Season 26….Reba, Gwen, Snoop and Bublé

[Quickbeam]

Ah, just wanted to get the conversation going. Tonight was the premiere. I thought it was pretty refreshing having some new coaches. 

[seacliffsal]

I enjoyed the premiere very much.  I like the banter and comraderie of the coaches.  Both Buble and Dogg add a lot to the coaches panel.  I also like a lot of the interactions between coaches and contestants-Michael singing with the young man who emulates him was really nice.

I haven't really even watched the last few seasons but am in for this season.  It really does matter who they have as coaches.

[Ellee]

I like the ‘replay’ button despite what appeared to be a deliberate set-up to be used. 

[OLynn33]

Was really enjoying the premiere after not watching the last few seasons until the Michael Buble kid. This show is soooo scripted now. That was a total setup. Buble should have picked the kid. Of course he didn't. Because I guess he couldn't be coached to pronounce vowels. But of course sings with him. Like they did before. And Snoop Dog saying well I didn't turn because Buble didn't. That's just dumb. Snoop's a music producer in his own right and it would have been interesting to see if the kid could be coached to sing other genres as he has a voice which is oh I don't know, the name of the show. 

Edited September 24 by OLynn33

[vb68]

Both Snoop and Michael brought a freshness and new energy that I appreciated.

On the other hand, as much as the show tries to tell me otherwise, I don't buy that Gwen isn't still the lesser coach among equals.   I forget which contestant it was, but it definitely looked like she sought Reba's approval before turning.

[retired watcher]

i haven't watched since Blake left. I'm back to see Snoop and Michael. Let's see how it goes.

[Quickbeam]

Tonight was a one hour clip show from *this week* auditions. Always gets me….we just saw this! 

[Quickbeam]

Tonight….the judges bits of business get longer and longer. I’d rather hear more singers, less chit chat. I thought the woman who was trying to sound like Stevie Nicks was dreadful.

[seacliffsal]

I am really enjoying the interplay amongst the judges this season.  Got really tired of the judges 'bashing' Blake his last few seasons.  Thought John Legend was king of boring (I know it's an unpopular opinion, but it's what I thought).  This new line-up just 'works' for me and I am now watching whole episodes instead of bits and pieces.  Yes, I know it's super early in the season, and I reserve the right to totally change my mind as the season drags on.

Was surprised Gwen didn't turn for the first female rocker.  Was also surprised that it seems like more people are choosing Gwen over some of the other judges.  Lots of country singers in this episode, so was surprised (this is obviously my "surprised" paragraph...) that Reba wasn't the first choice for some of them.

[Jal]

On 9/26/2024 at 9:16 PM, vb68 said:

Both Snoop and Michael brought a freshness and new energy that I appreciated.

On the other hand, as much as the show tries to tell me otherwise, I don't buy that Gwen isn't still the lesser coach among equals.   I forget which contestant it was, but it definitely looked like she sought Reba's approval before turning.

Was it for a country-ish artist?

I think I know what you mean in terms of lack of confidence, but she's had some great moments with contestants in the past (and even in the first episode of this season) and helped to improve their singing. No Doubt is, in my opinion, one of the greatest bands of all time. That does count for something.

Edited October 1 by Jal

[Quickbeam]

Last night, more sob stories ( make it stop) but some decent vocalists. I think Gwen was mistaken to use her one save on that young boy. I just didn’t think he was that good. Plus his voice is changing and you just never know how that will go. 

[seacliffsal]

1 hour ago, Quickbeam said:

Last night, more sob stories ( make it stop) but some decent vocalists. I think Gwen was mistaken to use her one save on that young boy. I just didn’t think he was that good. Plus his voice is changing and you just never know how that will go. 

I agree about the young boy, but younger contestants have done very well on this show (even though I wish they had a minimum age for contestants) so maybe it was a strategy, or just a 'oh, I don't want him to be sad' decision.

I am really enjoying the interplay amongst the judges.  

Is it just me or does there seem to be way more 4 chair turns this season?  And, I don't think it's because the contestants are consistently great IMO.

[Quickbeam]

Last night, more sob stories (Orphan! Cancer!). The best for last Shy, not sure how to spell it. She gives off Phoebe Snow vibes. 

[Jal]

I always skip over those parts. It's too much.

[Quickbeam]

When I hear the sob stories, I think about how many would have been remedied by having fewer children. “My single mom raised six kids” or “I was making a living as a musician until our third baby”. A life in the arts is treacherous enough, does no one consider how much easier it would be without a baby? I think that every time. 

[SandyToes]

On 10/8/2024 at 12:37 PM, Quickbeam said:

Last night, more sob stories ( make it stop) but some decent vocalists.

Mercy, there have been a lot!  Is it a requirement? (Or, being 16?)  They can be humanized AFTER they are on the show, in my opinion. And yes, it did seem like an inordinate number of 4-chair turns.

I like the judging lineup. Enough goofy stuff to make me smile. Love that Michael is SOOOOO excited to be on the show.  Too cute. 

[Chit Chat]

This is the first time I've watched the show.  I've always known about it; I just wasn't interested!  I got burned out on singing shows, but thought I'd give this season a chance.  

So, each celebrity has 14 singers each?  That's a lot of talent to develop.  How do they eliminate them going forward?  Is it by the judge's votes, or the viewers, or a combination?  

[Quickbeam]

16 minutes ago, Chit Chat said:

This is the first time I've watched the show.  I've always known about it; I just wasn't interested!  I got burned out on singing shows, but thought I'd give this season a chance.  

So, each celebrity has 14 singers each?  That's a lot of talent to develop.  How do they eliminate them going forward?  Is it by the judge's votes, or the viewers, or a combination?  

I didn't watch tonight, I think it was the last of the blinds. Now they have a series of elimination battle and knock out rounds. Then come the live shows. 

[seacliffsal]

I just don't understand the emphasis on personal stories.  Even the judges are like 'let people know your story...'  I always liked music for, well, the music and lyrics-growing up I really didn't know much about the musicians and singers-just liked the music (well, except for the Monkees as I was totally their demographic and totally loved them, but that's another story...).  Would I like someone's music better because of their 'story'?  Doubtful.  

[LakeGal]

I don't like watching this show live.  I love to be able to fast forward all the sob stories.  I really don't care about their back story.  I want to know if they can sing or not.  If they have to do sob stories they could at least wait and just do it for the singers that make it to the live shows.  But they spend time on sob stories for singers that do not even get a chair to turn.  Why?  Two of the singers on Reba's team this season were quickly showed briefly that she had picked them.  Why not show their entire song instead of wasting time showing us what is "coming up" several times during the 2 hour show?  I do not understand the editing of this show at all.

[OLynn33]

Well thank the sweet baby Jesus the blinds are over.

I'm picturing how the initial auditions go now with the producers. Okay you have a decent enough voice. Just a few questions. Do you by any chance have a parent or significant family member who's dead, dying, missing, or missing and dying and might be dead? 

Edited October 17 by OLynn33

[SandyToes]

10 hours ago, OLynn33 said:

Well thank the sweet baby Jesus the blinds are over.

I'm picturing how the initial auditions go now with the producers. Okay you have a decent enough voice. Just a few questions. Do you by any chance have a parent or significant family member who's dead, dying, missing, or missing and dying and might be dead? 

Right??  Every.Single.Time. argh! Kind of like Chopped! 

I also kind of wish they'd show more no-chair turns, so we see feedback and hopeful outcomes. Not bad singers, just some that need a little more work.

I did like that the judges often turned for people NOT in their wheelhouses, and purposely avoided them sometimes. Makes for a nice mix on the teams. The blinds used to be my favorite part of the show, but that's waning....

[Quickbeam]

Good show tonight, not too much fluff. I really like it that they aren’t trying to save every contestant and most of the battle round losers go home. I wish the age limit was 16 or 18….some of these really young kids are not ready yet, especially the boy whose voice is changing. 

[OLynn33]

I don't understand why Snoop Dog's team doesn't rehearse in the studio with the band like the other teams. That's the "coaching" part of the show.

[Quickbeam]

Well, the show is rolling right along. Winnowing down, montage here and there. My spouse asked me about the “rules” which seem to change with every season. Where are the saves and that “you go right to the live show” skip thing? I still think they have a lot of crust to put on a one hour recap show *the day after the show aired*. 

[DanaK]

Jennifer Hudson and Sting will act as mega-mentors

http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2024/11/04/nbcs-the-voice-taps-music-icon-sting-and-multi-hyphenate-jennifer-hudson-as-season-26-mega-mentors-941210/20241104nbc01/

[Quickbeam]

Who left the show on Bublé’s team? There were only 2 instead of three. There was a quick voice over that I missed. 

[Chit Chat]

Well, I tried to give this show a chance, but there are too many singers to get cut, and I got bored.  I'm tired of the back stories too.  It's the only season I've ever tried to watch, and I'm over it.  :)

Good luck to those singers left.  I hope the judges truly do help them and get them going in the right direction for the careers they want.  I think some judges are more helpful than others.  

[Diana Berry]

Pleasantly impressed by a lot of the singers.  This is a good season.

wonder what happened to Tanner in Michael’s team?

[DanaK]

23 hours ago, Quickbeam said:

Who left the show on Bublé’s team? There were only 2 instead of three. There was a quick voice over that I missed. 

https://ew.com/the-voice-contestant-tanner-frick-unexpectedly-leaves-the-show-8742668

[Quickbeam]

Ok last night they montaged an entire knockout round. I find that so annoying. Cut out some of the coaching fluff and let us see the singers. 

[Vermicious Knid]

I watched it in 18 minutes, and that includes running it back a few times to make sure I didn't miss who got picked. The two hour episodes only take about 40 minutes.

The hatchet jobs are even worse this season. Only 2 on each team will go to the lives.

[Quickbeam]

Tonight I am seeing people I don’t think I’ve seen before. I liked the Slow Burn singer but she’s not right for the show.

The guy with the sash? Only the late Peter O’Toole could wear that unironically. 

[DanaK]

Contestant Moe Ilderton has quit. He was on Gwen's team. That's the second contestant this season who quit before the live performances

https://deadline.com/2024/11/mor-ilderton-quits-the-voice-gwen-stefani-team-1236181847/

[Quickbeam]

So the format is 5 come in, 2 emerge with no saves or steals. Gwen’s team was last night. She picked Sydney the 15 year old and Jan Dan or whatever his name was. I’d have taken the country singer but can’t argue otherwise. It looks like it’s just one coach per hour.

[Quickbeam]

Tonight they are zig zagging between Reba and Snoop. Lainey Wilson makes sense as a coach but Simone? Sigh. 

[Diana Berry]

I’m so confused by Reba’s choices.   Nothing against the two chosen but they definitely were not my top two.  Maybe just me.

[Quickbeam]

The guy who sang Prince was pretty amazing. I was hoping he’d get through. OMG, not Theater Boy. That was so hammy with the gloves and all. He can sing but…it was too cruise shippy for me.

[Diana Berry]

1 hour ago, Quickbeam said:

The guy who sang Prince was pretty amazing. I was hoping he’d get through. OMG, not Theater Boy. That was so hammy with the gloves and all. He can sing but…it was too cruise shippy for me.

Its Thanksgiving ham is on the menu.  I honestly liked his  performance ( crawling back in my cave). 
 

im still perplexed I thought for sure Reba would pick Lauren . Maybe more ham on the menu but she got to me and I really like her voice ( I need a bigger cave).

[OLynn33]

On 11/25/2024 at 9:25 PM, Quickbeam said:

but Simone

When I first saw her I didn't recognize her. I just thought wow that singer is muscular. Then I clued in when I heard her name. Guess Snoop figures he doesn't need musical help just inspirational. 

If they are going to carry this many people to this round they should put 3 through. It's too big of a cut to me anyway. 

 

 

[Diana Berry]

1 hour ago, OLynn33 said:

When I first saw her I didn't recognize her. I just thought wow that singer is muscular. Then I clued in when I heard her name. Guess Snoop figures he doesn't need musical help just inspirational. 

If they are going to carry this many people to this round they should put 3 through. It's too big of a cut to me anyway. 

 

 

Love Shai’s  voice.  The high and low tones are incredible.  

[Diana Berry]

The sound during the first hour was way off.  I could only hear the background singers and the band.  It seems that they figured it out by the second hour.

Shye was definitely my favorite.  I actually also liked the Reba’s rocker guy ( surprisingly).  
 

So is the finale next week? So we only get two live votes? 

[gonzosgirrl]

I legit had to fast-forward through a couple of the performances. I don't know if it's because it was truly 'live' or not, but they were... not good. Of the top 8, who I don't agree should have been the top 8, I think Shye is the best. I felt like Sting was genuinely moved/impressed by the Fields of Gold duet.

I also enjoyed Danny (Reba's rocker guy :)). I don't think guitar solo/riffs generally work in favor of the contestant though.

And yes, only two live shows - 8, to 5 (with the winner declared of the 5). It really is a shame what they've done with the format. Also was not impressed that Sofronio only got to hear from his own coach (Buble) as the last performer. Credits were rolling while he got his hug, and no tongue-bathing from any of the other judges like ALL of the other seven got.

[Quickbeam]

Mr. QB and I watched this and we’re both less than wowed by the performances. Sting is a stand up guy, best part of the show. Any of them could go tonight but I thought Danny was the best of a lukewarm night. 

[Quickbeam]

So tonight….last one’s standing are Shye, the Filipino guy whose name I can’t remember, Theater Boy, Gwen’s young girl and America’s save, Danny. I am apparently not good with names. 

[Diana Berry]

Still like Shye’s voice the best.  I would take one long season like the good old days vs these short mini seasons.  

[gonzosgirrl]

I'm pretty surprised that, in my opinion, the right five made it through. I'd probably trade out Theater Boy for Adam, but if this is truly 'the voice', then I think the best five singers of those eight made it.

Shye FTW, though sentimentally, Sofronio seems to 'need' it the most. I think that Michael will help them both, post show. And I went into this season with a pre-existing intense dislike for Buble. He really seems to care about these kids though - and I don't think he's that good an actor lol.

[Vermicious Knid]

Only two live weeks is ridiculous. Why bother even having them at all? I'd like them to go back to the original format from the first few years. Stop having ten weeks of auditions then extended cutdowns in different forms. Less sob stories/backgrounds and more performances. America' choice guy strikes me as so smarmy and fake. Probably the slicked back hair and pornstache. 

Snoop and Buble have been pretty good. Reba has not impressed me at all and won't miss her-I fast forwarded her performance-but not looking forward to Adam coming back. And I expect Kelsea Ballerini to be almost as useless as Gwen. I watch for the singers, not the coaches 'antics'. 

[DanaK]

I agree on the shortened live weeks. That's ridiculous, especially for the contestants who need the exposure, but the show has been more about the coaches and barely about the success of the contestants after the show from the beginning

[Quickbeam]

Watching the two hour show. 3/4 through, I’d lose Theatre Boy and the young girl. Shye is pretty good, Danny has a lane and Sofronio (thanks upthread!) has a very nice voice and the “Queen for a Day” edit. I’d think Shye has an edge.