The Voice

[Deleted]

I think constructive criticism is great, but Christina only ever criticized members of the other coaches' teams.

I think I'd rather that than no honest criticism at all. A bigger problem for The Voice that will probably eventually catch up to the ratings is that it hasn't produced any major music stars. I always forget who won the season before because they just drop off the radar. I hadn't seen Judith before and watched one of her performances on You Tube. It cut off before the judges comments, but I'm sure they consisted of nothing but over the moon praise and standing ovations. But so were the comments for the other bad performances I had seen. Even the Starlight killer got a standing O from what I remember. I think that's where the problem lies with the judges being all nicey nice. The contestants that deserve praise tend to blur with those that don't. There's no real sense of glory for the winner and the viewers don't care enough actively support their favorite and create a solid fanbase. Everyone just moves on to the next season and its newest "winner."

[Deleted]

I agree about Usher's coaching skills. He's the best! Maybe he'll come back sometime... He and Cee-Lo could switch off seasons!

[twodollars]

May 14, 2013 15:22:29 GMT -4 @highondegrassi said:

I occasionally tune in and end up quickly getting annoyed and turning the channel. It seems like no matter how badly a song is performed, the judges are always super nice and avoid any criticism, not even a little bit. Is it always like this? The other night a guy destroyed Starlight (and not in a good way) and received praise all around. Adam said "there were a couple of things" but didn't elaborate to avoid saying anything negative apparently. So much for constructive criticism. Then last night the one with the giant glasses showcased her limited range and all the judges said she was amazing. Is something wrong with my hearing?? And I didn't like the way Adam said he likes her and then Usher was like "a guy like Adam likes you." What does that have to do with her performance? I feel like I'm watching a self-esteem workshop instead of a singing competition. I'm biased in that I'm a Christina Aguilera fan and I know she's unpopular, but at least she made an effort to tell it like it is and offered up advice on how to improve. I think she and Cee-Lo made the show more interesting with their diva ways and awkward moments.

Christina Aguilera never told it like it is. She lavished unbelievable fake praise on her contestants and took a giant shit all over competitor's contestants no matter how good they were. She was across-the-board bitchy for no apparent reason to Adam's contestants and basically bullied a 16-yr old girl on Adam's team last year for no reason. She also made the entire show awkward and uncomfortable because she was so nasty that no one wanted to interact with her. Oh and she frequently forgot contestants' names last season.

She is such an asshole and I am so bummed that she is coming back to the show.

Shakira and Usher both have made critical comments to their own contestants and other contestants throughout the show plus you get great moments like Shakira calling one of the contestants a mini-Margaret Thatcher and Usher forgetting that Nashville isn't a state. They both have added laugh out moments to the show. I can't think of one time I laughed with Christina on the show.

The best part of Shakira and Usher on the show is watching their behind-the-scenes coaching moments. All of their contestants have improved drastically since starting to work with those 2 and the contestants just lavish praise on them for how much help they've been to them on and off camera. Christina never gave a crap about her contestants and it showed in the behind-the-scenes mentoring and her contestants usually got worse as the show went on. She adds zero value to the show.

I'll miss Shakira on the show, but it was nice for the American public to finally realize that she isn't just some bimbo. I do wish that Shakira could pick some decent songs for her contestants though. Oy. She sucks at that. Usher really gets how to pick songs.

Danielle Bradberry is going to win the show as country fans vote in droves on these shows. If I ruled the world, Sasha would win this show as she is my favorite contestant.

[Shanmac]

I agree that Shakira sucks at picking songs. The song she chose for Garrett last night was, just, ugh. Not only was it not suited to his voice -- I know, I know, he was supposed to "make something out of it" -- but ... it's just a crappy song. Usher? Yeah, he can pick songs. But I think Shakira is sweet and well-meaning and wants her contestants to succeed, which is something I never got from Christina (although Xtina did seem to take a shine to Dez last season, for what I thought were obvious reasons ).

Adam cracks me up. "I did notice a few things, they weren't you, they were instrument things, so I don't even know why I'm talking about them ..." Oh, Adam, you're such a geek.

I do think all the coaches were pretty hard on one of the contestants (Cathia?) for singing a Whitney song. Basically, the gist was, "No one can approach Whitney's level of greatness, so don't even try." Even Usher said it, and I was like, "Then why the hell did you pick that song for her?!" Like I said, I think Usher generally does a good job picking songs, but for a group that is usually not all that critical, they all left me scratching my head on that one.

My husband also thinks Danielle Bradberry will win. I can't get too upset if she does. I'm not a country fan, but she's definitely talented, and has a hell of a lot of poise for her age and level of experience. She's cute as a button, too. Although we'll never hear the end of Blake's gloating if she does.

Hubby thinks I'm mean because I can't stand the Swon Brothers. I think they seem like nice guys, and I get it, they harmonize really well and they're good performers, but ... not my cup of tea, obviously.

[Deleted]

Shakira and Usher both have made critical comments to their own contestants and other contestants throughout the show plus you get great moments like Shakira calling one of the contestants a mini-Margaret Thatcher and Usher forgetting that Nashville isn't a state. They both have added laugh out moments to the show.

I guess I've tuned in at the wrong moments. From what I've seen, which admittedly is limited, I haven't been compelled to continue watching.

She also made the entire show awkward and uncomfortable because she was so nasty that no one wanted to interact with her.

It wasn't all that bad. I don't think the other judges hated her that much. The ratings are good this season, but they've gone down since the premiere and are a little lower overall than the previous seasons as of now. If the ratings go down or up with the return of Christina and (presumably) CeeLo, that would prove one way or another if a friendly or contentious dynamic among the judges determines the show's success. I'm guessing there won't be much difference, though. The contestants are what will make or break the show, and like I said, if there aren't at least a few break out stars that surface in the next year or so, the ratings will eventually go down because of that.

[Spinderella]

So I guess Shakira is officially leaving? *shrug* I didn't watch this season and usually don't watch all the way through even when Xtina & Cee Lo were on. I *may* check it out next season, but we'll see.

[CAgirl]

I agree that I'd rather Shakira & Usher stay. Usher really gets into the coaching & takes it very seriously. I love that. And Shakira also takes it very seriously & loves her team. Christina only gets people talking because of the way she dresses, does her makeup, & her bitchy comments. I don't feel like she truly wants her singers to win. But then I can't stand her. I wish her & Shakira could alternate seasons & Usher would replace CeeLo.
As for this season's contestants, I like Sarah on Adam's team & Sasha on Shakira's team. Usher has the weakest team. The Swon Brothers are okay, but I always think Scott Speedman is up there singing!

[Strawberry]

I've played back Vedo's dance from last week three times now and it just gets funnier and funnier each time.

[twodollars]

Great news. Shakira and Usher are coming back for the spring season next year. This way I can skip the fall season and come back in the spring.

[Deleted]

Awesome! It's like the nice cast of judges vs. the "naughty" cast. I'm into it.