Black and white. The monochrome nature of the first prehistoric television. Boring, dull, and lifeless.

Reality television singing competitions are all the same: the public auditions, the celebrity judges, the interaction from the fans. The same monotonous programs again, again, and again.

“American Idol,” one of the first popular reality telev­­ision singing shows, garnered great popularity since its second season. However, despite the few singing gems that have emerged from this show, there are only two things that could bring enjoyment to its viewers. The first entertaining part of the show would be the comical first set of auditions. From a girl in a bikini to slightly deranged, tone deaf individuals, producers have allowed the weird, weirder, and weirdest onto the televised show. The second humorous part of American Idol would be Simon Cowell, the hilariously caustic British judge (remember Dolly Parton on helium?). Simon’s exit off the show after Season 9 sent the show on a downward spiral because aside from his entertaining comments, the performances were so lackluster and distressing.

One man’s loss is truly another man’s gain because after Simon left “American Idol,” he became a judge on his own reality competition show that he started back in 2004, “The X Factor.” The “The X Factor” differs every so slight from “American Idol” contenders not only compete against everybody as a whole but also against their individual group. Groups include Girls, Boys, Groups, and Over 25’s. Groups offer a greater performance and entertainment factor, but the Over 25’s are boring, old, and need to go. “The X Factor” shows no originality in this overplayed genre and has just added to the overwhelming amount of reality singing shows.

“The Voice,” one of the newer singing competition shows has proven a great success. Unique elements of “The Voice” like “blind auditions” and “battle rounds” make the show different from any others out there. “Blind auditions” are when the four judges face toward the audience instead of toward the contestant. If the judges like what they hear and want that contestant to be part of their team, they can push a button to turn their chair around. Singers who otherwise might not have been given a chance due to their appearance are now allowed to showcase their talent. “Battle rounds” are when two contestants compete in a boxing ring to outshine each other in this fierce battle. But in all seriousness, how melodramatic and extremely entertaining can a singing competitino get? However, we’re talking about television, so I’m not the least bit surpised. Slightly better than the previous two, “The Voice” uses innovative twists to shed a greater light on such an overdone genre.

Once in a while, everyone falls into alluring traps that twist them to see worth in something so worthless. Reality television singing shows proved to be my trap as I have watched them for the last few years of my life. If you want to see true “reality singing,” swing to the Discovery Channel for the latest episode of “Man Cheetah Wild.”