The Afghan Hound (obvs), Ed McMahon, and Carrie Underwood
Credit: Michael Becker\/fox, courtesy everett, Ray Mickshaw\/WireImage<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
America\u2019s love affair with singing shows runs deep, and it\u2019s easy to see why: They blend raw talent with big emotions, and the thrill of discovery makes for irresistible television.<\/p>\n
From the star-making power of American Idol<\/em><\/a> to the high-energy spectacle of The Masked Singer<\/em><\/a> and the singular format of The Voice<\/em>, these beloved series turn ordinary performers into household names while giving viewers a front-row seat.<\/p>\n Singing competitions tap into the joy of music, the excitement of competition, and the hope that anyone, from anywhere, can break through. Each show on this list shaped pop culture, launched careers<\/a>, and kept audiences cheering episode after episode.<\/p>\n These are Entertainment Weekly<\/em>\u2019s picks for the six best singing shows to stream now.<\/p>\n Lionel Richie, Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan judge ‘American Idol’ Arguably television\u2019s premier singing competition show, this cultural institution has given America many idols over its 24 seasons, including Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood<\/a> \u2014 the latter of whom has returned as a judge. That\u2019s to say nothing of the non-winners who\u2019ve gone on to big things, such as Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken.<\/p>\n By scouring the nation for its contestants and instituting a revolutionary audience-voting system, American Idol<\/em> became a hot topic in its early seasons and continues to exert influence on music today. Along with Survivor<\/em>, it\u2019s one of those tried and true reality franchises that helped define early aughts pop culture.<\/p>\n Where to watch American Idol<\/em>: Hulu<\/p>\n If you don’t know who this is… well, I’m beginning to question your commitment to ‘The Masked Singer’ The Masked Singer <\/em>is a gleeful, genuinely unexpected addition to the reality singing genre, and its popularity with fans is intense. Celebrities flaunt their singing abilities while disguised in increasingly elaborate costumes<\/a> and masks. Panelists then have to guess the identities of a taco, a banana, an ice cream cone, a robot, you name it. The contestants get voted off one by one, at which point the celebs are literally unmasked as fans squeal in delight.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an absurd, hallucinatory fever dream. With singing. EW accurately described<\/a> the experience as \u201cDonnie Darko<\/em> + Pan’s Labyrinth<\/em> x Las Vegas.\u201d What are you waiting for?<\/p>\n Where to watch The Masked Singer<\/em>: Hulu<\/p>\n T.I. Cardi B, and Chance the Rapper on Netflix’s ‘Rhythm + Flow’ Netflix\u2019s hip-hop competition series is on a nationwide hunt for talented, undiscovered rappers. The winner gets a $250,000 cash prize and a foot in the door of the industry. T.I., Chance the Rapper, and Cardi B<\/a> hosted the first season; in the second, DJ Khaled, Latto, and Ludacris stepped in, while Eminem and Big Sean number among the guests.<\/p>\n Rhythm + Flow<\/em> is a highly watchable competition show that will make you wish there were more hip-hop competition shows. It\u2019s infectious fun featuring a few unshakeable earworms.<\/p>\n Where to watch Rhythm + Flow<\/em>: Netflix<\/p>\n Tituss Burgess emcees the group singing competition, ‘Sing On!’ (Spoiler: The theme for this one is “love.”) Hosted by Tituss Burgess<\/a> (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt<\/em>), Sing On! <\/em>asks contestants to collaborate to win a hefty payday. Each team of six participants must sing five songs that share a common theme. The team members are assigned separate verses, and they have to carefully match the correct pitch and note or risk their team losing out on a $60,000 prize.<\/p>\n Sing On!<\/em> is ebullient, joyous fun. Along with other staples like Nailed It!<\/em>, this one joins a pantheon of emphatically punctuated Netflix game shows that find the joy and inherent silliness in competition.<\/p>\n Where to watch Sing On!<\/em>: Netflix<\/p>\n Ed McMahon takes a break from Johnny Carson to usher in a new generation of stars in ‘Star Search’ Recently revived by Netflix<\/a> in the form of live episodes with American Idol<\/em>-style audience voting, Star Search<\/em> had its heyday in the \u201880s and \u201890s, when it was hosted by Ed McMahon, elevating now-household names such as Beyonc\u00e9, Martin Lawrence, Britney Spears, and Adam Sandler.<\/p>\n Star Search<\/em> was the first program of its kind, with a format imitated by just about every subsequent talent competition program since. It was also one of the first shows that made fame seem attainable, profiling everyday folks who happened to possess exceptional talent. As fresh episodes unroll on Netflix, new generations of talent are waiting to be discovered.<\/p>\n Where to watch Star Search<\/em>: Netflix<\/p>\n Snoop! Niall! Reba! Carson! Michael! Also a snowman. This is ‘The Voice’ Recording stars (currently Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, and John Legend) go head-to-head mentoring groups of prospective singers to see who has what it takes to succeed<\/a> in the music industry. The twist? The judges don\u2019t see the contestant during the audition and selection process \u2014 all they have to go on is their voice.<\/p>\nAmerican Idol<\/em> (2002\u2013present)<\/h2>\n
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Credit: Disney\/Eric McCandless<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\nThe Masked Singer<\/em> (2019\u2013present)<\/h2>\n
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Credit: Michael Becker\/FOX<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\nRhythm + Flow<\/em> (2019\u2013present)<\/h2>\n
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Credit: Adam Rose\/Netflix<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\nSing On!<\/em> (2020)<\/h2>\n
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Credit: Netflix<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\nStar Search<\/em> (1983\u20131995; 2003\u20132004; 2026\u2013present)<\/h2>\n
<\/div>
Credit: Courtesy Everett<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\nThe Voice<\/em> (2011\u2013present)<\/h2>\n
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Credit: Trae Patton\/NBC<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n