The Big Break: Talent Competition Shows

Want to get discovered? Try one of these TV programs.

America's Next Top Model - Little did Tyra Banks and the UPN know they had a hit on their hands when America’s Next Top Model premiered in 2003. Now on The CW, the show enters its 17th cycle this fall and has produced talented models like Adrianne Curry, Eva Pigford and CariDee English.(Photo: The CW/Mathieu Young /Landov)

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America's Next Top Model - Little did Tyra Banks and the UPN know they had a hit on their hands when America’s Next Top Model premiered in 2003. Now on The CW, the show enters its 17th cycle this fall and has produced talented models like Adrianne Curry, Eva Pigford and CariDee English.(Photo: The CW/Mathieu Young /Landov)

Nashville Star  - Looking to tap into the country market, USA was the home of Nashville Star from 2003-2007. The singing competition was similar to American Idol except singers were limited to country songs. Miranda Lambert, who was a finalist in the first season, is the most successful contestant from the show with a Platinum album to her name.(Photo: www.nbc.com/Nashville_Star)

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Nashville Star  - Looking to tap into the country market, USA was the home of Nashville Star from 2003-2007. The singing competition was similar to American Idol except singers were limited to country songs. Miranda Lambert, who was a finalist in the first season, is the most successful contestant from the show with a Platinum album to her name.(Photo: www.nbc.com/Nashville_Star)

Popstars - A precursor to American Idol, Popstars is an international singing competition that spawned over 50 formats throughout the world. Presented in a documentary format, the public had no outcome in deciding the winner. When the Idol franchise took off, the Popstars ratings hit the skids.(Photo: REUTERS/Michael Dalder/Landov)

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Popstars - A precursor to American Idol, Popstars is an international singing competition that spawned over 50 formats throughout the world. Presented in a documentary format, the public had no outcome in deciding the winner. When the Idol franchise took off, the Popstars ratings hit the skids.(Photo: REUTERS/Michael Dalder/Landov)

So You Think You Can Dance? - American Idol creators Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe are the masterminds behind So You Think You Can Dance, the popular Fox dance competition show. The show features dancers of a variety of backgrounds - - from ballet to breaking- - as they compete for $250,000.(Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser /Landov)

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So You Think You Can Dance? - American Idol creators Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe are the masterminds behind So You Think You Can Dance, the popular Fox dance competition show. The show features dancers of a variety of backgrounds - - from ballet to breaking- - as they compete for $250,000.(Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser /Landov)

The Gong Show - The Gong Show took a unique approach to talent competition by incorporating humor through a panel of rotating celebrity judges and recurring segments. The show had such a cult following that a movie was released in 1980 titled The Gong Show Movie about host Chuck Barris.  (Photo: www.skooldays.com)

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The Gong Show - The Gong Show took a unique approach to talent competition by incorporating humor through a panel of rotating celebrity judges and recurring segments. The show had such a cult following that a movie was released in 1980 titled The Gong Show Movie about host Chuck Barris.  (Photo: www.skooldays.com)

Photo By Photo: www.skooldays.com

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America's Got Talent - With $1 million on the line and a show as a headline on the Las Vegas Strip for the winner, NBC’s America’s Got Talent is the premiere talent competition show. Former American Idol judge Simon Cowell co-created the show, which kicked off its sixth season in May.(Photo: REUTERS /MARIO ANZUONI /LANDOV)

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America's Got Talent - With $1 million on the line and a show as a headline on the Las Vegas Strip for the winner, NBC’s America’s Got Talent is the premiere talent competition show. Former American Idol judge Simon Cowell co-created the show, which kicked off its sixth season in May.(Photo: REUTERS /MARIO ANZUONI /LANDOV)

The X Factor - Coming to Fox this fall, The X Factor has been a hit in the United Kingdom since 2004. Unlike American Idol, which has an age requirement, The X Factor doesn’t have an age cutoff and features solo acts along with groups.(Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

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The X Factor - Coming to Fox this fall, The X Factor has been a hit in the United Kingdom since 2004. Unlike American Idol, which has an age requirement, The X Factor doesn’t have an age cutoff and features solo acts along with groups.(Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Making The Band - The Making The Band franchise originally started off as a search for the next great boy band (O-Town) and turned into the search for Diddy’s next meal ticket (Da Band, Danity Kane, Day 26). While they might not have been the great musicians in the world, each iteration of the show made for great television entertainment.  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Making The Band - The Making The Band franchise originally started off as a search for the next great boy band (O-Town) and turned into the search for Diddy’s next meal ticket (Da Band, Danity Kane, Day 26). While they might not have been the great musicians in the world, each iteration of the show made for great television entertainment.  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Last Comic Standing  - NBC attempted to find the next great comedian in Last Comic Standing. Winners of the reality talent show won a developmental contract with NBC and a television special on Comedy Central. The show was canceled last year after seven seasons on the air.(Photo: www.nbc.com/last-comic-standing)

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Last Comic Standing  - NBC attempted to find the next great comedian in Last Comic Standing. Winners of the reality talent show won a developmental contract with NBC and a television special on Comedy Central. The show was canceled last year after seven seasons on the air.(Photo: www.nbc.com/last-comic-standing)

Photo By Photo: www.nbc.com/last-comic-standing

Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew - MTV decided to put their own spin on the dance competition genre with Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew.  Several dance groups have struck it big after appearing on ABDC including the JabbaWockeeZ and Fanny Pak.(Photo: www.mtv.com)

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Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew - MTV decided to put their own spin on the dance competition genre with Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew.  Several dance groups have struck it big after appearing on ABDC including the JabbaWockeeZ and Fanny Pak.(Photo: www.mtv.com)

Photo By Photo: www.mtv.com

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Star Search - The pinnacle of talent competition television shows has to be the original Star Search, which aired between 1983-1995. Unlike other shows, which featured on a specific category, Star Search had eight categories ranging from singing to comedy. Click here to learn more about all the big stars who first appeared on Star Search.(Photo: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

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Star Search - The pinnacle of talent competition television shows has to be the original Star Search, which aired between 1983-1995. Unlike other shows, which featured on a specific category, Star Search had eight categories ranging from singing to comedy. Click here to learn more about all the big stars who first appeared on Star Search.(Photo: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

Project Runway - Fashion designers looking to get their foot in the door have the opportunity in Lifetime’s Project Runway. Model Heidi Klum serves as host as contestants compete against each other to create the best clothes in a restricted amount of time.    (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for IMG)

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Project Runway - Fashion designers looking to get their foot in the door have the opportunity in Lifetime’s Project Runway. Model Heidi Klum serves as host as contestants compete against each other to create the best clothes in a restricted amount of time.    (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for IMG)

Photo By Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for IMG

The Voice - The latest talent competition show to take the television world by storm is NBC’s The Voice. Based on The Voice of Holland, the show features Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton as judges and vocal coaches.(Photo: www.nbc.com/the-voice)

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The Voice - The latest talent competition show to take the television world by storm is NBC’s The Voice. Based on The Voice of Holland, the show features Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton as judges and vocal coaches.(Photo: www.nbc.com/the-voice)

Showtime at the Apollo - For nearly 20 years, Showtime at the Apollo was a platform for up and coming singers and performers. Hundred of talented artists have graced the stage of the Apollo Theater in Harlem over the years including TLC, LL Cool J and the Notorious B.I.G.(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Showtime at the Apollo - For nearly 20 years, Showtime at the Apollo was a platform for up and coming singers and performers. Hundred of talented artists have graced the stage of the Apollo Theater in Harlem over the years including TLC, LL Cool J and the Notorious B.I.G.(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

The Sing-Off - Riding the wave of singing competition shows, NBC debuted The Sing-Off in 2009, featuring a cappella groups. Hosted by former 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey, the winning group receives $100,000 and a Sony Music recording contract. The show was recently renewed for a third season.(Photo: www.www.nbc.com/sing-off)

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The Sing-Off - Riding the wave of singing competition shows, NBC debuted The Sing-Off in 2009, featuring a cappella groups. Hosted by former 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey, the winning group receives $100,000 and a Sony Music recording contract. The show was recently renewed for a third season.(Photo: www.www.nbc.com/sing-off)

American Idol - Although Randy Jackson is still holding down hosting duties on American Idol, original hosts Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell have moved on to other things, and Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have taken their spots.

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American Idol - Although Randy Jackson is still holding down hosting duties on American Idol, original hosts Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell have moved on to other things, and Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have taken their spots.