Couple of minor Voice things. I am still harping on mic technique. Mathai did that thing AGAIN where she moves her head off axis with the mic, and loses the amplification. Mic goes with your face, sister, even if you think you're done. As a result most of her closing consonants get lost, adding to her enunciation woes. And she had some breath control issues.

Katrina had problems with her in ears, but skated. And she's way too static on stage.

I agree about the styling. She was much cuter as 50's day dress chic. And Juliet's styling was EVEN WORSE tonight, not just blonde but curly blonde, and her iconic bangs pinned out of her eyes.

Overall, I'm happy with the teams. Cee Lo's is the strongest as a whole, probably Adam's is the weakest.

Cee Lo's is the strongest as a whole, probably Adam's is the weakest.

And, ultimately, this is why the elimination process doesn't work for me. Cee Lo put together the weakest team by far and yet it makes no difference in the end.

Didn't need to be said twice. Or maybe it did.

Damn you, double-clicking work mouse!

ANTM had a Hello Kitty photo shoot ... dresses designed and, possibly, made by a 16-year-old on that theme. They were ... kind of cute. I'm still slightly boggled.

And, ultimately, this is why the elimination process doesn't work for me.

Totally agree. If they had pitted the teams against each other instead of within themselves, I think it would make much more sense. I mean, even a Top Shot format where they start out doing team challenges (compare battle rounds) and move on to individual challenges would be better. The concept of team is totally false in this show. There's never any incentive for the team to work together or for the coaches not to pick weaker contestants they can use as redshirts.

If the team had to win as a whole, even if it were individual performances and the scores tallied, it would make more sense. There's lots of ways it could make more sense.

If they had pitted the teams against each other instead of within themselves, I think it would make much more sense.

I totally agree, but doing it the way they are is the only way to insure that all 4 judges have a reason to be there all the way through. I guess it could be set up as everyone sings, America votes, and then the lowest person/two people from each team goes home every week, but that still doesn't do much in terms of team spirit.

I totally agree, but doing it the way they are is the only way to insure that all 4 judges have a reason to be there all the way through.

They could mix it up, though. If one coach had lost his or her whole team, maybe there's a rule that they get to poach once. Or something.

The elims on this show are confusing, especially after watching Idol for years, which is completely straightforward.

Yeah, I really think the blind auditions are the best part of The Voice. After that, the format stops making a whole lot of sense. Still a fun show, but not a great show.

I haven't even seen Idol yet. I think it's the first time in years I've taped and not watched live. And I'm even enjoying all the contestants this year. So sad for me. It's the end of an era.

Yeah, I know there isn't any way to keep it blind, but I wish there was.

AI performance night thoughts:

WTF, JLo? Just, oh my word. I cannot even describe the fug of those pants. Glittery golden pleated skinny leg high water pants? Go change immediately. Or no, don’t change. Let this be a cautionary tale for big booty girls everywhere. Even your cute apple bottom cannot save horrendous pants.

Queen Songs

Medley. Ummph. They sound really good on the beginning of Fat Bottom Girls. Phil was the total weak link on his line in Another One Bites the Dust. Elise and Skylar owned the boys on that song. Neither Holly nor Jessica have the grit to be convincing on We Will Rock You. And the most boring version of We Are the Champions ever? Why yes, I think maybe so. Fashion medley: Skylar looks adorable. Jessica looks like she’s trying out for her school production of Pocahontas. Holly is the best dressed teen hooker in her brothel. Elise is wearing a robe over a feather duster. Phil is in his Phil uniform. And Joshua’s clothes are still too small.

Jessica – Bohemian Rhapsody. What a predictable choice for her. And what’s with the black and white photography? That was just weird. And the three faces of Jessica behind? I mean, I get it, but why? It’s just freaky. She sounds amazing on this song, though. Is she wearing sparkly tennis shoes? Just, what? Somebody take the crack pipe away from the wardrobe people. Sad that I have time to focus on the state of her shoes because I’m so bored by the performance. Agreed with JLo that she lacked oomph. More performance quality, robot child. Be all about that.

Skylar – The Show Must Go On. Huh. Interesting choice. Too bad she’s not doing the version from Moulin Rouge. I think that may be my favorite version of this song ever. She sounds great here, though. I think she’s getting less nasally all up in her nasal, y’all. I really like this girl. The end was a little shout-y and I’m not sure whether she was having problems with her breath control or what but the notes were kinda cut off. But overall, well done. She is a comer.

Joshua – Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Alright, Mantasia. Time to stop biting. Why must the black people always choose this song on Queen night? Is it in the AI bylaws or something? Well, I suppose it was fine. The staging and the way he attacked it put me in mind of the Bruno Mars song he did a couple weeks ago and so made this performance feel like a retread, but that said, he sounded fine and he seemed like he wa having fun. It was a little too shout-screechy for me at the end, but it was fun. Good job from him. Still not as good as the Fantasia version. Side Note: Why are this fool’s clothes so small? Damn you, Tommy Hilfiger. Damn you to hell.

Elise – I Want It All. She sounded great here and I’m liking the tambourine kinda gypsy woman vibe she was working in her performance. This was one of her best and most complete performances to date. She was totally comfortable and in the zone. She looked like she was having fun for the first time in weeks.

Phil – Fat Bottom Girls. Surprised they used it in the medley if Phil’s gonna do it, too. But really, what other Queen song would he have done? It fits. I guess he did his Phillip Phillips-ian thing. He’s sounding less and less like a Dave Matthews copycat these days. Perhaps he’s finding his own authentic sound and style more, which if so, I’m all in favor. I enjoyed that but I wasn’t blown away. It was just fun. Oh, god. I’m agreeing with JLo and Randy more and more these days. That ain’t right. Hollie – Save Me. And in the pimp slot, too. Huh. Horrible necklace. God. It burns the eyes. And is this performance really pimp slot worthy? Again, I say huh. She performed half the song looking down at her feet and the other half with her eyes closed. The judges were bored and I was bored, too. And JLo is way too into being this child’s therapist. I feel like I’m eavesdropping on her latest session. Blah. Send this girl home (continued...)