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My reaction to the sixth season of Idol is it's a laughing out loud comedy disguised as a talent show. How many shows can you say that about? Few sitcoms anymore can leave you with a smile on your face for an hour or two.

Not only can you laugh during the show, you'll find yourself driving down the road and breaking up again when the radio re-run spots come on.

American Idol is first and foremost entertainment with a capital E. This season is no different than the previous five except for the contestants who get more and more bizarre.

Producers at the beginning of the show get viewers hooked by putting on the worst or funniest people who think they can sing. And believe me, many of these poor souls actually believe they can sing and are devasted when the judges break the news to them that they CAN'T SING A NOTE!

If only good to better singers were featured on the show it wouldn't last one season. People turn in to watch would-be entertainers make a fool of themselves. Chalk it up to human nature. They love it when Simon "tells it like it is." Without Simon's caustic wit -granted sometimes he goes too far like telling one contestant he looked like a monkey - the ratings would fall flat. Randy and Paula couldn't cut it alone.

It also strikes a chord with people that Simon is willing to stand up for what he believes in and is not afraid to say it.

After the producers have you hooked on the ridiculous antics of the contestants, you can then stick around for the good singers. Every week millions of people are glued to their seats to see which one gets axed. If you want to vote okay, if not that's okay too.

Sure many really good singers are never given a chance to audition. It's just the luck of the draw. The good thing is that previously unknown talent get a once in a lifetime chance at the big time. They are willing to go to any extremes to get it.

The ratings this year beat all other years and topped all program ratings Wednesday night, setting new records.

American Idol is doing something right, first and foremost providing great entertainment. Isn't that what they are there for?

Learn more about this author, Barbara Claire Schaefer.
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