As a late-night talk show host, Arsenio Hall was criticized for gushing over his guests.

But contestants on his new “Star Search” will apparently need all the support they can get.

“On the old show, there was a tendency to give someone three stars if they went on and off stage without falling off,” said Andrew Golder, executive producer for CBS’ updated version of the talent-search series. “This show will judge people honestly.”

The judges on the old, syndicated “Star Search” were mostly showbiz executives and talent agents who silently observed and graded the acts on a scale of one to five stars.

But in the new series, which will join the CBS lineup on Jan. 8, the panel will be made of celebrities who will offer occasionally biting critiques.

Golder acknowledges that the new element is the result of Fox’s success with “American Idol” — in which three judges became as popular as the singers.

“The public has come to expect that that’s how these shows work,” Golder said. “It makes the moments a little more dramatic.”

Hall will interact with the judges and offer encouragement to performers looking for their big break.

“To people who are unknowns, the kind of enthusiasm and love that Arsenio brings provides a positive environment,” Golder said.

The new “Star Search” will have competitors in four categories — junior singer (age 8-14), adult singer, comic and “supermodel.”

But it’s not an amateur hour.

Unlike “American Idol,” the contestants can have professional experience. Their backgrounds may include performances on cable television or Broadway, and they may have had a recording. They cannot have had major exposure on a network.

The winners will be chosen based on judges’ decisions and an online vote by viewers.