A conflict with the Jennifer Hudson Holiday special made me miss the first half of the new NBC singing competition, The Sing-Off until half-way through. But, what what I managed to catch was pretty entertaining.
Billed as a cross between American Idol and Glee, the best thing about this show, a competiton for a cappella groups, isn’t the singing–it’s judge Ben Folds’ incisive and funny critiques. Folds is an indie musician, and judge on a reality singing competition is the last place I would have expected him. But, I’m glad he’s there.
Various amounts of pitchy singing plagued all the groups I saw–some more than others. And can I say I despise barbershop harmonies? No offense to the nice middle-class moms who made up Maxx Factor, but just…NO.
Not the best singers, but definitely the most entertaining were Beelzebubs, who performed a cheeky version of the Beatles “Magical Mystery Tour” and since they’re from Tufts University, right here in Boston, I think I shall root for them!
I’m not going to be able to watch the entire series, but I’ll catch parts of it where I can. The show runs tonight and tomorrow night at 8 pm, with the finale scheduled for Dec. 21. Two groups are eliminated by the judges at the end of each show. The winner gets a recording contract and $100, 000. The ex-Mr. Simpson, Nick Lachey is host.
Watch Beelzebub after the jump.
- And you can watch all the performances (not the judges comments, sadly) HERE.
Video after the JUMP…
