Talent shows searching for pop stars first hit TV screens in the 1950s.
Then in the 1960s a boy band called The Monkees was put together especially for a funny TV programme.
They were very popular and their songs did well in the charts.
The Monkees later inspired TV bosses to create S Club 7 - who also first appeared in a TV show and then went on to have lots of hits.
Shows like Popstars and Fame Academy have taken the trend for reality TV and mixed it with the old-fashioned talent show and then churned out instant stars.
