TV Tuesday - The Voice
March 7, 2017 05:32 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
Until the current season (12), I hadn’t ever watched The Voice. When it debuted back in 2011, I guess I didn’t take much notice. I thought it was just another American Idol type show, and while I never really watched Idol either, what I heard about it through the grapevine didn’t really make me want to watch it. I know that a number of stars were born from the show, who’ve gone on to have very successful music careers, which is awesome. But what really bothered me about the show is the judges’ (mainly Simon Cowell’s) cutting remarks, which often seemed unnecessarily cruel. I didn’t have to be a fan of the show to hear about stuff like that, and watching singers, whether they had genuine talent or not, being humiliated on national television held no appeal for me at all. So when The Voice came along, I simply wrote it off, thinking it was probably more of the same.
Well, imagine my surprise when I tuned in last week to the opening episode of season 12 and actually enjoyed it. I love the friendly banter and rivalries between the coaches, but no matter who the artist chooses (if they get a choice), all the coaches seem genuinely happy for them. I also like that all the artists who are chosen to be on the show appear to have real talent, even if it isn’t enough to get a chair turn. And if those chairs don’t turn, the coaches include some positive feedback along with their gentle constructive critique, which I really like. Some people think that the best way to motivate a person is with insults, but I’ve always believed the old adage that you catch more flies with honey than flypaper. So I really like seeing the positivity on the show. Not to mention, some of the artists’ backstories are so emotional and compelling. I eat stuff like that up, and I love seeing the excitement and sometimes even tears from them and their families when a coach hits their button. It’s all very heartwarming.
So why, you ask, did I suddenly start watching The Voice this season, when I’d pretty much completely ignored it before? Well, as it happens, I personally know one of the artists appearing this time. I met Josh West’s parents, I believe, way back in 1993, or thereabouts. Our family and theirs attended the same church for around nineteen years, and I was pretty good friends with his mom for a large part of that time. I still recall visiting her in the hospital right after she gave birth to Josh and holding him when he was only a day or so old. My how time has flown. I watched him grow up right alongside my own two kids, participating in plays, musicals, and all types of activities, as well as playing together. My son took guitar lessons from Josh’s dad, which was when my son first started discovering his own musical talents. Granted in more recent years, our paths have diverged and we’ve drifted apart, but I’ve still kept up with what Josh is doing via Facebook and my kids, so when my son told me that Josh was going to be on The Voice, there was no question I would watch it.
If you haven’t yet seen last night’s (3/6/16) episode, this paragraph contains spoilers. Josh made his first appearance on the show, and what a performance it was. For his blind audition, he sang Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” and IMHO, knocked it out of the ballpark. Apparently the coaches agreed, because they gave him a four-chair turn. Woo-hoo! What an accomplishment! He ultimately chose Adam Levine as his coach, which I think was the right way to go. It’s so surreal seeing someone I know on TV, but I couldn’t be happier for him. I know he has the talent and potential to go a long way in this competition and in life. If you haven’t seen it yet or if you just want to watch it again – I know I did:-) – check out his blind audition video below, connect with him on social media, and when the time comes, please consider giving this talented young man your vote.
Categories: TV Tuesday
Tags: Adam Levine, Josh West, The Voice
