We judge a lot of things these days… singers and dancers, child singers and child dancers, magicians, jugglers, ventriloquists, and impressionists, stars and schmos. Every network… every imaginable form of entertainment, seems to have its own show focused on a panel of celebrity judges and judges whose celebrity stems from being a judge on a show with judges. The judges tell us why a particular talent is the next great thing or only worthy of being seen on a cruise ship… despite the fact that they just broadcast the questionable talent around the world for all to see… and judge. There was a time when talent was discovered… not judged. There was a time when a show went out of its way to bring the viewing audience the best talent available. Ed Sullivan presented proven entertainment. The judging took place before the show ever aired. The audience wasn’t expected to help by calling Ed and voting for The Beatles. When we see people trying out in desperation because their undiscovered, untapped, and often nonexistent talent is their “last hope”, it only serves to dilute the real talent and put us viewers in a position of telling someone, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”. When we have to vote on whether someone can carry a tune (when I can’t) or step in time (which I can’t), we only serve to tell someone “I can’t sing… and neither can you.” I don’t want to hold auditions in my living room… I want to see talent presented as it should be—discovered… not judged.