'The Voice' recap: Holiday Blues

'The Voice' recap: Holiday Blues

'The Voice' recap: Holiday Blues

Adam Levine performs with Maroon 5, a former winner returns, and the Top 12 are revealed!

Good evening, Voice-ers and welcome to your results recap! First, a confession: As you may have noticed, I am not your regular recapper. And yet, I feel this is oddly appropriate, given that a results show is not exactly an actual show. Moving on from my reality show cynicism, Carson Daly takes the stage looking all dapper and making me miss the days of Carson and Tara Reid. I always felt a kinship to her (it’s the name thing). But enough on that, it’s a “big night of eliminations,” as Carson informs us. Oh, and Maroon 5 is here as well! I hope Adam Levine sings in that chunky Christmas sweater he’s wearing. How amazing would that be?

We’re treated to a short video montage of the coaches. Adam insists he’s confident, while Blake Shelton admits that he’s a wee bit concerned about Mr. Christmas Sweater’s team. “Team Blake gave it everything they had and I couldn’t be more proud,” he says, before taking a dig at the others. “If I was Cee Lo or Christina, I’d be a little bit nervous." Cee Lo Green offers up his typically nonchalant commentary. “I wouldn’t necessarily call Trevin the secret weapon, mainly because he’s not so secret,” he says softly, while Christina Aguilera crosses her arms and looks bored. “This season is particularly hard for me to choose one person to save because no one at this point deserves to go home,” she tells the camera. And yet, she doesn't seem to have any problem serving up two eliminees later.

Before his Q&A with the coaches, Carson tells us that The Voice hit a milestone with Wednesday’s show: every single one of the Top 20 artists charted on iTunes. I have to say, that’s actually pretty impressive. Were any of you buying? If so, whose performances? Carson turns to the coaches to get the scoop before kicking off the show. “I’m proud as always,” Xtina says. “It’s going to be really, really tough. I’ve grown really attached to them.” Yeah, she looks really chummy with her team. Meanwhile, Cee Lo tells Carson he wants his team to be a complete and cohesive unit, while Adam offers the contestants an encouraging pep talk. “There’s no failure at this point. I’m just really happy to have a wonderful team. I want them to be happy.” Blake takes a different tack: “I’m not taking the high road. I think my team really sets the bar this year.” “And you know a lot about bars,” Adam zings back. Touché, sir.

The elimations must wait, however, because first we get to see Team Adam and Team Blake sing Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger.” The theme seems to be metal and leather, but I confess, I was a bit distracted by some horrid flashbacks to spin classes that played this song over and over again last spring. (Come on, SPRINT!).

Team Adam is first up for eliminations. All I can say is I want Bryan Keith to stay. I’m a sucker for a good fedora. After some serious close-ups on the five contestants, the first name is announced: it’s Amanda Brown! Cee Lo seems bizarrely upset by this -- he folds his arms, which is more emotion than I’ve ever seen him show. Meanwhile, Adam’s elated. There’s a pregnant pause and -- name number 2 is revealed. YES! It’s Bryan, safe and sound. I thank you America.

Now it’s time for the hard part -- the save. Adam seems genuinely distraught that he has to choose between Loren Allred, Joselyn Rivera and Melanie Martinez. It’s understandable actually; I’m a fan of his whole team. The crowd starts cheering and Adam Levine, Mr. Charmer, loses his cool a little bit. “Please stop,” he says, voice dripping with menace (not really). “Yell and scream later.”

An unnatural hush falls over the crowd as Adam runs down his remaining contestants. “Loren, you’ve shocked and surprised everyone everyday,” he tells her. To Joselyn: “You’re young and talented and sing better than I ever could.” I kind of feel like crying at this point. God, he’s good. Finally, he praises Melanie for her uniqueness and, with no further ado, pronounces her his third team member. She bursts into tears and goes to join Bryan and Amanda while Adam bestows hugs all around (and even gives Joselyn a little foot pop -- Princess Diaries, anyone?). Before they can escort them off the stage, however, Joselyn grabs the mic for one final farewell: “You don’t have to win to be a winner.” Poor Loren just stands there. Awkward.

The show was really front-loaded for Adam, wasn’t it? The guy makes the executive decision for his team, then immediately takes the stage afterwards (not in the chunky sweater, alas). Could this portion of the show not have been live? (Gasp!) Anyways, instead of spreading Christmas cheer with chunky sweaters for all, the members of Maroon 5 don the same bizarre shade of blue. It worked better for some than others (one guy looked like he was in a onesie), but overall I enjoyed the performance of “Daylight.” Did you? Or did you want “Moves Like Jagger”?

Jermaine Paul, winner of last season of The Voice, shows up for some painful product placement, then takes the stage himself for the world premiere of “I Believe in This Life.” The song was kind of cheesy, but I have to admit, it put a big grin on my face. I can’t help but like Jermaine, even when he’s trying (and failing) to sell me a phone. Blake agrees -- he couldn’t stop tapping his feet throughout the performance. But enough of the musical interlude and onto pain and suffering.

The death knell music sounds again, but nothing can stop the momentum of the guillotine that is the America. Terry McDermott and Cassadee Pope are declared safe, leaving Blake to choose between Julio Cesar Castillo, Michaela Paige and Liz Davis. He makes sure to congratulate them all first -- that’s the thing about Blake, though. You believe he actually cares about these people. “There is nothing more exciting than when America makes their decision,” he tells the contestants before adding that of course there’s nothing quite so scary as that either. “I think any one of the three of you all could go on to win this thing.” The crowd yells over him -- someone needs an Adam intervention! After a bit more hemming and hawing, he finally selects Michaela as his third and final member. More tears, more hugs, and we move on to a dual performance by Team Christina and Team Cee Lo.

The two Team C’s perform a serviceable rendition of “Drive By.” (Granted, I’m a huge Train fan, so nothing really compares to Pat Monahan’s vocals in my book.) Still, seeing all four teams perform the way they did, it feels evident to me that Blake and Adam have the upper hand.

Team Christina

“I’m so happy that America gets to weigh in,” Xtina informs us. And weigh in, America does. Dez Duron and Sylvia Yacoub make it through, while Devyn DeLoera, De'borah and Adriana Louise are left cooling their heels. Christina looks a little angry. Or maybe like she’ll relish eliminating people. It’s hard for me to tell with her. She launches into a speech that quickly degenerates into her waxing nostalgic about her career. “I think you all know how much I adore and love you,” she says. “If I would have allowed people to affect me, I wouldn’t be where I am.” She then goes on to point out that there weren’t TV shows in her day. Ouch. Is this a subliminal (or not) dig at the kind of fame-making The Voice endorses? Careful, Christina. You’re treading on thin ice.

Carson stops her before she can continue, telling her she can only save one. “Yes, I know,” she replies coolly. Poor Carson. But he gets results -- Xtina makes her choice and it’s Adriana, who clutches her stomach and rushes over to the others.

Team Cee Lo

Finally we make it to Cee Lo. America picks Trevin Hunte and Nicholas David. Cee Lo eyes up his remaining contenders -- MacKenzie Bourg, Diego Val and Cody Belew -- and tugs delicately on his sleeves. Let’s get down to business (to defeat the Huns). “This experience is not only important, it’s iconic in all of our lives,” Cee Lo tells his disciples. “I will always be with you in spirit.” The man should have a church. He makes his pick: Cody.

And there you have it, folks! Your Top 12. What do you think of them? How about those saves? Who chose well and who chose poorly?

Source : Entertainment Weekly - http://tvrecaps.ew.com