Tonight, the winner of "The Voice" (USA) will be announced. This show initially seemed like a good concept: judging people by their vocal talents, rather than their looks. Other than Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, the other two judges' chairs have been a rotation that's included Xtina, Usher, Shakira, and Ceelo. Now we have Pharrell and Gwen added. As with any reality singing competition show (including "The X-Factor" and "American Idol"), the newness eventually wears off and there is tweaking to be done over time - in the case of "The Voice," it seems to be the judges' chair change-ups. Unfortunately, that's what the show has turned into lately: Seeing the bantor between the judges, the bromances, and the pleasantries the judges exchange between each other and each of their team members. It doesn't seem to be about the talent anymore because there is very little being done to really "put on a show" in the realm of the recent "X-Factor U.K." finale. And, as in this year, you get to the final four feeling indifferent that any of the contestants win. I say to myself, "Eh, any one of them could win, or not. They're not exactly filling a void in music. They do not have enough character behind their voice to sound unique. Or, sure they can sing, but I don't know that's I'd rush out and buy their CD's, let alone download their songs. Heck, I didn't even bother to pick-up the phone and vote for them!"

So - regardless of who wins tonight, do you see "The Voice" as being a stage from where to get the next big name - or voice - in music? The reason why I ask is that it seems like the winners of past seasons do not seem to get the recognition or representation they are promised. It's not like these people are out their burning up the charts once they win this show. What do you think?

I'd say no.........NO!

Never saw the show but from what i can tell it's all about the judges on this show.

Am I wrong?

Star Search was. Several later stars came from that. Maybe the Gong Show and Showtime At The Apollo were as well, to a lesser extent.

Well American Idol has Fantasia, even though that's the season where I bailed on the show halfway through that season.

MotownSubdivision said:

The only thing this concept of a show is good for is ratings. It's amazing how ever since American Idol premiered over a decade ago, we've had all these musical audition show knockoffs and even less stars being made by them. The biggest star to be produced by one of these shows was Kelly Clarkson from AI's first season and she's not even that high on the list of artists with star power. Pretty damn sad, really. Since its inception, this type of show has hurt music more than it has helped and it's only gotten worse over time.

Yep.

My answer is: NO!

I have been watching this show since it began, and I've noticed that they are constantly tweaking the show, but it has gone from bad to worse. Even though I hated how BITCHY Christina Aguilera was during the first four seasons, the premise has went from honest, constructive criticism to "you're the best singer/performance this season, and you can win" to every bad singer that attempts to sing on that stage.

The announcement of last night's "winner" has sealed it's fate with me, I have no interest in watching this FIXED television program anymore. Season 7 was the worst for any kind of talent, and the guy who won was voted off and then "saved," yet all of a sudden out of nowhere, wins it??? I call BULLSHIT!!!

This show follows a very well written script, they act out that script and perform select songs, but in the end, that's all it is... a fake TV "reality" show. Funny how one bad season can ruin it, I will not watch season 8.

MickyDolenz said:

A lot of people appeared on Star Search but didn't win...

• Aaliyah, 1989 (Female Vocalist)
• Alanis Morissette, 1988 (Female Vocalist)
• Britney Spears, 1992 (Female Vocalist)
• Christina Aguilera, 1990 (Female Vocalist)
• Destiny's Child, 1993 (Vocal Group, as Girls Tyme)
• Jessica Simpson(Female Vocalist)
• Justin Timberlake, 1993 (Male Vocalist, as Justin Randall)
• Usher, 1991 (Male Vocalist, as Usher Raymond)

[Edited 12/17/14 13:27pm]

has anyone that won The Voice gone on to any kind of real career in music? that will give you the answer right there.

[Edited 12/17/14 16:57pm]

LovesexyIsThe1 said:

My answer is: NO!

I have been watching this show since it began, and I've noticed that they are constantly tweaking the show, but it has gone from bad to worse. Even though I hated how BITCHY Christina Aguilera was during the first four seasons, the premise has went from honest, constructive criticism to "you're the best singer/performance this season, and you can win" to every bad singer that attempts to sing on that stage.

The announcement of last night's "winner" has sealed it's fate with me, I have no interest in watching this FIXED television program anymore. Season 7 was the worst for any kind of talent, and the guy who won was voted off and then "saved," yet all of a sudden out of nowhere, wins it??? I call BULLSHIT!!!

This show follows a very well written script, they act out that script and perform select songs, but in the end, that's all it is... a fake TV "reality" show. Funny how one bad season can ruin it, I will not watch season 8.

I had some close friends audition for this past season - all of them excellent singers, and one of them even had her own albums out on a small label back in the mid-90's. They have youtube videos posted and large numbers of followers, as well as regular gigs at local clubs. It was very shocking when they got turned-down in the first round or two of cattle call auditions. They said it was like signing your life away too when you audition, with clauses saying "The Voice" can virtually do with you what they want in terms of image and representation. In a way, I am glad they did not get onto the show - despite it allowing them to finally receive some exposure they might deserve. But you raise a valid point about it being "fixed." With all of the people that auditioned, including my friends who didn't get in - and who knows who else out there with talent - you have to admit, that Top 20 was really lackluster! Of ALL the people, they expect us to believe those 20 were the best, even when "coached" by professionals? Yes, Season 8 may be something I sit-out on too!

MotownSubdivision said:

MickyDolenz said:

Star Search was. Several later stars came from that. Maybe the Gong Show and Showtime At The Apollo were as well, to a lesser extent.

What people did SS put on the map and make true A-list, top of the line, upper echelon, elite stars out of? Same with the other 2? And even with those genuine stars they created, would you say that changes the ratio of the number of this type of show to that of the cumulative amount of stars produced by these shows in favor of musical audition shows?

.

theres actually quite a few successful performers that were on star search. they may not have been the ones that won on the show, but at least star search really was trying to find talented people. how many form the voice have been heard from again, or that you can even remember their names? look at the list of people who were on star search (even though most of them didnt win) that went on to great careers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Search#Competition_winners

[Edited 12/17/14 16:56pm]

1. My answer is no.

2. I share the same view as a few of the orgers in this thread that these types of show are so fixed these days that they can never be taken as serious sources of talent. No honest talent show has help being a career stepping stone since the original Star Search.

My possibly/probably surprising answer... It's a pretty entertaining show that, imo, consistently has better talent than American Idol. Why it hasn't had more breakout stars is actually very much a mystery to me. I think this season may actually change that, though, because the top two (the winner and runner-uo) are both quite good. Don't get me wrong, it's still a singing competition show, and that will forever be cheesy. But Idol brought a few genuinely talented people to the public eye and in the end they're just harmless tv shows that will eventually go the way of all tv shows; cancellation. So it's whatever. *shrug*