Do you think that shows like "American Idol" and "Star Search" (and the like ) highlight the real talent? Do you think that talent is even still a factor?

If you think that music begins and ends with vocally dominated pop music, than sure, I guess there's some talent on the show...

...however, if you're looking for something, you know, a bit more..."creative", I'd suggest you turn off the television and find your own music. There's so much great stuff out there that gets almost no fanfare at all that it makes me sick. It's sad that the vast majority of people, in America at least, allow a handful of corporations to make aesthetic decisions for them and dictate what is good and what is bad. These days, it's almost a rule that the more uncreative the "artist", the more corporate backing they will receive, and thus, more overall fanfare.

I like watching the the first rounds. Some of the crappy singers are hilarious.

The good singers too, for that matter, are usually ridiculously dunce and self-centered.