NBC is returning to regular programming following two weeks of action from the 2022 Winter Olympics, which caused some uncertainty in the primetime schedules of popular shows such as This Is Us, Chicago Fire, and Law & Order: SVU.
However, one NBC show that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing during this time of year has been dropped entirely from the network’s primetime lineup – the singing competition The Voice.
When will the Big Red Chairs’ superstar coaches return for Season 22, and why is The Voice not airing this spring?
The Voice initially broadcast two seasons every year for its first 21 seasons. In 2021, as Carson Daly and Blake Shelton prepared to mark their tenth year on the show, which included the 500th episode, the decision was taken to reduce The Voice to a single cycle per year, Deadline reported at the time.
The Voice concluded its 21st season in December. Viewers will have to wait until the fall to see if Blake Shelton can create a team to defeat incumbent champion Kelly Clarkson, who made history when her team members Girl Named Tom, won the competition for the first time.
In terms of coaches, NBC has yet to reveal which four celebrities will join the panel when the singing competition returns for its 22nd season.
Last season, Ariana Grande joined The Voice family, while John Legend returned to complete the quartet.
However, with both of them busy with other projects, Grande will play as Glinda in Jon Chu’s Wicked film adaption, while Legend’s Las Vegas residency begins in April. NBC will probably need to replace at least one coach before the competition resumes.
While the switch to a single season every year may be disappointing for fans of The Voice, it may benefit one of the show’s longest-serving staffers.
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Blake Shelton is the single coach to have served on the panel for all 21 seasons, and the cowboy has hinted in recent years that his tenure on the program may be drawing to a close.
This new filming schedule may well provide the much-needed respite that the eight-time winner requires to rejuvenate and remain relevant for years to come.
Kelly Clarkson, too, appears prepared to return since she appears to have perfected the art of juggling the singing competition and her daytime talk show (even if that means staying in her robe and sleep mask some days).
Fans have enjoyed Clarkson’s battle with Blake Shelton, and with four wins in eight seasons, the “Since U Been Gone” singer has established that she is deserving of a spot on the panel.
Therefore, fear not, Voice fans. While the show has usually premiered its spring season in the final week of February or rarely in early March, its absence from NBC’s schedule makes little sense.
Keep an eye on CinemaBlend for more on Season 22, including a release date and coaching announcement, and in the meanwhile, take a look at our 2022 TV Schedule to see which programs are returning and when.