270 replies to this topic

[Strega]

Per ABC:

John Legend joins a musical all-star lineup in ABC's major music series, "Duets." The show is hosted by Quddus ("Total Request Live") and stars the music industry's biggest Superstars. Legend is joined by Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Thicke in the search for the ultimate "Duet" partner in this one-of a kind singing competition that takes the Superstars out from behind the judges' panel and onto the stage. Clarkson, Legend, Nettles and Thicke individually set out on a journey across America looking for undiscovered talent worthy of being their duet partners. Ultimately, each Superstar will choose two singers to be his/her partners. Together the Superstars and their partners take the stage each week and perform in front of a live studio audience. In the end, only one duet will be at the top of the charts, and the winning partner will receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records.

This will be weecapped for the summer so: here is the thread.

[taiko]

So did NBC know that the mentors from The Voice would turn out to be ABCs stars? I guess Lionel Richie's new album did so well he became unavailable or with his daughter out of the news they noticed he was not 18 to 49 anymore?

[Actionmage]

I'm planning on trying it to see how it actually plays. The four pros seem like nice folks, so I hope things go well.

Edited by Actionmage, May 22, 2012 @ 4:12 PM.

[no22]

ABC needs to thank NBC if Duets turns out to be a hit show.
So will The Voice continue to have those stars to be its mentors next season?

[angelita100]

I may give this show a try but I'm so musical reality showed out. Funny enough I was more interested in it when Lionel Richie was a part of it. I enjoyed seeing his "return" to the music scene including his fabulous special.

[Onelasttime]

I'm going to watch to see Kellie Clarkson. She seems bizarrely accessible for a music star. I liked how she gushed over the Voice contestants (and not in an AI way).

[Limbonaut]

I'm watching for Kelly too. I'm a fan of her music but I love her even more as a person. Here's two interviews with her and her two duet partners, Jason Ferol and Jordan Meredith.

interview 1

interview 2

Edited by Limbonaut, May 24, 2012 @ 8:31 AM.

[slowpoked]

I'll be watching for Kelly Clarkson too. I just enjoy seeing her on TV, her personality just radiates through the screen. She seems to be the type that you just wanna high-five or chest bump a lot! Hee!

But I'm also checking out for Jennifer Nettles. She's one of my favorite singers in country music. Stay and Keep You still gives me chills every single time.

[betheshirt]

I'm also watching primarily for Kelly but I'm looking forward to the other 3 as well. I'm not really expecting a whole lot out of this show except a fun 9 weeks of summer entertainment. I think the concept is neat with the 4 stars performing multiple times each episode and not just sitting there judging.


Here's the opening number from tonight's show with the 4 "superstars" singing Robbie Williams' "Let Me Entertain You"

[DebB]

I love Kelly Clarkson, but I am passing on this. After spending 6 hours a week this season on American Idol and The Voice, I don't care if I never see another music competition.

[ElectricBoogalo]

I'm here for Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Nettles, both of whom still seem like genuine, sincere people despite their years of success.

[CCee]

The main draw for me is Kelly, but I do enjoy a good music competition. Despite the abundance of ads I've seen for the series there seems to be very little buzz so I don't expect great ratings, but I'm hoping for a fun few weeks and for it not to damage Kelly's career too much.

[shopper gal]

I love Kelly Clarkson, but I am passing on this. After spending 6 hours a week this season on American Idol and The Voice, I don't care if I never see another music competition.

I passed on The Voice and Idol after being huge fans for years (at least of Idol, and I watched The Voice last season). I'm excited for a new format and hearing the judges sing - not that shit the judges do on The Voice - yeah I'm looking at you XTina and CeeLo. Plus my white chocolate and milk chocolate eye candy is a draw. Been a huge fan of Robin Thicke since for ever - back when it was hard to find his albums in stores that's how long. Not as big in John Legend, but like him better then Lionel.

Besides eye candy also like that they have already picked the partners so I don't have to sit through too many sob stories.

[AmyLynnEsq]

The only memorable, good performance was Stay, and they put the guy in 4th place. I'm done with this show.

ITA. The guy who was at number 1 paled in comparison to the Stay guy, John's two and even the last girl. Cannot for the life of me figure out the reasoning other than the possibility that someone is low balling on purpose.

[shopper gal]

can someone explain the judging to me. is it the audience is it the judges? I missed the first few minutes that explained the rules.

I liked all the performances, but I think it was Stay...was that the fat guy? He was screaming.

[luna33again]

OMG, I can't seem to get over what a douchebag Robin Thicke appears to be.

[amelia7196]

Robin Thicke just seems a bit off. I can't quite figure it out...is he a dick or just nervous or socially awkward?

Thought the guy from Douglas, GA (sorry don't know names yet) was better than anyone. At this point Jennifer might have the strongest two team members. Kelly the weakest.

Does anyone but the judges ever vote?

[Ketzel]

The judging makes no sense to me. Each star gets to assign point scores to all the other stars' singers? So nothing stops them from forming alliances and low-balling any other star's singers to force them out of the competition, regardless of how they sing? That's kind of lame, not to mention hard on the amateur singers.

Frankly, the only singers who impressed me tonight were Jennifer Nettles and John Legend. Some of the amateurs were "a'right" (tm Randy Jackson) but none of them lit up the stage, imo. And who is styling those poor women? At least one of them (one of Robin Thicke's partners, I think) looked so terrified of taking a step in her six-inch heels that it seemed to be inhibiting her singing. The hair and make-up were mostly OTT and unattractive.

If they are going to make such a big thing of their leader board, it would be nice if they showed it long enough for someone watching to actually read it. I couldn't tell what was happening other than getting a quick glimpse that showed the placement of the person who had just sung.

[shopper gal]

So nothing stops them from forming alliances and low-balling any other star's singers to force them out of the competition, regardless of how they sing? That's kind of lame, not to mention hard on the amateur singers.

Ahh Kelly's "joke" at the end makes sense now. She seems uber competitive. She said a much and I believe she'll cut a bitch over this competition.

[betheshirt]

Does anyone but the judges ever vote?

For the first 5 shows, it's just the judges voting. The last 4 shows are live and it's in the hands of the viewers. From this Rolling Stone piece.

[marsha]

Well, so far so good ... I think. Considering I'm coming off the horror that was American Idol 2012 you'd think I wouldn't want to go near another singing competition for, well, forever but, here I am! I think it was the draw of it being "duets" and Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Nettles. Also, and don't think I could ever say this out loud in real life but: I'm weirdly turned on to Robin Thicke (or maybe I should say I'm weird because I'm turned on to Robin Thicke?)

That said, I thought that the duet of Stay that Jennifer and her partner did was brilliant. They were connected, sounded beautiful together and were actually singing a duet! I was surprised that he wasn't #1 on the board but, then again, I still can't quite figure out how the voting works. I'll stick with it for awhile. I don't know, maybe spending some extended time watching Robin Thicke "in action" will cure me.

[simple1]

Was excited for this show because of KC and the idea of duets, which I like. But I just watched the premier clip of Let Me Entertain you, and...when Robin Thicke and KClarkson are paired, he either keeps his eyes closed and head turned from her or completely looks away, not connecting at all. And then later, when she's on the other end with JL, it seems like her mic is off even tho you can see her singing hard.

I had no idea how fantastic and effortless Nettles is.

[sib5]

When I saw the ads for this show I rolled my eyes; "not another one!" Did not plan to tune in, but nothing else was on so I thought I'd watch for 30 minutes. It was much better than I expected and I was drawn into it. I like that there are only 8 contestants and we don't have to see all.those.auditions. I don't watch Idol or Voice, so I'm not burned out on the shows -- just a bit tired of networks doing versions of the same thing.

I love Jennifer Nettles, although she can get a bit "dramatic" when singing. I've heard of Robin Thicke, but never knew what he sang. Is he really a "superstar?" His speaking voice is very much like his dad's. And who is Quidduz (or however he spells it)? The whole one-name thing seems affected to me, but he seems very personable and comfortable in front of the camera.

[taiko]

At what level does a star become a "superstar"? Perhaps Lionel Richie was a superstar at his peak. The current judges have gotten past their second albums and none are one hit wonders nor singers who last had a hit a decade before like Paula Abdul when Idol premiered. I would place them at the same level as The Voice's coaches

[basiltherat]

Coming here also to ask who this Quiddich dude is . . . he's no Carson Daly (joke)

Conceptwise, what is the purpose of "Duets" making contestants a star . . . will they always be required to sing duets with their mentors, and just what is the "prize" besides being on the teevee? Is there a recording contract, money, a shiny new car, a two-week booking at the Orchid Lounge?

The singing was mostly quite good and Jennifer seemed to kick the greatest amount of butt!

[Kali12]

That said, I thought that the duet of Stay that Jennifer and her partner did was brilliant. They were connected, sounded beautiful together and were actually singing a duet! I was surprised that he wasn't #1 on the board but, then again, I still can't quite figure out how the voting works.

I loved their duet, too. Too bad the guy (Jon?) has that slightly negative (imo) personality that doesn't work well IRL.Someone should coach him on how to respond onstage, esp in the aftermath of such a beautiful duet when they audience is still caught up in the moment.

But...added bonus...no band!!! Just light accompaniment. So refreshing.

I really liked the opener, but as for the scoring, I still have no idea how it works.

[Onelasttime]

I really liked this show - the effort the professionals put into finding voices that compliment their own is impressive. It is suspicious that Kelly's 2 are on the bottom and would add more if i understood anything about the voting (or duet singing). They both sounded great.

[slowpoked]

I had no idea how fantastic and effortless Nettles is.

Jennifer Nettles is never not awesome! Even with the dramatic faces or what some people feel is overemphasized twang. She's part of Sugarland, and no disrespect to her partner Kristian, who's an awesome musician in his own right, but Sugarland IS Jennifer Nettles. Stay will go down as one of those classic songs due to Jennifer's brilliance of interpreting it.

I thought that the duet of Stay that Jennifer and her partner did was brilliant.

During the audition phase I didn't think the guy would work. He belted and glory-noted too much for me. I'm thinking, "it's not just you, it's a duet!!" But Jennifer really did a good job of reigning him in, and I didn't think Stay would work as a duet, since it's a mistress song, but it came out great. I was cringing in the end thinking they will end this on a glory note, but thankfully they did not go there, and ended with the soft touch. It was my favorite performance of the night.

I also liked John's 2nd duet partner. That performance had all kinds of sexy chemistry to it. So I couldn't fault the judges for thinking it suddenly got hot out there. Ha!

I also like the fact that they sang the whole song, and not just a 1:30 minute snippet. It did feel quite dragging at times, but for more full performances, I'm willing to overlook that.

just what is the "prize" besides being on the teevee

It's a record deal.

[stereohype]

Wow. Diehard Kelly fan here, but I have to say Jennifer's duets KILLED it tonight. Was surprised that the first guy stayed on top of the rankings all night - he was definitely one of the better ones, but I thought the "Stay" performance might have been able to top it.

I'm not sure I like how the rankings working... everything is anonymous and some of those rankings just didn't make sense.

[Brad4Me]

Very rarely does a song effect me like Jennifer's duet of Stay. That was incredible and definitely the best of the night. Even Kelly was teary idea. When it started I thought "Stay? As a duet?" ... after ... I would buy a whole CD of those two.