'The Voice' preview: First impressions?
- TV Show
If the preview of The Voice last night had been a first date, there’d probably be a second. As a loyal American Idol viewer, I hadn’t anticipated enjoying the sneak peek as much as I did, given the comparatively complex structure of the show. (Unlike Idol, The Voice pits the “coaches” against each other, in addition to the competition between contestants.) First, contestants perform for the four coaches (Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, and Blake Shelton) as they sit with their backs to the performers — very Dr. Claw. If a contestant gets picked, he or she gets placed on that coach’s team. If two or more coaches want one person, they battle for the contestant. After picked, these teams of eight then get mentored, and cut down to four. The 16 finalists then compete. Anyone else having Bamboozle flashbacks?
I was sure it would all be very distracting. But, as it turns out, the “audition round” on The Voice, which was teased in a sneak peek last night, was actually more enjoyable for me to watch than the auditions on Idol (mostly because I’ve never been a fan of Idol‘s pre-Hollywood Week buffoonery). I love how Aguilera didn’t mind hitting on the male contestants. (She jokingly tells a contestant in the teaser to take off his pants.) Also fun: The chemistry between the three male stars on the panel. Am I the only one who would love to see what they talk about when cameras aren’t around?
Next week, the first 30 minutes of the premiere conflict with the last 30 minutes of Glee‘s supersized episode, which is going to leave what would have been The Voice’s core audience conflicted. (Thank goodness for multi-tuner DVRs.) In its second week, however, Voice airs after Glee — smartest move ever.
Watch the preview below, PopWatchers, and tell us what you think. Are you already hooked?
Follow Sandra on Twitter: @EWSandraG
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