E-Mail This Article to a Friend For a song Stay home with a karaoke machine until you’re ready for the public stage BY BRIAN E. O’NEILL

If you’ve seen the movie Duets, you’re probably aware of a few things — not the least of which is that you need to upgrade your Netflix queue. More to the point, you know that karaoke is some major fun, and, dare we say, potentially addictive. Unless you happen to be a rock star already, there probably aren’t many other daily opportunities to have a crowd cheer wildly for you. From the girlfriends who giggle their way through a drunken rendition of "Bette Davis Eyes" to the semi-pro who un-ironically belts out "Take My Breath Away," karaoke culture gives everyone a chance at three minutes of quasi-fame. Which makes it somewhat curious that this, the phenomenon meant to make each of us the next American Idol, has become the next big thing in home entertainment. But these, um, "duet yourself" products are cropping up all over.

At Circuit City you can find the Leadsinger Handheld Karaoke Player ($149.99), a handheld microphone that connects to your TV set. Leadsinger has 300 built-in songs (you can purchase more), and the lyrics display across your TV screen. It also works wirelessly through any FM radio.

More affordable is the Karaoke Dance Party Machine ($39.99) at KB Toys. Though undeniably geared toward kids (what with its hot-pink hardware and sparkly decals), this tabletop model is still pretty fun and just as able as its grown-up counterparts to play back-up tracks and project your voice. It even comes with a starter disc, featuring "Who Let the Dogs Out" among others.

For something more interactive, there’s Karaoke Revolution ($59.99), a video game for PlayStation 2, available at Best Buy. Not only does it come complete with a gaggle of Top 40 hits (from "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" to "Hit Me With Your Best Shot"), it also has a headset microphone, à la Janet Jackson and Judy the Time-Life operator. Karaoke Revolution compares your pitch and rhythm to those intended for the song, and offers players a "score" after each performance.

When you’re finally ready to move from the living room to the big show, the citizens of Boston’s karaoke-opolis will be waiting with "Open Arms" (and the rest of Journey’s greatest hits, too). And there’s no place better than Jamaica Plain’s Milky Way Lounge & Lanes. First it was "Mary Mary’s All-Star Karaoke," hosted by JP legend and Babaloo alum Mary Beth Cahill; now it’s Reverend Pete, whose "Rock Star Karaoke" runs every Tuesday night ($3 cover charge). Though it starts at 9 p.m., things don’t get hopping until 10. But if you want some stage time, get there early. And have fun — all that home practice will serve you well.

Where to find it:

• Best Buy, various locations; www.bestbuy.com.

• Circuit City, various locations; www.circuitcity.com.

• KB Toy Works, 297 Great Road, Bedford, (781) 271-9033; www.kbtoys.com.

• Milky Way Lounge and Lanes, 403-405 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, (617) 524-3740; www.milkywayjp.com.