It was a busy night for NBC’s “The Voice,” which announced a new twist for the finale, issued an “Instant Save” and sent its first two top twelve contestants packing.
At the beginning of Tuesday’s results show, host Carson Daly revealed that for the first time ever, each of the eliminated top twelve contestants will receive another opportunity to compete in the live finale.
Per Daly, every Top 12 contestant eliminated prior to the top three round will be invited back for a wildcard competition. The winner of that wildcard slot will get to compete alongside the top three in the annual “Voice” finale. The news simultaneously brings intrigue and the promise of a potential reprieve for anyone victimized by a shock elimination.
On the subject of reprieves, Team Gwen contestant Ryan Sill received the season’s first fan-driven “Instant Save.” The contestant, who was in the bottom three this week, received the largest portion of the social vote following his rendition of “More Than Words.”
That the save went to Sill meant that fellow bottom two contestants Jessie Pitts (Team Blake) and Sugar Joans (Team Pharrell) were eliminated from the competition. Given the lack of buzz and comparatively light iTunes sales associated with their performances, the eliminations were not surprising.
“The Voice” returns next Monday with its Top 10 episode. Diana Ross, Colbie Caillat, Meghan Trainor and Patrick Stump will serve as guest mentors.
