Netflix’s ‘Star Search’ revival taps into nostalgia, star judges and a swath of talent

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An orange hue illuminated an otherwise dark stage nestled in a CBS lot in Studio City.

Yair Keydar beamed at the crowd, spreading his arms wide as he sang the famous chorus of “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.” He was twelve years old.

Netflix’s talent competition, “Star Search,” is now in its second week, having begun on January 20th. This is a revival of the original show, hosted by Ed McMahon and first aired in 1983, which helped launch the careers of stars like Britney Spears and Beyoncé.

Keydar finished the song with a long, soaring note, and his voice seemed to hang in the air, silencing the entire room. The judges – Chrissy Teigen, Jelly Roll, and Sarah Michelle Gellar – were deeply moved, and they all stood up, wiping away tears.

This was the young singer’s debut performance, broadcast live to both a studio audience and viewers around the world on a major streaming service.

Grammy-winning singer Jelly Roll told someone they were destined for greatness, saying, ‘I don’t know what the future holds, but you’re going to be a star!’ His words were almost lost in the enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Performances like Keydar’s are what the revival was meant for, the judges said.

Starting a new TV show is always difficult, so Netflix aimed to recapture the feeling of the original while updating it for today’s viewers, explained David Friedman, a showrunner for the competition.

What really struck me was how he talked about the strong feelings of nostalgia and family memories – it was clear that’s what made the whole thing so special and thrilling for him.

This show is a first-of-its-kind project for Netflix, airing live on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for five weeks, with the final episode on February 17th. Viewers can even vote directly through the Netflix app while watching.

Shows like “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” already let viewers vote for their favorites, but “Star Search” hopes its simple voting process will keep people watching. According to Friedman, the first three weeks of voting have run smoothly with no major problems.

Netflix is experimenting with live events, and their new show, “Star Search,” is the latest example. They’ve faced some technical difficulties as they learn to handle the large number of viewers tuning in—a previous boxing match experienced buffering problems. However, Netflix is improving, and recent events like Alex Honnold’s climb of Taipei 101 (“Skyscraper Live”) went more smoothly. They’re also planning to livestream BTS’ concert in March.

Anthony Anderson hosts the series, which initially ranked at number five on Netflix in the U.S. However, it has since fallen out of the top ten. Despite this, the show’s creators, including Friedman, are optimistic that it will gain popularity thanks to its distinctive voting process and overall format.

With so many new shows competing for viewers, Friedman expressed his hope that people will give his show a try.

Honestly, my biggest hope is that people actually discover this film. It’s tough these days, with so much vying for our attention on our phones and across all these different streaming services. But if it does reach an audience, I really believe they’ll find something truly special about it.

The show features eight different categories, including a junior music section. Keydar competed against Eric Adrien Williams, a talented 10-year-old gospel singer who previously won his first-round matchup against a young country artist.

I was so thrilled to see Keydar get a perfect score – five stars from every single contestant! It was even better than Williams’ performance. But honestly, the best part is still to come – we, the audience, get to decide too, and our scores are still being counted!

People had one minute to vote. According to Netflix, viewers in over 160 countries participated, but the total number of votes wasn’t released.

Keydar outperformed Williams, earning the top spot in the category. He successfully defended his championship the following week. Now, Keydar, who is from Florida, will compete for a place in the final round during Week 4.

How the categories, judging and voting work

Just like in the entertainment industry, a contestant’s success on “Star Search” depended entirely on how well they did in their most recent performance, according to Friedman.

Every week, a winner is chosen in each event. These champions then face a new competitor the following week, and they have to defend their title all the way to the final show. The production involves a lot of last-minute script adjustments and practice sessions before filming each night, and the performers are constantly refining their routines throughout the week.

Viewers can vote by watching the show live. They have 60 seconds after each performance to give it a rating from one to five stars. The audience’s average score then counts as half of the performer’s total score – essentially acting as a fourth judge.

Each week, sixteen performers compete over two days of filming, divided into eight different categories. These categories include musical performances for both individuals and groups, dance, comedy, magic, and a variety of other acts, with a special category for younger performers. The judges don’t meet the contestants until they perform live on stage.

Okay, so a big change from the original series: instead of having winners in each baking category, this Netflix reboot is going for one ultimate champion crowned at the end. And honestly, that’s made me rethink how I’m approaching judging. I’m looking for someone truly exceptional across the board, not just the best in a specific area. It’s a different mindset, for sure.

I really have to consider if someone could truly win ‘Star Search’ outright,” Gellar explained. “That makes the kind of talent we’re seeking even more important.”

As a movie critic, I’m seeing a real shift with this reboot – the live vote now carries a lot more weight. Producer Anderson explained it perfectly: the audience, both in the studio and watching at home, are ultimately the ones who will buy the tickets and decide if this works. It’s a smart move to really emphasize their input – they’re the bottom line, after all.

He explained that these people will be the audience – watching on TV, attending events, buying music, and going to concerts. He added that it’s wonderful they get to share their opinions.

Look, as a critic, I have to say losing Bear Bailey was a real blow. This 34-year-old Southern R&B and country singer truly impressed everyone right out of the gate with his incredibly moving performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – it was one of those moments that genuinely connected with the judges, even bringing Jelly Roll to tears. He was a standout, and it’s tough to see talent like that leave the competition so early.

He competed again in Week 2, but Sophia Saylor, an 18-year-old from Michigan, won the competition. She delivered a powerful and emotional performance of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For,” sharing her personal experience with a visual impairment. Judge Gellar praised her performance, saying she gave it her all.

According to Friedman, the show’s structure reflects the realities of working in the entertainment industry.

Being at the top means you’re always being challenged. Whether it’s music charts, box office numbers, or any part of the entertainment industry, there’s constant competition to stay number one.

A key to the show’s popularity is the constantly changing design of its two stages, which crews have to assemble and take down very quickly. Also, Netflix doesn’t include traditional commercial breaks, a time when most broadcast shows usually fix any technical problems, according to Friedman.

He explained that using Netflix feels like performing live with no safety net. You quickly move towards the end without any chance to correct mistakes.

Why the show was revived

Netflix had been planning “Star Search” for years after acquiring the rights to the show. According to Friedman, it simply took time for them to develop the live voting system and get it working perfectly.

The show originally ran from 1983 to 1995 and helped launch the careers of many performers, including Britney Spears at age 10 and the Backstreet Boys. (AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys appeared in the second week.) Comedians Adam Sandler and Jeff Ross also began their careers on this show.

I’ve always been fascinated by that show, because it’s amazing how many stars it launched, even though they didn’t actually win. It wasn’t about the prize, really – it was all about the incredible exposure they got, which paved the way for their amazing careers. It’s inspiring to see how a single platform could launch so many successful stories!

Anderson explained that they examine what happened to contestants who didn’t win or even make it to the final round, and it’s remarkable how much the show has helped launch their careers.

Friedman preferred to stick with what already worked. He felt the original show was successful and didn’t need major changes. “We weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel,” he explained. “We recognized what people enjoyed and built on that.”

Anderson, a longtime fan of the original show, immediately accepted the opportunity to host the “Star Search” revival, he explained.

Anthony Anderson, known for his role in “black-ish,” has hosted game shows before, including “To Tell the Truth” on ABC and “We Are Family” on Fox. However, it was his fondness for the original “Star Search” that really made him want to take on this new hosting opportunity.

Growing up in Compton, the artist remembers asking his mother to drive him to Hollywood so he could try out for acting roles, he explained.

Anderson shared that he hadn’t experienced being a performer himself, but he was thrilled to be hosting the show. He explained that he was now getting to enjoy the experience from a different perspective, standing on stage with all the talented performers, and he was very excited about it.

I found it really interesting to learn that some of the judges actually have a history with the show! Apparently, both Gellar and John Legend – Chrissy Teigen’s husband – actually tried out for it years ago, but they didn’t make the cut. It’s funny to think about them being on the other side of the table now!

According to Tiegen, the three judges didn’t know each other before the show, but they’ve quickly developed a genuine connection that feels natural, and it’s getting stronger with each passing week.

We’re really building off each other’s energy on stage. Sometimes Anthony doesn’t even need to signal to someone to continue the song – the other performers just naturally jump in and keep it going. It’s becoming more and more impressive to watch.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, best known for starring in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” was the first to join the show. She decided late last year she wanted to try unscripted television and was particularly interested in the live audience voting. As a judge, Gellar is known for being tough, often giving critical feedback and rarely awarding a perfect score.

Jelly Roll joined the project last, but he’s quickly become known for delivering some of its most emotional scenes and generally giving more generous scores than the other judges. Tiegen, who used to be a model, brings a balanced perspective and isn’t afraid to offer direct, honest feedback.

Gellar explained that because they don’t have retakes or someone feeding them lines, it’s crucial to speak clearly and get straight to the point. They’re performing live and relying on their own instincts.

Let me tell you, judging the variety acts on this show is tough. It’s such a mixed bag of talent! We’ve already seen everything from an 8-year-old doing incredible aerial silks work to a 74-year-old comedian killing it on stage. Then there was this amazing laser duo all the way from Vietnam, and a Las Vegas magician who performed a seriously dangerous escape while dangling from the ceiling in a straitjacket. Seriously, it’s been a wild ride so far!

Jelly Roll pointed out that many shows try to do too much. ‘We’ve seen everything,’ he said, ‘from laser battles to an eight-year-old doing acrobatics, and even characters constantly facing life-or-death situations. It feels like they’re throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.’

The creators and judges of the show want to offer a bit of hope during difficult times in the country. Several contestants, including magician TJ Salta from Las Vegas, have used their performances to promote togetherness.

Friedman acknowledged that current events are difficult and can be discouraging. He believes adding some enjoyment to people’s lives would be really beneficial right now.

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2026-02-10 14:04