone or over the
internet, as determined by Producer). The first, second and third
prizes will be awarded based on the number of valid votes cast for
each of the three (3) finalists
AFV Contest Rules - AFV.com
Assim, os produtores superam quase tudo na escolha dos finalistas.