LOS ANGELES (AP) – It was a hot competition on “The Voice” last night. The air conditioning broke and it was 83 degrees in Los Angeles at showtime. Both Blake Shelton and Usher shed their jackets, and Usher sat in just a tank top. The AC went back on about 40 minutes into the show. As for the competition, The Swon Brothers from Team Blake did a tribute to George Jones with “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.” Amber Carrington did a tribute to her mother, who died of cancer, with “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” The judges were not so sure about Garrett Gardner doing a rock version of the Backstreet Boys song “I Want It That Way,” even though Shakira assigned it to him. However, Shelton said an artist has got to be able to deal with something out of left field. The bottom two vote-getters, regardless of team, will be sent home tonight.
Which of the five will stay alive for the “Dancing With The Stars” mirrorball trophy and which will be sent home? We’ll find out the answer tonight when one pair of dancers gets sent home. It’s a close call as to who will have to turn in their dance shoes – there are just 9 points separating the pairs. Tied with the lead at 59 points each are Aly Raisman and Mark Ballas and Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff. Each of them scored perfect rounds with their first dance, requested by Twitter fans and fell one point shy of perfection on their second dance. Also getting a perfect score the first time around: country singer Kellie Pickler and her pro dance partner, Derek Hough.
NEW YORK (AP) – There will probably be three judges on “American Idol” next year instead of four. Fox Entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said at the unveiling of Fox’s upcoming TV schedule that “everything is on the table” for next season. He refused to say whether Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban will be back. Randy Jackson has already announced his departure. Reilly says the decisions about “Idol” will be made soon because the show starts taping for next season within weeks. “Idol” will stay on Wednesdays and Thursdays when it returns in January for its 13th season.