Star Search fans criticize Netflix for poor picture and sound quality

Star Search fans were excited to see the beloved talent competition series make its return after three decades—this time on Netflix. The first episode of the show aired on January 20th, kicking off a five-week-long series featuring performers in singing, dancing, magic, and group routines.

However, the live premiere didn’t go as smoothly as fans had hoped. Viewers quickly noticed some technical issues with the picture and sound quality, starting from the show’s introduction by the host, Anthony Anderson. These glitches persisted throughout the nearly hour-and-a-half-long production, prompting viewers to take to social media and share their frustrations.

Netflix received criticism from fans for what they perceived as poor quality, with comments about blurry visuals, low microphone volumes, and music that sounded “underwater.” Despite the technical hiccups, viewers were pleased with one significant format change the reboot had adopted. Instead of the traditional telephone call and fax voting system of the original show, fans could now vote in real-time using their TV remote or the Netflix app.

Star Search originally premiered in 1983, hosted by Ed McMahon and featuring well-known judges like Naomi Judd, Ben Stein, and Arsenio Hall. The show ended in 1995, with a brief revival in the 2000s. Over the years, Star Search has served as a launchpad for various Hollywood stars, including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Dave Chappelle, and Norm MacDonald.

The series’ reboot features celebrity judges Chrissy Teigen, Jelly Roll, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, with Anthony Anderson taking over hosting duties. Despite the technical blunders on the live premiere, fans are eager to see the talent unfold over the course of the series on Netflix.