# The World's Best

The World's Best is an American reality talent competition television series that aired on CBS. Created by Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell, and hosted by comedian James Corden, the series featured performers being evaluated by three judges and the "Wall of the World"—an international panel of 50 experts in various forms of entertainment.
It premiered on CBS on February 3, 2019; its first and only season was won by Indian pianist Lydian Nadhaswaram.

## Production

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". 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) by emphasizing its "dramatic" scoring system and international focus as differentiating it from other talent competition series. James Corden, then-host of CBS's The Late Late Show, would serve as host.

## Format

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. 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.

## Broadcast

The World's Best premiered on February 3, 2019, following the conclusion of CBS' coverage of Super Bowl LIII.
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. As of April 2021, CBS had not renewed the series.

## Panelists

The members of the "Wall of the World" include:
| 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)
### Auditions

* 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

* 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 |
| 1 | Jordan McKnight | United States | Contortionist | 42 | 15 | 57 |
| 2 | Lydian Nadhaswaram | India | Pianist | 43 | 31 | 74 |
| 2 | Enkh Erdene | Mongolia | Country Singer | 45 | 19 | 64 |
| 3 | Matt Johnson | United Kingdom | Escape Artist | 34 | 17 | 51 |
| 3 | Li Wei | China | Slackline Daredevil | 40 | 33 | 73 |
| 4 | Manami Ito | Japan | Violinist | 37 | 23 | 60 |
| 4 | Daneliya Tuleshova | Kazakhstan | Singer | 44 | 27 | 71 |
| 5 | Sister Cristina Scuccia | Italy | Singing Nun | 35 | 4 | 39 |
| 5 | 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 |
| 1 | Kukkiwon | South Korea | Martial Arts Acrobats | 50 | 33 | 83 |
| 2 | Nina Conti | United Kingdom | Ventriloquist | 42 | 39 | 81 |
| 2 | Space Cowboy | Australia | Sword Swallower | 33 | 11 | 44 |
| 3 | William Close | United States | Earth Harp Player | 39 | 1 | 40 |
| 3 | Naturally 7 | United States | Acapella Group | 46 | 49 | 95 |
| 4 | Duo Suining | China | Hand Balancers | 38 | 13 | 51 |
| 4 | Dundu | Germany | Puppetry Performers | 41 | 37 | 78 |
| 5 | TNT Boys | Philippines | Singing Trio | 50 | 47 | 97 |
| 5 | 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 |
| 1 | Duo Nigretai | Brazil | Aerialist Duo | 43 | 22 | 65 |
| 2 | Liliac Band | United States | Rock Band | 43 | 14 | 57 |
| 2 | Vonnie Lopez | United States | Gospel Singer | 47 | 36 | 83 |

### Champion Rounds

* 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 |
| Solo Variety | Li Wei | China | Slackline Daredevil | — | — | 3rd place |
| Solo Variety | Nina Conti | United Kingdom | Ventriloquist | 45 | 26 | 71 |
| Group Music | Naturally 7 | United States | Acapella Group | 43 | 32 | 75 |
| Group Music | Vonnie Lopez | United States | Gospel Singer | — | — | 3rd place |
| Group Music | TNT Boys | Philippines | Singing Trio | 49 | 18 | 67 |
| Group Variety | Kukkiwon | South Korea | Martial Arts Acrobats | 50 | 33 | 83 |
| Group Variety | Dundu | Germany | Puppetry Performers | 48 | 17 | 65 |
| Group Variety | Shaolin Yanze | China | Kung Fu | — | — | 3rd place |
| Solo Music | Daneliya Tuleshova | Kazakhstan | Singer | 48 | 7 | 55 |
| Solo Music | Lydian Nadhaswaram | India | Pianist | 44 | 43 | 87 |
| Solo Music | Dimash Kudaibergen | Kazakhstan | Vocally Diverse Singer | — | — | Withdrew |

### Finale

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

## Elimination Table

* 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 | Top 4 |
| Daneliya Tuleshova | Kazakhstan | Singer | Top 8 |
| Dundu | Germany | Puppetry Performers | Top 8 |
| TNT Boys | Philippines | Singing Trio | Top 8 |
| Justin Flom | United States | Magician | Top 8 |
| Dimash Kudaibergen | Kazakhstan | Vocally Diverse Singer | Withdrew; Top 12 |
| Shaolin Yanze | China | Kung Fu | Top 12 |
| Vonnie Lopez | United States | Gospel Singer | Top 12 |
| Li Wei | China | Slackline Daredevil | Top 12 |
| Liliac Band | United States | Rock Band | Top 24 |
| Duo Nigretai | Brazil | Aerialist Duo | Top 24 |
| Emotional Line | South Korea | Popping Dance Group | Top 24 |
| Duo Suining | China | Hand Balancers | Top 24 |
| William Close | United States | Earth Harp Player & Creator | Top 24 |
| Space Cowboy | Australia | Sword Swallower | Top 24 |
| Los Vivancos | Spain | Variety Dancers | Top 24 |
| Sister Cristina Scuccia | Italy | Singing Nun | Top 24 |
| Manami Ito | Japan | Violinist | Top 24 |
| Matt Johnson | United Kingdom | Escape Artist | Top 24 |
| Enkh Erdene | Mongolia | Country Singer | Top 24 |
| Jordan McKnight | United States | Contortionist | Top 24 |
| Jade Kindar-Martin | United States | Highwire Walker | Eliminated |
| Kai & Alexandra | Switzerland | Upside Down Clown Duo | Eliminated |
| Krystyna & Princess | United Kingdom | Hypnodog | Eliminated |
| Iya Traoré | Guinea | Soccer Freestyler | Eliminated |

## Ratings

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

## Contestants who appeared on other shows

* Sister Cristina Scuccia won the second season of The Voice of Italy and competed in the 14th Italian version of Dancing with the Stars, where she made it to the semifinals.
* Daneliya Tuleshova represented Kazakhstan at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 finishing in sixth position. She participated in The Voice Kids Ukraine in 2017 and won, and also, in 2018 she won "BRAVO AWARDS" in Russia. She later went on the fifteenth season of America's Got Talent, where she made it to the finale.
* Dimash Kudaibergen was the 2015 Grand Prix champion of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar. He then became runner-up during the fifth season of China's I Am a Singer.
* Enkh Erdene was the second season winner of Mongolia's Got Talent.
* Jordan McKnight competed on the tenth season of America's Got Talent, where she passed through the auditions but did not make the Top 80.
* Krystyna & Princess appeared on the ninth series of Britain's Got Talent, where they passed through the auditions but did not make the Semifinals.
* Matt Johnson made it to the semifinals in series 12 of Britain's Got Talent.
* Space Cowboy competed on multiple seasons of Australia's Got Talent, most recently in 2019.
* TNT Boys won the second season of Philippines' Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids; then appeared on Little Big Shots, Little Big Shots UK, and the Little Big Shots Australia, Little Big Shots (China) in 2018.
* William Close competed on the seventh season of America's Got Talent. He finished in third place.
* Liliac, like Daneliya, also competed on the fifteenth season of America's Got Talent. After passing the auditions, the band posted a YouTube video that revealed they had to withdraw before the second round after they were asked to sign a contract that would entitle the show to 99% of their profits over a 5-year period.