By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
There have been moments in recent seasons of The Voice when we felt like maybe it was, if not on its last legs, its next-to-last legs. We still nom-nom-nom’d up the familiar format and coaches’ “bickering” like so much comfort food. And the ratings remained solid. (Season 23 opened on par with Season 22’s premiere.) But, especially after mainstay Adam Levine went all grumpypants and took his leave, the show felt lacking in energy, in oomph.
That all changed Monday when Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan were seated on the coaching panel next to Kelly Clarkson, back after a season off, and the singing contest’s last remaining OG, Blake Shelton. Chance and Niall are articulate, funny and, best of all, passionate.
[pmc_inline_gallery]
Yes, the newcomers seem like absolute naturals as they contribute to the coaches’ banter for which the series is as well-known as its red swivel chairs. And yes, their pitches to prospective team members are appealingly enthusiastic and inventive. But what really makes the duo such a shot of adrenaline is the sense that they are genuinely engaged. (Hey, we all love John Legend, but did anybody feel like he gave a s–t in Season 22? Blake freakin’ won, and even he felt like he was on autopilot.)
With The Voice saying goodbye to “the cowboy” when this cycle wraps — dunno if you’ve heard it’s his last season, it’s so rarely mentioned on air — many a viewer has suggested that the swivel chairs are bound for storage, that the series can’t possibly continue, not without its GOAT. We beg to differ. Chance and Niall have breathed new life into a long-running program that had gone stale. They have, in essence, remixed a song we’ve heard a zillion times and made it sound fresh again. So not only can the show go on, it must.
What do you think? Answer in the comments.
After Blake leaves I am done. I am sure the new coaches will do just fine, I will find programs on another network to watch.
It helps that the producers seem to have given them new “tricks” to play….Chance jumping on the stage to change the other names to read “CHANCE” and Niall being able to hit the other coaches’ buttons to turn them back around during one of his pitches. Both tricks surprised me…and left me wondering what else they may have up their sleeves for later. I agree, feeling surprised had become rare. So, the tricks along with the energy and passion they are putting into the show have indeed freshened and livened things up.
They would never bring her in because she’s not a big enough “name” (which sort of speaks to how upside down our music world is) but they need someone like Jessie J to join next season.
She has been on the UK and Australian versions and actually offers real criticism. Not cartoonish and to play a villain character like Simon Cowell, but actual notes on how singers can improve. There have been squabbles with the other coaches as a result, but this is reality TV after all.
There’s a .1% chance of it happening, but Garth Brooks replacing Blake Shelton feels like it could work.
Excited for Blake-free The Voice. I love him and he makes great TV, but Blake-centric comedy bits keep taking up more and more airtime and diluting the show. Feels like not only the coaches but even the voting audience is on autopilot when he’s around. The Voice is better when it’s about the singers, not the coaches.
The Voice has never been about the singers. That’s why in 22 seasons it has hardly produced any noteworthy artists in the music industry. People have always seemed to care more about which coach’s team the winning singer was on than the actual singer who wins. It’s always “Team Blake wins!” As opposed to “*insert singer’s name* wins!”
Please define noteworthy…
I agree. But let’s just be honest here, do any of these singing competitions create any noteworthy artists? It’s not just The Voice. It’s all of them. American Idol has done 21 seasons and have many true artists have come from that show that have real longevity in the industry? I can name them on ONE HAND. Personally, part of the issue is the fact that they are looking for people who have the best voice or the people who can belt out notes. Having the best voice doesn’t equate to success. The one thing I admired about Simon Cowell was his ability to find star quality and this show lacks that. This show doesn’t foster talent because it’s obvious it’s all about the coaches and less about finding an artist who will stick out on the radio or who will capture people’s attention. Simply awarding someone with the best voice doesn’t mean anything. Taylor Swift is arguably one of the biggest artists around and I can 100% guarantee she wouldn’t win The Voice. She can carry a tune, but people can run circles around her. But she has “it.” She has that star quality you can’t find in everyone. These shows don’t foster that talent because they stopped looking for it. It’s all gimmicks and bs.
American Idol produced legitimate stars only in its earlier years because they truly did focus on the singers. Sure, the banter between Simon and Paula was fun. But it wasn’t all about them. The original judges (Simon Paula and Randy) were not current pop stars so they weren’t trying to take attention away from the contestants. Once they started bringing in current pop stars (JLo, Mariah, Nicki, Katy Perry, etc) is when you begin to notice that the contestants were no longer becoming famous themselves. That and the fact that these talent shows simply aren’t nearly as popular as they were 15-20 years ago.
Spot on. The biggest stars of today are stars for reasons other than being able to stand there and belt out a song. Singing competitions haven’t figured out how to find those stars yet. These shows also skew much older than the people who are streaming music by Taylor Harry, Lizzo, drake or doja cat
Idol has produced way more names than one can count on five fingers. Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks, and Jennifer Hudson are just the starter. There’s also Kat McPhee, Chris Daughtry, and Adam Lambert. To say nothing of artists who didn’t make it far like Jimmie Allen and Lauren Daigle. And Broadway stars like Constantine Maroulis. Let’s also not forget One Direction came from a singing show, as did Fifth Harmony (Camila Cabello). So, yes, singing shows produce very noteworthy artists.
That is more about the current state of the music industry than the show. There are also factors working against singing competitions. It seems like people go out of their way to not support artists who have been on these shows. It sort of feels like actors from soap operas. Whether they are good or not, after 1995 it is almost impossible for someone to break free and get into primetime. There are always exceptions like Rome Flynn who have minor success, but it is not a launching pad like it was where Bryan Cranston, Eva Longoria, Julianne Moore, Michael B. Jordan, Margot Robbie and so on could get their start there.
Also, Morgan Wallen was on the show and somehow he’s become one of the most successful musicians in America.
I can’t stand Blake
I used to be a regular watcher of “The Voice” the first few seasons but have been watching as a casual viewer in the most recent seasons. I decided to give this new season a shot and I must tell you the two new judges have roped me back in. I really love their energy and excitement for the contestants and the show. I am excited to see where this new season goes.
I was pleasantly surprised with the new coaches. I love Blake and thought I’d be done with the show when he leaves. You are correct, Niall and Chance bring a lot of energy to the show. I don’t miss John at all. I think he has been phoning it in for quite awhile.
Bring back Xtina!
I usually fast forward through most of ithe bickering and coaches talking.I am there for the singing. I hate it when Kelly and Blake go at it and completely ignore the singer on stage.
Niall is just adorable. I am enjoying the fun-ness between all the coaches. Once Blake goes though, I am finished.
I am an “old” Blake Shelton fan, and it will be weird not seeing him there, but I think The Voice did a great job finding Chance and Niall. They are not in my wheelhouse, but they have new LIFE, and I am enjoying it. Next year will be interesting. I just hope Kelly goes away and never comes back.
I have watched The Voice from the beginning. Adam was my favorite. Throughout the years, the format and rules have been tweaked, which resulted in crazy things like Blake having the majority of contestants in the finals. People seem to be voting for Blake, not for his singers… like last season.Niall and Chance are a breath of fresh air.
I agree but I also think that Nick Jonas brought a great energy when he coached. The show definitely need some younger fresh faces to mix it up.
I agree I really like Nick, I was ready to give up on this season and the Voice. My DVR recorded and I love the two new judges, I haven’t been really impressed yet with the singers. I think American Idol does a better job of connecting us with the signers, the Voice has to do a better job of that. I will not miss Blake.
love when the banter between the coaches doesnt take away from the singer, and im loving the fresh air Chance and Niall bring
i will say though, after watching for years now i feel bad for the people that get selected, because they react like its the best thing in the world and this show has never really produce a star like American Idol with Kelly or Carrie, or X Factor UK with the One Direction guys
so, its mostly a little time to meet huge stars and maybe get some push, but not a big career like it should be
I feel like this season with Niall and chance tho, especially Niall’s 1D fandom this season I bet that changes that narrative. Every single artist working with Niall has said he’s so invested and involved with them and I think his fans can tell and want to be involved Bc he is. Kayla who’s been with literally every coach this season has said on her YouTube he was the most caring and truly was there for them, compared to the others in just a more caring way, same with chance and I think the young viewers can see that. The fans on TikTok are going crazyyyyy for them! All Niall’s teams vids have 1.5million views or more. You add TikTok into the mix people will make someone famous. Riley tate (15) , Gina (17) , kayla (21), the harmony group of three on chances team (which I BET MONEYYYY chance will use for his album) already have a following on TikTok and keep growing! I bet at least two or three of these people we will hear from again because these new coaches care so much! I think they’ll set them up especially Riley and Niall, and chance the harmony group, they seem to be very close and regardless of the outcome will continue to help them.
But when are Mitch and Scott (Superfruit, Pentatonic) joining as a duo judging team? I do think country music needs to be represented on the panel. I know Kelly has dipped her toe in that world and seems to have a lot of connections thanks to her former mother in law, but it would be nice to have someone that is currently relevant in that genre. Maybe they can get T-Boz now that she’s no longer on ‘Days of our Lives.’
love the new guys ! Blake will be missed though !
The Voice needs to end no matter who the judges are. It’s a waste of time watching 4 judges act like children.
Thats why a remote came with your TV, I watch when ever time permits, even the international voice shows on U tube. So its a choice to watch or change the channel.
Yes they were all funny and great and a change even Blake had fun yep but everybody going to miss the G O A T
I really wasn’t looking forward to this season because I didn’t have a clue about the new coaches but we were both pleasantly surprised and really like Chance and Niall! They’ve made it much more interesting and I look forward to the new shows, which hasn’t been the case recently.
I’m fine with Blake moving on. Even though I liked Adam, i haven’t missed him a bit and think it will be the same for Blake. He’s been on the show so long that his fans often keep the more mediocre people on his teams on his team over others who probably should be there (I know it’s subjective).
I agree. Niall, especially is a bouncing ball of energy, and watching the son/dad thing with Blake is so fun. These guys have made it a new show.
I agree 100%! I love Niall!
Yes, Niall & Chance are the best picks the show has made for judges in a long time. But how long will they stay? They have their own careers going on. Hopefully they’ll be back after Blake leaves but I think it will be doubtful.
I am sure I’ll get backlash.. However I enjoy the banter. I miss Adam being on there. I was excited to see Chance and Nial come on. I however am a little saddened by the lack of knowledge Chance has in music. He is great on many other levels. He has a great ear. Yes Blake has had his issues. I think the trio he is set them up to fail. He had them 90% sing as a trio. Not really giving each their own time. That being said. Hope he comes back next year.
As far as team anyone. I vote by the person singing. And I vote each week different. I vote whom I thought did the best job.
I thought Chance had a LOT of knowledge about music. I was so surprised by how much and the quality of his feedback. At first I thought because he was a rapper, he would not know much about music. That is just so wrong. You have to really know music before you branch off into something like rap.
Yes I agree!!! Chance and Niall have been amazing! I hope they both come back. I think I read Niall is, which is awesome!!! But I really hope Chance comes back too!!
I wish chance could be b acknowledged, no to legend, he’s not good.
Would have preferred seeing Chance back another season rather than Niall (Blake’s pet). Not happy Gwen is returning. She should have left also and allowed new life be breathed into the show. Happy Kelly is gone also. Blake and Kelly wanted everything to be about them. Love John Legend. Missed him this past season.