The original Star Search launched the careers of LeAnn Rimes, Justin Timberlake, Adam Sandler, and dozens of other stars. The show was famously hosted by Ed McMahon. An attempt to reboot the show in 2003 with Arsenio Hall as host failed spectacularly. But as the home of some of the most popular reality shows, Netflix thought they could do better.
A new version of Star Search premiered on the streaming service this week. But viewers accused the show of misleading and scamming them. Keep reading to find out why the audience at home is upset with the reboot.
Netflix Reboots Popular Talent Show
Nearly everyone dreams of being a star. Star Search is the perfect place to start a long career in entertainment. The talent competition includes all types of genres, including comedy, singing, and more.
Anthony Anderson hosts Netflix’s revival. The judging panel is made up of some of today’s hottest stars from different genres. Country singer Jelly Roll, model Chrissy Teigen, and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar give feedback and stars as scores. In a new twist, viewers can vote live while the show is airing right from their television screen or streaming device. New episodes of Star Search air Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the grand finale on February 17, 2026.
Star Search Under Fire For Scamming Audience
The Star Search reboot premiered on Netflix on Tuesday, January 20. The Netflix series claimed that all of the acts were live. However, a report from The U.S. Sun alleges otherwise. An insider revealed that two of the acts were pre-recorded.
Magicians TJ Salta and Fernando Velasco performed in front of the judges and the studio audience. But their acts weren’t live for the audience at home. A source cited “technical difficulties” as the reason why the magicians didn’t perform live. According to The Sun, they only got one take to perform their tricks.
Unfiltered Feedback From Viewers
Some viewers felt misled and scammed by the pre-recorded acts. The overall response to the Star Search reboot online was negative. Viewers took to Reddit to share their unfiltered feedback and it wasn’t pretty.
@andrea.517_ Yes I’m crying 😭 God is using this to reach people!! It’s on Netflix/ Star search #jellyroll #netflix
- “Soo…. If the show is really live why where the contestants of yesterdays (01/20) show present with the same costumes/ clothes on from yesterday???? Anybody else find that weird !??”
- “Underwhelming for sure”
- “Is it just me or these judges are not it? There were no real critiques (except for maybe sarah). Last night’s talent was mediocre at best and they just sat there and complimented everything w chatgpt-like comments.”
- “This was really tough to watch, the acts were mediocre at best.”
- “Honestly they got a bunch of forgettable mid talent, deadddd audience, meh hosting from Anthony Anderson”
- “I loved the original show but this reboot is laughable. I feel like it is a crappy high school talent show. I like the hosts, just not the talent.”
- “The first episode was horrendous, start to finish.”
- “It gives Temu XFactor vibes to me”
The first season of the Star Search reboot will continue to air until the final episode in February. Tell us in the comments if you think the talent show should get a second season.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
