What Talent Competition Show(s) Do You Watch? [Poll]

The ratings for TV talent competition shows are through the roof.  For lots of you, including myself, the shows are must see events.  If you think TV talent competition is fairly recent, think again.  Take our poll and tell us the talent competition shows you watch.

Talent competition shows actually date way back to the early days of radio.  The year was 1934 when "The Original Amateur Hour" debuted.  The show, for most of it's run, was hosted by Ted Mack.  In 1948 Amateur Hour transitioned to television and hung on in several variations until 1970.  During that long span "The Original Amateur Hour" lauched only two stars.  One of them was fifties crooner Pat Boone.  I think you may know the other personality.  A cute little 7 year old girl with a huge voice made her first TV performance.  Her name was Gladys Knight.  Back then who would have guessed that 60 years later, in 2012, that she would compete in a blockbuster national TV dancing competition.

Another talent competition show was on the air in the 50's.  This one, was called "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts."  Godfrey introduced a bunch of budding stars.  Contestants included Tony Bennett, Roy Clark, Connie Francis, Steve Lawrence, and Jonathan Winters.  Two guys who auditioned but didn't make the cut to appear on the broadcast were Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley.  Whoops!

During the 80's and 90's we had "Star Search" hosted by our friend Ed McMahon.  This program introduced several mega stars such as Adam Sandler, Beyonce', Brittany Spears, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Simpson, and LeAnn Rimes.

A couple of things before we get to our poll.  I realize that "Dancing With The Stars" is not a talent search, but the show must be included in the poll due to it's popularity.  The program is a talent competition.

Speaking of talent competitions, a Jersey tradition resumes on June 17th.  It's Big Joe Henry's Jersey Talent Show at Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach every Sunday night this summer.  Check it out with your family and friends.  You'll have a great time!

On the poll click on to the programs you watch.  Have fun!