by Gina Scarpa

 

With all the talent-based reality competitions out there, I have to admit to being a little skeptical of ABC's newest show. We've got amateur singers, celebrity mentors... we even have swivel chairs! Still, I can't deny my curiosity in seeing these unknown singers team up with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Robin Thicke, John Legend, and Jennifer Nettles on stage. Former MTV VJ Quddus is our host and this is Duets!

 

Jennifer's round of auditions are up first and she looks for a duet partner during her tour stop in Vegas, and then again in New York. In Vegas, she finds Brandon, a new dad with a powerful voice but in New York, falls in love with J Rome, a soulful singer who's hoping this opportunity will help him take care of his mom. She decides that her first partner will be J Rome and the two take the stage to perform her hit, "Tonight". They really sounded great but I'm interested to see how this guy will continue to fare in the country genre.

 

John's search is next and he chose to stay close to home, holding auditions right in the Duets studio. I really liked Johnny initially, despite the fact that I agree with John about his oversinging. With some coaching though, he was seriously nailing "Ordinary People" and John was sold. When they hit the stage together to perform for America, it sounds even better but I could do without Johnny's theatrics when John was singing. Let's let John Legend have his moment too, shall we?

 

Quddus announces that nobody is going home tonight and the contestants will have two weeks to prove themselves. That must take some of the pressure off!

 

In Los Angeles, Robin meets up with people at a recording studio and seems torn between Olivia and Dante. Personally, I like Dante's voice better but it seems Olivia has better chemistry with and that's going to be the thing that gives her the edge. The pair take on "Lost Without You" and exciting is not the word I would use to describe it. But the performance was smooth, just like you'd expect with a Robin Thicke song.

 

With Kelly's busy schedule, she has no choice but to try to find a duet partner while out touring. She calls back Juliana and Jason and in order to make a decision, she brings them out on stage at her concert. Juliana sings first and is impressive but when Jason takes the stage, it's clear their voices blend together the way you would want them to. The two team up for "Breaking Your Own Heart" and I can't figure out why she settled on this song, given all that she could choose from.

 

John is ready to find his next partner and he's deciding between a few different females this time around. He settles on Bridget, the tax collector, to sing "Tonight (Best You've Ever Had)" with him on the show. She seems very comfortable on stage and they have a strong connection - plus, they sounded great together.

 

At an event for 4H, Jennifer meets John and falls in love with him immediately, as do I. He barely starts singing before she tears up and everyone else can head home. It's a done deal! Their performance of "Stay" is my favorite of the night thus far. His voice is seriously unreal.

 

For Robin's final choice, he's stuck between Alexis and Jasmine. Alexis is calm and cool with an angelic voice. Jasmine sounds great too, and has the bigger personality. He ultimately decides to go with Alexis to sing "Magic" with him for America. This song definitely has more energy to it than his first, and their voices blend together well, but she needs to loosen up in her performance.  

 

Kelly is the last one to go and she's going to need to find a serious powerhouse to team up with her on "Stronger". Again, she asks the two she's deciding between (Ashley and Jordin) to perform in front of people in order to figure out who she should go with.  She goes with superfan Jordan and the only thing I can say is that I wish they didn't lower the key for it.  It works for the verses but not the chorus, really.

 

Throughout the night, the celebs awarded points to each singer and when all was said and done, here's how they stacked up on the charts:

 

1. J Rome
2. Johnny Gray
3. Alexis Foster
4. John Glosson
5. Olivia Chisholm
6. Bridget Carrington
7. Jordin Meredith
8. Jason Farol

 

John is only fourth?  And both of Kelly's team members land in the bottom!  Conspiracy!?  Who was your favorite and who needs to go?

 

Duets airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

 

(Image courtesy of ABC)

 

 

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