If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
“Star Search,” the iconic talent competition that originally ran from 1983 to 1995, is returning next week. However, there’s a twist: the show is moving from its original home on CBS to Netflix.
The beloved series has been rebooted by the streaming platform with a new live format. Anthony Anderson will take the place of beloved host Ed McMahon, who passed away in 2009. Netflix’s “Star Search” will premiere on Jan. 20 and will continue to stream live every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.
Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen will all serve as judges. As per usual, they’ll evaluate a diverse range of talent, including musicians, dancers, comedians, junior performers, and variety acts.
During each episode, audience members will vote in real time to determine which contestants advance and who gets eliminated.
This interactive format requires viewers to watch as episodes stream live. Netflix warns in a Tudum blog post that pausing, rewinding, or joining late could result in missing the voting window entirely.
The streamer explains that during voting rounds, a prompt will appear on screen allowing viewers to rate each performance on a one-to-five-star scale. Viewers can then use their remote to select ratings, while mobile users tap their choice directly on the app. Each Netflix profile can submit one vote per performance, and votes cannot be changed once submitted.
The real-time voting feature works on newer smart TVs, streaming devices including Roku and Apple TV, and mobile devices running the latest Netflix app. Android users need version 9 or later, while iPhone and iPad users require iOS or iPadOS 17 or later. The voting feature will not be available through web browsers.
Results and eliminations will be announced live during each episode.
During its original run, “Star Search” was a powerhouse for discovering future legends. It helped launch the careers of musical icons like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and LeAnn Rimes, as well as comedians like Drew Carey and Rosie O’Donnell.