Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Carson Daly awaits the fate of Conor James and Darius J when the viewing world knew neither was going home on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Dear Voice producers:

I’m going to keep this simple as possible, because you’re clearly slow learners.

I mean, what other conclusion can I draw when you do things incorrectly season after season after season?

I’m wondering if you understand the meaning of these words: drama, suspense, excitement.

Here’s a clue. They’re generally considered good traits for a televised singing competition.

There’s a glimmer of hope that you understand. I mean, you do wait until the very last minute of each season’s finale to shove The Voice trophy into someone’s hands.

Of course, you handle that so awkwardly — doing it as the credits roll, leaving no time for celebration — that perhaps you’re just mimicking what other singing shows have done over the years.

Because watching your battle round and knockout round episodes — well, I gotta say, there’s nary a hint that you have the foggiest notion of how to this should work.

Understand, one of the ways you create drama and excitement is through suspense. And on a singing show, suspense often hinges on whether a singer is going to advance or be eliminated.

In other words, you keep fans guessing about a singer’s fate. You keep them wondering if their favorite might be going home.

That’s how it’s supposed to work. Now, let’s examine how it works on The Voice.

In the battle rounds, every single episode this season opened with a save or a steal. Every single episode ended with a save or a steal.

And it’s worked that way season after season after season.

Say you’re watching at home and your favorite shows up in the first battle round match of the night. Have no fear. Even if they lose, they’re going to get a steal or a save. No way they’re going home. Ditto if your favorite shows up in the last match of the night.

And how about this season’s knockouts?

My, oh, my, who would Kelsea Ballerini steal on The Voice with only one possibility left? (NBC Photo)

And it’s worked that way season after season after season.

The point was pressed home Monday night, the last knockout round show of Season 27. The episode began with one steal left. It belonged to Kelsea Ballerini.

All night long, host Carson Daly teased that a steal was coming. Well, we got to the final match of the night. Team Adam’s Conor James vs. Darius J.

And it hadn’t happened yet.

Supsense? Drama?

Don’t make me laugh.

Everyone watching knew neither singer was going home.

I mean, come on Voice producers, how much more predictable could you get?

And if I look up antonyms for predictable, guess what word pops up?

That’s right: Excitement.

Now, Voice producers, close your eyes for a moment. Come on. Play along. We’re going to envision an alternate reality.

In this version of The Voice, no one is saved or stolen at the end of a battle or a knockout.

Instead, each coach announces a winner. The fate of the other contestant remains in limbo. We don’t know if they’re being eliminated, saved or stolen.

Instead, we reach the end of the battles. Or the knockouts. And we still don’t know.

At that point, the at-risk contestants line up on the stage. All of them. The camera pans the group, perhaps lingering on the faces of singers who have delivered outstanding performances, but are still at risk of elimination.

Then the coaches are forced to reveal their steal and save choices, one at a time, battling over singers if more than one coach wants to steal him or her.

Until we reach the point where there’s one save or steal left. And lots of contestants — perhaps multiple very deserving contestants — are still at risk of going home.

Presto: Suspense. Drama. Excitement.

And a remarkable side effect: Fairness.

Because I will give you this, Voice producers, you’re pretty slick at making the battle round and knockout round seem fair by juggling the order in which that matches are aired.

But come on. Fess up. Don’t blush in embarrassment. You and I both know the truth. They are blatantly unfair. I would argue grossly unfair.

The last time Idolforums.com had complete battle round spoiler information, here’s what happened.

Each coach had two steals in the battles. The first five matches filmed resulted in five steals. By the end of the second day of taping, just one of eight steals remained. No steals were available for the last 11 matches filmed.

The last time Idolforums.com had complete knockout round spoiler information, here’s what happened.

Every steal was used on the first day of taping. None were available on the second day, when the other half of the knockouts were filmed.

And the idolforums spoilers showed the same trend season after season. Coaches tend to use their steals and saves very quickly. Artists whose battles or knockouts were among the last filmed never had a chance at one.

Now come on, Voice producers, how can the battles and knockouts possibly be fair if a singer’s chance of advancing depends as much on when they perform as how well they perform?

In this alternate Voice reality, coaches would be forced to hear and watch everyone perform before deciding who to save or steal.

Imagine that. A sense of fairness. On The Voice. Miracles could happen.

Now, Voice producers, let’s review what we’ve learned.

Predictability. Bad. In a singing show, at least.

Drama, excitement, suspense: All good. Very good. In a singing show at least.

The current Voice format: Very predictable. Very bad.

Not to mention very, very unfair.

By the way, you’re welcome for the free advice. I’ve got lots, lots more, if you’re willing to listen.

Your truly,
Mark Franklin, Voice Views
Forever wondering how a potentially good show could be screwed up so badly