If you tune into primetime TV, you are most likely going to encounter one of three things: 26 women fighting to date one man (The Bachelor), a popular sitcom, or a singing competition. Here in America, we really, really love our singing competitions—and it’s no different on OSU’s campus.
The love affair started 10 years ago, when we met Kelly Clarkson for the first time in season one of American Idol. Kelly is still around today, but things have certainly changed in the lineup of AI; now, a new show has come along that promises to give AI some competition of its own.
American Idol:
For the past decade, the OG of all talent competitions here in America has undoubtedly been American Idol. The majority of the shows’ success is thanks to the judges’ table. The famous trio, Randy, Paula and Simon, gained the love of millions in America and were together for eight seasons (oh, and we can’t forget about host Ryan Seacrest!). We have AI to thank for giving us some of our favorite artists, including Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and Jennifer Hudson. But, somewhere along the way, things changed.
Personally, I think AI screwed up by changing up the judges and adding Kara DioGuardi to the panel during season eight. Paula left the show after that season ended, and at the end of the next season, Simon followed. Now, the judges’ panel is made up of Randy, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. Maybe going back to a three person panel can bring the show back to its original feel, but nothing will ever truly compare to the chemistry between the original Idol judges.
The Voice:
The Voice is the new kid on the block in singing competition shows, but it’s definitely starting out strong. Season one premiered in April of 2011 and was enough of a hit to earn a second season. There are four judges/coaches, including Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. Carson Daly is the host.
The format of The Voice is very different from AI. Contestants perform for four coaches and then the coaches pick the contestants they want on their “team.” If more than one coach wants a certain contestant, the contestant chooses which judges’ team they wish to be on, but if no judges want a contestant on their team, that person is eliminated. Oh, and the entire time these contestants are auditioning to be on a team, the judges’ backs are to them. So basically, they’re picking these contestants without knowing what they look like. The rest of the format can get confusing, but basically the coaches and the voting TV audience have a 50/50 say in deciding who stays, but the finale is decided solely by the public’s vote.
The Voice works because it’s interesting and different. The blind auditions are exciting and the coaches have a competitive vibe between them, which makes it interesting to watch when a contestant gets to choose whose team they want to be on. The Voice also doesn’t waste much time making viewers hear horrible auditions, because the contestants in the blind auditions are singers who have already have experience, but just need to take it to that next level. This allows viewers instantly begin to pick favorites and to enjoy genuinely amazing talent.
It’s hard to say how many seasons AI has left, or if The Voice will surpass AI in ratings and popularity. But I personally think it’s a good thing there’s finally some competition to keep AI on their toes, and give America something new to enjoy. So I have to ask, if you were a singer, would you take your talents to American Idol or The Voice?
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