On a television sitcom, the endearing loser character can be quite useful. A person who is socially uncomfortable, sexually challenged, clumsy, or, let’s say, a few channels short of a cable subscription can frequently make you giggle when tales grow old.
Consider Ross Geller on Friends, Homer Simpson on The Simpsons, or George Costanza on Seinfeld.
However, being a loser isn’t always enjoyable in real life. And this truth has long been the foundation of talent shows. Winning entails a certain amount of notoriety and wealth. Losing entails returning to obscurity.
Or does it?
Take Star Search, which was hosted by Ed McMahon from 1983 to 1995 and Arsenio Hall from 2003 to 2004. Anthony Anderson starred in a new version that released on Netflix on January 13. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, episodes are shown live, and viewers can vote in real time.
It’s true that several of its former rivals, including the twice-cancelled Star Search, have another opportunity to succeed in the near future. Think about these celebrities who achieved success after losing the show.
Alanis Morissette (1990)
She was 14 years old, the quintessential adolescent girl of the day, with huge hair and tight clothing. Although she sang a lively pop song on Star Search, she eventually became the queen of angry rock and then a more subdued, reflective singer-songwriter. In addition to being nominated for two Golden Globes and a Tony, Morissette has now won seven Grammys and fourteen Junos.
Justin Timberlake (1993)
At the age of eleven, he was singing Love’s Got a Hold On You by Alan Jackson from 1991 while sporting a cowboy hat. Later, he joined ‘N Sync, made an appearance on The All New Mickey Mouse Club, started a solo music career, and starred in films including The Social Network. Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, who costarred with him in Mickey Mouse Club, also lost on Star Search.
Beyoncé (1993)
She lost to the rock band Skeleton Crew while playing with the group Girls Tyme. Years later, in 2014, Beyoncé released the single ***Flawless, which included an audio sample of the performance, following her success with Destiny’s Child and as a solo artist. She described the loss as “a defining moment of (her) childhood” in a video interview. “At the time, you don’t realize you could work really hard and give everything you have — and lose,” she explained.
Ray Romano (circa 1990)
In 2023, the actor and comedian expressed his relief at losing to The Hollywood Reporter. He stated, “My wife was expecting our first child, which was likely to be born four weeks later.” “I was scheduled to stay in Los Angeles with my manager for an additional two days, but I just flew home because I was so depressed at the loss. That day, my wife’s water broke, and a day later, she gave birth.
Romano’s accomplishments included appearing in films such as The Irishman, The Big Sick, and the Ice Age series, as well as starring in the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, for which he won three Emmys.
But hold on, there’s more. The line of now-famous Star Search also-rans continues with Dave Chappelle (who made his debut in 1993), Martin Lawrence (1987), Drew Carey (1988), and Norm Macdonald (1990).
