The ‘Sing-Off’ Finale

Have you watched Nick Lachey on the The ‘Sing-Off’ Finale

Perhaps the best vocal competition show on television came to a climax last night as the winner of all the 16 a cappella groups was announced: Pentatonix.

I never got myself into the ‘X-factor’ and ‘American Idol’ is a spring season show, so the ‘Sing-Off’ has been my favorite show of this genre, and rightfully so. Unlike shows like ‘Idol,’ we don’t see any bad performers or sub-par groups. The groups that perform on this show are all fantastic and the ones that make it to the end are simply amazing. You can only wonder how they are able to put these productions together in relatively short periods of time. Most of these performances have had complicated arrangements with elaborate choreography, some of which is almost like watching a Broadway show number. Maybe it is just me, but I feel that the show is woefully underrated. The judges all seem like they actually have something of substance to say and they are there to add something intellectual to the process. While I know Paula Abdul may be entertaining and she certainly has paid her dues as a pop star from back in the day, she is not exactly known for being intellectual—more of a “what is she gonna do now” thing which certainly isn’t a bad dynamic for TV.

X Factor Finale sing off

The host, Nick Lachey, is pretty much as straight as a host gets in terms of delivery of proper introductions, transitions, and closure. Every so often he makes fun of himself from being a former boy band member (98 degrees) which comes across as goofy on TV, and that works for him, even if it is a bit awkward.

In a world dominated by pop sensations like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, it is nice to see something different for a change, and these vocal groups definitely brought some styles of their own—originality. Yes the songs were all covers, but the way they delivered them were often interesting arrangements with dance moves or vocal effects that we really haven’t seen before. That, I say, is not only refreshing but exciting. While Justin Bieber is probably almost as popular as Jesus these days, there is nothing refreshing about him. He is entertaining, talented, and quite standard. Many of the groups on The ‘Sing-Off’ are entertaining, talented, and powerfully interesting.

One might think that there is not too much you can do with a vocal group that uses no musical instruments, but one would also be wrong.

If you never saw the show before, there is one more chance before it calls quits for the season.  Next week a Christmas special consisting of performances by all 16 of the season’s competing groups will air to give fans one last show before we wait for next years performers. Yes the show should be over as the winner has been declared, but I suppose a network does anything if it means good ratings, and why not do a holiday themed show just for the heck of it? Check it out next Monday. Who knows? You may just become a fan in time for next season.