TVSquad

Television and the talent show have been partners since the very first days of the industry. Taking the best (and sometimes worst) performers and putting them in front of the camera, these shows introduced viewers to personalities that either faded into the background or became household names. Usually, these personalities had a talent that would entertain the public -- singing, dancing, telling jokes -- that they would use once they left the talent show stage to increase their fame.

It continued in this fashion throughout the decades. Until, of course, the 21st Century and the Reality Revolution. While standard, yet bigger and bolder, talent shows continued, network programmers began to realize that there were more talented people than just performers. There were models, clothing designers, chefs, hair stylists, and businesspeople out there ready to show their stuff and make it big. So, they turned some of their attention away from singers and dancers and focused on the others. The result? A schedule full of top models, top chefs, top businesspeople, and top inventors.

In other words, the talent show had returned to television in a big way.

Yes, believe it or not, shows like American Idol and Star Search were not the first to showcase amateur talent from across the country. Premiering in 1948, a show titled The Original Amateur Hour launched the careers of people such as Pat Boone, Robert Klein, Connie Francis and Ann-Margret (even a young Frank Sinatra sang on the radio version of the show!). The New York Times reviews the new DVD set and declares it hit and miss.

The thing I hate about the review is the assertion by the writer that the only people who will enjoy this are people in their 90s. Um...huh? I think it can enjoyed by people who like this time of music/comedy, whether you're 30 or 90. She says the show is "TV for the very old." What a lame thing to say.