Padma

I'm enjoying most of the dancing, but won't miss Chrishell, Nelly, and Skai, in that order. Some of the others (AJ, Justine) aren't necessarily better dancers, but they bring the personality and drive, as does Jeannie. I'm really enjoying Derek's judging. Far superior to anyone else who's judged the show. I like his combination of praise plus specific advice. I don't know why I can't stand Gleb. He's a gorgeous guy, but I guess it's his affected, way of dancing and the overly "sexy" stuff, too aware of himself? I'm always interested that others here seem to feel the same. I can't remember him getting much fan attenton, yet, there's Artem, Sasha, etc. who attract so much of it. What villain was Monica? Admittedly, I wasn't paying close attention, but did she and Val even mention Halloween? She's always seemed "diffiicult" to me. Does she have some belief system that doesn't recognize Halloween or villain? She and Val never seemed to like each other. I'm glad she's gone and agree Derek may have tied it out of respect for Val. Johnny and Nev were the ones I enjoyed most. I do miss some of the group choreography, though.

I'm going to predict that Hannah, in winning, will whine about how mean the DWTS fans are to her, how the judges were so mean to her, how hard the whole experience was for her (unlike anyone else) because people didn't realize how sensitive and how wonderful she was and criticized her when she should have been praised! It's how she was all season, but now--with the "burden" of winning--I'm guessing she'll actually be worse. She's a good dancer, but I was rooting for Kel.

Len's little chacha with James didn't look very good. Not sure why he bothered. I'm sorry for James and his family but I doubt he asked to go. If so, he should have just said so--and I think he would have--rather than staging a vote off that would have negative repercussions for others. He doesn't seem like the type to do that. Also, Tom's reaction about his low scores seemed that they were unexpected. I think Ally's really good, too, and deserves to be there, even to win. Hannah's a good dancer, but she's so annoying. Her emotions every week about being criticized seem excessively self-centered and as if she resents not being praised. You're learning something. It's not a personal attack. I find her so unpleasant and whiny--the pageant mannerisms don't help. Kel may not be the best dancer but he's had the greatest improvement. Not one of the best seasons. And, unlike Len, I miss the more imaginative choreography.

Karamo was the worst dancer after Sean, but at least he continues to improve and can manage most of the steps and rhythm so that its not painful to watch. Sean's like a "5" to Karamo's "7" with everyone else an 8, 9 or 10. There will hopefully come a time when Sean--whoclearly realizes he's the worst--will hopefully start being embarrassed to be eliminating others based on Trump supporters' voting. If it goes on another week (and someone so much better would be eliminated, probably Kel or Kate), then I'd be in favor of Sean winning the whole thing--and ratings declining accordingly. The producers knew what they were doing (Bristol Palin). They should give Sean Spicer the Mirror Ball for the worst finals dancing ever seen, ruin this season, lose viewers, --and stop doing it.

Maelyn has something that's become a rarity on singing competitions--lovely tone and pitch and, best of all, vocal restraint, as she showed on "Hallelujah" despite the temptations many others have given into with it. She hits the notes cleanly and doesn't oversing. I really hope she wins. I enjoyed "Unforgettable" as well. It was nice to see a live duet of it (as opposed to Natalie Cole singing to a recording of her father--Maelyn and John basically used the same arrangement). She did well and John, like Blake, seems a generous singing partner. Dexter and Andrew were fine. Gyth was off and there's no reason for him to win other than looks.

I am actively rooting against Gyth as, imo, there's no reason to choose God Bless the USA--with its massive red-state/Trump supporter branding--unless you're making a play for those voters (plus, of course, God and patriotism). I get that vibe from him -- as if "white country guy" dominance wasn't already being rubbed in our faces enough this season. I did enjoy Kelly saying it wasn't such a good performance because of his inability to sustain the notes, and John humorously, ironically, noting that they were saluting British music with the Beatles and Gyth dug in with the most "We're Americans here, dammit" song there is. Other than that, this seems like the worst season ever, musically, which is too bad as John and Kelly are great additions.

Even before last season's fiasco, I'd never have chosen Adam. I don't understand why so many still haven't caught on to his insincerity. (I enjoyed John's comment last week: "Adam's pitches are all about love--he really loves himself a lot". Ha. Truth in jest.) I'm tired of seeing people I like fall for his lines "You're great!" "I can take you to the end!" "I love what you do,, but I can help with the (fill in problem). Just being honest with you."). Then he dumps them without looking back. Or undermines them (esp. if black man) with some old old oldie, maybe Michael or Stevie or …. Zzzz. Or some other poor choice, while playing favorites elsewhere. And I guess these contestants weren't paying attention when KC's last season, the contestants all were saying how she was "the best" in caring and fun to work with and musicality,etc. That wasn't just from her team, but from others' as well. Yet they come out and choose...Adam. Go figure. As for the music, the first week still seems the best one but it overall the season feels a little fresher than usual. I know they'll never get much in the jazz vein, but maybe John will bring a bit more, and fresher, soul singing. Overall, I'm enjoying it. (I was just thinking "I'm over country for this show" when they announced Brooks and Dunn. Woo-hoo! They're fun.).

I don't get it either. What I'd want to know is the old "everything but" question. I mean, does he do anything else to get close to a woman he's seeing? He's good looking, seems nice, but oh-so boring. If, in addition to that, he didn't enjoy physical closeness, wasn't affectionate, didn't "feel it"...what would be the point? I mean, why isn't he already in the friend zone for all of them? That said, I didn't see him on the earlier one, so maybe there's more to it. But when he said it wasn't about religion, I kind of thought "to each his own, but why are you bothering, ladies?" I guess there's always "being on television"....

I agree with almost all of your post--except this part. Well, I agree that Blake is brilliant at branding his people and that all the kissing made Chris seem kind of cuter and more lovable. He looked fun to cuddle, like a big blond teddy bear. And he's such a shy guy that Blake gave him more emotional connection with the audience. But.... but.... as cute as it seems, I think we've gotten beyond that kind of unwanted action being okay. Chris seemed good-natured but also a little uncomfortable with all the kissing and he didn't seem to initiate or reciprocate it. It's kind of the embodiment of a "power imbalance" relationship where one person CAN take liberties. Yes, I'm going to seem pretty uptight about this, but we're in the age of #MeToo and someone at HR should talk with Blake about that, imo. It would be completely unacceptable for anyone--man or woman--to do it with a female contestant? Why is it okay with guys? Also, I think the comment to Kirk "I missed you when I was in bed last night" (or somesuch) looked like it made him uncomfortable. Very awkward when the guy is basically your boss, and a Big Star, and its all being filmed, too (I'll bet they didn't ask either Chris or Kirk if they were okay with the clips being used at the finale). Just saying--if "consent" is important re: suggestive comments (even joking) and touching (including lots of kissing) for women and kids, why isn't it important to do for men, too? Especially with that power imbalance.

One of my favorite things about the Blinds is when an older singer gets through (even someone over 401) I've always liked how, until recently, this -wasn't- AI, and gave a real chance to "adults" at a new career. So seeing younger teens competing and winning is kind of sad to me, even though I understand it as trying to help the show's popularity with a wider, demographic. Still, it's unfortunate. On the other hand, I can't honestly say that I feel Chevel (or Kennedy, if she'd won) would have been undeserving, or have mainly gotten through by looks/age. They had plenty of talent to be there--and to be deserving winners. Their poise and fearlessness is kind of crazy--impressive. So it's not that they're undeserving. I just wish it still had an emphasis on older singers and the idea of kind of a 'second chance". re: country music. I like a lot of it, through the years, but it's not my favorite genre. I can't help wondering if voters in the West were able to weigh in on the save if the results would be different. in terms of who winds up at the end. Seems like voting may skew more rural and southern (aka more "country") than it would if you got more urban voters out west. I wish they'd try it because I'm kind of tired of the country emphasis (Then again, it's unlikely to get jazz singers--not Buble-style crooners--very far, but one can dream....)

I enjoyed it. Then again, I usually enjoy Blake's singing (on other people's songs. And in duets, where he's very generous.) I thought Kirk held his own on their duet, although was Blake making it about two guys and Kirk wasn't? I may have been confused. I wouldn't object to that approach on a country song (might be refreshing) as long as it wasn't done for a joke. Re: the duet with Chris. I thought Blake was trying to show him how to bring the energy and some machismo to a performance. If so, Chris didn't get it. Blake revved up the vitality and performance and every time it went back to Chris it bottomed out again. I can see merit for any of the other three winning (Chevel or Kennedy have the edge--both with looks, youth, talent, performance, in varying but overall equal, degrees). But I think Chris (who will never, ever be the winner) got a nice showcase that will probably help him book better gigs at better pay so... he doesn't belong in the finale, but it's all good. John Legend replacing Adam for a season would be refreshing, but I'm guessing that's too good to be true.

I enjoyed "Blue" and you have some good suggestions for songs. (Danielle B. did well with "Heads Carolina..." so that's probably off the table). I'd like to see Chevel do something upbeat and written within the last fifteen years or so. I love Dolly, Patsy Cline, etc. but if they're really trying to get a teen to win it, let's not have her singing grandma's (even great-grandma's) generation of songs for the finale (and I say this as someone more or less "of" that generation). Let them do something that doesn't feel overly familiar to one generation and of little interest to another. It's the finale!

I watched by accident, but was very impressed. Enough to look up her AGT performance on YouTube. It was hard to believe she was actually singing like that as a ventriloquist--I thought she was amazing. Plus, the way she worked with her puppets, created the characters so well, and interacted perfectly as a likeable "straight man". Plus she's pretty, a natural host with great comedic timing. Seems very sweet--and she's still a kid! I thought it was a great showcase for her--heavy on the music and just the right amount of guests and comedy. I really hope she's saved the seedy Casino route--she should get her own weekly tv/variety show -- bring back an old genre for the whole family--I think she's the one to do it!

Yep, although I won't specify what "creepy Adam" means or doesn't mean. I only observed, don't understand, it. It just...was a very weird, unusual vibe from him after all these seasons, underscored by how he loves to talk about her personal qualities--and maturity and sophistication supposedly beyond her years (I, too, don't see it)--rather than her singing. Where his focus really should be, particularly when she's already been eliminated and he's not making a sales pitch for votes anymore. I also thought Reagan now lacks the bubbliness she started with and I hope she'll get it back now that she doesn't have to do this. She also seemed kind of "over" Adam, when you might expect a kid her age to be, if anything, kind of star-struck, especially since she was clearly -his- favorite. Maybe she's just tired. The Reagan/DeAndre thing just makes Adam's decline as a coach more obvious to me. I used to overlook his favoritism because I thought he made some interesting song choices (at least for singers he favored) and sometimes pushed people to do things musically that they didn't realize they could do. Now that his tired schtick with Blake isn't providing lighter moments...and his comments about performances aren't very insightful...and he was inexcusable re: DeAndre.... he really has outlasted his time on the show, imo. And, while Blake is everybody's pal--coaches and singers--and always nice to everyone, keeping a friendly vibe in a "competition", he doesn't really bring much insight or musical knowledge at all, and I'm a little tired of that, too. He gets singers through somehow--this time it seems with very little reason for it re: Chris--but he doesn't bring much either. I don't mind Jennifer this season (so much less of the "We here at J-Hud productions!") and her chemistry with Kelly is nice, so they can stay. :) re: McKenzie. Yes, she didn't have The Look that would have probably made her also The Winner. But she got remarkably far with the look that she -does- have. And, more to the point, talented as she is, it's not really just looks. Sometimes people have a charisma that pops through--it's rare--but can make a performer something special regardless of not being a "gorgeous" 20-something or "adorable/cute teen". She doesn't have that "It" factor either. So I think she did very well, considering (then again, I think she's very talented, but just listening to her without watching I never felt she clearly was head and shoulders above everyone else, week after week. So it's not like she was heavily penalized for not being gorgeous. Three of the finalists are okay, even with their weaknesses. However, I really don't think Chris belongs there. Nice guy, but really not musically a stand out in anyway that I can see.

Yes, you and Dots and Stripes are right. I don't know what I was thinking--makes sense! Adam has a really weird, intense look toward Reagan and is so over the top in his praise. She's a kid -- she's fine, but the "poise and elegance and grace" or whatever he was saying. Still not a whole lot about her...singing. Maybe she reminds him of someone else or he's overcompensating for his blunder last week, but it's weird. Seriously, I don't know why anyone would choose him as a coach if you had another choice.

I didn't think they gave the names in order. Maybe I missed it. Do they? I like it when a good African American singer goes for country and I think Kirk Jay is authentic (unlike the AA woman on Blake's team a couple of seasons back who seemed to know no country songs and everything she sang came out as R&B. A very new "country singer" imo). However, I don't think Kirk's that special. Ditto for Chris. They're fine, but ordinary, in terms of these shows. So, I'm leaning toward Kennedy--she's got a good voice and stage presence, is poised far beyond her years … why not? I've come to think that some singers advance because of Blake when they shouldn't. And his pitches aren't even that good. Like, did Chris really want to be pigeon-holed for "the guys driving trucks and drinking beer" (maybe a rifle was thrown in, too, can't remember. Either way, it seemed a very limited demographic for this show -- and yet, there he is in the finals. I'd like to see Blake (and Adam) take a season off. Leave the country singers to others for a while. I think Blake is just "too good" at this show, even when he seems to only be minimally trying.

Is Grandma busy? Because if she brought a baby AND her grandma I'm sure no one would say anything even slightly critical to her delicate sensibilities. "...who don't want to be loved.." Sounds like her family (and Adam) are doing her no favors by not explaining why people would feel that what happened was grossly unfair.

That would have worked. Or showing her Monday performance again to vote (go ahead, hurt my ears. It's for a good cause.) Something. And, generally, I'm okay with the younger teens competing, as long as they're tough enough for it. It's not enough just being able to sing well on YouTube. There's so much more pressure on this show than anyone's experienced before, but esp. for kids you could see it would be overwhelming. But some can do it. I enjoyed Danielle Bradbury and Jackie Lee, among others. But I don't think Reagan's got what it takes for this show emotionally. ITA with those who say she should gracefully bow out next week and they should call DeAndre and Dave back plus one more to sing off--or at least offer; they may both be over it and not want to go home again. She won't win, and at least that way she could avoid the backlash. (I know others already said this--agreeing with you, but I can't find the posts.) What I still can't get over with Adam is that in all his comments during the elimination, he never once said anything about Reagan's singing. Not one thing. So, actually kind of unflattering for her in a way. And really unfortunate for DeAndre--who gave one of his best performances--to lose out just because it was suddenly a competition about being a cute, vulnerable little girl --and not about "Her Voice" at all.

So, what's missing from Adam's pitch to save Reagan? From Adam (only leaving out his comments re: Deandre): "“It’s really, really hard for me not to just — As much as I urge you all to vote for this man, because he should never have been in the bottom — I don’t know if I have the heart to not tell everyone right now —I have a very special relationship with Reagan. And I have two little girls at home. The thought of breaking her heart by not urging everyone to give this girl a shot to go and redeem herself next week would be too far beneath me. ... I think you should both be there. But I gotta fight for my girl. And I gotta make sure that I represent her properly in this moment, because she didn’t have a chance to use her voice tonight. So I’m going to use it for her as well as I possibly can to make sure she can make it next week. That’s all I can say. It’s weird.” Yes, there's absolutely nothing in his pitch for her about her singing. Not about her performance on Monday. Not about her singing talent in general. Nothing. It's all "my special relationship with her"... "I have two little girls"...."don't want to break her heart"..."she needs a shot to 'redeem' herself"...."I gotta fight for my girl"...."I gotta represent her". Me, me, me. It's called "The. Voice", Adam. How ironic that absolutely NOTHING in his speech about saving Reagan was about how she deserved to stay over Deandre because of her SINGING.

Wash Post had some of them, though at least KC's are incomplete. From Adam: "“It’s really, really hard for me not to just — As much as I urge you all to vote for this man, because he should never have been in the bottom — I don’t know if I have the heart to not tell everyone right now —I have a very special relationship with Reagan. And I have two little girls at home. The thought of breaking her heart by not urging everyone to give this girl a shot to go and redeem herself next week would be too far beneath me.” He then told Deandre, “I want you to know I love you. I appreciate what you’ve done here tonight, and honestly, I think you should both be there. But I gotta fight for my girl. And I gotta make sure that I represent her properly in this moment, because she didn’t have a chance to use her voice tonight. So I’m going to use it for her as well as I possibly can to make sure she can make it next week. That’s all I can say. It’s weird.” Oddly, the Post took Kelly's comments that followed as standing up for Adam not Deandre, as we did here. Then again, they shortened her comments to make it seem -really- like that was her point, which is an annoying bit of journalism. ".... Clarkson... quickly jumped in to defend her fellow coach. “I know Adam and his heart, and I know he loves his team. He feels really bad for Reagan,” she said, adding that Nico “sang the hell” out of his song. “I just wanted to say I know it’s so horrible that Reagan is not able to present herself . . . so please know, that’s where it’s coming from, he’s bummed for her. Everybody did a fantastic job tonight, a really great job.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2018/12/05/shame-adam-levine-voice-fans-are-furious-after-this-weeks-bizarre-elimination/?utm_term=.1b0cf5093c70

Thinking about it, I don't know why they thought she should move on without competing. They were saving two of three. Why not just save one of the two this week and put Reagan automatically in the "save" category next week? Having worked with girls her age I just can't help being skeptical that maybe it was the pressure that was getting to her. Personally, I don't know how even the older singers hold up under the pressure of this kind of competition, but that's part of succeeding or failing on the show. Others who were older than Reagan have cracked under the pressure and dropped out. That's a better choice than advancing over someone else who deserves it more. I just got a "babied" vibe from her tonight that was super-irritating when someone else had to take the consequences for her illness/nerves. The bathrobe really did it for me, I think. I've been out in public in my bathrobe exactly once in my life, and it was on the way to the ER with 105 degree fever and a serious illness. I didn't hear what was wrong with her, but she didn't need to be sitting there in her bathrobe. If she was that ill, she should have been home...or in the hospital...and at a minimum not exposing other people to her malady, whatever it was (nerves, of course, aren't contagious so they'll probably all be fine.) I remember last season when contestants from other teams were talking about how everyone loved Kelly, whether she was their coach or not because she was so kind and caring and nice to everyone. She certainly cemented that image tonight--and I'm impressed she had the presence of mind to do it right then and there, because you know that she also didn't want to offend Adam. But she weighed it, and as a former tv show competitor herself, she knew exactly how Deandre was feeling and that that was a lot more important than Adam's ego. I'm glad for him that a coach praised him like that, even if he couldn't count on his own. I don't hate Adam, but he's thrown so many singers under the bus after giving them big "you'll be there with me at F1" pitches. I hope people will be less taken in by him in the future--a lot of times, the sweet talk is just because he wants to be chosen over another coach. Tonight he showed his colors and it was pretty bad. It'll be interesting to see how they address it next week. It's too controversial to just ignore it.

ITA that was the lowest point for Adam (and he's had a couple through the years--like the Christina season). Didn't he give Deandre a pitch about "taking you all the way"? That is so Adam. But great for Kelly for having the presence of mind to speak up and say what needed to be said. "I have a special relationship with my girl and she didn't get the chance to sing like you were lucky enough to have" is so messed up. Then Adam kept glowering after what Kelly said, I guess knowing he would come off so bad. Instead he just went on putting his foot in it. Oh, and Reagan, honey? If you're well enough to get to the studio and sit in the audience you're well enough to get out of your freakin bathrobe in public and get dressed. Seriously, all that was missing was a cold pack on her forehead and a thermometer hanging from her mouth. At least the vote was very close. Hopefully she goes home next week. (Psst! Adam! You may love her but she gave a genuinely -terrible- performance last night. Maybe you should have thought about that for a minute, too. She actually doesn't deserve to be there, even if she's actually unable to sing in her bathrobe tonight. She just isn't that good.)

I'm pretty impressed that three coaches found a way to praise Reagan without mentioning how badly she sang Faith Hill's song. 'You command the stage" per Adam. Good one! But on the bright side, at least she didn't smile inappropriately through it like she did through last week's performance. I still don't think she understands what these "big" songs are about or why she's given songs that are so out of her vocal (and emotional) range. She's pretty and cute and in a few years might be ready for a career. But it would be unfortunate if she wins over more the more talented singers. (I also hope the winner won't be one of the shouters. I'm really tired of being shouted at. Subtlety in singing is underrated on this show. I mainly blame the coaches and producers.) I like Blake's singing, but I wish he'd choose better songs. Did he write "She's Turning Me On"? The lyrics are among his worst, and that's saying something.

ITA. That was a fun concept which needed the music to follow through, like the costuming did. And Skye is very cute and talented, but does Allan know the Charleston? I really saw very little Charleston content in that dance. All the kids are pretty amazing, actually.

A little late to weigh in but -- very deserving win for Shin Lim. I thought all the singers in the final were nothing special, but the one that bugged the most (because I mostly tuned out Michael) was Daniel. On the one hand, it's always refreshing when someone cares about opera on these shows. On the other hand, I thought he was so mediocre. So I was really curious how it would be when he performed with someone GREAT.. Also, Placido Domingo is such a mentor for young singers, I was curious what he would feel about Daniel. Their duet told me everything I wanted to know. I was shocked that Domingo -- always so generous -- completely oversang him. But with his comments to Tyra afterwards, I think it was because he wanted the AGT audiences to see how it was -really- done. When she asked what he thought about Daniel, he really struggled to be positive. "..whatever else, he's a real showman" while talking about his own opera singing competition that gets really fantastic new talent. He likes popular music and crossover performers, but I felt he was completely unimpressed, understandably so. And Mel B? Could she sound any more stupid? "I just get goosebumps the way you roll your 'r's'!" "Spanish!!!"