Among the many crimes that reality TV will have to answer for in the television hereafter is making stars out of people who don't necessarily deserve it.


We're not talking about the contestants on the various so-you-think-you-can-dance-sing-yodel-or-juggle shows, although we could. We're talking about the judges.


Paula Abdul was a former cheerleader, choreographer and pop star when she was reinvented on Fox's "American Idol."


She is now more famous for her incoherent comments as a judge than she ever was in her previous careers. And, to give either her or the people who cast her credit, it's hard to imagine the show without the impaired dynamic she brings.


This summer's Paula Abdul is David Hasselhoff on "America's Got Talent."


The former "Knight Rider," "Baywatch" and European disco star has been reborn as a reality show judge - the guy who cheers on the talent with a simple "awesome."


First, we have to point out what an odd show this is.

Follow up:

Who knew, when it premiered in June, that the talent referred to would consist of strippers, quick-change artists and a senior citizen who raps?


Instead of proving that America's got talent, the show is proving that America must long for the return of somewhat-cheesy novelty acts.


"America's Got Talent" is the most popular reality show of the summer, which is vastly different from the rest of the year. It's averaging 11 million viewers per show. By comparison, "American Idol" attracts some 35 million viewers during the regular season.


But it's enough of a success for NBC to announce that "America's Got Talent" will be back in January.


Along the way, the show has put Hasselhoff back in the spotlight he may not know was no longer aimed his way.


Last week, he even got to perform his new song, "Jump in My Car," complete with automobile and backup singers. I admit to being fascinated by the video that goes along with the song. I can't explain why; it may have something to do with how smooth Hasselhoff's face is.


Anyway, Piers Morgan, the obligatory snarky British judge on "America's Got Talent," looked ready to vote Hasselhoff off the show.


The two men have this mock-sparring thing going on that could be real. Morgan looks like the type who doesn't suffer fools gladly. He also looks like the type who doesn't like to share his camera time.


Hasselhoff, Morgan and singer Brandy, the show's third judge, were recently part of a press conference for "America's Got Talent" in Pasadena, Calif.


Hasselhoff was busy mistaking the event for a David Hasselhoff press conference.


He had so much to say about his career that one was lulled into believing whatever he said - until the sentence in which he happened to mention that he was developing his own show, "David Hasselhoff, the Musical."


Asked one TV critic, seriously: Are you joking?


Answered Hasselhoff, also seriously: No.


America, you did this to yourself.


Source: Times Dispatch


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