The Voice 24: The Block is back (dang), plus premiere week polls
The Voice season 24 kicked off last week with a two night premiere. Throughout the Blind Auditions we’ll be posting weekly polls to determine how you rank the artists, and more. Note: this post is delayed after a busy week of premiers and finales all happening at the same time.
For a brief, happy moment it seemed like “The Block” was banished. But no. It’s coming in week 2.
After Monday night’s show, it occured to me that the coaches hadn’t used their block. Tuesday night’s show also had no blocks. And for a brief moment it seemed as if maybe…just maybe the block was gone! Although I’ve gotten used to it at this point, I’m not fond of the twist.
The Voice 24 Recap: Premiere Blind Auditions Live Blog (Videos)
The Voice 24 Recap: Blind Auditions 2 Live Blog (Videos)
But alas. During the America’s Got Talent finale, NBC aired a promo which previewed Niall Horan blocking John Legend. Up until season 24, the show has made THE BLOCK twist a centerpiece of premiere week. Maybe NBC didn’t want to distract fans from getting to know new coach Reba McEntire? Or maybe the blocks are more annoying than usual this season, and producers decided to tone it down. In any case, I dislike any twist that keeps an artist from making the best decisions for themselves at the Blind Audition stage.
The first Blake Shelton Free The Voice Season, Season 24 welcomes Reba McEntire
The Voice producers must have been thinking long and hard about the panel dynamic without Blake Shelton, who was the coach who both took his job very seriously (often helping contestants after the show) and served as the most reliable jokester on the panel.
The Voice 24: Competition Veteran Mara Justine Wows, Sings with John Legend
But in some ways, it’s like he’s never left. With his wife Gwen Stefani back for another round (wearing her Shelton/Stefani necklaces) and the CONSTANT references to him during the in between bits and artist critiques–it’s as if The Voice is afraid to let him go completely.
The Voice 24: Watch Ruby Leigh yodel her way to a 4 chair turn
Niall Horan appears to be the funny guy on the panel, and the one to instigate the most touble. In the above promo, he’s shown blocking John, after which the two fake fight in front of their chairs. Reba plays the peacemaker, the adult in the room.
Speaking of Reba. With her years of experience in front of the camera (star of the Reba sitcom) she knows that her job on The Voice is to entertain, first and foremost. And indeed she does. But so far, she’s attracted two country country contestants. Will she be able–like Blake did–to attract singers from other genres? She’s also not very cut throat. She presents herself as extremely experienced. At the most, she good naturedly teases her fellow panelists who try to pull the experience card on her. Reba has been in the music business longer than anyone. Usually Gwen is the vet on the panel (although she doesn’t play that up like she could).
Anyway. It’s time to vote! Join us Monday (Oct 2) at 8 pm ET/Pt for The Voice Blind Auditions part 4.
The Voice 24 Premiere Week Polls
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