The World's Best is an American reality talent competition television series. Produced by Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell, it features international performers being evaluated by three judges—Drew Barrymore, RuPaul and Faith Hill, and a panel called the Wall of the World that consists of 50 experts of entertainment. It premiered on CBS on February 3, 2019, following the conclusion of Super Bowl LIII.[1][2][3] The series is hosted by James Corden.[4]

The World's Best
GenreReality
Talent contest
Created by
Directed byAlex Rudzinski
Presented byJames Corden
Judges
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
[1]
Production locationsTelevision City
Hollywood, California
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseFebruary 3 (2019-02-03) –
March 13, 2019 (2019-03-13)

Production

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CBS ordered The World's Best in February 2018; CBS SVP of alternative programming Sharon Vuong credited Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell's experience in the reality genre, stating that they "understand how to create compelling competition and build enduring franchises", and that it would be a "unique, original format with global scale".[5] Darnell felt that The World's Best was "the next new spin on a variety show", and defended comparisons to a competitor, NBC's America's Got Talent (which, in May, would announce an all-star spin-off series, America's Got Talent: The Champions)[6][7] by emphasizing its "dramatic" scoring system and international focus as differentiating it from other talent competition series.[8]

In August 2019, CBS president of entertainment Kelly Kahl stated that the network had not yet decided whether The World's Best would be renewed for a second season. Kahl explained that the network "enjoyed the show creatively", but that they would "probably tweak the format a little" if renewed.[9] However, on Apr 25, 2021, TVLine.com stated that the show would not be renewed for a second season.[10]

Format

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Each act is judged by three main judges of American origin, as well as the "Wall of the World" — an international panel of 50 experts in various fields of entertainment.[11] Each judge scores a performance on a scale from 0 to 50, while each member of the Wall panel can give a yes or no vote. The average of the judges' scores, and the number of votes given by the Wall, are totaled into a maximum possible score of 100.

Acts who achieved at least 75 points advance to the Battle round, where the acts are paired into duels against each other. In each battle, the judges score the acts in a similar manner to the audition round, but the Wall votes between the two acts instead.

In the Champions round, the twelve acts who advanced from the battles are grouped into four divisions (consisting of solo and group competitions in "Music" and "Variety" categories) with three acts each. The act with the lowest score from the American judges is automatically given third place, and a finalist is determined between the remaining two with the main judges' score and the Wall's votes, in the same manner as the Battle round. The winning finalists in each category also each receive a $50,000 prize.

In the finale, semi-final performances are conducted between the solo and group champions in the Music and Variety categories. The winners of each advance to the finals to determine the champion, who wins a $1,000,000 grand prize.

Panelists

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The members of the "Wall of the World" include:[12]

Country Continent Judge Occupation
  Australia Oceania Aaron Cash Dancer and choreographer
  Mexico America Alberto Belli Director
  South Korea Asia Alex Wright K-pop producer
  Brazil America Anderson Silva MMA fighter, former and longest-reigning holder of the UFC Middleweight Championship
  Netherlands Europe Angela Groothuizen Singer and TV personality
  Colombia America Ariadna Gutiérrez Miss Colombia 2014, Miss Universe 2015 runner-up
  Armenia Asia Arthur Gourounlian Creative director and choreographer
  Afghanistan Asia Aryana Sayeed Singer and TV personality
  Spain Europe Carlos Latre Comedian and actor
  Ireland Europe Caroline Morahan Actress and TV host
  Denmark Europe Cecilie Lassen Ballet dancer
  Netherlands Europe Chantal Janzen Actress, singer and TV presenter
  Brazil America Chinzõ Machida Shotokan black belt
  United Kingdom Europe Dave Eringa Record producer
  United Kingdom Europe Del Mak Choreographer
  Germany Europe Dennis Jauch Dancer and choreographer
  France Europe Essaï Altounian Musician
  Bulgaria Europe Galabina Kamenova Gymnast
  Greece Europe Galena Velikova Dancesport athlete
  Kazakhstan Asia Gia Noortas Actress and filmmaker
  Japan Asia Hokuto Konishi Dancer and choreographer
  Poland Europe Ida Nowakowska Actress and ballerina
  Germany Europe Jorge González TV personality
  Nigeria Africa Kate Henshaw Actress
  China Asia Kathy Wu Actress and TV personality
  Canada America Keshia Chanté Singer and songwriter
  Israel Asia Kobi Rozenfeld Choreographer and creative director
  South Africa Africa Lira Musician
  Panama America Luigie "Lugo" Gonzalez Record producer
  Japan Asia Makoto Deguchi Theater producer
  Sweden Europe Margareta Svensson Musical artist and vocal coach
  India Asia Nakul Dev Mahajan Bollywood choreographer
  Canada America Nathalie Yves Gauthier Circus expert
  Germany Europe Nazan Eckes TV host and judge
  Mexico America Patricia Manterola Telenovela star and singer
  Ecuador America Paulina Aguirre Singer
   Switzerland Europe Petra Sprecher Stuntwoman
  Philippines Asia Pops Fernandez Musician and TV personality
  Samoa Oceania Rikishi Professional wrestler, WWE Hall of Fame performer
  Mongolia Asia Rokit Bay Rapper and music producer
  United Kingdom Europe Ross King Broadcaster
  Colombia America Sergio Trujillo Broadway choreographer
  South Africa Africa Shado Twala Radio and TV personality
  United Kingdom Europe Sisco Gomez Choreographer and TV personality
  Russia Europe Slava N. Jakovleff Film director and TV producer
  Belgium Europe Slongs Dievanongs Rapper
  Canada America Stu Golfman Comedy talent agent
  United Kingdom Europe Stuart MacLeod Magician
  South Africa Africa Tats Nkonzo Comedian and musician
  Vietnam Asia Thai Nguyen Fashion designer and TV personality
  China Asia William Yuekun Yu Peking opera actor
  Czech Republic Europe Yemi A.D. Celebrity choreographer and creative director
  United Kingdom Europe Zoë Tyler Vocal coach and TV personality
  Nigeria Africa Zora DeHorter International casting director

Season 1 (2019)

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Auditions

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  •   The act received enough points to advance to the next round
  •   The act did not receive enough points to advance to the next round

Week 1

Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final score
Kukkiwon   South Korea Martial Arts Acrobats 49 50 99
TNT Boys   Philippines Singing Trio 49 50 99
Space Cowboy   Australia Sword Swallower 32 25 57
Enkh Erdene   Mongolia Country Singer 48 49 97
Manami Ito   Japan Violinist 40 46 86
Matt Johnson   United Kingdom Escape Artist 45 36 81

Week 2

Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final Score
Naturally 7   United States Acapella Group 47 48 95
Dundu   Germany Puppetry Performers 48 49 97
Iya Traoré   Guinea Soccer Freestyler 35 29 64
Sister Cristina Scuccia   Italy Singing Nun 41 37 78
Justin Flom   United States Magician 49 46 95
Duo Suining   China Hand Balancers 46 45 91
Lydian Nadhaswaram   India Pianist 41 44 85
Krystyna & Princess   United Kingdom Hypnodog 29 12 41
Jordan McKnight   United States Contortionist 49 42 91
Kai & Alexandra    Switzerland Upside Down Clown Duo 36 33 69
Jade Kindar-Martin   United States Highwire Walker 35 36 71
Dimash Kudaibergen   Kazakhstan Vocally Diverse Singer 50 48 98

Week 3

Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final Score
Shaolin Yanze   China Kung Fu 43 46 89
Daneliya Tuleshova   Kazakhstan Singer 47 49 96
Nina Conti   United Kingdom Ventriloquist 42 43 85
Duo Nigretai   Brazil Aerialist Duo 37 44 81
Liliac Band   United States Rock Band 48 43 91
Emotional Line   South Korea Popping Dance Group 39 30 69
William Close   United States Earth Harp Player & Creator 42 45 87
Los Vivancos   Spain Variety Dancers 42 42 84
Li Wei   China Slackline Daredevil 44 46 90
Vonnie Lopez   United States Gospel Singer 48 44 92

Battle Rounds

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  •   The act won the battle and advanced to the next round
  •   The act lost the battle and did not advance to the next round

Week 4

Order Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final score
1 Justin Flom   United States Magician 45 35 80
Jordan McKnight   United States Contortionist 42 15 57
2 Lydian Nadhaswaram   India Pianist 43 31 74
Enkh Erdene   Mongolia Country Singer 45 19 64
3 Matt Johnson   United Kingdom Escape Artist 34 17 51
Li Wei   China Slackline Daredevil 40 33 73
4 Manami Ito   Japan Violinist 37 23 60
Daneliya Tuleshova   Kazakhstan Singer 44 27 71
5 Sister Cristina Scuccia   Italy Singing Nun 35 4 39
Dimash Kudaibergen   Kazakhstan Vocally Diverse Singer 48 46 94

Week 5

Order Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final score
1 Los Vivancos   Spain Variety Dancers 42 17 59
Kukkiwon   South Korea Martial Arts Acrobats 50 33 83
2 Nina Conti   United Kingdom Ventriloquist 42 39 81
Space Cowboy   Australia Sword Swallower 33 11 44
3 William Close   United States Earth Harp Player 39 1 40
Naturally 7   United States Acapella Group 46 49 95
4 Duo Suining   China Hand Balancers 38 13 51
Dundu   Germany Puppetry Performers 41 37 78
5 TNT Boys   Philippines Singing Trio 50 47 97
Emotional Line   South Korea Popping Dance Group 40 3 43

Week 6

Order Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final score
1 Shaolin Yanze   China Kung Fu 43 28 71
Duo Nigretai   Brazil Aerialist Duo 43 22 65
2 Liliac Band   United States Rock Band 43 14 57
Vonnie Lopez   United States Gospel Singer 47 36 83

Champion Rounds

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  •   The act won the category and advanced to the next round
  •   The act came in second in the category and did not advance to the next round
  •   The act finished in third place after receiving the lowest rating from the American judges
  •   The act decided to withdraw from the competition
Category Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final score
Solo Variety Justin Flom   United States Magician 42 24 66
Li Wei   China Slackline Daredevil 3rd place
Nina Conti   United Kingdom Ventriloquist 45 26 71
Group Music Naturally 7   United States Acapella Group 43 32 75
Vonnie Lopez   United States Gospel Singer 3rd place
TNT Boys   Philippines Singing Trio 49 18 67
Group Variety Kukkiwon   South Korea Martial Arts Acrobats 50 33 83
Dundu   Germany Puppetry Performers 48 17 65
Shaolin Yanze   China Kung Fu 3rd place
Solo Music Daneliya Tuleshova   Kazakhstan Singer 48 7 55
Lydian Nadhaswaram   India Pianist 44 43 87
Dimash Kudaibergen   Kazakhstan Vocally Diverse Singer Withdrew

Finale

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Category Act Country Talent Judge Score Wall Score Final score
Music Lydian Nadhaswaram   India Pianist 47 34 81
Naturally 7   United States Acapella Group 48 16 64
Variety Kukkiwon   South Korea Martial Arts Acrobats 48 30 78
Nina Conti   United Kingdom Ventriloquist 43 20 63
Final 2 Kukkiwon   South Korea Martial Arts Acrobats 50 13 63
Lydian Nadhaswaram   India Pianist 47 37 84

Elimination Table

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  • Emotional Line and Space Cowboy were brought back to the Battle Rounds to fill out The Top 24.
Act Country Talent Position Reached
Lydian Nadhaswaram   India Pianist Winner
Kukkiwon   South Korea Martial Arts Acrobats Runner-Up
Nina Conti   United Kingdom Ventriloquist Top 4
Naturally 7   United States Acapella Group
Daneliya Tuleshova   Kazakhstan Singer Top 8
Dundu   Germany Puppetry Performers
TNT Boys   Philippines Singing Trio
Justin Flom   United States Magician
Dimash Kudaibergen   Kazakhstan Vocally Diverse Singer Withdrew; Top 12
Shaolin Yanze   China Kung Fu Top 12
Vonnie Lopez   United States Gospel Singer
Li Wei   China Slackline Daredevil
Liliac Band   United States Rock Band Top 24
Duo Nigretai   Brazil Aerialist Duo
Emotional Line   South Korea Popping Dance Group
Duo Suining   China Hand Balancers
William Close   United States Earth Harp Player & Creator
Space Cowboy   Australia Sword Swallower
Los Vivancos   Spain Variety Dancers
Sister Cristina Scuccia   Italy Singing Nun
Manami Ito   Japan Violinist
Matt Johnson   United Kingdom Escape Artist
Enkh Erdene   Mongolia Country Singer
Jordan McKnight   United States Contortionist
Jade Kindar-Martin   United States Highwire Walker Eliminated
Kai & Alexandra    Switzerland Upside Down Clown Duo
Krystyna & Princess   United Kingdom Hypnodog
Iya Traoré   Guinea Soccer Freestyler

Ratings

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# Air Date 18–49
(rating/share)
Viewers
(millions)
Source
1 February 3, 2019 7.0/29 22.21 [13]
2/3 February 6, 2019 1.0/5 5.56 [14]
4 February 13, 2019 0.9/5 5.85 [15]
5/6 February 20, 2019 0.6/3 3.65 [16]
7/8 February 27, 2019 0.4/2 2.64 [17]
9/10 March 6, 2019 0.6/3 2.90 [18]
11/12 March 13, 2019 0.6/3 3.60 [19]

Contestants who appeared on other shows

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References

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  1. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (17 October 2018). "'World's Best': CBS' Talent Competition Series Gets Post-Super Bowl Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  2. ^ "CBS Orders New Global Talent Competition 'The World's Best'". The Futon Critic. February 7, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 7, 2018). "CBS Orders 'The World's Best' Global Talent Competition Reality Series From Mark Burnett & Mike Darnell". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  4. ^ CBS Boston (October 8, 2018). "CBS Announces 'The World's Best' In 2019". WBZ-TV. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  5. ^ Otterson, Joe (2018-02-07). "CBS Orders Competition Series 'The World's Best' From Mark Burnett, Mike Darnell". Variety. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  6. ^ Haring, Bruce (May 12, 2018). "America's Got Talent Adds Winter Championship Series To NBC Schedule". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 12, 2018). "NBC Sets Winter Edition of America's Got Talent". Variety. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  8. ^ Low, Elaine (2019-01-30). "'The World's Best' Producers Bullish on Challenging 'America's Got Talent'". Variety. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  9. ^ White, Peter (2019-08-01). "'The World's Best': CBS Would "Tweak Format" If Renewed But No Decision Yet – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  10. ^ Ausiello, Michael (2019-11-14). "Cancellation Buzz: Are These 9 Bubble Series Dead or Alive?". TVLine. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  11. ^ Delbel, Julia (3 Feb 2019). "Meet 'The World's Best' Wall of the World Experts!". Talent Recap. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  12. ^ CBS (2018). "Meet The World's Best Experts From Around The Globe". CBS. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  13. ^ Welch, Alex (February 5, 2019). "Super Bowl LIII adjusts up, 'The World's Best' adjusts down: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  14. ^ Welch, Alex (February 7, 2019). "'The World's Best,' 'Riverdale,' 'Chicago Fire,' all other shows hold: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 8, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  15. ^ Welch, Alex (February 14, 2019). "'Chicago Fire' adjusts down: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  16. ^ Welch, Alex (February 22, 2019). "'The Masked Singer' adjusts up, 'The World's Best' and 'Match Game' adjust down: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  17. ^ Rejent, Joseph (February 28, 2019). "'The World's Best' adjusts down: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  18. ^ Welch, Alex (March 7, 2019). "'American Idol' adjusts up: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  19. ^ Welch, Alex (March 14, 2019). "'Empire,' 'Chicago Med' rerun adjusted down: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.