And I think sc and Rick have a point about there being some situations where paying to audition might be more acceptable - where the potential reward (getting to play to a large audience of good connections at a more respected venue) makes the gamble of the entrance fee seem worth it.

The situation I described in my initial post, on the other hand, is clearly not worth it - a 15 minute slot on a small cable company's show isn't a very big deal, unless one is star-struck by the prospect of being on TV. I'm not, and this isn't something I'd be interested in doing right now, even if it didn't have a fee. But if it were a gig that I really wanted, I'd probably be able to rationalize gambling an audition fee on it.

Marion, more interested in getting good than in getting discovered