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From the very first commercial I watched for America's Got Talent, I thought it was corny, amateurish and bordered on The Gong Show. If you're too young to remember that, consider yourself lucky. Had the name been something like Talent America or Talent Search America, or even America's Talent Search, I probably would have watched with a little more enthusiasm in the beginning, but I just couldn't get past the corny name.

However, since I'm a confessed Reality and Talent TV show junkie, I forced myself to give it a chance. I still consider it closer to the Gong Show than an actual talent show like So You Think You Can Dance, or American Idol, but it does have a certain charm and authenticity that I believe caters to many people.

The diversity of the judges adds some flair and helps to keep the show interesting. Piers Morgan adds the Simon Cowell edge to the judging, while Sharon Osborne adds the feminine, sensitive and often humorous touch. Then there's David Hasselhoff. What can I say about "The Hoff." I was a HUGE Night Rider fan back in the day, and I also viewed my share of Bay Watch episodes. But I personally have difficulty taking him seriously in his role as a judge on America's Got Talent, but He does offer appeal to many viewers. When Jerry Springer was added to the mix of the show, I had even greater difficulty taking the show seriously.

I do realize that some contestants are getting much desired exposure, and some are probably seeing financial rewards, like the Quick Change Artists David and Dania. So America's Got Talent has served its purpose for a few talented people.

Even though it's done for affect, showcasing those people who obviously have no talent seems to compromise the integrity of individuals who never set out to be humiliated in the first place. I realize some people just want their 15 minutes of fame so their audition for the camera is just for show. But others are serious and have no idea that they are either tone deaf, or simply have no talent at all. So just like the worst of the worst on American Idol, they are subjected to national humiliation.

If someone has thick enough skin to take the humiliation of being laughed at by millions of people, and they can laugh along with them, great. But to subject well-meaning and often clueless people to such degradation seems a little heartless to me. Even though harsh criticism can help those who are willing to listen improve their talent, sometimes the blunt truth to the wrong person can do more harm than good.

In my view America's Got Talent is one Reality TV show that lacks the serious integrity necessary to stand the test of time. For me the pay-off at the end isn't worth the time spent to get there. I give it one or two more seasons at the most.

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