Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift engage in a group hug with Lauren Hall and Kat Hammock on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

But her presence doesn’t appear to have helped the show’s ratings.

In fact, The Voice knockout round ratings were down substantially over last fall, which is the last time The Voice aired knockout round matches.

Check out the numbers, per TV by the Numbers.

Knockout premiere Season 15: 1.8 rating among 19-49 year olds, 9.46 million viewers
Knockout premiere Season 17: 1.5 rating among 19-49 years olds, 8.78 million viewers

Knockouts night 2 Season 15: 1.6. rating, 9 million viewers
Knockouts night 2 Season 17: 1.2 rating, 7.94 million viewers

Knockout night 3 Season 15: 1.8 rating, 9.03 million viewers
Knockout night 3 Season 17: 1.3 rating, 7.94 million viewers

Knockout night 4 Season 15: The Voice handled knockouts in 3 episodes
Knockout night 4 Season 17: 1.3 rating, 8.15 million viewers

Could the ratings have been lower without Taylor’s presence?

Perhaps.

But I’ve yet to see any evidence that guest mentors — in the battle round or knockouts — improves the show’s ratings.

Which prompts the question: Why does the show need the mentors? Isn’t being coached by one of the show’s superstar mentors enough of a bonus for conteestants who earn a spot on The Voice.

Especially when you know most of the heavy lifting in the planning and preparing of performance is done by behind-the-scenes personel.

Personnally, I find all the fawning over guest mentors that takes place when they’re introduced to contestants a bit much.’

And I’d much rather The Voice devote any money spent on guest mentors to bringing back the early-round Apple Music versions of the performances that used to be available.