S13.E16: The Playoffs, Night 2

[Star Aristille]

From TV Guide:

Quote

The remaining artists perform for coaches Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, and Blake Shelton for a chance at a spot in the live shows.  The performances continue with Team Adam.  Adam reveals his Comeback artist.

This is a one-hour episode, because NBC still wants to indulge This is Us and its fans.

I've also edited this to say that NBC has decided to switch the teams around and have Adam's team go in this episode while moving Miley's team to Wednesday.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Star Aristille

[Star Aristille]

Well, that was . . . actually, not a bad night of music.  And it pains me to say it due to my extreme, dislike of Adam, but he actually did a decent job with the song choices for his team tonight.

So the performances:

Adam C.: Just within the first few seconds of his performance, I already knew he was crushing Red from last night.  If we have to have a country male to headline the country, I'd much rather it be Adam C. than Red.  His voice was as strong as it always is, and the performance was very good.  Not great, but again, far better than Red.  Even just being good rather than great, I think he'll be fine.  Adam's "I can beat Blake with a country singer" obsession will rule the day, even if others are better than he is.

Whitney: Well, I was happy that someone gave her a second chance, but oh, my Lord, that was terrible.  She actually sounded amazing in her studio version, but this?  No.  It started out bad live, and then got even worse as it went on.  This was not worthy of a Comeback performance, and I doubt she'll get through.  Adam not looking all that thrilled give me that idea even more than her actual performance did.

Emily: I don't care that much about Adam's "too perfect" critique regarding her Knockout performance.  This woman can sing, and she slayed that Cure song!  Absolutely flawless vocals!  Unfortunately, Emily hasn't exactly been among the most interesting of contestants this season.  I think, based on voice, she should get through, or at least be in serious contention of getting through.  But does Adam agree?

Anthony: I knew from the small preview I'd heard of his voice today that this song, while good, was not a match for him.  And I was right.  He did it almost exactly the way Ed Sheeran did "Perfect," which took away from his voice (which was already cookie-cutter enough as it is).  So he came off boring and borderline-karaoke to me.  Not worthy of making it through, and I think (or, rather, I hope) Adam is beating himself up for keeping him over Hannah.

Jon: This was good.  Very good.  Not quite as good as he or Adam thought it was, but nonetheless good.  It was smooth, solid, and a competent performance.  Not the most exciting performance of his, but at least he showed a different side of himself tonight.  I think I might prefer Enid Ortiz's Blind from last season or Billy GIlman's Blind from the season before to it, though.  And I'm still bitter that Caity Peters never sang it in season ten.  And yet, there's something about him that keeps me from getting behind him as a person, in general.  Something about his personality leaves a lot to be desired.  He reminds me somewhat of Kawan DeBose from last season -- he constantly thought he was the shit and wasn't humble.  Jon strikes me the same way, for some reason -- thinks he's better than he is and isn't as humble as she should be.  I don't know why, but he does.  Good chance of getting through, nonetheless.

Addison: Surprised that she closed the night rather than Adam's only four-chair-turn.  It was shocking to see him push her in the country direction.  And yet . . . she once again amazed me with how gorgeous her voice is.  Very easily the best of the night by miles.  Now that she's showing that she can cross genres, I think she could be in it for the long haul.  If she gets by, of course.  If she does, she might be Adam's main horse, even though I think he feels like Jon will be.

When it came down to the elimination, I was quite happy to be proven wrong in my predictions and see Addison get through.  Like I said, she could easily be his main horse if he keeps giving her the right songs.  I had a feeling that Jon might get through next.  Adam was slobbering all over him tonight like you wouldn't believe.  But the third spot was slightly shocking.  Anthony and Whitney had zero chance, and Adam's reactions to both of their performances said as much.  But I thought that Emily, by far, deserved that third spot.  But Adam's obsession with beating Blake with a country artist wins the day, as per usual, so of course Adam C. gets the third spot instead.

Okay.  Final Playoffs tomorrow, and Team Miley takes the stage for the final three places in the top twelve.  And everyone remember that it comes on an hour later than usual.

Edited November 15, 2017 by Star Aristille

[Jabu]

Current team rosters/cheat sheets:

Team Adam
Addison Agen (Adam's First Pick)
Jon Mero (Adam's Second Pick)
Adam Cunningham (Adam's Third Pick)

Team Miley
None.

(Still Waiting)
Janice Freeman
Ashland Craft
Brooke Simpson
Moriah Formica
Adam Pearce
Karli Webster

Team Jennifer
Davon Fleming (Jennifer's First Pick)
Noah Mac (Jennifer's Second Pick)
Shi'Ann Jones (Jennifer's Third Pick)

Team Blake
Keisha Renee (Blake's First Pick)
Red Marlow (Blake's Second Pick)
Chloe Kohanski (Blake's Third Pick)

[Dots And Stripes]

I thought Adam would pick Emily over Jon. He seemed to like her a lot and I think she would have had more of her own lane. Adam and Addison were obvious choices to me. Poor Whitney was done when Miley wouldn't even push for her.

Yay Blake! His personality (and awkward dancing) make him attractive. I approve, People Magazine!

[talktalk]

Emily clearly made a mistake in picking Adam as a coach. She stood out on his team, yet he passed her over for reasons that we don't know, definitely not for lack of talent though. Just found out that Emily sang with Charlie Puth a lot when he wasn't as big yet, can't Charlie help his friend and give her some exposure?

Edited November 15, 2017 by talktalk

[Padma]

I was disappointed Adam chose Jon over Emily. She'd upped her presentation style so that  it matched her tasteful, intelligent singing.   I thought she described her approach exactly right, "like a Bond song" and she held my interest throughout.  She was good and would have been refreshing going forward (esp. vs. JH's oversingers). I'm sorry she's gone.

[Chyromaniac]

This was a tough choice - Adam's group is the only one so far where I actually felt there were four worthwhile performances in Addison, Adam, Emily, and Jon.  I would've picked Emily as well - but I got a strong Postmodern Jukebox vibe off her song, and I really enjoy those videos.  I was actually surprised that her version of Lovesong wasn't one of their arrangements (at least not one that came up in a five second youtube search...).  Now that she's free of the show, I hope that someone gets her in touch with Scott Bradlee - I think she'd be a good fit with PMJ.

Edited November 15, 2017 by Chyromaniac

[Keekski]

Emily does absolutely nothing for me. She is a total pageant bot that does not emote when she sings. Pretty voice but so bland in personality. 

My favorites on each team:

Jennifer: Noah

Blake: Chloe

Adam: Addison

Miley: Moriah or Brooke. I wonder who she's going to pick for her final three - Karli & Adam are likely gone but she's got a tough choice between Brooke, Moriah, Janice, and Ashland.

[peachmangosteen]

Addison is maybe my fave singer from any season. She really is something special.

[Kaiju Ballet]

16 hours ago, Dots And Stripes said:

Yay Blake! His personality (and awkward dancing) make him attractive. I approve, People Magazine!

Lol, I just looked it up to see that it's a real thing--I thought it was an elaborate sketch (ok, maybe I wasn't paying too much attention). I wasn't really aware of Blake before watching the Voice, but yes, I've grown fond of his personality and especially his awkward dancing since!

And splashing around in the shallow end of the pool, what the heck was that thing on Adam's lip? I was so distracted--and I normally love listening to the coaching parts but I kept wondering if that thing was an alien life form, caterpillar or leftover Halloween porn 'stache.

Re: Emily. Agree with the technical proficiency (near flawless), but lack (for me) of feeling. I just couldn't connect with her while she was singing. I also couldn't get it out of my head that she looked a lot like David Bowie, and would have loved to have heard her do a cover of one of his songs.

Glad that Addison is staying around so I can get to "know" her better--this season has felt so rushed that I can't really remember too many singers until they perform.

[viajero]

8 hours ago, Chyromaniac said:

This was a tough choice - Adam's group is the only one so far where I actually felt there were four worthwhile performances in Addison, Adam, Emily, and Jon.  I would've picked Emily as well - but I got a strong Postmodern Jukebox vibe off her song, and I really enjoy those videos.  I was actually surprised that her version of Lovesong wasn't one of their arrangements (at least not one that came up in a five second youtube search...).  Now that she's free of the show, I hope that someone gets her in touch with Scott Bradlee - I think she'd be a good fit with PMJ.

 

2 hours ago, Kaiju Ballet said:

Re: Emily. Agree with the technical proficiency (near flawless), but lack (for me) of feeling. I just couldn't connect with her while she was singing.

I kind of agree with parts of both of these comments.  First, this was clearly a 4-person race and I would have been okay with any combination of Adam, Emily and/or Jon accompanying Addison to the next round.   Kaiju Ballet perfectly expresses my problem with Emily and the main reason why I could not rank her above Adam and Jon despite her gorgeous vocals, though I agree that she's a good match with PMJ.

Of course, I do have a somewhat similar problem with Jon.  Sometimes he's just a little too smooth and professional.  Plus, when he starts dancing, the cheese factor goes way up.  There's a lack of genuineness to his performances, particularly when I contrast him with another big voiced rangy singer like Davon.

One person who certainly doesn't have that problem is Addison.  This was my favorite individual performance of the season from her (I still might rank her duet with Carly just as high).  I guess I now have to put her up among my favorites along with Chloe, Noah, Davon, and perhaps Brooke.

Edited November 15, 2017 by viajero

[talktalk]

2 hours ago, Kaiju Ballet said:

Re: Emily. Agree with the technical proficiency (near flawless), but lack (for me) of feeling.

Can't believe you are saying this, take another listen at "Glitter in the air" and tell me there is a lack of feeling!

I, for one, got goose bumps and all sorts of emotions listening to her singing that song live. It was full of emotions. 

To be honest, I think she can probably teach Adam how to sing, that is possibly why Adam let her go. 

[viajero]

I guess Emily did do a better job at getting across some feelings with Glitter in the Air compared to her other performances.  My problem with that one was that I couldn't help but compare to the way Pink does that song.  But that may not really be a fair to Emily, since its rare for these contestants to match up well to the original.

Edited November 15, 2017 by viajero

[Star Aristille]

2 hours ago, talktalk said:

To be honest, I think she can probably teach Adam how to sing, that is possibly why Adam let her go. 

I know that's kind of a joke, but I could see Adam letting someone go for that reason -- that he resents someone possibly being better than even he is.  His ego is that big and fragile.

[Bridget]

Blake's dance is called "The Shelton Shuffle".

YEAH!

 

 

I also wanted to know why Adam had that God awful "thing" on his upper lip. Did he lose a bet or something? Not a good look. EVER. It was downright creepy looking.

I wonder what would have happened if Paul Merkovich had said "no" when Adam asked to play the drums when Whitney was rehearsing. He'd probably have taken his drumsticks and gone home.

[jhlipton]

2 hours ago, Bridget said:

I  also wanted to know why Adam had that God awful "thing" on his upper lip. Did he lose a bet or something? Not a good look. EVER. It was downright creepy looking.

My wife wondered if he was playing Freddie Mercury in a show or movie!

For Team Adam: Adam C, Whitney, Emily, Anthony, Jon, Addison:

Addison is an automatic lock.  OMG that was so awesome.  Jon was on point as well, so he gets to the Lives.  I love Emily, and her version of "Lovesong" was fabulous.

I agree that Whitney's "If It Makes You Happy" was ghastly!  Blergh!

[limecoke]

So Adam cut Emily. Wow.  And stupid me thought the show was called The VOICE.  What was I thinking.

Addison blew me away.  Perfection.

[atlantaloves]

Ahhhhhh man I was in love with Emily....the best female voice on the show. But now I am totally rooting for John  M. and Davon. I think a male is gonna win this season! 

Edited November 17, 2017 by atlantaloves
spelling

[misstwpherecool]

On 11/14/2017 at 10:50 PM, Padma said:

I was disappointed Adam chose Jon over Emily. She'd upped her presentation style so that  it matched her tasteful, intelligent singing.   I thought she described her approach exactly right, "like a Bond song" and she held my interest throughout.  She was good and would have been refreshing going forward (esp. vs. JH's oversingers). I'm sorry she's gone.

Absolutely agree.  Were the producers looking for younger contestants to advance? Were they and the coaches miffed that Emily took a vacation from a music career or thought she might do it again even after winning the show? Although one doesn't get to that level without sticking with it. 

During her performance it appeared she had everyone's attention including the judges, they weren't fidgeting, making comments etc. She has presence along with a voice. When Blake gave a rather crafted critique something seemed off right then and there. Especially now looking back I think they knew she wasn't going to make the cut if the others totally didn't flub it.

 

After she sang I thought she was THE winner. I was stunned when Adam did not pick her. I thought she would be the first one placed on his team.  This tells me the show is more 'produced' than we are led to believe and is nothing but a pretend job fair. The WWE of singing competitions.

[retired watcher]

I really enjoy Carson Daly as a host. He is so much nicer and more sincere than coaches on other shows.