Okay, first a quote...

"Comparing live music to karaoke is like comparing Picasso to paint-by-numbers" -- Me.

Secondly...
I enjoy karaoke. Yes, it's true. I am in an acoustic duo that covers a lot of different types of music, but not every song I enjoy singing. Also, it does allow both good singers and hackers a way of getting to be on a stage and having fun, and showing off some (occasional) talent. It gives an opportunity for myself to learn some new songs to cover as well, and to see how my range compates to the original. Finally, it gives people a chance to poke fun at themselves with no harm done, except for a few disrupted eardrums. hell, I've won $300 bucks a couple months back for singing one song -- a lot better per song pay than my regular shows, I'll tell ya!

(By the way, we have a couple of companies in this city that host it at various venues that have very professional equipment, so the sound (if not the singing) quality is quite good)

Brian.