Usually, when the latest fad is introduced to our blessed country, Americans gobble it up faster than you can say "Macarena." Then, over time, the fad reaches the inevitable point of overkill and becomes as embarrassingly ridiculous as classic fads like the Boy Band craze, those little digital pets that you had to "feed" so they wouldn't "die" - and those ubiquitous Beanie Babies.

These days, our latest fad is Reality TV, and since the introduction of the first wave of reality shows - it appears that this type of programming has become so popular, that the "old-fashioned" shows like the sitcom and drama are slowly being eclipsed and could very well become a thing of the past.

I will confess that I do watch some reality shows, whether for the suspense or the stupidity. I will also confess that I have even looked forward to some new episodes of certain reality shows - again, either for the suspense or the stupidity. But whatever my opinion of reality shows are - it completely changed last night when I saw American Idol and watched in complete silenced shock as they devoted the last ten minutes of their show - a show that generates a Top 5 rating every time it airs - to William Hung. Hung, although quickly rejected by the three Idol hosts on his first appearance after he sang Ricky Martin's She Bangs - has somehow become so popular, that he is the subject of countless websites, has made many public appearances at famous events and venues, including a halftime performance at a UC Berkeley men's volleyball game, has his rendition of She Bangs available on the Internet in several different remixed forms - and unbelievably - was offered a $25,000 record contract and music video production deal by Fuse Music Network and Koch Entertainment.

Please tell me I am dreaming.

I cannot believe, fathom, understand or comprehend how a man who, according to American Idol standards - could not sing to save his life, was invited back to be the closing act for an episode of a show that just recently dismissed him - and was given a $25,000 deal by a major record and television company. According to Marc Juris, the President of Fuse Music Network, they offered Hung the deal because they, "instantly identified with William's drive to do his best and 'have no regrets at all.' Every one of us is joyfully guilty of singing our favorite song at the top of our lungs with wild abandon, all the while completely off key and uninhibited. That's what William did and instantly won the hearts of America."

While I can't argue with Juris, because if I went on American Idol and sang my favorite song at the top of my lungs with wild abandon - Simon would have shot me, so I will give Mr. Hung credit for his guts. But is he worth $25,000? What does it say about this country that EMI/Virgin Records dropped Pop Icon and Diva Mariah Carey's $20 million per album deal because her movie Glitter did not do well at the box office - but an American Idol reject can get a record deal for singing horribly? How can the Reality TV genre be taken seriously when a completely untalented "singer" can be the closing act on one of America's most popular shows? And worse...why does Hung's new found fame not surprise me?

What's next for Reality TV? Lord only knows...and I don't want to know.

Beam me up Scotty...