SuperStar[1] (previously known as Česko Slovenská SuperStar) is a joint Czech-Slovak version Česko hledá SuperStar and SuperStar Search Slovakia based on the Idol franchise. Three seasons of this competition were broadcast separately in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but in 2009, they were merged to reduce costs and increase attractiveness for viewers.[2]
The first season premiered in September 2009 with castings held in Prague, Brno, Bratislava, and Košice. It aired on two channels, TV Nova (Czech Republic) and Markíza (Slovakia), which have also been the broadcast stations for the individual seasons.[3]
Determining to legitimate a fair chance for each country's contestants to reach the final, twelve contestants split into genders and nationalities in the semifinals, assuming a 50% share for each country in the top 12.
Format
In Season 1, the age limit was set from 15 to 30 years old. However, 14-year-old contestants could apply, but there was a condition that they had to be 15 years old at the time of the final.[4] Successful contestants from the theater come to hear their verdict whether they would advance to the semi-finals or not. When audience decided between them via text message, they jury decided to use a wild card.[5] The wild card was first introduced and used in the second season, when the jury used it to save Martin Harich in one of the final rounds.[6]
The winner of the series receives the title of SuperStar, a check worth 100,000 euros and the opportunity to release their album.[7]
Cast
Judges and host of the most recent season of SuperStar
The first season of SuperStar was hosted by Leoš Mareš and Adela Banášová,[8] who had both hosted their respective regional versions. With the arrival of the second season, a new hosting duo came from the Czech Republic, Leoš Mareš again and Slovak singer Tina, for whom hosting SuperStar was her first time in the hosting industry. Banášová refused to host.[9]
The biggest change was the third season, where the hosting duo was completely replaced. "We are trying to move the third season of SuperStar forward. There have been a lot of talent competitions in recent years, so it's only right to come up with something new. So we have changed the hosts and partly the jury", said creative producer and director Pepe Majeský about the changes.[10] Therefore, Zora Kepková from Snídaně s Novau by TV Nova and Roman Juraško from Telerán by Markíza became the presenters of the third season.[10] However, Tina did not accept the offer due to her pregnancy.[11] Before TV Nova and Markíza made an official statement about who would host the third season, Tereza Pergnerová was also considered.[12] After a few months, the new season of SuperStar was hosted by Martin Rausch, who appeared in Česko Slovensko má talent on Prima Televize and TV JOJ.[13]
In July 2015, Czech website Super.cz reportedly decided between Hejdová – who hosted the previous season – and Jitka Nováčková, with Emma Smetana being considered as well.[14] Eventually, Rausch hosted the show alone until Nováčková joined him from beginning with the semi-finals.[15]
Lucie Bílá was offered the position as judge at the beginning of second season.[16][17]
Marta Jandová and Dara Rolins initially would not return to the jury seats, but moved to Prima Televize to serve as judges in X Factor, which was not broadcast.[18] Later, TV Nova had a problem with the pornographic pictures that Helena Zeťová had taken in the past, so they preferred Ewa Farna, but she later rejected the offer and Zeťová eventually sat on the jury.[19] The jury had four members in the first two seasons and three in the third season.[20] Farna was supposed to appear in the second season but left the series again.[21]
In the fourth season, Habera did not plan to appear as a judge again.[22] Rolins was also expected to return but rejected the offer.[23]
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