99 Words About … The glut of singing contests

We need more singers like we need more Ryan Seacrest.

Teachers? Sure. Kate Upton pictorials? Absolutely.

But singers?

Browse iTunes, Spotify or Zia and you'll find dozens of established, under-the-radar performers better than any TV contest winner.

Yet singing competitions keep devouring airtime and smacking down comedies and dramas.

Crazily, viewers seemingly care more about the contests than the contestants.

They turned out in droves when Katharine McPhee sang on "Idol," yet ran screaming from the idea of her singing on the scripted treat "Smash."

It's enough to make your head spin like those goofy chairs on "The Voice."

-- CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE