The ‘spirit of Seal’ haunts The Voice
Joe Jonas joins, and Boy George has his chair, but Seal's spirit still hangs over Nine singing show.
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Reality juggernaut The Voice may have DNCE vocalist Joe Jonas taking to the big red chair, but according to host Sonia Kruger the “spirit of Seal” still looms large in the studio.
“There’s a little bit of Joe-mania at the Blind Auditions, particularly with the younger artists who are very familiar with him,” she tells TV Tonight.
“But the spirit of Seal is still there. It’s funny. It’s almost like he has missed his calling in a way, because his chair was like a pulpit. He would deliver these soliloquys which was quite incredible to see. I think that, in itself, was an interesting character trait.
“Boy George is now sitting in Seal’s chair, and it’s almost like George starts channelling Seal, and it’s really funny.”
“There are disagreements over rules”
Season 7 sees reigning Coach Delta Goodrem return along with former Destiny’s Child singer / dancer Kelly Rowland, who comes out “all guns blazing” according to Kruger.
“In the past there were a few personality clashes with Jessie J. and the Maddens and a little bit of a clique that formed. But that’s gone,” she explains.
“Now it feels fun and collegiate, with a good vibe going. I think a lot of that is to do with the Coaches and the approachability they have collectively.”
But if there is no Reality show conflict, or Coach tension, will the show still generate chatter?
“There are disagreements over rules, because some of the artists test boundaries in terms of technicalities. There’s a disagreement between George and Kelly. There’s an artist who leaves a lot of people asking the question: Is it fair? Is this within the rule book?” she hints.
A new Coach in the form of a former Jonas Brother is not the only new addition. This season has a ‘world first’ Wild Card which will appear in the Battle Rounds.
“The Coaches essentially lose half their teams but they each have 1 Wild Card. But not all 4 will get a chance to sing at the Live shows. Australia votes on which Wild Card they want to go through. So somebody who is eliminated in the early stages could get to go through -and could actually win the show.”
Filming has been completed on the Blind Auditions / Knockouts / Battle Rounds. The show resumes production for the Live Shows in late May and Kruger is ready for action.
“I feel much more in control”
“When I first started I didn’t know the mechanics of the show. I’d had a baby 5 weeks prior, and was a little bit of a hot mess. But this is the 4th series I’ve done so I feel much more in control and how to navigate the mechanics of it,” she says.
But the big challenge for The Voice is still to create a superstar performer. Kruger acknowledges the quest but notes that Australian Idol and The X Factor existed in a different music landscape in terms of record sales and even airplay. 2017 winner Judah Kelly’s album peaked at #3 in Australia, but also enjoyed airplay in the UK.
“We were talking to John Paul Young on (Today Extra) about the Australian music industry and he had been in Canberra trying to get political support for Australian artists,” she continues.
“The view is that since the introduction of FM radio Australian artists aren’t really played that much and don’t have that backing. So I think the question speaks to a much wider situation in the music industry.”
The Voice returns 7pm Sunday and continues 7:30pm Monday & Tuesday.
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- Tagged with Australian Idol, The Voice, The X Factor, Today Extra
16 Responses
The reason a hit artist isn’t created is due to the format… Oz Idol contestants are in people’s loungerooms for months! The Voice’s format doesn’t allow it…
any chance all the pre recorded shows will run to time or will it run over 10mins like always
Commercial radio isn’t the problem here, certain Australian record labels fail to market these artists to the level required to compete with international artists.
If a song is of a certain standard and the marketing marries up, Australian artists will get airtime. Troye Sivan, perfect example of an Aussie artist that gets FM airplay consistently.
I’m shocked they haven’t tried to bring Aus idol back.. can’t believe it’s been off the air for a decade.
And is anyone else tired of the constant sob stories?? it makes people feel who haven’t had a major life incident not worthy of even entering the competition lol
I could almost stomach this show if it wasn’t for Delta Goodrem and let’s stop pretending the show is about the singers and a recording contract at the end… can anyone remember someone from the Voice or X-factor Australia that has gone on to have a career. it’s all about the judges.
Samantha Jade and Dami Im went on to have pretty good careers.
Also Reece Mastin.
I had the pleasure of seeing a couple of episodes of the UK version of The Voice during a recent trip.
Main thing I noticed was the episode was ninety minutes long but included 11 full performances and not a scintilla of padding or repetition of previously seen footage. It had pace, drama and was very well edited.
My fear is that this year’s Aus season will be the exact opposite – endless back stories, recaps and coming soon footage, essentially any excuse to pad it out and make it as dull as possible. Something to learn from our UK brothers I feel.
No significant artist has been produced by this show – that has to be judged a failure. I also think it’s shame there’s only one Australian judge now – cultural cringe!
The main purpose of The Voice is to rate and make money for Channel Nine so cannot be classed as a failure. The fact that no significant artist has been produced would not bother Nine as long as it keeps on rating. The artists on xfactor had way more success but look what happened to that show.
I wish I didn’t come out in hives every time this show is on TV coz I’d really like to watch Boy George.
I was there in studio, as part of the audience. Sonia (especially in the battle rounds) has got a new zing! So funny and talented, she now makes everyone laugh with quick humor. I was never a huge fan but that has since change.
Wildcard can also only be chosen from those who didn’t get through the Battle Rounds, not Blinds, or Knockouts.
Top 13 instead of 12 too.
Big season ahead!
I just feel that Sonia is a wrong fit for the Voice as host, I’m sure she’s a nice person and all- I do like the Voice hopefully the show will do well in the ratings this year but next year I think they need to re-vamp the show with a new host & a few twitches here and there maybe some coach changes etc to keep the show fresh.
I agree. she wasn’t a good fit for big brother either.
Sorry but you can’t use that excuse that’s music is now in a different landscape. When X factor was on at the same time , singers still managed top 5 singles , and produced more known stars then the voice , not to mention world wide , the voice produces no household names , while xfactor , again going head to head , produced household names like fifth harmony, one direction etc.
Nice try thou.