ABSTRACT
There is something very compelling about so-called talent shows such as the ‘X-Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Every week, millions of us tune in to find out how our favourite contestants are faring and whether they will be granted a short extension to their fifteen minutes of fame. And, what is more, many of us feel passionate enough about it that we are prepared to spend our own money trying to influence the outcome by voting for particular acts. For the majority, that is as far as it goes: a bit of harmless fun on a Saturday night. But can the allure of instant fame and fortune have deeper consequences than that?
