Getting Gigs with TOTAL audience involvement?

Getting the occasional audience member up onto the stage is one thing; and it really does make for memorable gigs all round.

But what about this:

Rockaraoke

Whole gigs based around various other people fronting your act? I'm sure the concept will horrify a lot of bands and musicians.

Really though, how different is it from DJs who had to diversify into Karaoke in order to get the gigs? Given how successful Karaoke became, couldn't any performer wanting to maximise the number of night he was out gigging offer this kind of night from time to time? Probably only if credibility was no issue!

I do though personally know of one punk band who've done this kind of thing from time time in the U.K.

Their rationale (as well as gaining some extra cash and exposure from these gigs) is that:

1. It's useful practise in terms of (musically at least) running through material
2. Networking with other singers/musicians
3. It's better than staying in watching tv

Is it any more than a "cop-out" and admitting defeat I wonder