{"id":99281,"date":"2023-09-26T08:52:27","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T08:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritycovernews.com\/?p=99281"},"modified":"2023-09-26T08:52:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T08:52:27","slug":"the-voice-premiere-5th-judge-first-post-blake-shelton-episode-cant-get-over-blake-shelton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritycovernews.com\/lifestyle\/the-voice-premiere-5th-judge-first-post-blake-shelton-episode-cant-get-over-blake-shelton\/","title":{"rendered":"The Voice Premiere 5th Judge: First Post-Blake Shelton Episode Can't Get Over Blake Shelton"},"content":{"rendered":"

As The Voice struggles to find its identity without Blake Shelton, it can't seem to stop talking about him or referencing him — new Coach Reba McEntire joins reigning champ Niall Horan and the returning Gwen Stefani and John Legend for an extremely nice (read: dull) premiere.<\/h2>\n

The first episode of The Voice<\/strong><\/em> post-Blake Shelton<\/strong> sure had a lot of Blake Shelton all over it. His voice came out of Niall Horan’s<\/strong> button, his giant foam finger dropped down over Niall’s head, and he was name-dropped constantly by pretty much everyone.<\/p>\n

Of course, the fact that his wife Gwen Stefani<\/strong> returned to the show this season, and he and Niall had bonded so much last season, and<\/em> his mentor and close friend Reba McEntire<\/strong> also joined the show this season made it almost inevitable. The question for NBC and the show’s producers is whether or not the show can survive without him.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Blac Chyna Snaps at Brian Austin Green on Special Forces: 'I'm Not Playing with You' <\/h4>\n

Unlike American Idol<\/strong><\/em>, America’s Got Talent<\/strong><\/em>, <\/strong>and a lot of these competition shows, The Voice<\/em> was almost always more about its celebrity coaches than its contestants. Using this premiere as an example, there were some good singers on it, but nobody who’s going to go viral (one has the potential, but we’ve not fully seen it yet).<\/p>\n

If you can’t get one stellar act into your premiere when we know you mix these artists up to make the best show, you might be in trouble.<\/p>\n

Don’t get us wrong, there were some really talented artists who could go on to really grow into strong competitors, but there was not a single moment that left us with our jaws hanging down or needing to immediately rewind and watch it again. If they’re saving them for later, that may not have been a good idea.<\/p>\n

How much was the success of this show riding on Blake’s shoulders? We’re about to find out. His snarkiness and playful mean-spiritedness adds a lot of fun to the Blind Auditions, and that was definitely lacking this season. Reba is a legend, but so far, she’s just too nice. Gwen was always nice, John Legend<\/strong> is always nice \u2026 do you see where this is going?<\/p>\n

If Niall is going to be the bad boy of the season, and it does look like that’s the way they’re trying to go with things, he needs to lean even more into it. They’re doing great with him riding the ego of his victory last season, but he’s too — ahem — nice, otherwise, to really step into Blake’s oversized shoes.<\/p>\n

We’re not saying we want the Coaches at each other’s throats, but the loss of both Kelly Clarkson<\/strong> and Blake — who went at each other hilariously every single week — is an even bigger blow after watching two hours of people fawning over each other. If the Coaches aren’t going to be as much fun to watch, that leaves the contestants and we already covered how that’s going.<\/p>\n

Fair warning, since I’m safe at home, I’m probably going to be a little harsher than my colleagues <\/em>John Legend<\/strong><\/em>, <\/em>Gwen Stefani<\/strong><\/em>, <\/em>Niall Horan<\/strong><\/em> and <\/em>Reba McEntire<\/strong><\/em>. But I might be nicer, too. Maybe.<\/em><\/p>\n

And just for fun, I’m going to rank the performances from worst to first to see who my favorites are in each round. That way I can see who’s the best and then see if you get it right with your votes – i.e., agree with me.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

See Kelly Clarkson Join Las Vegas Street Musician for Surprise Performance <\/h4>\n

BLIND AUDITIONS<\/h3>\n

Sam Dearie<\/h3>\n

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