The show’s second season made starlets out of LJ Reyes and Ryza Cenon and reduced Mike Tan’s stature as the ultimate winner to a reluctant stud muffin.

The third incarnation created an able supporting cast in Arci Muñoz and Vaness del Moral. Iwa Moto became an overnight sexy star, and Marky Cielo, despite being in top-rating primetime shows, has not fulfilled his superstar promise.

Except for the first batch, the wan showing of the subsequent winners points to alarming realities. Perhaps the bigwigs behind the show should consider the following:

GIVE MORE WEIGHT TO THE WISDOM OF THE JUDGES RATHER THAN TO TEXT VOTES. This season, runners-up Prince Stefan and Rich Asuncion were actually the most talented but didn’t have the resources to mount a text campaign. Rich, in particular, showed the most startling transformation, from ugly duckling to a regal swan.

StarStruck’s goal of making artistas with “real talent” has devolved into a pera-pera situation. Last season, for example, CJ Muere’s family was said to have spent a minor fortune to keep CJ, picked as the “wild card,” in the running. He landed in the final four through sheer text power and now, GMA Artist Center is said to not know what to do with him.

REVAMP THE COMPOSITION OF THE SCREENING COMMITTEE. Every year, better-looking and more interesting contestants are eliminated early by the committee. The choice of finalists is always puzzling. This year, two names come to mind: Dave Valentino and Hazel Uy.

RETHINK THE ARTISTA TESTS AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE JUDGES. Some of the tests do not bring out the best in the contestants. This season’s voting campaign and pampakilig na kiss flick come to mind. It also did not help that director Louie Ignacio was tyrannical, Lorna Tolentino kept her comments safe, and in spite of talent manager Douglas Quijano’s queer eye for diamonds in the rough, sure sellers Stef Prescott and Paulo Avelino were booted out of the winners’ circle.

Having said all that, one still wishes this season’s winners their share of successful projects. After all, they now face the toughest artista test yet – and that is to actually survive in the hyperreality of showbiz.