'Star Search' Losers Who Made It Big

Nov. 28 -- Britney Spears, Drew Carey, Rosie O'Donnell and 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake are all big stars now, but back in the 1980s, the judges on Star Search didn't think they had what it takes.

All of them lost on the popular TV talent competition — though their appearances ended up helping them launch their careers.

The show, hosted by Ed McMahon, was also a stepping stone for future stars like LeAnn Rimes, Dennis Miller, Christina Aguilera, Sinbad, Alanis Morisette, Ray Romano and Martin Lawrence. Now McMahon, 78, has returned in the same role with a show on the cable station PAX Television called Ed McMahon's Next Big Star. The new show was tested first on the Internet with a site (www.nextbigstar.com) featuring contestant videos that recorded more than 30 million hits.

Spears vs. Thomas

Back in 1992, 12-year-old Marty Thomas beat out his Star Search competitor — an 11-year-old named Britney Spears.

"I remember walking offstage thinking, 'She's going to beat me,'" said Thomas. When the judges him gave him four out of four stars, Thomas said he was "shocked out of my mind."

Thomas went on to have a singing career that has taken him from television to Radio City Music Hall. But the cute brunette who walked off the Star Search stage in defeat went on to be a multimillion-dollar, platinum-selling phenomenon — and a blonde.

Thomas said Spears had the drive to become a star, even back then.

"She wanted it. She wanted it bad," he said. "She worked. That's what you've got to do."

Asked if he feels any envy now, Thomas said: "There's always going to be a certain amount of, 'Man, I wish that were me.' But I've never for a minute felt jealous of it. I've never for a minute felt anything but sheer pride for her."

Carey vs. Yannetty

The first time he was on Star Search, comedian Joe Yannetty went up against Drew Carey.

"I just remember feeling really confident and cocky and knew that I was going to go out and win," he said.