We have seen countless talent competition shows from Simon Cowell’s collection of Idols, Talents, and X Factors, to The Voice, and all of our favorite dance shows like SYTYCD and DWTS, but every year we are introduced to more and more talent shows. Each show gives us access to more of the world’s most talented people, but most of them follow similar structures. When they captured the coveted post-Super Bowl premiere slot for their new competition show, CBS was setting out to showcase something that broke that mold.
The World’s Best is an ambitious show with an even more ambitious name. As the title implies, this show features global talent with acts coming from the US, South Korea, Singapore, and everywhere in between. But, that in itself is not unique. What is unique is how the talent is taken from one round to the next. The World’s Best features a whopping 53 judges!
Hosted by Late Late Show host James Corden, the is a panel of three American judges. This panel is made up of Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles, and Faith Hill. After each performs, these judges score them up to 50 points each. These three scores are then averaged. What about the other 50 judges? Behind Drew, Ru, and Faith is “The Wall of the World” which each contestant must face after receiving their average score. These 50 judges from around the globe can each add one point to a performance’s score. They need 75 points to make it through the first round.
With 53 people to impress, the pressure is on for the contestants, but the tension is high watching from the audience as well. These are not just singing and dancing acts. Some of the contestants put their lives on the line for their performances, taking on underwater escapes and swallowing swords. You never know who might cross the stage.
At the end of the competition, one act will take the title of World’s Best and $1 million, but they will literally have to take on the world to get there. Even with the stakes this high, the show’s main focus is positivity. All of those show’s judges and producers have expressed a passion for celebrating talent and not showcasing failing acts to be ridiculed which is popular in some other shows. They want people to watch and be inspired.
Check out some of that inspiration:
The World’s Best airs on CBS on Wednesdays at 9/8c! You won’t want to miss a second of it.