| The Sing-Off (The Sing Off) |
|
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality television |
| Format | Interactive |
| Presented by | Nick Lachey |
| Judges | Ben Folds Shawn Stockman Nicole Scherzinger (2009–2010) Sara Bareilles (2011–present) |
| Theme music composer | Dylan Berry, Mike Geier |
| Composer(s) | Dylan Berry, Mike Geier, The House Jacks |
| Country of origin | United States Canada |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 20 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Joel Gallen Sam Weisman Deborah Jelin Newmyer |
| Producer(s) | Deke Sharon |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | NBC |
| Picture format | HDTV |
| Original run | December 14, 2009 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
| Production website | |
The Sing-Off is an American television singing competition featuring a cappella groups. It premiered on NBC on December 14, 2009, and is produced by Sony Pictures Television.
It is hosted by Nick Lachey (formerly of the boy band 98 Degrees), with judges Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman (of the R&B vocal group Boyz II Men), and originally Nicole Scherzinger, later replaced by Sara Bareilles.[1] The show's music staff all come from the a cappella community:[2] Deke Sharon, Bill Hare, Ed Boyer, Ben Bram, Robert Dietz, and Christopher Diaz.
A cappella groups from the United States, including Puerto Rico, are chosen by audition and advanced in the competition based on judges' eliminations until the finale, with the winners being determined by viewer votes.
The program has featured guest appearances by various popular artists, including Bobby McFerrin, Natasha Bedingfield, Jay Sean, Smokey Robinson, Neil Diamond, Boyz II Men, and Sara Bareilles.[3][4]
The Sing-Off was renewed for a third season and started airing much earlier on September 19, 2011, although the first two series had been broadcast in December.[5] Unlike previous seasons, the early start in September allowed for the production of more episodes and the number of participant groups increased.
The Puerto Rican group Nota won the title for the inaugural season in 2009. Committed from Huntsville, Alabama took the 2010 title (season 2) and Pentatonix from Arlington, Texas won the 2011 title (season 3).
On December 5, 2011 groups from all three seasons came together to sing Christmas songs called the Sing-off Christmas.
Contents |
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Third | Ep # | First Airdate | Last Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nota | Beelzebubs | Voices of Lee | 4 | December 14, 2009 | December 21, 2009 |
| 2 | Committed | Street Corner Symphony | The Backbeats | 5 | December 6, 2010 | December 20, 2010 |
| 3 | Pentatonix | Dartmouth Aires | Urban Method | 11[6] | September 19, 2011 | November 28, 2011 |
| The Sing-Off | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
| Broadcast from | December 14, 2009–December 21, 2009 |
| Judges | Ben Folds Shawn Stockman Nicole Scherzinger |
| Host(s) | Nick Lachey (NBC) |
| Broadcaster | NBC |
| Winner: Nota |
|
| Origin | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Song | "Down" |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Runner-up | |
| Beelzebubs | |
The show featured eight a cappella groups performing popular songs live. The winner's prize was $100,000 and an Epic Records/Sony Music recording contract.[7]
The first episode saw all eight groups perform together, and then they began to perform as individual groups singing their signature songs. The first four performed with one, Face, being eliminated. Then the next group of four performed with Solo being sent off.
The second episode saw all six groups perform two songs: in the first half of the show, each group performed one big hit from recent years; and in the second half, they each sang one "guilty pleasure" song. In the end, Noteworthy was eliminated.
The third episode had the five remaining groups perform a medley from a classic artist, after which the judges sent Maxx Factor home. In the second part of the show, the four remaining groups performed songs that the judges picked specifically to showcase each group's strengths, after which The SoCals were sent off.
At the end of the third show, viewers were asked to call or text to vote for one of the remaining groups, Voices of Lee, The Beelzebubs, and Nota. The group with the most votes was revealed in the finale, and in the end Voices of Lee was revealed to come in third place halfway through the finale, with Nota being declared winners the final five minutes.
| Contestant | School | Finish | Number of members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nota San Juan, Puerto Rico |
NA | Winners | 6 |
| The Beelzebubs Medford, Massachusetts |
Tufts University | Second | 12 |
| Voices of Lee Cleveland, Tennessee |
Lee University | Third | 10 |
| The SoCals Los Angeles, California |
University of Southern California | Eliminated Episode 3 |
8 |
| Maxx Factor Baltimore, Maryland |
NA | Eliminated Episode 3 |
4 |
| BYU Noteworthy Provo, Utah |
Brigham Young University | Eliminated Episode 2 |
9 |
| Solo Omaha, Nebraska |
NA | Eliminated Episode 1 |
7 |
| Face Boulder, Colorado |
NA | Eliminated Episode 1 |
6 |
| The Sing-Off | |
|---|---|
| Season 2 | |
| Broadcast from | December 06, 2010–December 20, 2010 |
| Judges | Ben Folds Shawn Stockman Nicole Scherzinger |
| Host(s) | Nick Lachey (NBC) |
| Broadcaster | NBC |
| Winner: Committed |
|
| Origin | Huntsville, Alabama |
| Song | "We Are the Champions" |
| Genre(s) | Gospel and Pop |
| Runner-up | |
| Street Corner Symphony | |
In the second season of the show, premiering on December 6, 2010, the number of groups was increased from 8 to 10, with all acts coming from the United States. Nick Lachey returned as host for the second season, as well as the three judges Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Nicole Scherzinger.
The program aired for 5 nights on December 6, 8, 13 and 15, followed by a finale on December 20, 2010 (between 8-10 p.m. ET each night). The season premiere averaged 8.5 million viewers.
In the first episode, the groups sang their signature songs, in which Pitch Slapped and Men of Note were the first two groups eliminated.
In the second episode, the remaining 8 groups were to sing a modern song that was released in the past 5 years. In the end, Eleventh Hour and The Whiffenpoofs were eliminated, leaving 6 groups in the competition.
The assignment for the third episode was to cover a rock song and a "guilty pleasure" piece, in which Groove for Thought was eliminated.
The fourth episode's challenge was to sing a medley of songs by a noteworthy artist. On the Rocks was eliminated after this phase. In the next part of the episode, the remaining groups performed songs chosen specifically for them by the judges. One more group was supposed to be eliminated, but the judges chose to put all four groups through to the public voting rounds, which means that this is the only season to put all four groups that can make it to the finals.
On the night of the finale the competitors took turns performing selections with guest artists Sara Bareilles, Sheryl Crow and Neil Diamond, as well as each of the judges.
First to be eliminated by viewer votes was Jerry Lawson and The Talk of the Town; next was The Back Beats. Last two standing were Street Corner Symphony and Committed, with the latter winning the trophy and prizes.
| Contestant | School | Finish | Number of members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Committed Huntsville, Alabama |
Oakwood University | Winners | 6 |
| Street Corner Symphony Nashville, Tennessee |
N/A | Second | 6 |
| The Backbeats Los Angeles, California |
UCLA/USC/BYU | Third | 10 |
| Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town Oakland, California |
N/A | Fourth | 6 |
| On The Rocks Eugene, Oregon |
University of Oregon | Eliminated Episode 4 |
15 |
| Groove For Thought Seattle, Washington |
N/A | Eliminated Episode 3 |
7 |
| Eleventh Hour Kettering, Ohio |
Fairmont High School[8] | Eliminated Episode 2 |
7 |
| The Whiffenpoofs New Haven, Connecticut |
Yale University | Eliminated Episode 2 |
12 |
| Men of Note Cherry Hill, New Jersey |
Cherry Hill High School West Alumni[9] | Eliminated Episode 1 |
8 |
| Pitch Slapped Boston, Massachusetts |
Berklee College of Music | Eliminated Episode 1 |
12 |
| The Sing-Off | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
| Broadcast from | September 19, 2011–November 28, 2011 |
| Judges | Ben Folds Shawn Stockman Sara Bareilles |
| Host(s) | Nick Lachey (NBC) |
| Broadcaster | NBC |
| Winner: Pentatonix |
|
| Origin | Arlington, Texas |
| Song | "Eye of the Tiger" |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Runner-up | |
| Dartmouth Aires | |
The Sing-Off was renewed for a third season and premiered on September 19, 2011 (unlike the previous 2 seasons when it was held in December).[5] This was the first Sing-Off Season to include 16 groups of a cappella singers. On May 16, 2011, it was announced that judge Nicole Scherzinger would not return as a judge for this season due to her duties as one of the judges of The X Factor,[10] and that Sara Bareilles would replace Scherzinger on the judging panel. Nick Lachey, Ben Folds, and Shawn Stockman all returned.[11]
Since there were 16 vocal groups, the pilot episode was divided into two parts. In Part 1, Kinfolk 9, Urban Method, Delilah, Vocal Point, the Cat's Pajamas, Afro-Blue, Fannin Family, and the Yellow Jackets all sang their signature songs, with Fannin Family and Cat's Pajamas being voted off. In Part 2, Sonos, Pentatonix, Soul'd Out, North Shore, The Deltones, Messiah's Men, the Dartmouth Aires, and The Collective made their debuts, during which Messiah's Men and Soul'd Out were eliminated.
The next episode was also divided into two parts, in which the remaining 12 groups performed 2 songs: a current hit and a classic from the 1960s. In Part 1, Kinfolk 9 was sent home, while Sonos got voted off in Part 2.
The fifth episode saw the two brackets merge, with the remaining 10 groups performing their guilty pleasure songs. North Shore and The Deltones were eliminated.
The sixth episode saw the 8 remaining groups perform hip-hop songs. At the end of the episode, the show had their first-ever Sing-Off showdown, in which the Collective and the Yellow Jackets sang different versions of a song. In a 2-1 decision by the judges, The Collective was sent home.
Episode 7 saw the remaining groups do superstar medleys, after which the Yellow Jackets were voted off.
The eigth episode saw the 6 groups perform two songs: a country song and a rock and roll song. Delilah was voted off.
The ninth episode focused on the Top 5 groups performing R&B hits from today, and classics from the past, after which Vocal Point was eliminated.
Episode 10 saw the Top 4 groups perform master mix songs, and later songs picked by the judges. In the elimination, Urban Method and Pentatonix were guarenteed a spot in the finale. Since the judges couldn't come to a decision on Afro-Blue and the Dartmouth Aires, the afore mentioned groups performed their favorite songs from past performances. In a 2-1 decision by the judges, Afro-Blue was voted off.
Afterwards, the fans were asked to vote for the best group. The live finale saw the the 3 finalists perform with the judges, along with a special performance by Smokey Robinson. During the latter half, Urban Method was voted off for receiving the least number of votes. Last standing were the Dartmouth Aires, and Pentatonix, with the latter mentioned receiving the win.
| Contestant | School | Finish | Number of members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentatonix Arlington, TX |
NA | Winners | 5 |
| Dartmouth Aires Hanover, NH |
Dartmouth College | Second | 16 |
| Urban Method Denver, CO |
NA | Third | 8 |
| Afro-Blue Washington, DC |
Howard University | Eliminated Episode 10 |
10 |
| Vocal Point Provo, UT |
Brigham Young University | Eliminated Episode 9 |
9 |
| Delilah Los Angeles, CA |
NA | Eliminated Episode 8 |
8 |
| YellowJackets Rochester, NY |
University of Rochester | Eliminated Episode 7 |
15 |
| The Collective Nashville, TN |
NA | Eliminated Episode 6 |
9 |
| The Deltones Newark, DE |
The University of Delaware | Eliminated Episode 5 |
15 |
| North Shore Boston, MA |
NA | Eliminated Episode 5 |
5 |
| Sonos Los Angeles, CA |
NA | Eliminated Episode 4 |
5 |
| Kinfolk 9 Los Angeles, CA |
NA | Eliminated Episode 3 |
9 |
| Soul'd Out Wilsonville, OR |
Wilsonville High School | Eliminated Episode 2 |
16 |
| Messiah's Men Minneapolis, MN |
NA | Eliminated Episode 2 |
9 |
| The Cat's Pajamas Branson, MO |
NA | Eliminated Episode 1 |
5 |
| Fannin Family Hortonville, WI |
NA | Eliminated Episode 1 |
8 |
| Key to table |
|---|
| In Bottom 2 of bracket, sang in elimination battle |
| In Bottom 2, no elimination battle |
| Eliminated |
† The collected groups performed the "clean" version of Fuckin' Perfect at the beginning of episode 1.
For the first four episodes, the competition was divided into two brackets, here labeled A and B, with each round divided over two episodes.
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