Soundmixshow is a Dutch talent show which was a live-vocals version of the Playback Show. It aired from 17 November 1985 to 27 April 2002 and was hosted by Henny Huisman. The format has since been sold to other countries, notably as the European Soundmix Show.

History Early days Huisman, former drummer of 1970s band Lucifer and spin-off group Match, went on a tour in early 1980s with his Hitkrant Drive-In Show; this prototype-version of the Playback Show was a joint venture with weekly pop agazine Hitkrant in which he had a column. In 1983, Huisman brought the format on television during the summer-evening slot as Zomeravondshow by KRO. Contestants performed on a hit-or-miss basis.

Breakthrough In 1984, the name was changed to Playbackshow and contestants were now given full performance time. Shortly afterwards, Huisman decided to do a spin-off with real vocals, thus Soundmixshow was born with artists being judged by a jury of three professionals, notably and ; the latter's "Vooral doorgaan!" () became a catchphrase.

The Soundmixshow meant a breakthrough for several young Dutch artists, as it was a platform with a relative low threshold and a broad audience. It was first produced by Endemol for Katholieke Radio Omroep (KRO) before moving to RTL 4 from 1990 until 2002.

In the finals of 1988, Huisman asked viewers to phone a specific number for televoting. However, this caused such a big amount of phone calls, that the whole telephone grid was down for a while, and even the emergency services (police, ambulance, firefighters) were out of reach in some parts of the country.

Other spin-offs From late 1980s until early 1990s, Huisman presented the Miniplaybackshow as a platform for children. A tie-in series titled Minisoundmixshow was announced, but it never happened. There was also a Seniorenplaybackshow with elder contestants, and the more successful Sterrensoundmixshow (Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes).

In 2002, the Soundmixshow was the platform for a debate between politicians just before the parliamental elections. That same year, the format was discontinued in favor of Idols and other talent contests. Huisman reunited with former Soundmixshow-contestants on KRO's anniversary-programme in 2010. He used the backdrop whilst playing himself in a children's movie chronicling the events of two aspiring popstars. In 2014, Huisman appeared on the Showtime programme to revisit his time as presenter of Soundmixshow.

Successful contestants

Kate Ryan Petra Berger Marco Borsato Tooske Breugem Georgie Davis Glennis Grace Gerard Joling Helmut Lotti Désirée Manders Edsilia Rombley

List of winners Year Artist Original artist Song Additional information 1985 Glenda Peters Randy Crawford One Day I'll Fly Away Gerard Joling was third this year 1986 Gina De Wit Linda Ronstadt Desperado 1986 Frank Ashton Tony Christie Don't Go Down To Reno 1987 Peter Douglas Frank Sinatra New York, New York 1988 Jos Van den Brom John Denver Leaving on a Jet Plane Desirée Manders made her TV debut. This was in a legendary final, where people could televote, but because of the huge number of votes, the whole phone grid was down. 1989 Carina Bos Timi Yuro Hurt Helmut Lotti was also contestant. Last season broadcast on KRO 1990 Marco Borsato Billy Vera At This Moment First season broadcast by RTL 4 1991 Jorge Castro Luciano Pavarotti Caruso Kathleen Prattis sang as Anita Baker, Watch Your Step. 1992 Nhelly Dela Rosa Shirley Bassey This Is My Life 1993 Ellen Fransz Whitney Houston I will always love you 1994 Glennis Grace Whitney Houston One Moment In Time 1995 Arno Kolenbrander Simon Bowman (from the musical Miss Saigon) Why God, Why Tooske Breugem was also contestant 1996 Edsilia Rombley Oleta Adams 1997 Mary Ann Morales Lea Salonga (from Miss Saigon) The Movie in My Mind 1998 Cherwin Muringen Seal Kiss from a Rose Floortje Smit was also contestant 1999 Emma Shapplin Spente Le Stelle 2000 Bart Schwertman Ian Gillan (from the rock-opera Jesus Christ Superstar) Ghetsemane 2001 Mary Amora Tina Turner River Deep, Mountain High 2002 Valerie Dwarkasing Alicia Keys Fallin'

International versions

Country Local name Channel Hosts Broadcast StarStruck Nine Network Larry EmdurCatriona Rowntree 2005 VTM soundmixshow VTM Bart Kaëll (1989–2000) (2000) 1989–19951997–2000 De Nieuwe Soundmixshow VT4 1996 Star ce soir RTL-TVI Frédéric Herbays 1997–2002 Stjerneskud TV3 Anders Frandsen 1995 Mini Playback Show RTL Marijke Amado (1990–1998)Jasmin Wagner (1998) 1990–1998 Soundmix Show Linda de Mol 1995–1997 Soundmix Show Alpha TV Natalia GermanouNikos Moutsinas 2006–2007 Kifutó TV2 1998 Re per una notteRe per una notte VIPRe per una notte bambini Italia 1 Gigi Sabani 1994–1996 Momenti di gloria Canale 5 Mike Bongiorno 1999–2000 Sei un mito Roberta Capua 2005 È nata una stella gemella Lorella Cuccarini 2008 Med blikket mot stjernene TV3 1995 Stjerner i sikte TV 2 Jahn Teigen 1996–1999 Stars in Their Eyes TV One Simon Barnett 2008–2009 Zostań gwiazdą TVN Krzysztof Ibisz 1998–1999 Chuva de Estrelas SIC Catarina Furtado (1993–1994) (1995–1996)Bárbara Guimarães (1997–2000) 1993–2000 Lluvia de estrellas Antena 3 Bertín Osborne 1995–2001 La 1 Sonia Ferrer 2007 Sikta mot stjärnorna TV4 Lasse Holm (1994–1997)Agneta Sjödin (1999–2000, 2002) (2002) 1994–19971999–20002002 Småstjärnorna (kids version) Agneta Sjödin (1995–1999)Martin Timell (2000–2001)Pernilla Wahlgren (2003) 1995–20012003 Stars in Their Eyes ITV Leslie Crowther (1990–1992)Russ Abbot (1993 Elvis special)Matthew Kelly (1993–2004)Davina McCall (2003 specials)Cat Deeley (2004–2006)Harry Hill (2015) 1990–20062015 Stars in Their Eyes: Kids Matthew Kelly (2001–2002)Cat Deeley (2003–2004, 2006) 2001 (pilot)2002–20042006 Performing As… Fox Todd Newton 2003

Spain's Antena 3 created a similar format, under the title Tu cara me suena, in 2011. A UK version of this was also produced by ITV in 2013 and, like Stars in Their Eyes and Soundmixshow, is also a format owned by Endemol Shine Group. Another similar format, Starstruck, was launched by ITV in 2022.

References