Netflix Took On America’s Got Talent And The Voice — And Fell Flat
Everyone is chasing AGT’s magic; few shows catch it. In the race for spectacle and staying power, most contenders stumble.
Talent shows aren't going anywhere. America's Got Talent just wrapped a 20th season, The Voice and American Idol keep chugging along, and audiences still love a wild audition. So Netflix dusting off Star Search sounded like a layup. It hasn't played out that way.
So... how did the premiere actually do?
Netflix launched the Star Search reboot live on January 20 with two episodes. In its first week, it didn't crack the streamer's Global Top 10. Per the trade tallies, those two episodes pulled in under 2.3 million views. It did manage a No. 5 spot on the U.S. Top 10, and it showed up at No. 9 in South Africa. That's it for chart appearances.
The talent and the format are there
The on-paper package is solid: Anthony Anderson hosts, with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chrissy Teigen, and Jelly Roll on the judging panel. The show is live, and Netflix is letting viewers vote from the couch by remote or phone. Contestants run the gamut across music, dance, and variety/comedy. In theory, that's exactly the mix that made the original a pipeline for future stars.
About that legacy
The first Star Search (1983–1995) was a legit launchpad. The alumni list is stacked, which is why expectations for a reboot are sky-high:
- Beyonce, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Aaliyah
- Alanis Morissette and LeAnn Rimes
- Dave Chappelle, Rosie O'Donnell, and Adam Sandler
Why isn't this landing (yet)?
That's the mystery. Big-name host, buzzy judges, a brand people remember, and the live-vote gimmick should be a hook. But Netflix's live efforts can be hit-or-miss: live sports have popped for them, while not every live special has connected. Also worth a quick nerdy programming note: Star Search has been revived before. CBS brought it back in 2003 and raced through four seasons by 2004. Short-lived, but busy.
Early days, but the clock is ticking
It's only been a few episodes, so there's time for word of mouth and promotion to kick in. Reality tends to perform well on Netflix, and if the show finds a breakout act or a must-see moment, those weekly numbers can turn around.
Where to watch
If you want to judge for yourself, Star Search streams live on Netflix Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET. Voting is built in, so your remote actually matters for once.