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.[1][2] The format has since been sold to other countries,[3] notably as the European Soundmix Show.
Huisman, former drummer of 1970s band Lucifer[nl] 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.[citation needed]
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 Jacques d'Ancona[nl] and Barrie Stevens[nl]; the latter's "Vooral doorgaan!" (lit.'Keep up the good work!') became a catchphrase.[citation needed]
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.[4][unreliable source?]
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.[4]
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,[when?] but it never happened.[citation needed] There was also a Seniorenplaybackshow with elder contestants, and the more successful Sterrensoundmixshow (Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes).[2]
In 2002, the Soundmixshow was the platform for a debate between politicians just before the parliamental elections.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
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.
Matthew Kelly (2001–2002) Cat Deeley (2003–2004, 2006)
2001 (pilot) 2002–2004 2006
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.[citation needed]
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