The Voice: Ranking The Teams

Ranking The Teams

Blake is Building a Country Army

With the battle rounds starting I am going to be taking a few different things into consideration. I will be looking at the choices of battle contestants, the picks of the winners, whether any of the coaches stole anyone and especially which adviser is the coolest.

1. Team Adam

Battles

Midas Whale vs. Patrick Dodd
Song: Burning Love by Elvis Presley
Winner: Midas Whale

Sarah Simmons vs. Duncan Kamakana
Song: Wanted You More by Lady Antebellum
Winner: Sarah Simmons

Amy Whitcomb vs. Agina Alvarez
(Not Shown on TV)
Song: Heartbreaker by Pat Benetar
Winner: Amy Whitcomb

Stolen Artists: Orlando Dixon

Adam easily has the most talent on his team and that is proven by the fact that one of the best singers on his team hasn't even been shown on the show for more then a couple seconds. Besides my love for Amy Whitcomb, Adam picked Midas Whale to move on and had an easy decision when he kept Sarah Simmons over Duncan Kamakana. Out of all eight of his singers he has five that are arguably the best singers in this competition. It looks like it will come down to which coach uses their artists the best in the next round.

Already Picked: Judith Hill, Amber Carrington, Warren Stone, Caroline Glasser

Best Performance: Midas Whale vs. Patrick Dodd

2. Team Blake

Battles

Jacqui  Sandell vs. Savannah Berry
Song: Little White Church by Little Big Town
Winner: Savannah Berry

Justin Rivers vs. The Morgan Twins
(Not Shown on TV)
Song: Easy by Rascal Flatts ft. Natasha Bedingfield
Winner: Justin Rivers

Stolen Artists: Luke Edgemon

Blake had pretty much secured the best country singers last week and surprised no one by bohlstering his stable a little more. He picked Justin Rivers and Savannah Berry and stole the pop/country Luke Edgemon. Add those three to Holly Tucker, The Swan Bros, Danielle Bradbury and Grace Askew and you have a touring lineup for any country music festival.

Already Picked: Holly Tucker, The Swan Brothers, Danielle Bradbury, Grace Askew, Taylor Beckham

Best Performance: Jacqui Sandell vs. Savannah Berry

3. Team Usher

Battles

Jessica Childress vs. Vedo
Song: Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
Winner: Vedo

Orlando Dixon vs. Ryan Innes
Song: Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers
Winner: Ryan Innes

Chelsea M. vs. Michelle Chamuel
(Not Shown on TV)
Song: Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia
Winner: Michelle Chamuel

Stolen Artists: C. Perkins, Cathia

Usher drops a spot this week only because it looks like Blake has put together a better team of eight. He made great picks in Ryan Innes and Michelle Chamuel but kind of surprised me when he took Vedo over Jessica Childress. His wasted one of his steals on probably the weakest artist that was left and got lucky when Shakira picked Mary Miranda instead of the obviously better Cathia.

Already Picked: Jess Kellner, Josiah Hawley, Audrey Karrasch

Best Performance: Orlando Dixon vs. Ryan Innes

4. Team Shakira

Battles

Luke Edgemon vs. Monique Abbadie
Song: You and I by Lady Gaga
Winner: Monique Abbadie

C. Perkins vs. Kris Thomas
Song: It Will Rain by Bruno Mars
Winner: Kris Thomas

Brandon Roush vs. Shawna P.
Song: Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin
Winner: Brandon Roush

Mary Miranda vs Cathia
Song: Antes De Las Sies
Winner: Mary Miranda

Stolen Artists: None

We got a lot of Battles from Shakira's team this week and I'll tell you what, it doesn't look to good going forward for her chances of winning. She made a huge mistake taking Monique Abbadie over Luke Edgemon and a not-so-big but still confusing choice of Mary Miranda over Cathia. Brandon Roush and Kris Thomas were the obvious choices, if only because of who they were up against. The best case for Shakira to win is one of the artists she stole from Adam.

Already Picked: Garret Gardner, Tawnya Reynolds, Karina Iglesias, Sasha Allen

Best Performance: Luke Edgemon vs. Monique Abbadie

The Voice: Ranking The Teams

Ranking The Teams

The Battle Rounds Begin

With the battle rounds starting I am going to be taking a few different things into consideration. I will be looking at the choices of battle contestants, the picks of the winners, whether any of the coaches stole anyone and especially which adviser is the coolest.

1. Team Adam

Battles

Amber Carrington vs. Sasha Allen
Song: Try by Pink
Winner: Amber Carrington

Judith Hill vs. Karina Iglesias
Song: It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown
Winner: Judith Hill

Michael Austin vs. Warren Stone
Song: My Kind of Party by Jason Aldean
Winner: Warren Stone

Stolen Artists: Caroline Glasser

Adam gets the first spot again this week because he kept his strongest singers and he stole the best singer available(besides Karina Iglesias). He had the best battle out of any of the teams (Judith vs Karina) and he probably has the adviser with best singing voice. If Adam can keep picking the best pairings and end up stealing another great artist he can position himself in a great place to win the whole season.

Best Performance: Judith Hill vs. Karina Iglesias

2.Team Usher

Battles

Jess Kellner vs. Taylor Beckham
Song: You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse
Winner: Jess Kellner

Jeff Lewis vs. Josiah Hawley
Song: Roxanne by The Police
Winner: Josiah Hawley

Audrey Karrasch vs. Jamila Thompson
Not Shown on TV
Winner: Audrey Karrasch

Stolen Artists: None

Usher's team is easily the most underrated. The Jeff Lewis vs Josiah Hawley battle could make a case for second best battle round of the first week (your trophy is in the mail). He didn't steal any artists but that might be the best thing for him considering the talent that was let go. The only downfall of the first week of battle rounds was that he picked Jess Kellner over Taylor Beckham but he has Pharell as an adviser so he gets a pass on that one.

Best Performance: Jeff Lewis vs. Josiah Hawley

3. Team Blake

Battles

Holly Tucker vs. Michelle Raitzin
Song: Blown Away by Carrie Underwood
Winner: Holly Tucker

Christian Porter vs. The Swan Brothers
Song: Wont Back Down by Tom Petty
Winner: The Swan Brothers

Caroline Glasser vs. Danielle Bradbury
Song: Put Your Records On by Corrine Bailey Rae
Winner: Danielle Bradbury

Grace Askew vs. Trevor Davis
Not Shown on TV
Winner: Grace Askew

Stolen Artists: Taylor Beckham

Blake has the hardest decision so far, when he had to pick between Caroline Glasser and Danielle Bradbury and although he may have picked the better singer of that specific song I think he might have made a huge mistake in the long run. He still has Holly Tucker (front runner) and the Swan Brothers (incredible harmonies), plus he stole Taylor Beckham from Usher and could possibly end up with her in the next round.

Best Performance: Holly Tucker vs. Michelle Raitzin

4. Team Shakira

Battles

Garrett Gardner vs. J'Sun
Song: How You Like Me Now by The Heavy
Winner: Garrett Gardner

Tawnya Reynolds vs. Mark Andrews
Not Shown on TV
Winner: Tawnya Reynolds

Stolen Artists: Karina Iglesias, Sasha Allen

I thought about moving Shakira up to number three but the only thing good about her first two days of battle rounds was that she got the second and third best singer to have lost. Of the twelve battle rounds we were able to see (even the ones that weren't shown in full) there were maybe four artists that where worth stealing and Shakira ended up with two of them. Now when we get to see some of the best battles her steals will have all been used up. It's not looking too good for Shakira this year.

Best Performance: Garret Gardner vs. J'Sun

Survivor Power Rankings (Week 6)

Survivor Power Rankings

A Tribe Switch Changes Everything

Since the game is rolling and people are being sent home left and right, I've decided to knock the Power Rankings down to five spots and I'm getting rid of the No Air Time All Star since each tribe has 7 members and they will all likely get some amount of air time. Now to the Power Rankings.

1. Gota Tribe
(Last Week: N/A)

I have chosen to lump the tribe together not only because they didn't do much individually that would make me think to separate them, but also because they dominated the immunity challenge, are all fit, young adults (except Sherrie), and two of their members have hidden immunity idols. Unless they start throwing competitions to get people out I don't see them losing for a while.

2. Tribe Switch
(Last Week: N/A)

The switching up of tribes is always one of the best part of any Survivor season. Not only does is mess with everyone's plans but if you're lucky like the Gota tribe you end up losing dead weight and gaining able, active bodies. And the smashing egg on yourself is always fun to see.

3. Phillip (Bikal)
(Last Week: #2)

He was easily the best player on his tribe. He was the most active in the immunity challenge going out more than anyone else eevn though he is the oldest competitor. He intimidated Michael and Matt into voting for Julia when the three fans probably could have turned Corrine against Phillip and gotten him out. On top of that he was one of the people who decided to get rid of Matt.

4. Julia (Bikal)
(Last Week: N/A)

Julia has never gotten that amount of air time since the season began. Usually the only you saw her was in the opening credits. This week however she was on the rink of elimination and some how ended up staying. I don't think she did much to stay, it was more like she got extremely lucky that the Favorites didn't decide that the weakest link had to go. So don't worry you have another week, at least, of asking yourself if she's been on the whole season.

5. Matt (Bikal)
(Last Week: N/A)

Matt was a really good sport, in his exit interview, considering he had just been blind sided and will be spending the rest of the season watching from home. The only thing I think Matt will be remembered for is his beard.

Worst of the Week

Corrine

You have to really be horrible to earn Worst of the Week when the eliminated contestant was some out of it he didn't realize he was going home, and Corrine was exactly that. She was useless in the challenge and continuously said things like "I've always wanted to play with a gay." I mean, come on, who says things like that? That wasn't the only time she said something ridiculous, later she would go on to say "at least the gay is staying." it's one thing to say you like gay people but to refer to them as 'the gays' or 'a gay' is downright disgusting. It's as if you were refering to them as animals with one characteristic. The craziest thing though is that she didn't just leave it in her individual interviews she brought out 'a gay' right in front of Michael at tribal council. Michael probably should have got the #1 spot just for not smacking her in the back of the head.

Survivor Power Rankings (Week 5)

Survivor Power Rankings: Episode 5

The Many Faces of Brandon

1. Reynolds (Fans)
(Last Week: #5)

The Challenge Machine was back to work yesterday, single handily, keeping the Fans in the reward challenge. He didn't miss one throw the whole time. Then, after the challenge, the whole tribe knows they are in trouble so they all started to look for the hidden immunity idol (except Eddie, he slept). And after using the Idol the night before at tribal council Reynolds is the first one to find it again. So six hours after using the first hidden immunity idol Reynolds finds the second one a secures his spot for at least another week.

2. Phillip (Favorites)
(Last Week: #1)

He might be the craziest person to play the game (Brandon is definitely in the discussion) but there is no denying how much he has helped his team this season. He is the oldest and has therefor taken a leadership role on his tribe. I don't know if that was his plan but it is working. Not only that but he is one of the main reasons why the Favorites have only lost one challenge.


3. Malcolm (Favorites)
(Last Week: N/A)
4. Brenda (Favorites)
(Last Week: #2)
5. Cochrane (Favorites)
(Last Week: N/A)
6. Corrine (Favorites)
(Last Week: N/A)

This week there was really only one person that took the spotlight, so that means that these four members of the favorite team all get lumped together. This isn't to say that they didn't do anything this episode  all four of them were the reason the favorites earned a BBQ reward at the first challenge.

7. Happy Brandon (Favorites) a.k.a. Middle Management
(Last Week: #8)

When Brandon is happy, or even just content, he is one of the best players in survivor history. Too bad, he doesn't try it more often. Happy Brandon buried the hatchet with Phillip, he held on as long as he could in the reward challenge and decided to play the game for the money to better his families life. If only Happy Brandon would have showed up more often.

8. Forfeiting Challenges
(Last Week: N/A)

I believe this has happened in one other season and it was for pretty much the same reason. One member of the tribe was becoming detrimental to the other players so the team unanimously decided to forfiet the immunity challenge and go to tribal council. Except this time instead of prolonging the situation Jeff chose to have Tribal on the challenge mat. Everyone except Brandon voted to evict Brandon and that was it for the Honey Badger.

9. Jeff Probst Massage Therapist
(Last Week: N/A)

While Brandon went on a tirade at the immunity challenge/tribal council Jeff Probst had his hands full, literally. He was either trying to calm Brandon down or just make sure that he wasn't going to take off and attack Phillip. All I know is that it looked quiet relaxing.


10. Depressed Brandon (Spot For Reserved For Eliminated Contestant)

Depressed Brandon showed up once this episode and it wasn't after he was sent off it was actually when he told the other players that if they lost he would volunteer to go home. His rational was that he was being selfish leaving his babies at home for so long without there dad. As I understand the logic wouldn't the 30 or so days gone be ok if you came home with a million dollars? Anyways, Depressed Brandon disappeared quickly and didn't show up again all episode.

No Air Times All Star

1. Julia (Fans)

Do you remember Julia? She is the race car driver. Yeah the girl on a team of six who didn't say one word all episode. She's the one that Eric gave the Idol to on the Fans team. Yeah, that's her!

Worst of the Week

Unstable Brandon a.k.a. The Author Of His Own Fate

Unstable Brandon was the most prolific Brandon this episode. He showed up before the tribe even had a chance to throw the immunity challenge  So what did he decide to do, he decided to dump out all there rice and all there beans so they wouldn't have any sort of advantage over the Fans team. He then called out Phillip in front of everyone at the immunity challenge and wouldn't stop until the other members of the favorites spoke up and told Jeff they would be forfeiting in order to go to tribal. Unstable Brandon continued making Dawn and Andrea cry, telling the Fans most of the favorites secrets and then while walking off called Phillip an asshole. He left on his own terms(kind of) and was pretty proud of it. I wonder if there is a competition between the Hantz for who can be the craziest and still be on the most reality TV shows.

Survivor Power Rankings (Week 4)

Survivor Power Rankings: Episode 4

Favorites Are Still In The Lead

1. Phillip (Favorites)
(Last Week: #7)

Not only did Phillip expand his secret spy organization (which might have been a mistake but for now placated The Honey Badger), he was also the main reason why his tribe won both competitions. During the reward competition he was the centerpiece (literally) when the whole tribe had to stand on one plank and when the group started to lean I imagine the person in the middle is a huge part it regaining balance. In the immunity challenge he was the competitor tasked with knocking down all the wooden blocks by throwing sandbags at them to win the challenge. Even though he got a little tired he held of a late comeback from the challenge machine that is Reynolds. The Specialist regains the number one spot.

2. Brenda (Favorites)
(Last Week: N/A)
3. Andrea (Favorites)
(Last Week: #7)

These two are being ranked together because they both pretty much did the same thing this episode, they were both extremely solid during the challenges for the favorites. Brenda was the first girl that had to cross the "bridge" being held up by her teammates. When she got to the second platform Andrea joined her and they worked incredibly fast to make it to the third platform and give there team a slight lead going into the stack your team on a single platform part of the challenge. During the second competition all either woman had to do was hit there target first try and the both succeeded actually doing it faster than most of the men on the Fans tribe.

4. Reynolds (Fans)
(Last Week: 5)

The challenge machine came so close to coming back out of no where for his team. In all the episodes so far this season, the fans have started most competitions behind only to have Reynolds make it super close almost within no time. And I don't know if it is just good editing but it always looks like he has the chance to win it for his team. The only downfall of the episode for him was that he didn't believe Matt enough to save his Idol. By playing it now he leaves himself very vulnerable since the major alliance still has the numbers.

5. Katta
(Last Week: N/A)

I have no idea if I am spelling his name write (I swear I heard Malcolm call him Hafta at one point but I'm not sure) but the little Filipino woodsman came to the Favorites camp as a reward and showed them how to live off the land. In other words he cooked them dinner and fixed up there shelter. Not only that, the little dude got some action. He had all the ladies dancing with him and right before he left he got a four way kiss. This guy is the man.

6. Next Week On Survivor
(Last Week: #8)

This segment at the very end of the episodes is now being ranked above actual players who actually did something during the episodes, that's how exciting the next episode looks. When I saw the clip I was confused because it was the Favorites tribe that was the focus of it. The honey Badger to be exact, and what looks like an act of rice sabotage. I can't wait to see what sets the HB off.

7. Matt (Fans)
(Last Week: N/A)

Matt single handedly sealed Laura's fate when he started to plan to have the "strongest" tribe. He campaigned to everyone in his alliance and it shocked me to see that Laura didn't see this coming from a mile away. The only problem with Matt's plan is that I would only rank Michael and Sherrie below him in the strength department, so he only has about nine days left.

8. Brandon a.k.a. The Honey Badger a.k.a. Middle Management a.k.a. The Conqueror (Favorites)
(Last Week: 2)

Brandon finally got into Phillip's secret spy alliance (Stealth R Us) and is now going to infiltrate it from the inside. His plan, for some strange reason, has always been to sabotage his own tribe before he has a chance to be voted off and with that held off for a week Brandon played as if he was a team player.

9. 2 Challenges
(Last Week: N/A)

I love when there are two challenges in an episode. Not only does it make the time seem to go by a little quicker but since about the 12th season of Survivor the players have become so ultra competitive that camp life is either awkwardly quiet or silently tension filled and not much usually happens. So since this episode had two challenges I will reward it with a spot on the Survivor Power Rankings.

10. Laura (Fans)
(Spot Reserved For Eliminated Contestant)

Laura was super competitive and if only she was a little stronger in challenges. Her main fault was that she was expendable, her alliance still had the numbers to pick off Eddie and Reynolds if that's what the ywant to do. Laura, you were sneaky and made some nice moves in your short time and you probably won't be missed or you'll be forgotten quickly. Who knows?


No Air Time All Stars

1. Dawn (Favorites)

Literally the only time I saw her on the screen when there weren't any challenges going on was when Phillip was telling Brenda everyone's nickname. She disappeared this episode and if it was for some of the personalities on her tribe I would expect her to be the next Favorite to go.

2. Julia (Fans)

The race car driver had very limited screen time. Away from the competitions I believe there might have been a reaction shot of her after she was told Laura was going home but I don't think she even responded audibly to that person.

3. Eric (Favorites)

Eric's only highlight of this episode was when Phillip told Brenda the nickname he gave to Eric was the Silent One and then the directors jumped to a clip of Eric going, "It's because I'm silent." What a guy.

Worst Of The Week

Tie: Shamar and Shamar's Eye

Shamar started the episode in a hurry to earn worst of the week. He didn't help much in the first challenge pretty much just being someone who takes up space. And then when they got back he went and laid in the shelter for what seemed like forever, but really it was only until he was ready to declare that his teammates had to bring him at least a cup of rice each day. Because he couldn't get up and walk a couple feet to retrieve the only thing that will make him feel better. Then out of nowhere Shamar rubs his eye and there happens to be a piece of sand in there that scratches up his cornea. So in the end after last episodes threat to quit the game Shamar is taken out of the game by doctor's orders. Well at least he gets to keep face, let's hope the eyes stays too.

Survivor Power Rankings (Week 3)

Survivor Power Rankings Episode 3

Favorites Doing What Favorites Do

1. Malcolm (Favorites)
(Last Week: N/A)

Not only did he play a big role in the Favorites immunity challenge, he also found the secret individual immunity idol (it was hidden in a hole in a tree). He seems to have conjured up an air of leadership on his team because his whole team responds well to him. He and Reynolds(Fans) are the toughest competitors in challenges and if he isn't up against a balancing challenge (he lost the last season because his big weakness is balance challenges) he should be able to continue to be a front runner.

2. Brandon a.k.a. The Honey Badger (Favorites)
(Last Week: #1)

The Honey Badger was the man who undid the rope to open the underwater door and the guy who hooked the last sliding piece to their track. If you didn;t wathc the episode what I am saying is that The Honey Badger was one of the main reasons his team won immunity. And although the "pee in the rice" comment he made in last weeks "Next Week On" clip was an edited trick, it was still fun to hear how if he was eliminated he would wreak havoc on the camp (but you won't be there anymore Honey Badger).

3. Sherri (Fans)
(Last Week: #4)

As the mastermind of her alliance it looks like it is getting increasingly tough to keep all her plans in order. She has to keep track of who they are voting for and then switch them to vote for who she wants and most of all she has to try and control Shamar, try being the operative word. Somehow she pulled everything together and her alliance voted as she wanted. One question though, if you are going to split the vote in order to flush out the individual immunity idol out, why would you split it between Eddie and  Hope and not make Reynolds actually play the idol? If this wasn't such an uneventful episode, Sherri would not be this high.


4. Laura (Fans)
(Last Week: #2)

Laura was the person who made Reynolds show everybody she had the idol last week and this week she was still playing super aggressive. She earned the fourth spot simply by making Reynolds think she was voting for Shamar and in the end staying with her alliance. Unless she was actually ready to get Shamar out and then just realized they needed the numbers and the distraction to keep the target off her back. Either way, it was pretty good logic.

5. Reynolds (Fans)
(Last Week: #3)

This guy is a Survivor challenge savant. He always seems to be working and he always seems to be the guy for the fans making the big shots at the right time. (He is still the only reason his team one there only challenge.) With all of his challenge prowess you'd hope he'd have the total package and be able to run the social aspect of the game as well, but alas he doesn't have that part of the game. His early alliance of the "cool kids" was not only separating himself from the other members of the tribe but he did it with not enough people to have the vote secured. The only reason that he may be safe for another couple weeks is because his tribe knows they need him to have a chance at winning a challenge.

6. Phillip (Favorites)
(Last Week: #5)

The only reason I give Phillip the sixth spot this week (besides the episode lacking excitement), is because of his whole spiel about how he plays basketball and how he is so fit. I can't do it justice so here it is:

7. Andrea (Favorites)

(Last Week: N/A)

Not only is Andrea on the side that keeps winning, within her team she has an alliance with the numbers, but she also has the first member of her alliance that she has to stab in the back picked out. She is beautiful and deadly, if she doesn't get over head like her last Survivor experience, she may have a well mapped out plan.

8. Next Week On Survivor
(Last Week: #9)

This clip at the end of every Survivor episode is becoming a mainstay in these Survivor Power Rankings. This week's Next Week clip has what looks like a hurricane and what definitely is rats. And the rats are jumping on them while they sleep!

9. Survivor Fitness
(Last Week: N/A)

Only only did Phillip explain his amazing basketball skill, he also displayed some of his top level fitness by doing some push ups, some rock lifts and a few log curls (he was actually curling a log). He wasn't the only one either, we got to see a quick shot of Brenda doing some rock exercises on the beach all by herself.

10. Hope (Fans)
(Spot Reserved For Eliminated Contestant)

Hope had a huge opportunity to make a move to keep herself in the game and instead of doing that she made an almost as good play to go after Shamar. In the end her attempt was useless and she is on her way home to hang out with all of her other attractive friends and relatives.

No Air Time All Stars

1. Eric

Two weeks in a row now where the only time we see Eric is when someone is telling him something or when he is competing in a competition. I sometimes forget he is still on the island.

2. Dawn

As a part of Stealth R Us Inc you would think she would have had some more air time but no, she had the least amount of air time in her first couple episodes.

3. Tie Brenda and Julia

Like I said earlier Brenda was exercising on the beach but that was the only time we saw her and Julia, the race car driver, was only used to pass on a message from one alliance to another.

Worst of The Week 

Shamar

Shamar was easily the worst competitor of the week. At the top of the episode he yelled at his tribe for having had his name written down at the eviction ceremony. But instead of just yelling at those who voted for him he decided to yell at the whole tribe even a few of the member of the alliance. After that Sherri tried to calm him down but Shamar seemed to take it as her telling him that he is a target to go home(?) and went into a deep funk that had him thinking about quitting. He, honorably, decided to stay but as soon as they lost the next competition he was back to his old yelling self and telling Eddie and Reynolds that they disgust him and that they should not talk to him anymore. Shamar ended the episode at tribal council explaining to Jeff how everyone lie and distorts what he says to make him look bad. He ended up staying over Hope but I don't think he understands why and could see him going back to camp and starting this all over again.