Brotherhood

Picking A Coach

            Carson Daly had a headache, and he was fairly certain it was shared by everyone else in the room. A group of fatigued men and women sat around a large table in the board room, representing the producers, directors, and executives responsible for putting "The Voice" on the air. They'd known going in that this was going to be a difficult meeting. So far, it had been exactly that.

"We need to consider that the program may have just reached the end of its natural lifespan," someone was saying. "No program goes on forever! While no one here wants to think about it, maybe we need to devote resources towards a new, future project?"

"We are still contracted for this season!" This came from the other side of the table. "Worry about the future later. We need answers now!"

"What we need is a gimmick." That was a voice that made Carson grimace. He'd never gotten along with the arrogant little prick. "Something that will lure the public back to the show, get people talking about it again."

"Gimmick?" Carson asked. "David, I thought that was why we decided to have two female coaches this season?"

"It helped, but we already announced it, and it created barely a stir! The public needs something more to bring them back."

"The bottom line is our bottom line!"

Like everyone else, Carson suppressed a groan, but the executive wasn't finished. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are losing valuable sponsors because last season's ratings were dismal, despite our having exemplary talent!"

"If no one else will come out and say it, then I will." David again. "Our problems last season can be traced directly back to one single coach. If we want to save this show, then we may have to retire Blake Shelton."

"That's absurd!" Carson exclaimed. "Blake has the largest fan base and the most wins on this show! He's been with us since season one!"

"Precisely! It's time for some new blood. This program badly needs a breath of fresh air."

Carson stared at the woman who had just spoken. "Really, Beverly? Really?" Suddenly furious, Carson pounded his fist on the table. "This is bullshit! I cannot believe I have to sit here and listen to it! We're actually trying to blame our ratings on Blake after what happened last year?"

"What happened last year is precisely the reason we need to look at new coaches!" Beverly defended, looking flushed. "This past season, the biggest speculation about 'The Voice' wasn't the contestants or which coach would win. It was about if Blake Shelton was even going to get through it at all!"

"And you know damned well that he was drunk at the last live show," David added. His face twisted into a smug smirk that made Carson want to punch him. "Drunk as a lord, live on national television! It's only the grace of God that saved us that night. I know I was sweating, just waiting for him to lose it live on camera! And you can't tell me that you didn't feel the exact same way, Carson."

"The last two live shows must have been pure hell for Blake!" Carson defended. "I was feeling it myself, to tell you the truth. Pharrell Williams was there last year, too, and barely spoke two words either night."

"I understand that, but the problems with Blake went back to before the final shows. He did well with his team and they made a solid showing, but his banter with the other coaches was pathetic. Christina and Justin sniping back and forth carried the show, with a solid effort from Pharrell. But Blake? The whole world knew his heart wasn't in it. Hell, he got the last three slots on his team during the blinds after everyone else's team was full because he barely fought for contestants!"