<p>Finally watched the episode. Rod Stewart was painful. I did something else during most of his performance.</p>
<p>I could not believe that Shakira hesitated for a second in getting rid of Karina. She slaughtered that Al Green song, she beat it to death, and not in a good way. Vocal embellishment WAY overdone, no phrasing, no rhythm. Yuck. I thought that Shakira’s comments regarding her were tactful, but revealing.</p>
<p>I think Michelle is fantastic. Her performance of the Cyndi Lauper song was riveting. I hope that Usher continues to value her despite the fact that she is not a glamour girl. She is definitely my favorite. I could definitely live without Josiah and Holly and the Swon Brothers (although I do enjoy the latter, I don’t think they deserve to win). Looking through the artists online, I think that generally the ones who are left are the right ones, although I would have kept Patrick longer.</p>
<p>I’m on the west coast, so I haven’t seen today’s show yet. But, I did read that Christina Aguilera and Celo Green are returning for next season, though it wasn’t stated who was leaving. What a bummer. This season’s group of judges makes the show a real pleasure to watch.</p>
<p>I’m not at all surprised Garrett went home and only mildly surprised about Vedo. The women are so much stronger than the men this season. Speaking of surprises… I was pleasantly surprised how well Jossiah did, as well as the Swon Bros., on Monday. I thought the stripped down format on most of the performances really helped these two performances. </p>
<p>I’m a big fan of Sarah. Hoping that they will give her a makeover, though, along with Judith’s hair style the past two weeks. Judith’s hair looked really nice and natural in rehearsal this week and then got “over-thought” during her performance.</p>
<p>I’m not at all surprised Garrett went home and only mildly surprised about Vedo. The women are so much stronger than the men this season. Speaking of surprises… I was pleasantly surprised how well Jossiah did, as well as the Swon Bros., on Monday. I thought the stripped down format on most of the performances really helped these two performances. </p>
<p>I’m a big fan of Sarah. Hoping that they will give her a makeover, though, along with Judith’s hair style the past two weeks. Judith’s hair looked really nice and natural in rehearsal this week and then got “over-thought” during her performance.</p>
<p>I also think the right people went home. Michelle, Danielle, Judith and Sarah seem very strong, as well as unique. I think Chris will be the last male standing. Holly and Amber are lovely to listen to, but they don’t have very distinctive voices. I also like Sasha, but she seems in some ways less sure of herself than she was in the beginning. I’m not sure that Shakira has really helped her.
Sometimes the performances are surprising, so it’s hard to predict how it will look at the end. I think Danielle and Michelle are the most consistent, and deserve to be the final two.</p>
<p>I really like the judges this year, not sure how I will will feel next season with Christina and Celo back. I missed neither. </p>
<p>Glad Garret and Vedo were sent home, actually wish a few more were voted off this week. For the most part I did not enjoy the song choices this week. Tuesdays show dragged on. It was ridiculous to replay the song and judges comments from the night before. Was this same format used last season? I ended up turning the show off and following twitter to see the results.</p>
<p>I figured Garrett was sunk with that song choice Monday. And Vedo was really off and his dancing looked very rehearsed and just not good.</p>
<p>Way too many girls left! I am not a Sarah fan - don’t care for her singing and her style and personality doesn’t warm me up at all. Sasha sings over the top to me - she has a great voice indeed, but oversings IMO.</p>
<p>Shakira confirms to Access Hollywood that she will, indeed, be leaving The Voice at the end of season 4 to go back to being a mommy and to begin work on her next album.</p>
<p>“Not for next season, for sure,” answered Shakira when asked if she’d be returning as coach for Season 5 in the fall. “I have to get back to my baby, give him some love and dedicate some time to him. And also to my new album that I’m working on.”</p>
<p>Christina Aguilera has reportedly signed a new deal to come back for Season 5 and Cee Lo Green is reportedly in the midst of negotiations to return.</p>
<p>Not looking forward to seeing more of Chestina. I like Cee Lo, but I think Usher is a much better coach.</p>
<p>I really would like to see Holly depart next: I am sick of her braying. Sasha does have a wonderful voice, but I agree that she tends to over-sing, and I don’t find her performances appealing to listen to. To some degree, the same thing has been true of Judith. I’ve found Chris disappointing so far: he hasn’t been as good as he was in the blind auditions, IMHO. I agree that the stripped-down presentation by Josiah and the Swons worked really well. I was surprised by both of them. (Some of the over-singing divas should take lessons from the Swons on how to sing a song simply but well.)</p>
<p>Michelle continues to rule. I love her voice, I love her quirky style, I love her performances.</p>
<p>I finally watched the Monday/Tuesday shows over the weekend. I did not like any song in particular, but a bit disappointed by Sasha. Wishing for better song choices this week. The judges are the best, especially Shakira and Usher.</p>
<p>I agree that Judith can really sing, along with Sarah, on Team Adam. I just wish that these two would connect more with the audience on their performances. They seem like they are doing recording studio work to me. </p>
<p>I think the voters definitely got it right on who went home on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Once again, Michelle rules. She was fabulous on the song with Usher. They should do some duet work for release.</p>
<p>Judith was very good–and didn’t she look beautiful!–although I agree with jshain about her limits as a performer. She needs to break out of the backup singer thing, I think. </p>
<p>I agree that the voters got it right. Too bad about Chris: gorgeous voice, just not a great performer.</p>
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I like Cee Lo, but I think Usher is a much better coach.</p>