Idol Chatter & Voice Views

It is just me, or does it seem way too early for a final performance show on The Voice?

And I say that for two reasons.

First, I’ve enjoyed the show and hate to see it end so soon. It’s been a refreshing change of pace from Idol with more mature contestants, fresher music, a better voting systems and a couple of unique twists, like last week’s complete disclosure of  voting results.

Ah, but pace is the other reason the show seems to be ending way too soon.

This week, viewers will vote one of the four finalists as the first-ever winner of The Voice.

And they’ll be doing it after watching that finalist perform just five times.

Exclude the group numbers, and that’s all we will have seen from any of these contestants — a blind audition, a battle round performance, a quarterfinal performance, last week’s semifinals and tonight’s song.

Do you feel ready to declare Dia Frampton a better singer than Vicci Martinez? Javier Colon a better singer than Beverly McClellan?

I sure don’t.

I would have far preferred an Idol-style finals, where one contestant is eliminated each week until just two remain.

But, since that isn’t going to happen, here’s how I think they should finish based on the little we have seen.

1. Beverly McClellan:  If it’s all about voice and performance, I think she’s the clear frontrunner. I’ve loved every one of her solo performances, especially that turn on “The Thrill Is Gone” last week. I rated it as the week’s strongest performance. She’ll be representing Team Christina.

2. Javier Colon: You hear this guy sing, and you can understand why he released two albums for a major label. As long as he keeps the oversinging under control, he’s a joy to listen to.  He did a better job of that last week, singing Coldplay’s “Fix You.” He’ll be representing Team Adam.

3. Vicci Martinez:  She’s a bundle of energy on stage and made it to the finals even though her own coach gave her semifinal foe a slight edge. No matter, Vicci took 75 percent of the fan vote after her performance of “Dog Days Are Over.” She’ll be representing Team Cee Lo.

4. Dia Frampton: Her last two performances have cracked the top 10 on iTunes’ download chart the day after the show. But she edged a pretty weak semifinal foe by a narrow margin. And I can guarantee this: She won’t be as entertaining as Beverly or Vicci. She’ll be representing Team Blake.

The Voice finals are tonight at 9 p.m. on NBC, followed by the results show Wednesday at 8 p.m.