In the early to mid 1980s I wanted to be a star. I didn't care if that meant I was a singer, dancer or actor. My real dream, however was to be on a sitcom like Silver Spoons so I could hang with Jason Bateman or Growing Pains so I could become Kirk Cameron's girlfriend.
To make that dream come true in the 1980s, you needed to get yourself on Star Search with Ed McMahon. The show had different categories such as comedy, singing and dancing. Judges would give the performers stars. Winner would be brought back for another round and would compete for prize money and basically a chance at stardom - getting their name out there, etc.
Sadly, I never reached the point of knowing exactly how to get myself on Star Search, so no, I was never a contestant. But I did enjoy watching! Star Search first aired in 1983 and ran until 1995 with Ed as the host. The show was resurrected in 2003 with Arsenio Hall introducing the acts. Sadly, the show didn't last very long and only ran for about a year.
In case you're unfamiliar with Star Search, check out the YouTube clips below featuring before-they were famous stars Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Many celebs got their start on the popular prime time talent show -- Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Countess Vaugh (Moesha) and Alisan Porter (Curly Sue) also appeared on Star Search in addition to many hopefuls who didn't make it big.
Watching Star Search was exciting as a kid. As a celebrity wannabe, I preferred watching the younger performers. The older amateurs bored me. I wasn't a big fan of Sam Harris who seemed to appear on the show like every week. After each performance, I'd anxiously await hearing Ed McMahon call out the amount of stars each contestant received, "2Cute4U three and a quarter stars."
Do you remember Star Search?
Britney Spears on Star Search
Justin Timberlake on Star Search
