'How about idols who are good maths, science?'

Some people say the increasing number of talent contests aired on TV are good to boost competition and a sporting attitude among the young. Others are more critical and believe that real talent and hard work are overlooked in the process. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakartans what they thought about the phenomenon.

Martina Sinaga, 34, works at a private bank in Bogor, where she lives with her husband.

I don't understand. Young people these days prefer to become models, singers or TV stars rather than researchers, scientists or economists. Which do you think the country needs the most?

How many teenagers take part in science contests, or research social issues? Next to none -- compared to the number of youngsters queuing to audition for star-search shows or walk-in auditions.

I'm afraid our younger generation has been fooled to believe that the entertainment industry can offer them an easy life.

With a nice voice -- you don't have to sound as good as Whitney Houston -- the right look, or an anorexic body that has been put through robust exercise at the gym, one can easily reach stardom in the country.

Even if you are really, really talented in music or acting, it is the above formula that spells success.

Rina, 30, works as an employee of a city enterprise in Central Jakarta. She lives with her husband and daughter in Cengkareng, West Jakarta:

Teenagers need idols. But, such talent shows are not original entertainment. Most of them copy other programs by adapting the "elimination process" or expose the day-to-day activities of contestants as their boarding house/training center. It's boring.

In my opinion, TV stations need to be more creative. They must look for other qualities that make someone an idol. For example, few stations are interested in youths who have excelled in maths or science. They shouldn't just focus on the contestant's fashion sense or musical ability.

--The Jakarta Post