Immediately following the Super Bowl on Sunday afternoon, NBC premiered the new season of “The Voice.” Preceded by many weeks of advertisements for its second season, the vocal show conveyed a wide spectrum of sounds, just as the promotions promised.
The unique premise of this series separates it from many other singing-based talent shows. Superstar coaches act as judges who select team members blindly before they watch them perform live. When the show decides to take a singer under its wing, the judges push a button that lights up a banner that reads, “I WANT YOU.”
In a situation where more than one judge selects a given singer, the responsibility shifts to the vocalist, and they must then strategically select the coach they wish to work with for the remainder of the show.
Four accomplished artists in the music industry serve as coaches and competitors throughout the series. These featured voice sensationalists include Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton. Based on the the show's premise, each coach works to accumulate a team full of only the most talented singers available.
In the first season, Levine became the champion judge when his well-coached pupil, Javier Colon, took the grand prize. Levine made sure to mention his successes as the winner of the first season several times during Sunday’s premiere episode — perhaps in hopes of attaining victory again this season.
Following in similar suit with the inaugural season, the winner of the new season will be awarded a contract with Universal Republic Records.
Differing from the first go-around, teams are set to include twelve team members this season, upping the ante from the eight-membered teams that were constructed in the inaugural round.
To introduce the premiere episode, the judges sat in large, futuristic-looking chairs that dramatically face away from the stage. These intimidating and brightly lit rotating seats created an intense and theatrical atmosphere.
The show focused primarily on six singers during the premiere episode. Five of the six spotlighted singers received at least one turn of approval by a celebrity judge.
Unfortunately, 20-year-old contestant Daniel Rosa was not selected by any of the judges and walked away from the show with no offers. Before he took the stage, Rosa mentioned to the host he auditioned primarily to gain approval and confirm his talents.
Although it’s expected that some contestants will not proceed onward in the competition, it is undeniably uncomfortable to watch a singer perform on stage to the displeased backs of the four judges. Unlike “American Idol,” where some acts are hysterically awkward, there is little comedy involved with the denial of those who lack vocal talent by the judiciaries in this show.
In a completely different fashion, one of the six featured contestants in the premiere episode was desired by all four judges. Competition between judges ignited when all four bargained for Tony Lucca’s impressive voice. These types of situations create a dramatic facet that keeps the anticipation level at its maximum.
Drama and anxiety are continuously present throughout the show. Approval and denial by judges and contestants ignite competition and foster inter-team rivalries.
It’s expected that the second season of this hit show will include much rivalry between the newly created and utterly talented teams. Much like a sporting event — and perhaps very similar to the Super Bowl that preceded it — “The Voice” will display fierce competition, dramatic gameplay and eventual victory for one.
Reach the reporter at ejnicho1@asu.edu
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