Burnett, Darnell take World’s Best to CBS

CBS in the US has ordered what’s been described as a “global competition series” from veteran unscripted execs Mark Burnett (The Voice) and Mike Darnell (American Idol).

Sharon Vuong

The World’s Best is a global talent competition that features acts across all genres, with contestants from around the globe. A team of US judges will rate the acts alongside a ‘wall of the world,’ featuring 50 of the world’s most accomplished experts from every field of entertainment.

MGM Television, where Burnett is president, and Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television, where Darnell holds the same role, are producing the show. Burnett, Darnell, Alison Holloway, Brooke Karzen, Barry Poznick and Dan Sacks are executive producers.

Sharon Vuong, senior VP of alternative programming for CBS, described The World’s Best as a “unique original format with global scale led by two of the most accomplished producers on television.”

She added: “Mike and Mark are not only the very top producers in the genre, but they also understand how to create compelling competition and build enduring franchises.”

Darnell said: “This will be the first and only series where talent from all over the globe takes the stage in front of three American judges and 50 world experts.”

Burnett added: “The time has come to take talent competition shows to the next level and bring in judges from around the world to decide on the ultimate winner. It’s like the Olympics for entertainment, but you don’t have to wait every two years.”

In related news, CBS has ordered a hybrid comedy series from Bad Teacher creator Hilary Winston, alongside Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Titled 25 (fka Best Friends), it has been written by Winston and follows a young man who attempts to persuade a newly engaged old friend that they are perfect for each other. Sony Pictures Television is coproducing with CBS Television Studios.