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Adam Levine‘s disastrous, much-derided performance at the NBC Upfronts presentation on May 13 was foreshadowed the day prior on Universal’s Stage 12 — aka home of The Voice. The singing competition was pre-tapingSeason 16’s Semifinals on a Sunday vs. airing live on Monday because Levine and fellow coaches Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and John Legend were due at the aforementioned event in New York the next day.
By all accounts, Levine did not want to attend that Sunday taping. As one source tells TVLine, the Maroon 5 frontman expressed frustration beforehand at having to be present when, at that point, he had no artists left in the Season 16 race. And he did not hide his frustration. One eyewitness tells TVLine that Levine was “very difficult” during the entire taping, refusing opportunities to offer commentary to the other judges’ performers.
At least in part, Levine’s attitude might have stemmed from resentment of a Season 16 rule change that didn’t guarantee that each coach went to the Live Playoffs with the same number of team members. Season 16’s Live Cross Battles — which replaced the trademark Knockouts — cut his team in half (from eight members to four) and ultimately left him with zero singers by the Semifinals. (In Season 15, the Knockouts sent each coach to the Playoffs with six team members).
During the episode that aired May 13, the odd coach out praised Team Blake Shelton’s Andrew Sevener, Team John Legend’s Maelyn Jarmon and Shawn Sounds, and Team Kelly Clarkson’s Rod Stokes, but host Carson Daly didn’t even go to Levine for comment after solo performances by the rest of the Top 8. What’s more, while talking with Stokes, Levine’s disgruntlement with alterations to The Voice‘s format rose to the surface. “I still don’t understand how you’re not on my team. I don’t think anybody does, just ’cause it’s weird how it works now,” he said. “I’m still learning the rules of the new show.”
But it was when Levine brought his apathy out on stage at Radio City Music Hall — in front of his NBC bosses hosting the annual Upfront showcase of returning and new programming — that things came to a head. Singing on stage alongside his fellow coaches, Levine was near-motionless — a stark contrast to his much more enthusiastic and animated colleagues. “Adam had been checked out for a while,” notes an NBC insider, “but this was a new low. It was essentially the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Paul Telegdy was said to be particularly incensed. The co-chairman of NBC Entertainment witnessed Levine’s performance firsthand and, per multiple sources, was not happy with what he saw. One insider says the exec was “embarrassed” and “furious” that Levine exhibited such indifference in front of the very people (read: advertisers) who pay his $26-million annual salary.
Although accounts differ as to what happened next, one NBC source says Telegdy called for Levine’s immediate firing (a position he quickly backed off on). Another source at the network insists Telegdy and his fellow execs were very appreciative that in the middle of a week of live shows, the coaches flew to New York, on Mother’s Day, to perform early Monday morning.
But one thing is clear: Something changed between May 10, when NBC announced that Levine was returning for Season 17, and the morning of May 24, when his exit was announced by Daly on the Today show. As one insider observes, “This was, at the very least, a mutual decision.”
Levine’s rep declined to comment, instead pointing TVLine to the singer’s official statement. An NBC rep similarly declined comment.
I stopped watching mid season because of new format. Did not like this at all. Probably won’t watch again without Adam!
If they continue with the “cross battle” format I think they’re going to lose a lot more viewers. I did not particularly enjoy this “new show format” and will not continue to watch even though I love all the coaches.
Love Adam personally. His relationship with the other coaches is very funny and I love to watch. He stinks as a judge though. I will miss him
Adam is also a coach…not a judge. The problem with the show is so many people voting for the coach and not the singers. If you really want to know how good a coach is…hide who their singers are until after the finals. That would force voters to pick the best singer and not their favorite coach to win.
Not a Gwen fan @ all, other 3 are great, but with out Adam & Gwen in won’t b watching anymore! Sorry Blake, shld pick someone who ur not personally involved with!😬
While I don’t temper tantrums, you can’t really blame Levine for his attitude about this season. The new format sucked. And let’s face it, he doesn’t need The Voice. He’s got a good career without it and the new show was reportedly his idea and he’s executive producing it. Think about it though. It’s bad enough that its been the freakin Blake Shelton show for forever. Now you’ve got a stupid rule that makes it a crap shoot for artists who chose a team other than Blake Shelton. Kelly had no one in the final, John just one. Adam none. And several of their artists were so much better than most of Blake’s. I’ve always thought of all the coaches, Adam offered the most constructive advice and when necessary criticism. Kelly has also been a great coach since joining. I wish he hadn’t been such a pill. But I totally get it. And I don’t think the show will be as good without him.
I don’t watch The Voice but I’ve heard Adam a few times on Howard Stern interviews. He is very confident so bet his ego was bruised no one in the finals. Has any winner gone on to success? I did like him in the movie with Keira Knightley, Begin Again, Lost Stars was a great song!
Adam Levine gave one of the worst Superbowl Halftime performances of all time. Seems like he needs to get a well deserved hiatus, including a break from The Voice.
Not every musician or band is right for the Super Bowl. It’s been hit or miss for several years now. What band is going to turn it down? I blame the NFL for disastrous choices.
I also agree with Adam that the new voting system is terrible. To have one coach with primarily country singers turns it into a Country Western show. I loved it that John Legend won vs. Blake. It is very boring to have one coach have three singers in the finals. This could be also why the ratings were down this year. For sure, I am not going to continue to watch it if the no format stays in place. Judges do lose interest also. Kelly had a great attitude but she hasn’t been there since the beginning. I don’t it to be a Country Western show you miss out on to many great singers with other kinds of music that makes “The Voice” Carson does a great job on the show he is the best. I am not sad about Adam leaving at all. Go back to the original show.
I didn’t watch the last several episodes. I didn’t like the cross-battles, I live on the west coast and watched streaming. Once they went to the instant saves, I was no longer counted in final episode toward picking a winner. I will likely still watch the blinds and battle rounds, but if it is still cross battles, I will stop then.
Such a great loss to the show. The judges were the show.
Adam is the STAR OF THE SHOW!!!!! But time will tell. I definitely wont be watching til ADAM ( MR SEXY, MR PERSONALITY) IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
For everyone who has been bitching that the show is Blake’s Country Voice—Kelly and John are far more popular artists than Blake. Blake is just better at playing the Voice game and understanding what the audience wants to hear
I agree with Adam. The cross battles were stupid. Why change the rules if things were going great? If Adam is not on the show, I won’t be watching.
That’s what needed to happen after what he did last year to one member of his team.
Fatal mistake to change the format this year. Cross Battles are a disaster. Show is bleeding viewers and with the loss of Adam now, viewers in our household are done with it. Best of Luck to Adam. A job well done.
I was done with Levine and this show when he threw his own singer under the bus last season. His Halftime show was also uninspiring.
I find amusing, all the people upset about the cross battles. Tough. It’s how they do it now. Adam even said he was going to challenge as many of Blake singers as he could…..lol, bad decision.
My wife and I watch every year, and pay attention to his team only to see who he’ll throw under the bus first.
Well I have two eyes and a remote. I deleted the show from my dvr after the cross battles and with Adam gone I won’t be back!
I love this show and have picked the last 4 out of 5 winners, I had Kennedy Holmes last season, who should have won! But I 100% agree with the frustration of the cross battles (It just didn’t work because America was allowed to get involved too soon) and with the live saves not being available to the mid and west time zones.
This makes no sense. So NBC prez was upset and yet they give him a show to produce-Songland. Something else is going on with Adam.
Songland is premiering May 28th, so I’m sure Adam was signed up for it months ago. The upfronts were on the 13th, just 15 days before Songland premieres, so even if the NBC president was upset enough to want Adam off Songland, it’s way too late.
No offense, but Adam’s disinterest in the show and the audience’s disinterest in his antics started long before season 16. Everyone saw it with their own two eyes.
The country mafia made the show almost unwatchable. At least the most talented singer won. Did you see Maelyn with Sarah McLaughlin? She didn’t look out of place at all. I hate to see Adam go, but I think he did the right thing. I’d be pissed too. I doubt I will watch again. I’ve generally tolerated the country content but this season was way over the top.
I was pretty much done this season after the disastrous cross-battles, and it seems like the show is so rushed after that, getting rid of at least 4 people a week after weeks of spending time with all the contestants. Anymore, it is the Blake Shelton show and will just be more so with his girlfriend as a judge next year. I agree that last season’s fiasco with Reagan was a first, a contestant missing a week and not being automatically eliminated, but who says it was Adam’s fault? And does anyone remember Christina Grimmie, who was tragically killed at one of her shows and one of Adam’s best contestants? I think that really to to him and he has had enough, and righfully so, but with contracts and such, this was just the right time for him to leave.
Blake. Fix it or you’ve lost a lot of major groups – or rename it the c & w Voice !!!
Sad
NBC made Adam an offer he couldn’t refuse: resign or be fired.
It will never be the same without Adam him and Blake made the show