Male Fail #5

Adam Levine is the newest, and probably not the last, man to wear a dress. It's a total male fail! I can only imagine the deserved jokes Blake Shelton will make about it on The Voice.

Songland Needs A Rewrite

NBC's songwriting competition, Songland, needs a rewrite. It's a great concept brought to the mainstream by Maroon5 frontman  Adam Levine. The problem is not the concept. It's one of the coaches.

While One Republic's Ryan Tedder and mega super star producer Ester Dean - with her sparkling, happy personality- fit perfectly, it's country music's Shane McAnally that is the misfit. He may be a talented guy, but each interaction with the songwriters seems to turn into a personal therapy session as Shane discusses his past and his demons. A self-focused downer. During the Leona Lewis session, he even seems to hit on one of the contestants. Very unprofessional.

The concept is solid and has yielded some pretty good results. Let's hope this show gets renewed for a second season- with a new producer / coach.

A Darn Good Coach

Believing in giving a "Good Job!" when its due, Jennifer Hudson is a very, very good coach on The Voice. I think she gives Adam Levine and Blake Shelton a serious run for their money. Much like Alicia Keys did. I really don't like how often she seems to bring everything back to her and her career journey, but as far as doing a great job at supporting and developing her team, she's pretty darn good!

Ruining The Voice

Before tomorrow's post honoring the 35th Anniversary of EPCOT Center / Epcot / "IPcot"(to be coming our way sooner than I'd like), I just have to address something on my mind regarding "The Voice". Yes, it's one of my favorite television shows. The live music aspect is fun and the hook of judges initially not seeing the contestants brings some great surprises. However, this season is lacking in a few ways. Or perhaps there's just excess. Excess Miley Cyrus, admittedly slightly more subdued than the past; and excessive anger or something going on with Jennifer Hudson. Does the woman ever really relax or smile? The intensity level just slices off any sense of fun when she's on the screen. And shouldn't a show like this be fun for both judges and contestants? Thank God for staples Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. Otherwise, I'd be gone. Bring back Gwen, or Pharrell, or anyone for that matter- except CeeLo. He's just creepy.

New Music from The Voice's Christina Grimmie

Her music lives on! And how! Check out Christina Grimmie's new album "All is Vanity". There's a powerful message there... and some really good music! 

One of the finalist's on The Voice, she had it all. Even holding her own with coach Adam Levine on "Somebody That I Used To Know". But there's more to her than her voice. 

Check out her youtube page full of videos and music here.

Stars are Born

This is the year. NBC's The Voice has struggled since inception to have a break out major artist discovered a la Carrie Underwood and American Idol.  But no longer.

Can I brag that I accurately predicted the order of the Final 4? Jesse Larson was an easy number four as he had been in the bottom three before. Equally gifted Aliyah Moulden was my guess for number three. Still young and developing- and her final performances were not as riveting.

That left Lauren Duski and Chris Blue. Both incredibly gifted and consistent in their performances. 

Lauren's cover of Billy Dean's Somewhere in My Broken Heart is now one of my favorites. It's beauty strengthens with each play.  Her voice is at once classic and unique. Beautiful and understated. The Dance was equally gorgeous. Even ending the series at number two, Lauren will have a long career in the music industry.

Chris Blue. Wow! 24K Magic was great- the man has the moves of Michael Jackson and much stronger pipes- but I longed for his take on Uptown Funk. It took Kirk Franklin's gospel gem Take Me to the King to predict and claim that he should be number one. Rhythm Nation was just the icing on the celebratory winner's cake. 

Now, we all know the NBC executives have money on their mind. So, let me add my few cents. This is the first season of The Voice in which I've purchased their songs on i-tunes more than one or two times. Fourteen songs in fact by these top four. And I'll definitely be buying the discs from Duski and Blue.

Up to the Mountain with Brennley Brown

Let me say it simply: A country star is born with Brennley Brown and her amazing rendition of Kelly Clarkson's lovely Up to the Mountain. Adam Levine said it best: It's a Grammy winning performance. Watch it below.

Just One Happy Family

One of the cleverest commercials I've seen in a long, long time! Gotta love the fact that Gwen Stefani is back and replacing the obnoxious Miley Cyrus. Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Alicia Keys carry on with Carson Daly. Love The Voice's new season crew!

Goodbye Christina

Fans of The Voice know the talented Christina Grimmie was killed by a deranged fan while in Orlando. What sad news! Her version of Somebody That I Use to Know with show mentor Adam Levine was one of my favorite duos from the show. (See here.) It takes quite a talented artist to hold their own when matched up to Levine's star power- and she did. Still on my i-pod and in my car. Yes, there is evil in the world...

Class and Trash Come to The Voice

In a surprise move, The Voice announces that the lovely and talented Alicia Keys is coming to Season 11. Joining Blake Shelton and Adam Levine, so much class, good taste, and talent. The exact opposite of the next coach to be announced: Miley Cyrus. Enough said.

The Voice Loses in the New Season

I love NBC's "The Voice". Yet, the opener for this season lacks in so many ways. 

Blake Shelton and Adam Levine are back, bringing the show its original spark of bromance and wise old sage advice for hopefuls wanting to make it big in the world of music. They each continue to charm contestants, viewers, and each other.

Newcomers to the chairs bring much less than those who came before. Gwen Stefani seems totally lost. Pharrell Williams is monotone and boring, not at all like the recordings he produces. Even the opening musical number, the superstar performance, left me wanting more. Perhaps both coaches will shine in later episodes when they actually get to direct and inspire their team members, but for now, the show suffers compared to its best seasons with Usher and Shakira joining Adam and Blake. Even the singers themselves are less interesting. Perhaps its time to give American Idol another chance.

Taking a Second Look

The last few weeks have been a rather difficult one for the Insights blog. Due to absolutely no fault at all of the Disney News Central site- and certainly all the fault of my own, my blog posts would not show up on the list. My friend Alain Littaye and I worked very hard to fix the problem. Thankfully, he figured it out, so I am back up to date! (Update: Problem is happening again!)

Here's a direct link to each post you may have missed, and there's some gems: concept art for unbuilt Epcot pavilions, the lost mountain of the Magic Kingdom, art for Disneyland's unbuilt Haunted Mansion on Main Street(!) and the most extensive history of Disney's Hollywood Studios I have ever seen- concept art, trip report (over the 25 years) and more.

Enjoy! And thanks for your patience!

Walt Disney World's Unbuilt Fire Mountain

Children in the Grass

The Problem with the Magic Kingdom

Seven Dwarf's Mine Train Game

Kodak Map of Disneyland

Shag-a-delic Fantasyland

Thank You Veterans!

Disneyland's Rocket Rods

Missing Whitney Houston

Somebody That I Used to Know

Disappointment Again

C'est Magnifique

Main Street's Haunted Mansion

Sizing Up The Voice

Odds and Ends: Disney and More

Tim Delaney and Shanghai Disneyland

America Sings Once Again

Brazil Showcase at Epcot

The United Kingdom Showcase That Never Was

The Story of the Teal Shoes

Rivers of Light to Flow at Animal Kingdom

25 Years of Disney's Hollywood Studios

Levine & Grimmie: Somebody That I Used to Know

Let's be honest here: Adam Levine's star power is shining brightly- and his lower range vocals on this Goyte remake are fantastic. That said, Christina Grimmie holds her own next to him. Her upper range is delightfully wicked. When they harmonize, it's a duet made for television and for the sales charts. This could actually be the very first major hit for The Voice. Hit as in actually launching a long term career. In our house, it's a tie between this young lady and Josh Kaufman. So, we'll see what happens...

Sizing Up The Voice Performances

I continue to be impressed by the talent on The Voice. In fact, this could be one of the television show's most impressive line-up of singers, even rivaling the talent of judges Usher, Adam Levine, Shakira, and Blake Shelton. 

The true test of the appeal of the talent will be if the cash registers ring with sales. Aside from a few i-tunes purchases, I just haven't found an artist whose album I would buy.

This may change with Josh Kaufman. His blend of soul and rock hit the spot. I'd even go out on a limb and say Monday night's performance of the new tune by One Republic is even better than the group's version. That's saying quite a bit.

On that same vibe, Tuesday night's debut of singles by Will Champlin and Jacquie Lee left me cold. Their producers don't seem to know who these artists are, and the singers themselves seemed disconnected from the songs. Tessanne Chin, however, really rocked with a number that felt like a modern Whitney Houston tune without Whitney's unfortunate gruffer edges that she attained after years of abuse.

So back to Josh. And a plea of him. Please find the right producer who understands who you are and brings the best out. You may have found him in Usher. Just ask him- you never know.

I'll Be Your Adam If You'll Be My Shakira

Like the title of my catchy new song? I think it'd easily sell a million copies on i-tunes. Let's face it: The Voice is THE music television talent show. And who could be more fun to watch than Adam Levine and Shakira? Is it time for a duet? I think so!

Unimpressive Idols

American Idol Season 13 is certainly unlucky! After viewing a handful of episodes, I am thoroughly unimpressed. The judges are probably the best mix since the original ones. Jennifer Lopez always displays her soft side (except on stage!), Keith Urban is kind but honest, and surprise hard nose Harry Connick Jr. is generally as dead on as Simon Cowell.  The show is past its prime when greats like Carrie Underwood and Daughtry made a splash. We won't see artists like them again. It's time for The Voice to return.

(Photograph by Michael Becker, Fox)

The Voice's One to Beat

James Wolpert showed incredible chops and finesse doing Queen's great Somebody to Love, but it is Jacquie Lee that's the one to beat.    

Her incredible version of the Jackson5's classic Who's Lovin' You - wow- nothing short of stellar. Sets her apart for The Voice crown.

Voice Trumps Idol...Again

American Idol or The Voice? Watching both shows via on demand, I just have to say "Voice Beats Idol!" Shakira and Usher join Blake Shelton and Adam Levine to create the most playful group of coaches since Season One of Idol. Can't stop watching...

Lovin' The Voice

As a long time American Idol fan, I have to say that The Voice hits all the right notes. The nicer than last season Christina Aguilera still annoys me at times, and the talented Mr. Green's antics with the ladies are just creepy, but the constant bickering between bromancers Blake Shelton and Maroon 5's Adam Levine make for interesting television. Ultimately, the main gimmick does not tire out, and the contestants themselves are the real reason for watching. Talented and gutsy. It's competitive reality television at its best.

(Photograph copyright NBC/The Voice.)

Give A Little More

Love them or hate them, it's a fact. Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael and James Valentine write some of the catchiest songs of the last decade. But as a Maroon5 fan that has to constantly be watching the lyrics before I purchase off i-tunes, I have a request: C'mon guys, Give a Little More, and dig a little deeper to give us some music with cleaner lyrics and a wider range of topics than how long the lead singer can remain aroused and the girl who is causing all the Misery. You've got the Moves Like Jagger, but you can keep it clean and still have the swagger.