Star Search

1 9 8 3 – 1 9 9 5 (USA)

Star Search featured talented amateurs who competed in various categories vying for the top prize of $100,000 and a chance at a professional show business career. Ed McMahon hosted, assisted by Marla Hasley. Sam Riddle was the announcer.

While categories varied slightly from season to season, the ten basic categories were: Female vocal; Male vocal; Teen vocal/Junior vocal; Group vocal; Dance; Junior dance/Teen dance; Spokesmodel; and Comedy.

Potential contestants auditioned to be on the show and each category featured just two selected contestants – a champion and a challenger.

All acts were judged by a panel of four judges and the competitor with the best average score won. The winning performers returned as the champion and the unsuccessful challengers went home.

In the championship show, winners of the Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Vocal Group, Comedy, and Dance categories were awarded $100,000.

Despite not winning her competition (she lost to Melissa Moultrie), Tiffany, performing as ‘Tiffany Renee,’ was the first Star Search contestant to achieve a #1 hit, with her cover of the Tommy James and the Shondells hit I Think We’re Alone Now.

Contestants who later found fame include Adam Sandler, Drew Carey, Conan O’Brien, Rosie O’Donnell, Dave Chappelle, Alanis Morissette, LeAnn Rimes, The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake (who competed as Justin Randall), Christina Aguilera, and Sharon Stone.

Arsenio Hall presented a revived version of Star Search in 2003 and 2004 on CBS.