Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Keegan Ferrell nabbed a steal while Emma Caroline and Savanna Woods were saved as the battle round continued on The Voice Monday night.

Also advancing were Cam Anthony, Gihanna Zoe, Zania Alake, Zae Romeo, Jordan Matthew Young, Corey Ward and Ciana Pelekai as The Voice continued its snail-paced slog through Season 20.

Singers on The Voice are still singing for just the second time this season and the winner will probably only perform seven times the entire season.

On American Idol, the second half of the Top 24 presented their fifth and sixth performances Monday night — with many more to come — and fan voting has already started.

Also, it’s important to remember that taping spoilers show us that seven of the eight saves and steals on Season 20 were used in the first nine matches taped.

That meant just one steal remained for the last 11 battles filmed and none at all for the last six.

THE COACH / SUBSTITUTE GOT IT DEAD WRONG

TEAM KELLY

The match: Corey Ward vs. Savanna Woods
The song: “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
The background: Corey Ward, 34, of Hartsville, S.C., sang “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn in the blinds, turning two chairs. Savanna, 26, of Standwood, Wash., performed “Zombie” by the Cranberries, also turning two chairs.
The feedback: John gave the edge to Corey because of his compelling vocals.
The outcome: Kelly declared Corey the winner. But she then saved Savanna, putting her in the four-way knockout round match.
My take: Corey did a fine job. But all the really special vocal moments were provided by Savanna’s ethereal vocals. I mean, how in the world could you think she didn’t win that battle? She turned in a very Stevie Nicks’ like performance while still sounding unique.

CLASSIC EXAMPLES OF WHY THE VOICE IS SO DAMNED UNFAIR

TEAM NICK

The match: Lindsay Joan vs. Zae Romeo
The song: “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman
The background: Lindsay, 22, of San Diego, Calif., performed “Nightmare” by Halsey in the blinds, turning two chairs. Zae, 21, of McKinney, Texas, performed “Falling” by Harry Styles and turned four chairs, one of just four singers to accomplish that feat in Season 20.
The feedback: Kelsea gave the edge to Zae. Blake said Lindsay deserved the win.
The outcome: Nick declared Zae the winner; Lindsay was eliminated.
The truth: Only one steal (Blake’s) and not a single save was available when this was filmed.
My take: Zae won me over with his brilliant opening and his emotional connection. But Lindsay delivered a spot-on vocal and a great performance and deserved a steal or save. She, flat out, got ripped off.

TEAM KELLY

The match: Halley Greg vs. Gihanna Zoe
The song: “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
The background: Halley Greg, 29, of Seattle, Wash., earned her spot on Team Kelly with a performance of “I’m Like a Bird.” Portrayed as a one-chair turn, she actually auditioned when all the other teams were full. Gihanna, 17, of Redlands, Calif., turned two chairs, singing “She Used to Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles
The feedback: Nick gave the edge to Gihanna. John seemed to be leaning in that direction as well.
The outcome: Kelly declared Gihanna the winner
The truth: Not a single save or steal remained when this match was filmed.
My take: Both of these young ladies showed off nice vocal firepower. I can understand Kelly going with the younger singer given Gihanna’s potential. But Halley delivered one of the performance’s best vocal moments. I’m not as sure she deserved a save or steal as I am about Lindsay, but she should have at least been considered for one. Instead, thanks to The Voice format, it wasn’t even possible.

A MONTAGE? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

TEAM LEGEND

The match: Denisha Dalton vs. Ciana Pelekai
The song: “You Broke Me First” by Tate McRae
The background: Ciana, 20, of Las Vegas, Nev., auditioned with “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I, turning two chairs. Denisha Dalton, 22, turned three chairs with her performance of “Pillowtalk” by Zayn
The feedback: We didn’t hear it.
The outcome: John declared Ciana the winner; Denisha was eliminated.
The truth: Only one steal (Blake’s) and no a single save was available when this was filmed.
My take: Are you kidding me? On American Idol, they delivered 24 performances in 2 hours. On The Voice, they couldn’t edit the show to fit in seven. That, folks, is just one of the reasons why @NBCTheVoice is barely worth watching any more.

A STEAL?

TEAM BLAKE

The match: Jordan Matthew Young vs. Keegan Ferrell
The song: “Calling All Angels” by Train
The background: Jordan, 34, from Austin, Texas, auditioned with “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” by Keith Whitley, turning three chairs. Keegan Ferrell, 21, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, turned two chairs with “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5 and snagged the last spot on Team Blake.
The feedback: Kelsea and Nick gave the edge to Jordan. Nick said he thinks Jordan could go deep into the competition. John gave the edge to Keegan.
The outcome: Blake declared Jordan the winner. Nick then swooped in and stole Keegan.
My take: Jordan was the clear winner, delivering a solid vocal from the word go. Keegan seemed really tentative at the opening, got better. But here again is a match that reminds us why the coaches should be forced to listen to everyone before deciding who to save and steal.

THE COACHES GOT IT RIGHT

TEAM LEGEND

The match: Durell Anthony vs Zania Alake
The song: “Emotion” by Destiny’s Child
The background: Durell, 34, of San Diego, Calif., sang “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye in the blinds, turning two chairs. Zania, 34, of Detroit, Mich., also turned two with her performance of “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker
The feedback: Blake gave Zania the edge. Nick, impressed by Durell’s falsetto, said he deserved the win.
The outcome: John declared Zania the winner, Durell was eliminated.
The truth: Only one steal (Blake’s) and no a single save was available when this was filmed.
My take: Durell grabbed my attention right away with his range. Then Zania stepped up and delivered a pitch perfect vocal
with remarkable ease.

TEAM BLAKE

The match: Cam Anthony vs. Emma Caroline
The song: “10,000 Hours” by Justin Bieber and Dan + Shay
The background: Emma Caroline, 25, from Tuscaloosa, Ala. turned two chairs in the blinds singing “Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves. Cam, 19, of Philadelphia, turned three chairs, performing “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith
The feedback: Nick and John gave Cam the edge, praising his stage presence and performance. All the coaches complimented Emma’s vocals as well.
The outcome: Blake declared Cam the winner, but then saved Emma, giving her a spot in the upcoming four-way knockout.
My take: Cam did a nice job with a song that, I’m guessing, wasn’t exactly in his wheelhouse. Emma displayed a sweet tone, but didn’t seem quite as comfortable on stage, making this match an example of why The Voice should hold all the steals and saves until the end of each round.