Seriously? That's funny?

You'd think by now I would realize that reality TV, including talent competitions, are hardly "real". I mean, does the most talented performer always win?

Case in point. Scott and I have watched "Last Comic Standing" for the past couple of years. Every year, as we watch the auditions, we try to predict who will move on to the next level. In some instances, the funny comedians actually do move on, but in most, the oddest performer is selected. Why? I thought the purpose of the show was to choose the FUNNIEST person, not the one with the most unusual social quirks.

Of course, this season was no exception. I don't understand why the producers (or whoever ultimately decides who will move on) feel the need to fill the house with annoying or quirky people rather than funny ones. Granted, it might make for more interesting TV since it's bound to create some drama or tension, but I think it would be just as funny to actually watch TALENTED comedians interact with one another. I mean, isn't that the point of the show? To find the funniest up-and-coming comedian?

Last night was the long, drawn out finale. Really, it could have been over and done with in 30 minutes, tops. (Even the audience looked annoyed and bored; glad I didn't pay for those seats.) Last week, each comic performed for about 5 minutes or so, and then "America" had a chance to vote starting at the end of the show. Based on their performances, I really don't understand how the woman (Ilisa) won. Three of the four other finalists were so much funnier than she was. Even a friend of mine, who enjoyed some of Ilisa's previous performances, admitted that she wasn't as funny as the others. And yet, she won. How in the world?

I have a couple different theories as to how that happened.
1. Exposure. Due to the program's short season, there weren't very many comic showdowns. Of those, Ilisa was challenged every single time. Thus, she had more exposure than any of the others.

2. Sympathy/ underdog. I'm wondering if people "voted" for her because she had been challenged so much. Think of it as a sympathy vote if you will. Poor Ilisa. She's been challenged again. We should vote for her.

3. Rigged results. Maybe the producers manipulated the votes (I'm not sure how; ask some of the protestors from the 2000 election) so that a woman would win. Again, my guess is that they wanted to play up the underdog and create a Cinderella ending.

I'd like to say that after yet another disappointing outcome from this show that I won't watch it in the future. But I know how I am; I, ever the optimist, will hope against hope that maybe next time the show will actually live up to its name.