1. A method for automatically producing an optimal summary of a linear media source, comprising: (a) parameterizing the linear media source to produce a parameterized media signal; (b) creating a similarity array comprised of a plurality of array elements, wherein each array element includes the value of a similarity measurement between a first portion of the parameterized media signal and a second portion of the parameterized media signal; (c) optimizing the value of a segment fitness function over the similarity array in order to find an optimal segment, wherein the segment fitness function is adapted to measure the similarity between a segment of the parameterized media signal and the entire parameterized media signal and is a mathematical function of at least a location of the segment; and (d) selecting a portion of the linear media source as the optimal summary, the portion of the linear media source corresponding to the optimal segment.