Ventura County Star (April 23rd 2011)

Ultimately, it comes down to the voice

Strip away theatrics, choreography, costumes, arrangements and backup singers, and all that remains is singing, which is the point of NBC's 13-week talent show, 'The Voice,' launching Tuesday, April 26.

Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine of Maroon 5 serve as coaches; Carson Daly hosts, and Mark Burnett produces.

Coaches listen to hopefuls with their backs turned.

'I find so often everything is about packaging a look and digitally enhancing things, all technology has to offer,' Christina Aguilera says.

'This is back to real music.' Though screeners were not available at this writing, each artist involved independently tells Zap2it how pure this contest is.

'It does bring a nostalgic approach to discovering and showcasing true talent like radio once was, before video killed the radio star,' Green says.

Before hopefuls audition, the show's staff vets them.

'Everybody who even steps foot on the stage is already very good,'

Daly says.

Each coach picks eight singers. If more than one coach wants the same singer, the contestant decides with whom to work. Each coach assembles a team of eight, eventually winnowing it to four, then America votes for who receives the recording contract and $100,000.

'It's all about talent,' Shelton says. 'It takes all the bull crap out of the industry. I have selected somebody to be on my team, and I turn and woo-hoo, what am I going to do with this person? It could be a guy who looks like a sumo wrestler. The best part is I selected him because he is talented.' 'I never realized before doing this show how much you do listen with your eyes,' Shelton says. 'Whether we like it or not, we are eliminating selecting persons on their looks.' As the only woman on the show, Aguilera says, 'Mark Burnett says I am the voice of reason. I have taken on this mama role of making them focus and concentrate because sometimes they just get so silly.'