‘Star Search’ is back but Netflix's reboot brings a fun twist to voting system and fans will love it
Owing to its status as a streaming platform giant, Netflix is well-positioned to unearth popular gems from the past and introduce them to a new global audience. The upcoming 'Star Search', a reboot of the original show of the same name that ran on CBS from 1983 to 1995, drops on the streamer on January 20, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET. Netflix has made several interesting changes to the show's format, most notably how audience votes are cast.
As is customary in elimination-based reality television competitions, audience voting is an integral part of the programming. However, unlike other shows like 'Dancing With The Stars, ' which rely heavily on weekly voting windows that are then processed, leading to an inadvertent delay, the 'Star Search' spinoff will feature live, real-time voting. Taste of Country confirmed that the addition of real-time voting would be a brand-new feature of the upcoming show. Anthony Anderson, who is supposed to host the show, recently explained the 'mama-proof' voting process in a video posted on the show's Instagram account.
In the video, Anderson explains that fans of the show will have to watch the live episodes of 'Star Search' that will be airing every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on Netflix. After each performance, a visual prompt will appear on the screen, and audience members will be able to rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. The selection can be made directly by the remote or by tapping on the screen when using the Netflix app. Each user will be able to vote once per performance and only when the prompt appears on screen. This real-time voting would generate results for each episode before it's over, eventually leading to a live finale where the votes determine the competition's winner.
The official Netflix synopsis describes the show as, "Each episode will spotlight the best up-and-coming performers across numerous categories—music, dance, variety, comedy, magic, and juniors—as they compete head to head for their shot at stardom. With an arced competition structure and weekly eliminations with real-time global voting, the series builds dramatic momentum, making every live episode an unmissable event.”
Jelly Roll, Chrissy Teigen, and Sarah Michelle Gellar will be serving as the judges of the show. Speaking about the 'Star Search' reboot, Anderson expressed in an interview with Tudum, "I’m super excited to host this new chapter of Star Search and to introduce such an iconic format to a whole new generation, especially on a global stage like Netflix. The range of talent we’re going to see is going to blow you away, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience all the performances, surprises, and sheer excitement that this new era of Star Search will deliver.” In the past, 'Star Search' launched the careers of several well-known celebrities, including Adam Sandler and Justin Timberlake.
