MTV hits high note with `Karaoke'.(Brief Article)

TAIWAN

TAIPEI It's almost Stone Age, but it's true. One of the most successful shows MTV has in Taiwan relies on one of the oldest musical tricks in the book: karaoke. The show "Karaoke Box" allows MTV viewers a chance to sing their favorite pop songs on TV.

A half-hour show filled with patchy singers could be ratings death. But the perky graphics and participation of stars on "Karaoke Box" has quickly made it one of MTV's highest-rated Taiwanese shows -- and one that could be adapted for other markets.

The unknowns sing and then their pre-recorded performances are heavily snipped into segments of a mere few seconds. Only one hopeful each week gets …