NBC's "The Sing-Off" is BACK!!!

NBC's 'The Sing-Off' is back! This is the show's first season since it's hiatus (cancellation) in 2011. Labeled, as Season 4, the show is bigger and better. With newly added production from One Three Media, the same company that produces the hugely popular talent show 'The Voice', this new season promises to be a big one.

Season 3's female judge, Sara Bareilles, was replaced by recording artist, Jewel (pictured above), but everyone else returned for the fourth time -- Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman, and Nick Lachey (as the show's continued host).

On a personal note, I am extremely glad that this show's potential and necessity was recognized by the right people. With the success of Pentatonix and the hit movie 'Pitch Perfect', one cannot deny the power of a cappella music.

This season of "The Sing-Off" brings us ten uniquely sounding groups from all walks of life and various parts of the country (even Puerto Rico). From Pop to Country to Latin music. From the biggest of cities to the smallest of towns. There is a lot of diversity on this show and I'm loving it. Last night, December 9th, marked the start of the new season. And there has already been one elimination, which I will get to.

Here are this season's contestants (and I will note which one was eliminated last night).

1. VoicePlay (Orlando, FL)

2. Calle Sol (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

 

 3. Element (New York City, NY)

4. Filharmonic (Los Angeles, CA)

5. Home Free (Minneapolis, MN)

6. Ten (Dallas, TX)

7. The Princeton Footnotes (Princeton, NJ)

 
8. Vocal Rush (Oakland, CA)

 

 9. Street Corner Renaissance (Los Angeles, CA)

10. acoUstiKats (Lexington, KY)

These are definitely some talented groups, but some more developed than the others. And it definitely showed last night. While I do not have a clear favorite at this point, I can definitely say that some groups are better than others. I can't wait to see the development of them all.

SPOILERS
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After last night's episode, the Princeton Footnotes were sent home. They were in the bottom two with VoicePlay. The two groups battled it out to N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" which, to be honest, had either of the groups done that song instead of their original selections, I would have liked them better.
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END SPOILERS

Overall, I am STOKED for these season. So much potential, so much opportunity for growth. 'The Sing-Off' is back! And it's better than ever!