As usual, the sideshow of the judges threatened to overwhelm the singing show put on by the contestants. Alka Yagnik, the sole female judge, was persuaded to return after leaving the show in a huff a few weeks ago. The first 15 minutes of the program were nauseatingly devoted to her comeback, with every single one of the show participants and organizers putting in their 2 bits about how much they missed her( I was surprised they didn’t let the audience in on the act too!). Since I record the shows and watch them later, this is a real bummer because invariably, the show goes over time and the crucial final minutes are usually cut off.
I have to wonder, is this kind of drama just natural to the Indian psyche or is it crafted carefully by the producers? We have similar judge fracas in American Idol here, but the repartee is mercifully kept short and there is a level of professionalism in the interactions. Somehow, the behaviour of the judges in VOI is so crass that even with the missing minutes, I am glad I watch the recorded show and can fast forward to the actual singing. If the group dynamics of the judges is stage managed by the producers, my respect for the Indian audience has hit a low. Or maybe the quality of singing is so high that people tune in in spite of the off-stage theatrics.
The voting mechanism is also strange. I am glad I can vote online from the US and my votes count but when the voting starts and when it finishes seems to be really fluid. I just vote on Saturdays, hoping I’m doing the right thing.
As for the singing itself, thankfully this week there was a return to melody, with the participants singing composer Pritam’s songs.I almost gave up on the show after last week’s episode with Govinda. No one denies his comedic talents but the songs he has been associated with have been so bad( sarkaye leo khatiya, anyone?) that the poor singers had a hard time showcasing their talent.
My picks for the ultimate winners are Harshit, Irfan or Toshi. The girls just don’t stand a chance.
Water, No Ice 
I wish they wouldn’t do this ‘guest special’ episodes where they sing songs which are associated with the guest. Anyway, I am surprised that you did not mention Abhaas in your final list. He is a winner according to me, after he sung ‘Aake Sidhi Lagi Dil Se’ in Kishore Kumar Special.
BTW, I have launched a fan site for the show at http://StarVoiceOfIndiaShow.Com . You might want to visit it.
Thanks,
J
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my name is irfan from Karachi Pakistan. I am very disharted because one of the best singer Toshi is out of the show, i think indian audience is not a great judges of sur, voice, music. very very senseles audience. agar ye show pakistan mein hota to i am 100% confident ke hamari audience Toshi, Aabhas, aur Arshit ko kabhi danger zone mein nahi jan e deti. Agay is show ka allah hi hafiz hai.
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yaar Irfan, tumne sab maza kirkira kar diya. Here in the US we get to watch the results show only Fridays at 4 which is still an hour away!
But Toshi deserved to go because he was such a big show-off – concentrating more on stage antics than singing. Remember this is a contest for the best playback singer – by definition they must have an bland and pleasant voice and a self-effacing personality.
My guess on who will win is still Harshit. He suits the above qualities the most.
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