Well, I liked hearing the choirs, but the show? not so much. I hate that they pulled out every sappy trick in the book. Let's see, how many sob stories can we showcase? Bleah.

My friend wasn't given much face time--probably because she's too normal. And I guess they have to have, you know, some people who can actually sing and dance, and not just people who can pull at the audience's heart strings.

And, maybe it was just me, but the American Idol-like "make-fun-of-the-auditioners" seemed a little meaner here. (Although I did have to laugh at all the idiots who butchered the stars' songs in front of them.)

And I miss Randy, Paula, and Simon. The post-performance commentary was pure pablum.

That said, here's my take on the choirs, in the order of how I liked them:

Patti LaBelle/Philadelphia: "Whole World"--clearly the class of the group. Absolutely blew me away.
Nick Lachey/Cincy "Unwritten"--good selection, good performance, but weak on the solos, and they were out of sync when they broke into a line. Very nice overall sound, though.
Kelly Rowland/Houston "Freedom"--Nice and safe, but didn't energize me.
Blake Shelton/Okla City "Life is a Highway"--Good song and good energy, but mediocre singing. Soloist was out of tune.
Michael Bolton/New Haven "Living on a Prayer"--Terrible song choice, and an absolutely wretched delivery, including the soloist. Buh Bye.

From the song selection my friend gave me, I'm surprised Cincy started with this song, but maybe they have a theme for each night. At any rate, I hope Cincy stays around to showcase one piece in particular that I'm looking forward to. But I'd have to say I think Patti LaBelle's group will run away with this--unless they have no range beyond their great Gospel/Soul sound.