Did Reality Singing Shows Just Jump the Shark?

This week on NBC’s The Voice, Erin Martin and the Shields Brothers performed in one of the show’s “battle rounds.” In this part of the competition, two competitors sing a song together and their judge, who selected the song and helped both prepare, decides which performer moves on in the competition. For this battle, their judge Cee Lo Green selected Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” This odd performance was the result. [March 2014 Update: The official video of the performance is no longer available, but the Shields Brothers later put together their commentary on the performance in the video below, which adds some additional information about the story behind the performance.]

After the performance, fellow judge Adam Levine said it was “weird” and made him feel “uncomfortable.” Cee Lo Green selected Martin as the winner, eliminating the Shields Brothers from the competition.

What do you think of the performance? How does it compare to American Idol? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Pop Culture Roundup (9 Jan. 2012 Edition)

    Kathleen Edwards In case you have been deep in the NFL playoffs or if you live in Iowa or New Hampshire and have been too busy listening to presidential candidates, here is this week’s roundup of some of the stories about music, film, and pop culture that you might have missed.

    — Music —

    Patti Smith has written a song about Amy Winehouse and will include the tune on her next CD.

    Cee Lo Green manaaged to anger religious leaders, atheists, and John Lennon fans with a New Year’s “Imagine” lyrics change. He later explained why he changed the lyrics.

    Jump! Van Halen — including David Lee Roth — played a small club this week to warm up for their upcoming tour.

    Rodney Crowell’s website has three live acoustic songs for free download. Nice.

    Kathleen Edwards’s new CD, released later this month, was co-produced by Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) w/ guest artists.

    For the first time ever, in 2011, digital sales of music topped the physical sale of music.

    Grammy-winning musician Youssou N’Dour will run in Senegal’s presidential election next month.

    Charlie Louvin’s new memoir recounts Oasis-type disharmony with his brother when the Louvin Brothers toured.

    Terry Ardolino, the drummer with NRBQ from 1974-2004, passed away at the age of 56. RIP.

    Freddie Milano, one of the Belmonts who sang with Dion on a number of classic rock and roll songs, passed away this week. After Dion left the original Belmonts behind (and a falling out and litigation followed), Milano continued to sing with the group while pursing his education. When he passed away he was working with the less fortunate, helping indigent people detained at Rikers Island jail in New York City. After Milano’s death was announced, Dion wrote a short tribute on his Facebook page, stating how Milano played an important role in his younger life: “We had our ups and downs through the years but that’s how things go in families, even rock-and-roll families. I will always remain grateful for his contribution in 1958 & 59 – may he rest in peace and rock on in heaven.” Milano was known for his great harmonies in the group on such songs as “I Wonder Why.”  RIP.

    You may also hear and see Milano (on your right) in this performance of “A Teenager in Love.”


    — Movies —

    This year in movies “might just be the geekiest ever.” — IMDb editor Keith Simanton.

    A Bridesmaids Sequel Without Kristen Wiig?

    Bridesmaids Kristen Wiig The Chicago Tribune listed 10 films to see this winter from Michael Phillips.

    The Tree of Life originally included a planned Adam and Eve sequence.

    War Horse actor Benedict Cumberbatch has signed on to be in the Star Trek sequel, perhaps as a villain.

    Red Tails — an action film produced by George Lucas about WWII African-American Tuskegee Airmen — is out Jan. 20.


    — Television —

    Betty White has a new hidden-camera TV show of seniors pulling pranks.

    Donald Trump
    announced his biggest Celebrity Apprentice cast ever.

    What happened to Ted Williams, the “man with the golden voice” who was found homeless last year? (video)

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    Top Songs of 2010 With Alternate Lyrics

    Cee Lo GreenIn case you missed the biggest hits of 2010, this guy (posted as okaysamurai on YouTube) has put together a medley of some of the biggest hits of the year in a video called “Extraneous Lyrics.” The catch is that he changed the lyrics while still getting to the essence of the songs. My favorite is his cover of Cee Lo Green’s “Procreate With Yourself.”

    An astute commenter noted that the songs in the video are: (1) “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz; (2) “Love The Way You Lie” by Eminem and Rihanna; (3) “F*** You” by Cee Lo Green; (4) “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga; (5) “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha; (6) “Baby” by Justin Beiber; (7) “California Gurls” by Katy Perry; and (8) “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry.

    Which is your favorite? Leave a comment.

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