'The Voice' heads into second finale
Coaches Adam Levine, left, and Cee Lo Green and host/producer Carson Daly onstage during 'The Voice' panel at the NBC Universal portion of the 2012 Winter TCA Tour at The Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2012) Credit: AP
Who has "The Voice"? An edgy popster, an opera star, a smooth R&B singer or a female rocker?
We find out Tuesday night (NBC/4 at 9) as the second season of NBC's singing competition draws to a close, following Monday night's performance show (Ch. 4 at 8) and voting. However, in many ways, the show itself can already be declared the big winner -- starting with its record-setting debut after the Super Bowl and its weekly ratings victories in the treasured 18-to-49 demographic.
With its eclectic finalists, "The Voice" shows how its unique selection process and younger mentors can yield a show that's just as interesting as the "American Idol" juggernaut, while celebrating a wider range of talent.
Will "The Voice" also discover music's next star? Here's a look at the show's Final Four:
NAME Tony Lucca
TEAM Adam Levine
AGE | HOMETOWN 36 | Los Angeles
BACKGROUND A former Mouseketeer with Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, he has released six albums.
STYLE Pop with an R&B edge. Think Fitz & the Tantrums or a grittier Maroon 5.
MEMORABLE MOMENT He opted to confront his Mouseketeer past head on by turning Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" into a rocker.
ODDS OF WINNING 50:1 He wasn't even the most popular member of Team Adam and advanced only because Levine gave him a significant boost over the viewers' favorite, Katrina Parker.
NAME Chris Mann
TEAM Christina Aguilera
AGE | HOMETOWN 29 | Wichita, Kan.
BACKGROUND A classically trained tenor, Mann has sung opera, as well as pop, appearing on "Glee" as one of the Warblers, and with super-producer David Foster, performing "The Prayer" with Katharine McPhee.
STYLE Operatic pop. Think Josh Groban. Really, think Josh Groban.
MEMORABLE MOMENT After an impressive performance of "Ave Maria," Mann was told by Cee Lo Green, "You really are the epitome of this show."
ODDS OF WINNING 3:1 Can an opera star really win a singing competition based on a popular vote? Um, maybe? If anyone can, it's Mann, who combines singing talent with charm and good looks.
NAME Jermaine Paul
TEAM Blake Shelton
AGE | HOMETOWN 33 | Harriman, N.Y.
BACKGROUND A member of the teen R&B gospel group 1Accord in the '90s, in recent years he has been a backing singer and opening act for Alicia Keys.
STYLE R&B-leaning pop. Think Ne-Yo or Seal.
MEMORABLE MOMENT His big voice turned Phil Collins' "Against All Odds" into a powerful statement that was more bang than whimper.
ODDS OF WINNING 20:1 His best doesn't quite match the best of the others, but if they slip, the sturdy Paul could step into the winner's circle.
NAME Juliet Simms
TEAM Cee Lo Green
AGE | HOMETOWN 26 | Tampa, Fla.
BACKGROUND Lead singer of the rock band Automatic Loveletter, which released two major-label EPs before moving to the indie Paper + Plastick Records last year for "The Kids Will Take Their Monsters On" album.
STYLE Rock. Think punkier Pink or the emo Joan Jett.
MEMORABLE MOMENT She donned a pair of oversized black angels' wings to perform a raucous version of Aerosmith's "Cryin' " that brought the house down.
ODDS OF WINNING 2:1 Simms cracked the iTunes Top 10 last week with her wild version of James Brown's "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World," making her the one "Voice" fans are most likely to spend money on.
