Duets - We Have A Winner!

Well kids, after 2 months of Duets enjoyment, we finally have a winner. The finale opens with Kelly and Jennifer singing “Would I Lie to You?” and this just rocks my world. Seems Kelly is mobile again, which is good news since her summer tour kicks off pretty much now, but Jennifer’s heels are so outrageous, she has to really hunch over to sing close to Kelly when they are near each other on stage. However, I’ve been so excited to see these two women rock a song together, I am just spent by the time they are finished.

Quddus joins us to let us know that he will soon reveal the winner of Season 1 of Duets. The champion will take home not only the title, but a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Before we get to the results though, we have to remind the audience that John Legend and Robin Thicke used to be a part of this show too, so they are going to have the opportunity to perform with one of their partners again tonight.

John and Bridget are up first, and they take on The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter." Bridget is all kinds of sassy tonight, and I wonder if this is the song she was going to sing last week when she was eliminated….Regardless, it's enjoyable. It’s good to have Bridget back, even for a brief moment.

When we come back from commercial Robin is joined by Olivia, singing Ray Charles’ version of “Fever.” Olivia seems to be without nerves tonight (that whole not being judged thing probably helps), and this is definitely my favorite Olivia and Robin performance.

 Now we move on to our finalists. Jennifer and John Glosson are about to break my heart by singing “For Good,” from Wicked. I know this before they even open their mouths. This song destroys me each time I see Wicked…may have gotten me to sniffle in Glee as well. Just sayin’. I do wish they’d had enough time to sing the entire song – the way it was chopped up takes away some of the emotion. However, they get me anyway, and I’m going to miss seeing them look at each other adoringly each week.

Kelly and Jason are up next, and their final duet is “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley. WOW. Kelly starts off the song very bluesy, and then Jason jumps in with some serious swagger. I LOVE how much he has grown in this competition, and I look forward to seeing (and hearing) what Jason's career has in store. They absolutely kill this song, and I am so grateful to have had them on my TV every week. Many thanks to them as well for not picking a song that would make me cry....again.

Finally, we have Jennifer and J Rome to close out the performances (foreshadowing?) with “Rhythm of the Night” by El De Barge.  The song begins in a planetarium, and then the lights come on and we have ourselves a party. I have no idea how Jennifer can be preggers and dance in those heals. For real. But everyone is up and dancing and truly celebrating the journey they’ve had on the show (amateurs and Superstar’s alike).

Results! John, Jason and J Rome stand together now awaiting their fates. Coming in third is Jason, which is a bummer. I had hoped he would at least be runner up if he didn’t win.  Kelly says Jason has shown the most growth and she is very proud of him. We are down to Jennifer’s two Duets partners now, and she is both beaming and nervous. America voted and….J Rome takes home the big prize. This isn't a huge surprise given how consistently he performed during the competition and how well-loved he is by the Superstars and (obviously) the fans. Congrats to J Rome, and here's hoping the other folks on this show will not be forgotten. 

So, another reality TV show season has come and gone, but I take comfort in the fact that So You Think You Can Dance is just starting the live shows. I also can't be too sad given (as mentioned) Kelly's tour kicks off shortly, and I have tickets to see her a couple more times this year. Blogging Duets has been a blast though. Keeping my fingers crossed for a Season 2.....

Duets - The Final Three

Tonight on Duets we will find out which of our Final Four will be eliminated as we move closer to next week’s finale. The remaining three amateurs will perform one song with their Superstar this evening and one song solo. The show opens with our Superstars singing The Temptations' “Get Ready” (good thing too – Robin needs something to do). Poor Kelly though. You can tell she wants to move around to this song, but due to her injury she is carried on stage by the backup dancers. She still sounds amazing!

Before we go any further though, we have to eliminate one of the poor souls who has worked their tail off preparing for this week’s performances. We start with Jason, and he is safe! Bridget, however, is in the bottom 2. J Rome is also safe, so we are down to Bridget and John Glosson. And tonight we say goodbye to…. Bridget. She looks incredibly disappointed, and given the sassy leather pants she is wearing this evening, my guess is she was ready to bring it. But someone’s gotta go, right? Again, everyone wishes her the best, and so do I.

Jennifer Nettles and J Rome                                                                                                          Song: “Breakeven,” by The Script

I love than Jennifer can turn any song into a dance song. Also, her outfit tonight requires mention as well. I have no idea what’s going on there, but she makes it look pretty badass. No real complaints here – the initial “I’m fallin to pieeeeeces” lines do not quite work for me, but J Rome and Jennifer figure out how to blend better shortly thereafter.

Other Superstars Say: Robin didn’t think the song would be right for J Rome’s voice, but he was pleasantly surprised. John says J Rome and Jennifer’s chemistry is infectious. Kelly is still mad because J Rome is so good, but she loved the performance.

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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol

Song: “Me and Mrs. Jones,” by Billy Paul

Back to the stools this week, but I have a feeling Jason will be able to let loose on his second song tonight, so there shouldn’t be any criticism regarding his stage presence here. Jason looks so comfortable singing with Kelly now, which can’t be easy given how effortless she makes singing look, and this is a great duet. I think at this point, Mercy might be my favorite Jason/Kelly combo, but I do love this. God, I am going to be so sad when this show is over. I would appreciate it if these two would make the talk show rounds and continue to sing together on TV.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer loves that Jason has found his niche being a soul singer in a little Filipino body, and she loves where his voice is going. That's a whole lotta love. John thought last week was better than this week, and he believes that singing the same song Jason sang when he was almost eliminated is backtracking. Robin says when Jason sings that song to someone as beautiful as Kelly (grin), he needs to have a little bit of “naughty” in it. Kelly, however, notifies Robin that she has “enough naughty for both of us.” Let’s just go to commercial from there, shall we?

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Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson

Song: “The Prayer,” by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion

Hmmm. Because both The Voice and American Idol featured this song in 2012, I’m initially a little disappointed this is the song choice. The stage is just lovely when John and Jennifer begin….and they are both a little off at the start (for me anyway). Then they nail the rest of the song. Just nail it. Well done, though I think this one is still my favorite cover.

Other Superstars Say: John (Legend) says John (Glosson) is wonderful and his voice is magnificent, and the performance itself was beautiful. Those are all very nice words. I hear Steven Tyler is back on the reality TV market.  Robin says John was off key for one note, but then his voice got going and it was magical. Kelly did not notice John being off key at all, and she says there is something very special about his voice – hypnotic.

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J Rome

Song: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” by Stevie Wonder

J Rome is absolutely at home on stage. I’ve never seen him show any nerves, and he not only works the crowd, but the Superstars as well. Stevie Wonder is one of those artists who is alllllllways covered on singing competition shows, but I think this is probably the best cover of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” I’ve seen on any of these shows.

No time to hear the Superstars…..

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John Glosson

Song: “Bless the Broken Road,” by Rascal Flatts

Good song and perfect for John’s voice. He hits notes that  Gary LeVox didn’t (and probably couldn’t) hit in Rascal Flatts' version. I love this guy, and I hope he gets a career out of this show. He's not really "mainstream" but we'll see what happens. 

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Jason Farol

Song: “Runaway Baby,” by Bruno Mars

Jason wants to be a Bruno Mars type of artist, which I can definitely see. I would have maybe preferred he sing “Grenade” but Jason still works this song. He makes me want to dance in my seat, and the crowd loves him, which makes me very happy. VOTE people!

Other Superstars Say: Robin says John sang the best but Jason brought the house down. John (Legend) loved Jason's song choice, but says J Rome should win it all. Jennifer felt like a stage mom during the performances. Kelly wants Jason to win (weird) but is still very impressed by the other two performances.

This is it! Quddus tells us that tonight's votes determine next week's "epic" finale. Again, I am rooting for Jason and Team Kelly. It could easily be my bias, but I think J Rome played it a little safe tonight. John is a very "fly under the radar" kind of guy, so I still think anyone could win. We'll find out next week - til then!

Duets Week 7 - Still LIVE

Tonight on Duets we will say goodbye to one more contestant and see how the Final Four measure up while singing their favorite Standards. We open this evening with Jennifer and Robin singing Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” This woman must be a hoot to have around the house. I picture her dancing while making coffee in the morning. That's right - I also believe she makes her own coffee.

Quddus arrives now to let us know that we are LIVE again this week (woohoo!) and gears us up for songs by some of the biggest stars from back in the day. But first, we have to find out who is sticking around. Sooooo, whoever is eliminated doesn't get to sing the song they've been rehearsing for a week? That's a bummer for them. We start with Jason, who is SAFE! Whew. Olivia is told she is in danger, J Rome didn't appear worried for a minute and makes is way back to his seat, and John Glosson looks like he is sweating bullets when he is told he is safe. It’s down to Bridget and Olivia…..and I hope Bridget stays. Sure enough, Olivia is leaving. Robin believes her future remains bright, and everyone wishes her the best. Robin now has no remaining contestants on the show, so he can just spend the rest of the season sitting back and looking hot.

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John Legend and Bridget Carrington

Song: “Unforgettable,” by Nat King Cole

Bridget watched last week’s performance, and she wants to make sure she corrects all of the shaky and pitchy notes for this week’s number. Bridget is just gorgeous as she starts the song at the top of the staircase. She makes her way down to join John, who plays the piano and sings so smoothly I just want to close my eyes and sway back and forth like Steven Tyler does on American Idol. She does a much better job singing to the audience and not just to John this evening than she ever has before, and I am so happy she was not eliminated tonight.

Other Superstars Say: This was Kelly’s favorite Bridget performance so far, calling it effortless. Robin thinks it was lovely. Jennifer says Bridget brings such poise and class to the show.

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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome

Song: “God Bless the Child,” by Billie Holiday

Fan favorite, or at least the Superstars' favorite, J Rome wants to get back to showing his unbelievable vocal abilities after having some fun with the upbeat songs lately. He does not get to close the show this evening, but he and Jennifer give us a very bluesy, very remarkable version of this song. And can I just say how impressed I am with Jennifer? She just wins me over more and more every week. (Still Team Kelly though - make no mistake).

Other Superstars Say: Standing ovation from Kelly and Robin. Kelly is freshly crippled, complete with a sprained ankle and hairline fracture, so the fact that she stood up three times during the performance shows how great he is. She then says “you’re welcome” to America, as J Rome is now a gift from Duets. John says J Rome murdered the performance. Robin says it was a Grammy worthy performance.

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Kelly Clarkson and John Legend

Song: “You Don’t Know Me,” by Ray Charles

Swoon. Actually, double swoon. They sit simply on two stools and just sing the hell out this song. It's obvious that both singers have tremendous respect for one another and they make performing look so easy. Love it.

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Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson

Song: “Georgia on My Mind,” also by Ray Charles

John has a deep appreciation for sweet tea and macaroni and cheese....therefore I have a deep appreciation for John. Jennifer and John pay homage to their home state with this performance, tapping into their Southern roots without making the song Country. Once again, they blend incredibly well together, though John seems a bit drowned out by the music tonight. This is probably not my favorite John Glosson performance, but it's still really good.

Other Superstars Say: Robin says it was a perfect song for John’s voice. Kelly says John’s mic must not have been turned up enough because she couldn’t hear him very well. Maybe that's why he seemed drowned out by the band. John (Legend) says that performance “was the right amount of syrup.”

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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol

Song: “Feeling Good,” by Nina Simone

Yay! Jason gets the “pimp slot” tonight. He will have to take more of the spotlight this evening (stand a little taller?) due to Kelly’s incapacitation. Oh and by incapacitation, I mean she is sitting on top of the piano working it. No worries either way though – Jason is up for this challenge, and I greatly enjoy their performance.

Other Superstars Say: John is really impressed with how far Jason has come with his performances. Robin calls him adorable again (can we give him a little credit here?) and also says he missed a little bit of the soul due to the big band arrangement. Jennifer compliments Jason’s dedication, saying it is inspiring. Hmm. So he is most-improved but not vocally awesome? Interesting.

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Thank you to those who have been leaving comments. I certainly enjoy the input and "hearing" other opinions. Next week we go down to the Final Three, and because of Bridget's near elimination this week, I imagine she will be sent packing. I will definitely be voting for Jason tonight, and I am hoping we have a Kelly v. Jennifer showdown in the finale. Personally, I prefer John Glosson to J Rome, but I think J Rome will absolutely sail through to the end. We'll find out if Bridget lives to see another performance next week. Til then!

Duets Week 6 - We're LIVE!

Welcome to the first LIVE performance show of Duets! Did I mention we’re live? Did I mention that I..I mean America gets to vote tonight?  We open the show with our Superstars (and a newly blond Kelly) singing George Michael’s “Freedom.” Jennifer and Kelly wail a bit together at the end of the song, which leads me to hope for a duet between the two of them very soon.

Quddus arrives to tell us that our remaining five amateurs will be performing songs from the 2000s with their Superstars this evening, and at the end of the show America will have the chance to vote for their favorite….finally.

Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson
Song: “When You Say You Love Me,” by Josh Groban

John has tackled this song on his own so many times on his own that he is a little concerned about how they will make it a duet. No problem – Jennifer promises to be “all up in his grill” because it is a love song. She’s not exactly lying about the grill, but this is classy, and I am sold on their fake romance. Gorgeous.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly’s not shocked that John was amazing because he is amazing every week. Robin points out that technically they were performing as a trio since Jennifer is preggers. Good point – are we able to get J Rome disqualified by that rule so the other contestants have a fighting chance? John (Legend) says John (Glosson’s) voice sounded magnificent but that he laid it on a little heavy.

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Robin Thicke and Olivia Chisholm

Song: “Need You Now,” by Lady Antebellum

Olivia wants to bring it this week and show that she has a powerful voice. I do love this song, but it’s almost impossible to improve on the original. I can’t quite hear Robin as well as Olivia on the choruses, and I think Olivia is a little shaky...so overall, this is nowhere near as good as Jennifer and John’s duet earlier.

Other Superstars Say: John likes that Robin and Olivia went out of their comfort zones a bit and sang some country music. Kelly calls her out on the pitch problems but does applaud the song choice. Jennifer tells Olivia she looks like a million bucks (uh-oh….the “you look great” kiss of death).

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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol

Song: “Mercy,” by Duffy

Jason has been fighting back from the bottom 2 for most of the season, so he has a lot to prove tonight. Wait…wait…. Is that Jason dancing and looking confident? Hot damn! By the time Kelly joins him and pretty much destroys all personal boundaries, it seems Jason has forgotten about nerves altogether. He must have a friendly grill. Anyway, this is SO good and I am SO happy for both of them.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer loved the performance and notes that if teenage girls are voting, that’s it. Very true - looking at him makes it harder not to vote. Robin couldn’t take his eyes off of Kelly. Well, duh...that’s a given. He says Jason did a great job. John doesn’t think that Jason’s dance moves were completely comfortable, but he loves that Jason is having more fun with his performances.

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John Legend and Bridget Carrington
Song:  “Halo,” by Beyonce

This could get interesting since “Halo” pretty much has the same backing track as Kelly’s “Already Gone.” This is neither artist’s fault – I’m looking at you, Ryan Tedder. I doubt Kelly will say anything though (however, she did an awesome combo herself live). I'm probably more bitter than she is at this point. Back to Bridget. Bridget is not Beyonce for sure, but she does have one hell of a voice. She struggles in the lower sections of the song, but I do like their rendition.

Other Superstars Say: Robin likes the song choice and that Bridget sings with passion and power. Jennifer points out some pitchiness, but also notes that "Halo" is a tough song to sing. Kelly loved it and lays off the criticism….which bums me out a little.

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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome

Song: “Without You,” by Usher and David Guetta

J Rome has many reasons to be confident this week, and Jennifer is excited for them to take on this fun dance song. Interesting that he gets the last performance slot of the evening. Sure this is fun, but it's probably my least favorite J Rome performance so far in terms of actual singing. I am pleasantly surprised by how Jennifer handles an Usher song though. Get it, girl.

Other Superstars Say: John says J Rome belongs on stage but notes that this is one of J Rome’s weaker vocal performances. Robin loves J Rome but had a really good time watching Jennifer. Me too. Kelly throws her shoe at J Rome. No really – she throws her shoe at him. She then tells him he is ridiculous (in a good way).

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There are several methods fans can use to vote this evening, but we will not find out the results until next Thursday. I will of course be voting for Jason tonight, though I do hope Mr. Glosson makes it through as well. Olivia is the weakest think at this point in my opinion, but we'll see what the results are next week. Til then!

Duets - Week 5

Tonight the six remaining Duets contestants take on songs from the movies. The five amateurs that make it through this episode will move on to the LIVE episodes, competing for AMERICA’s votes for the remainder of the season. Jennifer’s contestants have never been in the bottom 2, so she has a lot to prove this evening, but she is not about to play it safe…

Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson

Song: “My Heart Will Go On,” by Celine Dion (Titanic)

Jennifer is a hoot, first of all. Between re-enacting scenes from the movie and poking fun at Robin Thicke during rehearsals, it’s going to take me a minute for me to get back into “this song plays after just about everyone on the Titanic dies” mode. I do hope they pound their chests like Celine (watch here around the 2:23 mark). There ends up being no self-violence, but they do a wonderful rendition accompanied by a small strings section and a piano.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly likes that they made the song a little different and notes how well Jennifer and John complement each other. She closes by saying “I can’t stand you.” Robin says it looks like John and Jennifer have been singing together for 10 years. John (Legend) says the performance was both beautiful and fabulous. Paging Steven Tyler. We go to the chart, and John is first of course.

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Kelly Clarkson and Jordan Meredith

Song: “Take My Breath Away,” by Berlin (Top Gun)

Jordan’s parents join her this week to support her (and meet Kelly), and they embarrass Jordan by making her sound like a Kelly stalker. Join the club, kid. Jordan starts the song solo with a new hairdo which I am digging, but she still seems a bit timid until Kelly joins her onstage just before the chorus. They are completely in sync with one another at that point though, and I love it.

Other Superstars Say: Robin misses the sultry sexiness Jordan had in previous weeks. He doesn’t believe Jordan’s breath was taken away by love. Jennifer loved the phrasing of the performance, but does note some pitchy moments for Jordan. John says their voices sound “super nice” together...no really...he said "super nice." He thinks Jordan showed some nerves in the very beginning though. We go to the chart, and Jordan is second.

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Robin Thicke and Olivia Chisholm

Song: “Stayin’ Alive,” by The Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever)

Olivia is fighting back from the Solo Showdown this week and hoping to stay out of the bottom 2. Helloooooo Robin Thicke. The way he opens the song is quite sexy, and the outfit is perfect. He could absolutely carry this song all by himself….and I kind of wish he had. Olivia sounds much better and looks more comfortable this week than last week, but I’m not convinced she should go too much further in this competition.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly says this was her favorite Olivia performance so far. Jennifer likes the more upbeat songs for Olivia’s voice, and this is also her favorite Olivia performance. We go to the chart, and Olivia is second, bumping Jordan to third. Hmph.

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John Legend and Bridget Carrington

Song: “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” by Tina Turner (title track)

Bridget and John are both feeling Meleana’s elimination from last week, but they move forward with a sassy Tina Turner tune. I am initially unsure of how I feel about this song as a duet, but they make it work. Is the rendition good enough to be number 1? In my opinion, no, but it's a solid performance for sure. Bridget still can’t take her eyes off of John though, so I wonder if that will be part of her critique.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly compliments Bridget’s legs, but she doesn’t think the song “goes anywhere,” meaning it isn’t really tough to sing. Thaaaank you. This show often lacks actual critique outside of "pitchy."  Jennifer gives Bridget a “yes, ma’am” and says she forgot she was judging during the performance. This is Robin’s favorite Bridget song to date. We go to the chart, and Bridget is third, bumping Olivia and Jordan down. Ugh.

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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome

Song: “I Will Always Love You,” by Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard)

J Rome shoots to keep his number 1 spot by taking on Whitney’s biggest song ever, which is risky considering the number of Whitney tributes we’ve seen on TV in the past 5 months. Because the song has the Dolly Parton origin, I think J Rome and Jennifer both have a lot to bring to the table on this performance. Wow. This is really good. REALLY good. I forgot I was supposed to be typing…. and now I worry for Jordan.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly wants to speak first and loves that J Rome stretched himself and challenged himself with this song. Robin says there is a reason J Rome is number 1 each week and that J Rome’s future is incredibly bright. John fakes some tears and then says the performance was well done. We go to the chart, and surprise – J Rome is first.

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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol

Song: “Come What May,” by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge!)

I love this song, and I may have been completely obsessed with this movie when it came out. I have my fingers crossed for Jason now because I don’t want him to end up singing against Jordan in the bottom 2. Okay…breathe. Kelly and Jason have the Moulin Rouge! curtains behind them as they start. Grin. Poor

Jason doesn’t seem too confident with the song until the second half, but the closing is strong. The song may have been a bit too low for Jason, but I still heart both of them.

Other Superstars Say: Robin says Jason looks like a young Hugh Hefner and he’s very lovable. However, Robin would have liked to hear Jason sing a song that utilized his upper register. Jennifer can see Jason becoming very well rounded now after watching him take on a musical theater type role in this performance. John liked the theatricality of the performance, but he also does not think Jason was able

to show off his voice in the song. We go to the chart, and Jason is last….with Jordan. Curses!

Here are the final standings:

1. J Rome (Jennifer)

2. John (Jennifer)

3. Bridget (John)

4. Olivia (Robin)

5. Jordan (Kelly)

6. Jason (Kelly)

The Solo Showdown begins with Jason singing “Mamma Knows Best” with a whole lot of attitude and soul. Jordan follows with “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” which could be the opposite of what happens tonight. Unfortunately I do believe Jason did a better job, and I hate that this is happening. There's no light at the end of the tunnel tonight.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly is just pissed. Robin says that the show is just the beginning of their careers…blah blah blah. Jennifer tries to be motivational as well, and John loves them both.

After the Superstars have entered their “final secret score” (nonsense), we find out that Jordan is leaving. In terms of who America would vote more for, Jason is the best bet to move through to the live shows,  but still, I’m not happy. I have to wonder if the scoring system means anything at all. Would the producers of this show allow the live episodes to start with Robin or John having no partners left? I think not. I think Jennifer or Kelly had to lose a partner this week regardless.  If Duets gets a second season, they need to seriously reconsider the scores, voting, and timeline.

Next week the rest of us will get to take part in this show, and I will be able to finally be able to run my blackberry into the ground. Til then!

Duets - Week 4

Quddus welcomes us to the show and lets us know that “it’s about to go down tonight” on Duets. Bring it on. The seven remaining contestants will perform party songs with their Superstars, and at the end of the show someone will be eliminated once again (without America’s votes - just want to make sure we are clear on that).  And we’re off!

Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol
Song: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” by The Rolling Stones

Jason hopes to finally escape the bottom 2 this week, and he connects with this song based on his struggles to gain the other Superstars’ votes in this competition. Jason seems way more comfortable with a mic stand than on his own – totally helps with his movements. As much as I enjoy Jason on this performance, this type of song is Kelly’s forte. For real. She kills it, and I forget about him for a minute. That being said...Week 4 is hands down Jason’s best week so far.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer calls it his best performance so far. Woohoo! John thinks this was his most effective performance so far, but he was not totally sold on Jason's movements. Robin couldn’t help but watch Kelly (duh), however, he is glad to see that Jason’s nerves have gone away. We go to the chart, and Jason is first.

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John Legend and Bridget Carrington
Song: “Last Dance,” by Donna Summer                         

John and Bridget start off slow and sultry, facing each other on a platform…and then getting very close with one another. Very. Close. The beat kicks in, and some pretty impressive disco dancers join John and Bridget on stage. This is an overall fun performance, and John and Bridget have great chemistry. He seems to really believe her when she says “I’m bad – so, so bad.” Good for her.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly thinks John and Bridget made the song sexy. Her only critique is for Bridget to look at John a little less and the audience a little more. Jennifer loves where they took the song. Robin compliments Bridget’s passion but would have liked to see the song reach the next level of fun. We go to the chart and Bridget is first. Poor Jason.

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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome
Song: “P.Y.T.” by Michael Jackson

Let me just say how excited I am to hear Jennifer on this song. She and J Rome have to keep working hard to retain his number 1 spot on the chart. They are both showing some attitude in this performance, but J Rome is definitely more experienced in the Michael Jackson dance moves. They do get everyone singing along though, and the confidence J Rome shows in his performances should keep him at the top or close to it.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly thought the performance was more of a Michael Jackson impersonation than a J Rome performance. She is “booed” and I am scowling. Robin says J Rome belongs on stage and says this show is only a stepping stone in J Rome’s career. John thinks the performance was a bit nasal-y. We go to the chart and J Rome is first. HOW?!?! Everyone just criticized him. This scoring system is bogus. Next.

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Robin Thicke and Olivia Chisholm
Song: “Let’s Stay Together,” by Al Green

Robin brings his ridiculously adorable little boy to rehearsals this week, hoping to instill a sense of family for the remaining Team Robin contestant. Now I know that Robin and Olivia did an upbeat number last week with “Crazy in Love,” and they are trying to do something different this week, but I am completely bored by this. The last thing I want to do right now is party.

Other Superstars Say: John says Olivia sounds smooth but the song needed more strength. Kelly compliments Olivia’s breath control but also mentions some pitchy moments. Jennifer would rather see some more energy from her, but she loved the performance. We go to the chart, and Olivia is fourth.

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Kelly Clarkson and Jordan Meredith
Song: “I Love Rock n’ Roll,” by Joan Jett

Jordan is hoping to retain her momentum from last week’s performance, but she is nervous with the song. When the performance starts, Jordan's vocals are a little too soft for me to hear. Kelly arrives and owns the second verse. As they move into the second chorus, Jordan looks much more comfortable, and we see more of the sass she gave us last week. However, I definitely prefer the Miranda song over this one for Jordan. I still enjoy the duet though.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer noticed Jordan’s nerves as well, but she enjoyed the arrangement. Robin thinks Jordan did not show enough angst for rock n’roll. John says Jordan looked much more comfortable and happy last week. We go to the chart, and Jordan is third…and safe! Jason is still in jeopardy though, so I can’t rest easy yet.

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John Legend and Meleana Brown
Song: “Since U Been Gone,” by Kelly Clarkson

Oh. My. God. Really? Thank goodness Kelly is laughing when the song starts, otherwise I would be throwing things. Meleana gives it her best, and she doesn’t sound too bad, but John singing this song does nothing for me. There are soooo many pitchy moments for both of them, and it’s clear that Meleana is intimidated to sing Kelly’s song in front of her. John and Meleana end the song on either side of Kelly’s chair, and Kelly sings the last few words with them, which is a nice touch. However, I don’t think this is a risk John should have taken with Meleana.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly thinks Meleana was a little pitchy but also notes she herself is pitchy when she sings the song live. Kelly loves her energy though. Jennifer had hoped to hear one of her own songs performed (ha!) and agrees on the pitch problems, but she also thinks it was a nice surprise. Robin is swimming in a barrel of emotion from hearing John sing “Since U Been Gone.” He is also impressed that Meleana came out of her shell. We go to the chart, and Meleana is fifth, meaning Jason is safe!

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Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson
Song: “Life is a Highway,” by Rascal Flatts

John is a little nervous because party songs are completely out of his comfort zone. Jennifer really tries to get him to let loose during rehearsals, but he just doesn’t exude the same kind of crazy (good crazy) that Jennifer does. She’s really just thrilling to watch sometimes. They sound wonderful together though (what a great blend of voices!), and by the end of the song, John looks like he may even be enjoying himself.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly thinks Jennifer picked the perfect song for them to sing and loved the performance. Robin says John’s voice is so good that he doesn’t have to try as hard physically. Jennifer interrupts saying “he’s not tryin’ – he’s doin’!” which is just awesome. John (Legend) likes that John (Glosson) had a good time, but cautions him to keep the mic closer to his face when he’s moving around the stage so much. We go to the chart, and John is third, putting Meleana and Olivia in the bottom.

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Here are the final rankings:
1. J Rome (Jennifer)
2. Bridget (John)
3. John (Jennifer)
4. Jordan (Kelly)
5. Jason (Kelly)
6. Meleana (John)
7. Olivia (Robin)

When we return from commercial, the Solo Showdown begins and Meleana starts with “Saving All My Love For You.” I really do like her – I think John just steered her wrong this week, and that may be her downfall.  Olivia chooses “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and she is shaky…and drops a lyric or two, so unfortunately for Robin, I hope she goes.

Other Superstars Say: Robin gives another “don’t give up on your dreams” speech. John says they both sounded beautiful. Kelly notes that there are a ton of famous people on the radio who could not get up on stage, sing a capella, and stay on key. Jennifer says both of the women are fantastic. Apparently no one wants to kick them when they’re down. After the scores (whatever those may be) are tallied, Meleana is going home. I’m not surprised by this only because I didn’t expect Robin to lose both contestants before AMERICA gets to vote. This is totally John's fault though - you had your chance, you blew it.

We have one more week of taped shows before we finally get to the live performances. Next week the contestants will be taking on songs from the movies. Til then!

Duets - Week 3

Tonight’s show opens with Jennifer Nettles and John Legend singing “I Got the Music in Me,” and even though they seem like an unlikely duo, I’m actually a big fan of this performance. Jennifer leaves it all on the stage, man. She’s just awesome.

Quddus joins us now to set up the evening. The Superstars and their amateurs will perform songs that inspire them, and the bottom 2 will sing for their lives (solo and a cappella) at the end of the show and hope to live to see another day. Here we go!

Robin Thicke and Alexis Foster

Song: “Killing Me Softly,” by Roberta Flack

Robin and Alexis open the song as silhouettes with a neat little effect, and as the beat kicks in, the stage lights up and they…don’t quite start grooving. She’s still holding the mic away from her face, and the choruses are pretty, but I find the rest of it kind of uncomfortable.

Other Superstars Say: John says Alexis sounded clear as a bell and looks great. Come on, John! Give her a real critique! I need everyone to stop being so nice - eliminations are beginning tonight for crying out loud. Kelly thinks the performance was awkward, and there is little connection between her and Robin. Jennifer thinks their connection was better than last week. We go to the chart, and Alexis is first. Duh.

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Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson

Song: “How Great Thou Art”

This song means a lot to John, and during rehearsals Jennifer is very emotional. We’ll see if they hold it together during the performance. He starts off a cappella, and it is lovely. Jennifer joins him, and though I am initially distracted by whatever she is wearing on her arms, that only lasts for a few seconds because they are giving one hell of a performance. I’ve never heard this song sound better (and I have heard this song a lot).

Other Superstars Say: Kelly and John (Legend) give a standing ovation. Kelly says she is secretly trying to figure out how to get John kicked off the show because he is that good. Robin says John gave him every feeling he needed to feel during the performance. John (Legend) says the arrangement was perfect and they should be proud. We go to the chart, and John is first!

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Kelly Clarkson and Jordan Meredith

Song: “Mama’s Broken Heart,” by Miranda Lambert

Jordan is still fighting the nerves and continues to be frustrated with her stage presence. If any song is going to cause her to bust out of her shell, it’s this one. Jordan is in bare feet, and she’s a little shaky to start but after Kelly jumps in, she does much better. They are on separate parts of the stage for most of the song which forces Jordan to stand on her own. She struts past the other Superstars with confidence, and this is definitely my favorite Jordan performance so far.

Other Superstars Say: John loves all of the energy and says Jordan carried herself like a star. Robin says Jordan looks tasty as pie. I need just a second… Okay. Jennifer loves the song because she could hear Jordan distinctly. We go to the chart, and Jordan is second. I’m good with that – I can’t say she was better than John Glosson, but I hope she is safe at the end.

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John Legend and Meleana Brown

Song: “If I Aint Got You,” by Alicia Keyes

John gives up the piano this week, and he and Meleana compete to see who can wear the tightest pants. Oh, and they are also singing….and singing incredibly well. They have great chemistry, the choruses are amazing, and John may have found a perfect competitor in Meleana.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly’s favorite part of Meleana’s voice is the softness, and she says both Meleana and John sing with such grace. Jennifer loves the presentation and says that Meleana is a seasoned performer. Robin compared Meleana to a good sandwich last week, and tonight he is “ready for dessert.” We go to the chart and Meleana is third….which means Jordan is safe!

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Robin Thicke and Olivia Chisholm

Song: “Crazy in Love,” by Beyonce and Jay-Z

This could either be awesome or disastrous. Whoa! This is not at all what I expected. Everyone in the Superstar lounge is up and dancing, and Robin and Olivia are WORKING this song. She’s done a complete 180 from last week, and I think this risk of taking on Beyonce and Jay-Z (well, mostly Beyonce) will pay off for her.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer wanted to get up on stage and dance with them. She’s blown away. Kelly thinks Olivia’s voice is special and her voice became bigger and bolder with this song. John compliments Olivia’s legs, and then says Olivia opened up. Tee-hee. He wasn’t as vocally impressed as Kelly and Jennifer were though. We go to the chart, and Olivia is fourth…meaning Meleana is safe.

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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome

Song: “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?” by Michael Bolton

J Rome is dedicating this song to his grandfather, and he is very connected to the lyrics. Jennifer has thankfully taken off the weird arm things she wore during her earlier duet with John Glosson, so I am able to focus quickly. This is tough for me, because John is really my favorite of her two contestants, but damn, J Rome has a good voice. They absolutely slay this song, and they have a very touching moment at the end.

Other Superstars Say: John says J Rome is a phenomenal vocalist. Robin just claps, and Kelly is crying. She tells J Rome that Team KC loves him, but then she giggles and says “I hate you.” Well, I’m glad someone is competitive in this show. It is a competition, right? We go to the chart, and J Rome is first.

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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol

Song: “Hallelujah,” by Leonard Cohen

Jason’s family would rather have him focus on school than a singing career, and apparently this is the source of his confidence issues. Kelly brings Jason’s dad to rehearsals to support him. Right now he's the one who doesn't quite fit in, and I hope dad's encouraging words make all the difference for Jason. They do. He’s never sounded better. Kelly has done a wonderful job letting her contestants shine this week, which is a challenge because a voice like hers can be overpowering by nature. I. Love. This.

Other Superstars Say: Robin thinks it was a lovely performance and tells Jason he belongs on stage. John thinks it was pitchy and that Jason needs to pronounce words more clearly. Boo. Jennifer is playfully angry because she set a reminder in her phone last night to submit this song to sing later in the season. You snooze, you lose. She also says the song perfectly suited Jason's voice and gave him confidence. We go to the chart, and Jason is sixth and still in danger of being in the bottom 2.

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John Legend and Bridget Carrington

Song: “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” by Gladys Knight and Marvin Gaye

Bridget is full on attitude tonight, including foot stomps and growls in her voice. She has great chemistry with John as well, but I think Meleana has the upper hand on this team. This is a good performance, but I definitely prefer many of the others tonight over this one.

Other Superstars Say: Robin thinks Bridget did a great job. Jennifer says Bridget was “giving it to him” on this song. She doesn’t love Bridget’s lower register though. Kelly agrees, but says Bridget is fun to watch (is that the equivalent of "you look great?). We go to the chart and…Bridget is fourth, meaning Alexis and Jason are the bottom 2. Bummer.

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Here are the final chart results:

1. J Rome (Jennifer)

2. John Glosson (Jennifer)
3. Jordan Meredith (Kelly)
4. Bridget Carrington (John)
5. Meleana Brown (John)
6. Olivia Chisholm (Robin)
7. Jason Farol (Kelly)
8. Alexis Foster (Robin)

Now we have the Solo Showdown, not to be confused with the Showcase Showdown. I miss Bob Barker. Anyway, Jason goes first, singing “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Really, how can the Superstars resist him? He's just fabulous. Alexis takes on “Natural Woman.” Okay – you all know this is coming. If you are interested in seeing an awesome rendition of “Natural Woman,” here is a link to Kelly Clarkson’s rendition from Season 1of American Idol. Just sayin. I'll even be fair here and give you Adele's version too. Either way, Alexis doesn’t seem to find the pitch here, and I hope Jason makes it through.

Superstars Say: Kelly thinks both of them were a little pitchy, but she does not believe Jason should have been in the bottom to begin with. I agree. Robin thinks Alexis is amazing and Jason is lovely, and he tells both of them to never give up on their dreams. John says the business is all about drive and tenacity and tells them they have to keep going. Jennifer wishes the two of them performed as well earlier as they did with their a capella songs just now.

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After the Superstars enter their final score, we find out that Alexis is going home. Good thing too – I was just about to go on quite a rant. Perhaps next week I will when we watch another episode where America will still not be voting. Til then!

Duets - Week 2

On tonight’s episode of Duets, each Superstar will perform “classic duets” with their amateurs. We also learn that the show will not go live until the sixth week (!), and that is when America will get to vote. Wow. Six weeks? No one will go home this week either, but the bottom 2 will sing for their lives next week, and one will go home then. Kelly Clarkson and Robin Thicke open the show with “State of Shock” while John Legend and Jennifer Nettles groove along from their respective lounge areas. I could watch these two sing together all day, so I have very little to say here. I’m too busy grinning.

John Legend and Bridget Carrington

Song: “I Knew You Were Waiting,” by Aretha Franklin and George Michael

John and Bridget are working this song, but I can’t help but be pleasantly distracted by Jennifer Nettles when the camera cuts to her. She is singing the song with attitude from the audience like she is a fan at a concert trying to get noticed by the singers. It’s pretty adorable. As for John and Bridget, this is a great start to the show. I actually prefer her portions of the song to his, which is surprising. She’s got some pipes.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer says that the voice fit Bridget’s voice and she has definitely raised her game this week. Kelly thinks Bridget is fantastic (I think Kelly is fantastic, but let’s move on). She calls the duet tasteful and classic. Robin tells Bridget “you look like a bag of Skittles, and I love Skittles.” Swoon. He says she and John have great chemistry and she finished the song well. We go to the chart, and Bridget is first. Yup.

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Kelly Clarkson and Jordan Meredith

Song: “Misery,” by Pink and Effie Trinket

Jordan has to fight her way out of the bottom 2 in her duet this week. She is going to have to embody the emotions of the song and also keep her confidence up – not an easy feat. Jordan does a wonderful job here. I fully believe that she is torn apart, but she is also hitting her notes, and she and Kelly sound amazing.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer says Jordan showcased her voice and her soulfulness. Robin says Kelly chose the perfect song for Jordan and he knows who Jordan is now. John loves her tone up top, but he does mention pitchiness and cautions her not to use Kelly as a crutch. We go to the chart, and Jordan is second. Fair enough...for now.

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Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson

Song: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” by Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross

It’s incredibly difficult not to dance when I hear this song….even at karaoke bars. Jennifer and John are having a great time, and I am really pulling for this guy, but unfortunately, I do feel that this is very karaoke.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly liked the performance but says it was kind of cheesy. Here we go! I hope the claws are starting to come out now. Everyone on this show has been too nice so far. Robin thinks Jennifer chose the wrong song. Jennifer is not having this. Awesome. John (Legend) calls John (Glosson) one of the best voices in the competition. He feels, however, that the performance was “Broadwayish.” We go to the chart, and John still beats Jordan. Ugh.

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Robin Thicke and Olivia Chisholm

Song: “Where Is the Love?” by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack

Olivia does not know this song, so she is already nervous and forgetting the lyrics going into rehearsals. I’m nervous for her. Olivia seems very unsure of herself, and her vocals are soft, but more shaky than sultry. This is my least favorite performance so far.

Other Superstars Say: John likes her presence on stage says the performance was lovely. Jennifer seems want to use the words “pitch” and “pitchy” as often as she can, but right now I like her so much, I don’t care. Kelly pokes fun at Olivia forgetting the lyrics, since Olivia just has to sing “where is the love?” over and over again. Ha! Olivia doesn’t laugh though. We go to the chart and Olivia is 4th.

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John Legend and Meleana Brown (wait – who?)

Song: “Endless Love,” by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey

Apparently, “due to unforeseen circumstances Johnny Gray is no longer in the competition.” I'll need to do some more research there. Poor Mr. Legend – not only was he a last minute replacement for Lionel Richie, now he has to replace one of his Duets partners too (in 48 hours no less). I prefer Meleana to Johnny Gray though. This may have been a blessing in disguise for Team John. In terms of the “classic duets” theme for the evening, this one hit the nail on the head.

Other Superstars Say: Robin compares Meleana to a really good sandwich. Kelly welcomes Meleana to the show and cautions her not to be too perfect. Jennifer calls Meleana classy. We go to the chart, and Meleana is first!

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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol

Song: “Whenever You Call,” by Brian McKnight and Mariah Carey

Jason is working on his nerves going into this week’s performance. I’m really hoping this goes well for him, because he is beyond cute (and being on Kelly’s team doesn’t hurt either). This is just beautiful. He is still doing the nervous swaying back and forth, but he has made huge strides since last week, and Kelly is beaming with pride at the end of the performance.

Other Superstars Say: John thinks it was good, but he worries that Jason is always looking to Kelly for approval. Robin says it was much better than last week, and he agrees that when Jason steps away from Kelly, he shines more. Jennifer likes the big notes, but asks that he open up his upper body more, because he is too tense in his movements. Kelly jumps in, saying “he doesn’t even know how sexy he is.” She then asks him to bring the sexy. Um..yes, please. We go to the chart, and Jason is 5th. Bummer.

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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome

Song: “You’re The One That I Want,” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John

Really? I hope they have the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies as backup dancers. Not quite, but I do appreciate the staging of it all. I will hand it to Jennifer Nettles – she is working some Olivia Newton John leather pants and having a great time. Good for her. As for J Rome, it takes him a little while to convince me he is enjoying himself as well, but he really keeps up with her. I really, really enjoyed this, even though this is wayyy more "Broadway" than Jennifer's earlier duet.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly had given them a standing ovation, and she now tells J Rome he has some Bruno Mars swag. She does not, however, think the song was super challenging. John says J Rome is a natural on stage and agrees that the song choice did not show off his voice. Robin gives him a 10 for presence and a 10 for hip thrusting (are those new categories on the Superstars’ judging sheets?). We go to the chart, and J Rome is 2nd.

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Robin Thicke and Alexis Foster

Song: “You’re All I Need to Get By,” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

I’d just like to point out that Kelly Clarkson covered this song in season one of America Idol. Seems like just yesterday…

Anyway, this is an interesting collaboration, but I’m not sure I like it. Alexis looks like she is ready to break it down, but the arrangement never allows her to get there. Nope, not a fan.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer liked the presentation of the performance. John asks her to hold the mic closer to her mouth because he could not hear her at all times. Kelly did not like the presentation, saying it was disconnected. She did it better anyway. We go to the chart, and Alexis is 6th. Wow.

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In looking at the entire chart we have:

1. Meleana (John)

2. J Rome (Jennifer)

3. Bridget (John)

4. John (Jennifer)

5. Jordan (Kelly)

6. Alexis (Robin)

7. Jason (Kelly)

8. Olivia (Robin)

Next week one of the amateurs will go home, even though America has not gotten to vote yet. Interesting. I am withholding my comments until I see how this elimination works. Til then!

Duets Premiere - How Awesome Is This Show?

ABC's Duets opens with the four coaches/judges/competitors, whatever we’re calling them, taking the stage together with a rendition of  "Let Me Entertain You" complete with pretty amazing backup dancers and marching band drummers. See? I’m already ridiculously excited. They look great, they sound great, and I want them to just keep singing. Oh, and please tell me why Robin Thicke just exudes sexiness. What’s his secret?

Our host Quddus, not to be confused with Quidditch, arrives to tell us how the show will work. The amateur contestants will perform each week with one of the awesome individuals we just saw on stage (I know – I need to tone it down), and the newbies are vying for a recording contract with Hollywood Records. We then get a glimpse of the selection process for each “team” before the amateurs perform songs by the Superstars with the Superstars (that seems to be the official name now). There will also be a scoring system. This is a whole lot of information – let’s get this show on the road!

Jennifer Nettles had a tough time choosing between the talent she encountered during auditions, but she chooses J Rome as her first duet partner. They perform “Tonight,” and Jennifer was right on the money when she said this guy has soul. I know they’re supposed to be building chemistry, and they seem to be having a great time together, but I wish they’d play a little more to the audience as well. It takes til the very end of the song for them to split off from looking at one another. Still – a good start to the duets.

Other Superstar Say: Okay, the scoring works as follows – the Superstars that did not perform will rank the duet on a scale of 1 to 100 with performance and presentation categories. Kelly speaks first (yay!), saying that she wasn’t sure how J Rome and Jennifer would blend, but “soulful music rings clear in any genre.” Robin says J Rome is handsome with a great voice. John thinks J Rome looks and sounds like a star. When we look at the “Duets Chart” which will rank the contestants, J Rome is first, because….well, no one else has performed yet.

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John Legend had a bit of a late start with this process as Lionel Richie was originally slated for this show. He finds a partner he likes in Johnny Gray though, and they take the stage now to sing “Ordinary People.” I wish John Legend could wail on the piano for every contestants’ performance on this show. He’s just mesmerizing. His tribute to Whitney Houston at the Billboard Music Awards the other night was very touching. As for Johnny Gray, he is definitely holding his own on this song. He’s worked up quite a sweat, but he’s pretty darn good.

Other Superstars Say: Robin says Johnny has the exact same emotional connection to the lyrics as Mr. Legend does. Kelly uses the phrase “too cool for school,” and I grin. Jennifer says Johnny has “a beautiful low end that just makes it warm like honey.” Wait, what? Jennifer is going to be a lot of fun to write about this season. We go to the chart, and Johnny did not beat out J Rome. It’s okay though – because no one is going home this week apparently.

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Robin Thicke is looking for a soulful duet partner who has their own style. He chooses Olivia Chisholm, and they sing “Lost Without You.” She is one lucky lady – there is so much heat going on during their performance I have to fan myself as I mutter “wish I knew how to sing.”

Other Superstars Say: John thinks Olivia sounds a bit like Aaliyah with a subtle, sexy approach. Jennifer says Olivia’s voice is so authentic in this genre. Kelly would give her left leg to look like Olivia. I would give both of my legs and any other necessary limbs and to look like Kelly. I don’t know what she’s thinking. We go to the chart, and Olivia is third.

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Kelly Clarkson has been on the road for most of 2012. I may have seen her live twice so far this year. I may have tickets to see her at least two more times this year. I may have met her in April. So, it’s safe to say that I’m looking forward to her duets the most. The first partner she chooses is Jason Farol and I already love him. Seeing how emotional he got while performing with Kelly at her concert did me in. They perform “Breaking Your Own Heart” now, a song from her newest album that has not been released as a single. Jason is definitely nervous, but he has too good a voice to be insecure. I’m so glad she picked him.

Other Superstars Say: Jennifer says Jason lights up the room. Robin thinks Jason is adorable. John loves how much Jason loves being here. We go to the chart, and Jason is fourth. The crowd does not sound pleased. I’m not either.

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John Legend’s second duet partner is Bridget Carrington and they perform “Tonight (Best You Ever Had). John steps out from behind the piano and they give Robin and Olivia a run for their money in the chemistry department. I think I like Bridget’s voice better that Olivia’s, but it’s still pretty early to be sure.

Other Superstars Say: Robin says the song makes him want to go to the club. Kelly chimes in saying the song makes her want to call her man. Oh snap! Jennifer says the song makes her want to go home after the club (she was trying to combine Robin’s comment with Kelly’s and I’m going to give her an “A” for effort). We go to the chart, and Bridget comes in above Jason. Hmm.

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Jennifer Nettles picks from her home town to find her next duet partner, John Glosson. His audition of “How Great That Art” breaks her, which breaks me. They perform “Stay” and I think Jennifer has more of a connection with John that J Rome. John is incredibly talented, and I think a ton of the viewers will be pulling for him. Hurts me a little to say this….but this is probably the best performance so far.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly is very moved by the performance and tells John he sings like an angel. John (Legend) says the two blended very well together. Robin calls Jennifer a beast, but I think he means it as a compliment. He says John held his own. We go to the chart, and John has taken the 3 spot.

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Robin Thicke searched for a gospel singer to be his second duet partner and he finds one in Alexis Foster. Their duet is “Magic” (see what I did there?), and I think he chose the right person out of the others from the audition. I’m not confident about Alexis’ heels, but I am confident about her voice. Well done.

Other Superstars Say: Kelly tells Alexis her voice is beautiful. John likes that Alexis’ voice is crystal clear. Jennifer thought the performance was fantastic. We go to the chart, and Alexis takes the 3 spot right out from under John.

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Kelly Clarkson is looking for more of a Trisha Yearwood type voice for her next partner and she had two pretty awesome voices to choose from. She goes with Jordan Meredith, and I’m thrilled for Jordan because she is such a Kelly fan. I go back to muttering “wish I knew how to sing” under my breath though. So jealous. They are taking on “Stronger,” and…Kelly’s energy is just amazing isn’t it? I’m dancing in my seat….back to Jordan. I think she sounds great. I was almost expecting her to freak out, but she keeps it together and I’m proud of her.

Other Superstars Say: John says Kelly is one of the best singers in the world, which is absolutely true. He says Jordin’s tone compliments Kelly’s. Jennifer thought they blended so well together that she a hard time hearing who was lead and who was harmony. Robin likes her smile, her hair, and her voice, so all around good reviews. We go to the chart after the commercial break and Jordin is…7th? WHAT? So both of Kelly’s contestants are the bottom 2? I call shenanigans! Kelly does too.

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As Quddus mentioned earlier, no one is eliminated tonight. The ranking confuses me. Did the Superstars just rank J Rome way higher because he went first? I definitely do not think he was better than several of the other competitors. And what I really want to know is – when does America get to vote? There will be no more of this “Kelly’s contestants are in the bottom” nonsense once that happens. The next episode will air next Thursday. Til then!