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.

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The title of the latest success to come out of Simon Cowell's expanding empire, "America's Got Talent" (NBC, Wednesdays, 8 p.m. ET) surely sounds as much like a hopeful incantation as it does like a happy, excited exclamation. After all, America is a big place. We must have talent, right? We certainly think we do, because we've made this show one of the biggest successes of the summer.


In fact, this show is casting a far wider net, talent-wise, than most other similar operations. Where "American Idol" and "Rock Star" have focused on a national preoccupation with singing, "America's Got Talent" features singing, but has gotten most of its attention from its willingness to bring in everything that isn't singing. The show has developed into a potluck supper of bird calls, balloon animals, juggling, magic, and a few things that don't fit neatly into any particular category. This last set would include the guy who gradually worked his way into a giant balloon until just his head was sticking out, along with the one who was, it is safe to say, the first person network television has ever shown breakdancing while dressed as a freakishly enormous cow.


It's easy to dismiss this as an updated version of "The Gong Show," and the fact that the three judges can knock a contestant out mid-performance by unanimously hitting their buzzers makes that comparison seem even more apt. But although the show certainly has its share of train wrecks and freak shows, it is not primarily an ironic demonstration that America has no talent. It is primarily a demonstration that an awful lot of people have talents from which they can never expect to make one penny or get a second of fame. So the focus of the show isn't so much "America's Got Talent" as it is "America's Got Unmarketable Talent."


Source: MSNBC.com


Related Articles: The Hoff on America's Got Talent | Hasselhoff: Cowell Said 'Be a Judge' | David Hasselhoff - America's Got Talent 1

Simon Cowell & FremantleMedia, the producers from "American Idol," team up with NBC in the search for the hottest variety and novelty acts from across the country! From ventriloquists to contortionists, acrobats to animal acts, magicians to mimes, Americans will prove (or not) just how talented they really are. Viewers will decide the ultimate winner, who will receive a million dollar grand prize!


The final vote will be made by America and announced during an exciting live finale!

Find out more at the official website on NBC.com

David Hasselhoff pointed to pal Simon Cowell's persuasiveness as the reason he decided to sign on as a judge on "America's Got Talent", a new NBC reality show produced by the "American Idol" guru.

"He called me up and said, `Would you do this?'And I said, `I don't want to be a judge!'And he said, `Come on, it's fun! You're funny!'"
And, shrugged Hasselhoff,"Because it's Simon, I did it."

The 53-year-old actor-singer, who played lifeguard Mitch Buchannon on "Baywatch" for 11 years, is one of three judges, along with singer Brandy and British journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan. The show, an "Idol" -like talent contest hosted by Regis Philbin, arrives Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDT.
The series features a wide variety of acts, from singers to magicians to pet tricks. The winner, chosen by viewers, will receive a prize of $1 million.


While judging the contestants at auditions, Hasselhoff told The Associated Press on Monday, he was "sweet" at first, but now demands talent and doesn't "give anybody a break anymore."


He even gave a thumbs-down to an elderly woman who was "trying to call the birds."

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Simon Cowell sure seems fond of David Hasselhoff in this photo to promote their upcoming talent competition series 'America's Got Talent'. (Simon is executive producer for the show. David Hasselhoff is a judge.)


Looking at this photo, I can almost picture these two holding hands and skipping through a meadow. Awww! (Feel free to add captions in the comments if you'd like.)


America's Got Talent premieres June 21st at 9 pm.



Source: About.com