After a brief hiatus, NBC has announced that the original judges will return to The Voice. Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late Night Programming has announced that CeeLo Green and Christina Aguilera will be returning to the show. Although they were temporarily replaced by Shakira and Usher, CeeLo Green and Christina Aguilera will return as judges for the popular singing competition show during its fifth season.
It seems that the switch between judges is not a result of drama, but rather as a way to allow the show to continue even with the rigorous schedules of the all star cast. Aguilera and Green both left the show to work on separate projects, as both are dedicated first to their careers as musicians. Aguilera left the show to record her fourth studio album, “Lotus”. Green was unable to continue with the show because he was doing a Las Vegas residency. Both artists had assured audiences that they would be returning to the show and that they left only because of the filming schedule of the show.
Regardless of the lineup of the judges, the show has remained a great hit for NBC. Recent reports have even shown that the show has beaten the ever popular American Idol in the ratings. According to USA Today, the show is averaging between 14.5 and 13.4 million viewers on Mondays and Tuesdays.
However, while Aguilera and Green will return for the fifth season, Shakira and Usher will be returning for the sixth, which will premiere after the 2014 Winter Olympics . It seems that the show is dedicated to integrating all six of the judges and utilizing their talent to bring fame to up and coming singers. Robert Greenblatt, NBC Entertainment Chairman, has said that “We’re very fortunate to have these six incredible artists to weave in and out of the show as their performing and recording schedules permit.”
