"Star Search" (1983) TV series 1983-1995

Writers:

Jerrod Cardwell (2003)
Scott C. Voss (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 9 | unknown

Release Date:

17 September 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Game-Show | Music

Plot:

Contestants compete in a talent show featuring music and comedy categories.

Plot Keywords:

Talent | Singing | Stand Up Comedy | Singer | Competition

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ed McMahon	...	Himself - Host / ... (32 episodes, 1983-2003)
Sam Riddle	...	Himself - Announcer (26 episodes, 1983-1986)
Durell Coleman	...	Himself - Male Vocalist (15 episodes, 1984-1985)
Beverly Leech	...	Herself - Actress / ... (13 episodes, 1984-1985)
Kevin Alexander Stea	...	Himself / ... (13 episodes, 1990-1991)

Series Directed by
Tim Kiley		(4 episodes, 1984-1986)
Greg V. Fera		(3 episodes, 1992)

Series Writing credits
Sam Riddle		(3 episodes, 1983-1986)
Alfred Masini		(2 episodes, 1983-1986)
Phil Kellard		(2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Tom Shatz		(2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Jerrod Cardwell		(unknown episodes, 2003)
Scott C. Voss		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Bob Banner	....	executive producer (3 episodes, 1983-1986)
Sam Riddle	....	producer (3 episodes, 1983-1986)
Ray Marchant	....	producer: promo (3 episodes, 1983)
Mark Cuban	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes, 2002-2004)
Dean Houser	....	talent producer (unknown episodes, 2003-2004)
Michael Wardlow	....	talent producer (unknown episodes, 2003)
Donna Michelle Anderson	....	senior producer (unknown episodes, 2004)
Vernetta R. Jenkins	....	senior story producer (unknown episodes, 2004)
Nicholas J. Don Vito	....	senior post producer (unknown episodes)
Dan Funk	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)
Andrew J. Golder	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)
Jeff Kmiotek	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
George Taweel	....	coordinating producer (unknown episodes)
Todd Wagner	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Don Weiner	....	line producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Bill Purse		(48 episodes, 1983-1992)
Joseph Carbone		(2 episodes, 1984)
Chris Lightbody		(unknown episodes)
David Nielsen		(unknown episodes)
Michael Tavera		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Tom Klemesrud		(unknown episodes, 1983-1985)
Brent Carpenter		(unknown episodes)
Justin Curran		(unknown episodes)
Booey Kober		(unknown episodes)
Bill Miller		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Monte Thomas		(1 episode, 1991)
Lennon		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
John Shaffner		(1 episode, 1983)

Series Costume Design by
Sandi Love		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Kim Ayers	....	makeup department head (18 episodes, 2003)

Series Production Management
Allison Miller	....	production supervisor (17 episodes, 2003)
Meredith Fox	....	production supervisor (unknown episodes, 2002)
Bill Ellis	....	executive in charge of production (unknown episodes)
Lisa Silver	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Robert Willrich	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Adam Briles	....	field director (unknown episodes)
Greg V. Fera	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Scott Bergman	....	electronic graphic artist (2 episodes, 2003)

Series Sound Department
Noah Mathers	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Dave Wilson	....	lighting technician (1 episode, 1992)
Steven Castaneda	....	dimmer operator (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Scott C. Voss	....	casting (1 episode, 1992)
Jordan Randell	....	casting: models and dance (unknown episodes, 1986-1991)
Michael McCaskey	....	casting associate (unknown episodes, 2003-2004)
Lisi Alpert	....	casting coordinator (unknown episodes)
Michelle Butin	....	casting: models and dancers (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Pike	....	casting associate (unknown episodes)
Carole Propp	....	casting: celebrities (unknown episodes)
Eric S. Rollman	....	casting: singers and bands (unknown episodes)
Steve Stark	....	casting: comics and actors (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Vanessa J. Otis	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes, 2004)

Series Music Department
Bill Purse	....	music arranger (48 episodes, 1983-1992)
Jeannette Harshbarger	....	music coordinator (19 episodes, 2003-2004)
Doug DeAngelis	....	musical director (18 episodes, 2003)
Rick Moncada	....	musical director (17 episodes, 1990-1993)
Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.	....	music supervisor (unknown episodes, 2002-2004)
Mark Allison	....	music coordinator (unknown episodes)
Evan Greenspan	....	music clearance (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Kelsey Kimes	....	driver: honeywagon (1 episode, 1992)

Series Other crew
Sharon Ruiz	....	teleprompter operator (25 episodes, 2003-2004)
Jeremy Guzowski	....	talent coordinator (21 episodes, 2003)
Lisa Zugschwerdt	....	script coordinator (17 episodes, 2003)
Michele Zugschwerdt	....	script supervisor (17 episodes, 2003)
Buck Allen	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1992-1993)
Chad Gervich	....	assistant to executive producer (5 episodes, 2003)
Erica Bello	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 2002)
Joel Sturdivant	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 2003-2004)
Jeff Kmiotek	....	segment coordinator (unknown episodes, 2003)
Andrew J. Stratmann	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 2003)
Casey B. Davis	....	script coordinator (unknown episodes, 2004)
Erik Aguirre	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Lauren Bass	....	assistant to executive producer (unknown episodes)
Gaye Ann Bruno	....	photo publicity (unknown episodes)
Heather Cohen	....	travel coordinator (unknown episodes)
Sharif Crawford	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Michael Forshee	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Gregg Gelfand	....	associate director (unknown episodes)
David Gonzalez	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Alfred Masini	....	concept (unknown episodes)
Samantha Prag	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Wade Randolph	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Andy Ussach	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Jason Watters	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Robert Willrich	....	location manager (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• 2929 Productions (2002-2004)
• A.Gold.er Productions (2003-2004)
• Bob Banner Associates (1983-1988)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (2003-2004)
• Metromedia Productions
• Metromedia Television (1983-1986)
• Rysher Entertainment (1994-1995)
• Television Program Enterprises (TPE) (1983-1994)

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (2002-)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (2003) (USA) (TV)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (2004) (USA) (TV)
• Paramount Television (2000-2003)
• Paramount Television (2000-2004) (USA)
• Rysher Entertainment (1993-1999)
• Television Program Enterprises (TPE)

Other Companies

• Evan M. Greenspan  music clearance
• Hollywood Center Studios  production facilities
• ShowBiz Enterprises  draperies

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

2929 Productions

Trivia:

Marla Heasley was the show's first spokesmodel. She won the pilot episode with John Schneider as the host. She went on to win two more shows with Ed McMahon as the host replacing John Schneider.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Beverly Kills (2005)

Before American Idol and Who Wants to Be A Star!

Ed McMahon was the host of this star making series that lasted a few years in syndication. Star Search wasn't so much about the judges like American Idol. In fact, I barely remember the judges. They were often coy, cool, and collective like their host, Ed McMahon. This show launched careers like the country music group, Sawyer Brown, and some others. Unlike American Idol and it's copycats, Star Search never gave the impression of being rude or cruel to their contestants. It was more first class. They treated their contestants like stars with respect and dignity. Granted, only a few became superstars. But the show was never about the judges or host and their antics as we have seen in recent years, it was about finding and nurturing talent. On Star Search, Susan Boyle would have been treated even if she couldn't sing. Star Search never did show the rejection auditions. Maybe that's a good thing.