Only the geekiest of geeks would know that American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest hosted a TV show for CNET Networks in 1996, called The New Edge, which showcased new technology. How do I know this?

CNET Networks decided to uncover some of the hidden talent from its employees around the world by holding its own CNET Networks Idol contest. CNET employees from every branch (including TechRepublic, News.com, ZDNet, GameSpot, BNET, MP3.com, mySimon, Search.com, TV.com, and Webshots) and every location (including several offices in the U.S., Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the U.K.) were encouraged to submit a video with their talent, from “singers, jugglers, pole vaulters, napkin folders, magicians, musicians, mathematicians and more.” 

I’m a big American Idol fan, but I’ve surpassed the age limitation to compete with all of the Kelly Clarksons and Taylor Hicks of the world. So what a better opportunity than to partake in the CNET Networks Idol contest!! Submissions were due in late November of last year, and the CNET holiday video – hosted by non other than, you guessed it, Ryan Seacrest – was released earlier this week, which launched the voting phase of the competition.

My video submission is one of 32 entries, all of which are truly entertaining. The poll is open until February 2nd, but CNET requests that only CNET employees participate in the voting process, and that each employee only votes one time. I’ve posted my video in this blog entry so that TechRepublic members can get an inside peek. Enjoy the music, and wish me luck!