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« Cheers & Jeers
Jeers: NBC's Clash Is Dismissed
Patti Labelle by Eric Liebowitz/NBC
Jeers to NBC for wasting its airtime with Clash of the Choirs. Can we blame the strike for the proliferation of such "unscripted" filler? For two punishing hours, perkily plastic hostess Maria Menounos introduced five bland vocal groups led by celebs like Nick Lachey (whose bio montage averted any mention of ex-wife Jessica Simpson), Patti LaBelle and Michael Bolton (whose former mullet seems to have been transplanted to his overexposed chest). Between the oddly chosen songs ("Livin' on a Prayer," anyone?), the contestants' stories unsubtly jerked tears. How can the same network that produces the sublime 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights proudly present such ridiculous pabulum?
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Dec 17, 2007 11:31 PM
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How can they? The same reason that a dog...
I don't know why there were any real expectations that this show would be worth squat once the execrable Bolton was announced as a participant. Bolton as a judge of music or a singing coach is like having O J Simpson as a marriage counselor.
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Dec 18, 2007 2:35 AM
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I actually liked the show more than I thought I would. Of course, I pretty much ignored it until the choirs actually performed, so that's probably why it was ok.  Kelly Rowland's choir was kind of disappointing, and I didn't realize what song they were singing until the second verse. I really enjoyed Blake Shelton's and Ms. Patti's choirs, and even voted a couple times via the website--which has a really crappy voting system, by the way.
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Dec 18, 2007 6:46 AM
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I DVR'd it and around 10 pm last night my daughter and I sat down to watch w/o commercials, and it was still excruciating. I don't know what I expected but come on, I felt like I was watching the cheap version of the AI auditions. I couldn't tell if the choirs were any good as the production values stunk, I have a stereo TV, but it still sounded awful. You could tell they were really trying to wring a sob story out of each choir to coincide with the charity. Very pathetic. Must agree with the above poster that Patti LaBelle and Blake Shelton's choirs were the best...which is not saying much, and yeah - "Livin on a Prayer?" What the ****????
If this is what we have to look forward to for the next couple of months, I've got a bunch of good books on my bedside table to read.
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Dec 18, 2007 8:20 AM
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 You have got to be kidding-this was a wonderful show-much better then watching the historonics of "Idol"!
None of the choirs was "bland"-but interesting and very few power trips!
Most intriquing was Blake Shelton's non-experience.....his willingness to take info from a choir director who was not chosen works out as he clearly figured out what works and what didn't!
The only one that was a stereotypical "choir" was Patti LaBelle's group...way too much tonsil rattling..but even her path to putting a choir together had great moments of humor.
If you don't like "Clash"-there's always an overwrought rerun some place to watch! And maybe the writers will realize not all children can wear designer threads...and that most of us still count change to fuel up! Settle already!
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Dec 18, 2007 10:22 AM
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Having participated in choirs my entire life, this show was right up my alley. I could have done with less of the stars bios and would have enjoyed hearing more singing.
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Dec 18, 2007 10:36 AM
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What a great show! My entire family watched it, and it was amazing! Patti's choir was incredible!!!! It gave me chills. Blake Shelton's was second in our book. I'm so glad that NBC took on family programming, and supported the troops in the process.
I agree the online voting process stunk. But voting by phone was really easy.
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Dec 18, 2007 10:37 AM
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I throroughly enjoyed this show. The stories were sweet, the music entertaining and I feel like I know the choir members better in one show than I did the contestants on all of American Idol last season. The fact that it goes to charity makes it even nicer.
I thought Maria Menounos did a fine job, kind of like Samantha Harris with appeal and talent.
The celebrities were commited and energetic and they were a joy to watch.
It's only four nights, and I'll be there all four.
I can certainly understand, though, how jaded scrooges would miss the appeal of this show. Isn't is great that you can just 'bah humbug' yourself to another channel?
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Dec 18, 2007 10:40 AM
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I agree that the online voting process was cumbersome. But I muddled through and am in agreement that Patti's choir is currently in the lead followed closely by Blake's. I hope this show does well in the ratings as family friendly fare is hard to come by!
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Dec 18, 2007 10:46 AM
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TVwatcher97 -- I find your use of language offensive.
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Dec 18, 2007 10:48 AM
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My intent is to offend no one, and I apologize. I hope you have a Happy Holiday!
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Dec 18, 2007 10:53 AM
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I know members of the Cincinnati choir personally, so I strongly object to your jeers. It's nice to real music on TV once in awhile.
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Dec 18, 2007 10:55 AM
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The show reminded me how much I miss singing and directing. Yes, it had a cheese factor...I could do without the "judging" and I thought a couple of the choirs relied to heavily on solos. But it was worth watching to hear Lachey's and LaBelle's choirs. I'll end up DVRing it, but I'll watch it all.
Bruce, just change the channel, buddy, it's obviously not your cuppa tea.
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Dec 18, 2007 10:57 AM
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I have to disagree. I thought it was fun and I love that this for charity and not for finding the "Next great' whatever. I wish all the charities could be able to receive some of the funds.
I'm in a choir at my church and it was right up my ally as well. There were some serious harmonies being thrown down last night and I had a good time watching it. I missed Nick's choir but saw the others and I have to saw, I was very impressed with Blake's choir, although I knew Miss Patti's choir would throw it down.
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Dec 18, 2007 11:07 AM
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Yes, the people were talented but beyond that, what a crapfest.
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Dec 18, 2007 11:08 AM
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