It’s that time on The Voice: the time where I get to go backstage and on the red carpet, because America’s voting and everything is live. This is truly the best job I’ve ever had…except, maybe, on Tuesdays, because elimination shows are not fun for anyone.
I’ve filed the results and I’ve done interviews with most of the artists from Team Blake and Team Christina over the last two nights. If you want to read those, click over here. This is not that column. This is for all the things that aren’t facts and quotes, but that I feel are just as important: the emotions, the thoughts, the next steps. This is the story of twenty-four new people making music that I’m lucky to be a part of.
The eliminations did throw me, but I expected that, because it was mathematically impossible for everyone I enjoyed to advance. The only person I would have bet money on last night was Chris Mann (the only person to make me swear out loud in surprise in the history of The Voice). And the one person I wanted to be set packing, I was pretty sure wouldn’t be. All I knew for sure was that I was going to be unhappy about something by the end of the night Tuesday, and press room brownies only help that so much.
Eliminations are difficult. From a professional standpoint, it’s hard to interview people when it’s obviously not a good time for them to be facing the press. Sera Hill‘s voice was cracking as she was talking to me, and I wanted to just stop the interview and console her, not be trying to get quotes out of her.
And if you happen to be friendly with the people you’ve got to talk to, which happens when you’re talking to them for the third, fourth, fifth time (one of my great friends this season has been Moses Stone, who finally explained to me what rap/hip-hop is), then it’s even worse. I’ll admit that I got choked up more than I expected standing on that red carpet Tuesday night, because I said goodbye to some very nice people.
Here are the rest of my assorted thoughts from this week, in no real order:
And because I know regular readers will ask: I saw Adam Levine, who popped by to do just a few minutes of broadcast press, but he had to get going before we could talk. I’ve been told we’ll chat next Tuesday. Fingers crossed!
If I want you to take something away from the above, though, it’s this: while the show may have gotten bigger (in both ratings and production), know that the heart of it hasn’t changed. This is still an opportunity for talented artists who are also wonderful people. This is still a show where being yourself isn’t just accepted, it’s encouraged. At the end of the day when the live show is over and the votes have been cast, The Voice is still a great place to be.
Now, I was going to leave things at that, but Wednesday night there was a little something going on Twitter with coach Blake Shelton, and I want to address that before I wrap this week up. Follow me over to the next page, would you?
Clacked by Brittany Frederick 
on Apr 05, 2012 @ 08:00 EST5EDT
First thank you for the article and sharing your experience and emotions. I read the posts on twitter from Blake about that site. (I follow him along with others) It was very upsetting to read that article. As a mother it got my heckles up. There really is no need for that kind of meanness towards a kid. I know she put herself out there and it’s expected that not everyone will like you. Personally I loved that version of wake up call. But we all have different likes and dislikes in life. I hate some foods and love others where someone else may love the food I hate. Anyway, same with music people will love some songs/artists and some will dislike what they have to offer.
People writing reviews should use a sandwich approach. Say what is good about the artist and then give a crit on what didn’t work for you and then end with something positive. But that’s probably wishful thinking.
I go back and listen to the artists on youtube after the shows and it’s mind boggling on how mean and cruel people can be over a performance from an artist they dislike. Just because it’s the internet doesn’t mean there isn’t someone reading something that can really hurt them. I do hope RaeyLynn AND the other artists never go and read the comments. People are doing it to all the artists to some degree.
I have liked every single artist on the voice and have not wanted to see anyone leave. They’re all so different and they bring a verity to the show. I could watch and listen to them all every week! I don’t have a particular team I’m on cause I love them all. So I vote for people on every team. I really respect Blake and admire him a lot for standing up for RaeLynn and with support like that, she’s in good hands.
*POST AUTHOR*
Yeah, that’s what finally got me to say something. It wasn’t just what was said about Raelynn, but I was visiting the Voice Facebook page, and some of the comments made me upset for other artists as well. I may not be a fan of Raelynn’s sound (yet), but I will absolutely speak up and defend her as a person. She is a lovely, sweet girl and doesn’t deserve those kinds of comments. None of the artists do.
I think perhaps we get caught up in the competition, in picking our favorites (and even our not-favorites), in that sense of ‘winning’ and ‘losing,’ and forget that we’re dealing with real people, and their dreams and feelings. To us, it’s someone being on TV for a few minutes. To them, it means the world.
I’m just glad that Blake spoke up for her (and in a sense, for all the artists). It proves yet again that he is a guy with character and who is willing to put himself behind who and what he believes in. And hopefully, because it’s Blake Shelton saying it, some people might take it to heart. I hope.
The meanness has really gotten out of control. Being able to write on twitter and fb to stars and shows is a luxury. When I was growing up we didn’t have internet and access to shows and stars and even contestants like they do now. If we liked them enough we wrote them snail mail a fan letter. lol But I don’t remember people being so dang mean just because they felt they could. Being polite and respectful isn’t an infringement upon their right to free speech. I do believe that people have a right to respect.
I think that it’s great that you wrote this article and said something too. I respect you for that. Would be nice to see more and more articles popping up, sort of like a domino effect. Perhaps people will stop and take a moment before they post something negative.
All these contestants deserve a standing O just for putting themselves out there and chasing their dreams. That’s not an easy thing to do. I admire them greatly!
I’m sorry, but respectfully, I can’t agree with either of you. I do agree, Maria, that there is always a more tactful way to do anything, but I don’t believe it is the job of a critic to cater, alter, censor, change what they think for the sake of offending the subject.
Hell, the show that started (or re-started if you’re a Star Search fan) the singing competition show movement featured a judge who routinely provided this type of honest, colorful criticism.
I think it is inappropriate to attack your subject in areas that are not related to the critique. It would have been inappropriate to talk about her appearance or age, as an example.
But it is a singing competition show, not a “who tried their hardest” or “who is the nicest, sweetest person” competition show. Obviously the vast majority of America, and their voting, disagree with me but I have yet to find a person who didn’t find RaeLynn’s performance incredibly grating. And I’m from the south, love a good southern accent, and enjoy the occasional country song. But to these (admittedly untrained) ears, it was easily the worst performance of the night.
Furthermore, I think you lose the right to defend someone as being a “kid” when she was “grinding her hips” and singing about finding another woman in bed with her boyfriend.
lol you serious, she’s not a kid because of a song she sang and the way she moved? That’s ridiculous. I’m pretty sure kids go to dances in middle school and dance that way. As for the content of the song, the show has a limited amount of songs they can chose from. And heck those same middle school kids are probably listening to that too! That doesn’t make them not kids anymore, just because they do it where there’s no T.V. cameras present.
The sad thing is that people enjoy reading verbal assaults against people they dislike. Then they go on youtube and facebook and everywhere spewing thet same venom. Well, it’s time good, decent, loving people start rejecting that.
Yes they put themselves in the public eye, but no one deserves to be trashed like that. She did nothing wrong but pursue her dreams. If you don’t like her singing that’s fine that’s your opinion.
And just because one judge on some show, way back when. spoke like that it doesn’t make it right.
Respecting someone as a person isn’t coddling them. (Not sure what is happening to peoples morality but it’s in sad shape.)
And I could argue this type of flaming and hate journalism covers up the fact that the author isn’t a very good writer. If that’s what you have to do to get people to read an article, it’s kind of sad. I like to read a good,well informed article, with good prose than some garbage slandering a 17 year old KID.
This is my opinion and I’m sticking to it. =P
*POST AUTHOR*
I don’t know, Ivey. I don’t see it as censoring or catering. I have never had to alter my opinions on any subject in over 11 years now, and yet I’ve still never written anything I wouldn’t say to someone’s face were I to meet them.
But honestly, this is a problem that’s not just connected to one person or one show. I once had someone write me and tell me that I should consider killing myself because they didn’t agree with one of my columns. I just don’t believe how I deliver my thoughts frees me from treating others the way I’d like to be treated (or spoken about).
Except, that’s not really what I said. I said (or at least what I meant) was that I think it is disingenuous for Blake Shelton to use the “she’s a kid, leave her alone” defense. I never said she wasn’t a kid.
“One judge on some show” = Simon Cowell and American Idol.
I guess at the end of the day, I didn’t find what was written at TV.com to be that offensive. The author was critical, snarkily so, but the criticisms focused on what was meant to be judged. She didn’t hate the artist, she hated the performance.
Ah Simon Cowell, I never really watched that show and I think he’s rather rude. Though a lot of people like him. Also he pretty much says it to peoples faces without hiding behind a pc. Doesn’t make it any better in my eyes. IMHO
I think the voice comes across as more nurturing because the stars get personally involved and genuinely want to help these people grow and become the best that they can be. They want them to be successful. Which is why I like the show so much. (that’s something Idol doesn’t do) I can’t imagine how hard it would be to pick who stays and who goes. :/ I also think that people in general should go with that feel of the show… and be nurturing and helpful instead of trying to get attention by downing the persons talent. But wouldn’t it be interesting if there was a show “singing boot-camp” or something to nurture others who need that little extra help? Get them in vocal shape!
Since you said”I think you lose the right to defend someone as being a “kid” when she was “grinding her hips” and singing about finding another woman in bed with her boyfriend” that you were inferring she was therefore an adult.
Anyway, her/his article was an extreme exaggeration, RaeLynn’s singing isn’t horrible to that degree and neither is Erin Martin’s. To me it’s more personal preference than them singing horrible. Just like there are some singing groups or solo artists that I don’t listen to because I don’t particular like their product. I don’t down them for it. It’s not their fault.
the article is probably no big deal to many because we’re desensitized by that kind of writing or talking by being bombarded by it every day. Shut off your tv and don’t read stuff for a few months. (I did this) when you tune back into these things you realize how terrible and mean people have become.
For my taste, this is one ugly topic, but it’s good to discuss. It’s up to the readers to discern which bloggers are putting in a good effort at quality journalism, and which are writing in a raw form usually associated with private diary entries. But, the reality is that this comes with being in the public eye, and I’m assuming Blake Shelton will turn this into a teachable moment for his young high-school singer. There are a LOT of people who enjoy watching Simon Cowell make fun of lesser talents, or legitimate talents who have an off performance. He is often accurate, and he is good with the biting one-liners. Personally, it’s not for me (which is why I watched one episode of American Idol, nine years ago, and no more, and I haven’t watched any X-Factor, either). On the flip side, Raelynn was voted on by the viewers, so she does have a lot of supporters, already. Good and bad, it’s all part of the business side of music.
BTW – regarding Naia’s non-reggae final song, I don’t think it’s so much a matter of the song list, but the need to iron out kinks associated with the “sing for your life” concept (if they do that again, next season). There was something about having only 15 minutes of rehearsal, which would automatically eliminate any unique songs (probably why Moses sang a regular song). I’d be surprised if Lindsey’s Goyte song was on the standard list, but there was plenty of rehearsal time for Monday’s episode. Unfortunately, I think Naia’s opportunity to do reggae was on Monday, not Tuesday.
Also – we were all wondering how DOES Paul Mirkovich get to ALL of the battle round rehearsals? Regardless of whether it was under the chandelier, in the skyscraper, or on the farm, there he was, ready and waiting behind the piano. Now we know. Ha!
*POST AUTHOR*
Paul said he gets like 2-3 hours of sleep. I would fall over by the end of the week if I were him. That’s unreal.
. . . . .
“Not only is Erin Willett probably the show’s most under-the-radar artist right now …”
By who’s account, Brittany? She’s one of the few who have shown how The Voice is supposed to be worked.
Re Song Choice: Minimized song choices or no, you get what you get and you put it out there the best you’re able. They can’t all be gems. Making the best of something that doesn’t rub you the right way – and the ability to make it shine despite that wrong rub – is where there’s skin in the game. Sometimes it goes your way if your resilient and adaptable, sometimes not.