Amateur Power; Novices Steal the Show As Television Plays Who Wants to Be a Star From: The Washington Post | Date: September 2, 2007| Author: Tom Shales - Washington Post Staff Writer | Copyright 2007 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post.Copyright information

"What is this, amateur night?!"

Once upon another time, that was the ultimate insult -- as when bellowed by a bombastic director at performers rehearsing a play sloppily in the classic movie musical "42nd Street." But the slur has lost its punch. Any given evening, on any broadcast or cable network, could be amateur night now, and suffer no more for it than high ratings and crowds of commercials.

Television has been invaded by, and perhaps risks being overrun with, ordinary fo...

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