The Voice shocks with rule shakeup as viewers left divided over host Carson Daly gaining power in singing competition

Carson is the original host of the series, but hasn’t been involved in who makes it onto the show

THE Voice’s major change to the rules and Carson Daly’s newfound power have fans divided over how it will affect the singing competition.

The addition of “Carson’s Callback” cards was introduced during the Season 28 premiere on Monday.

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Carson Daly gives away new ‘Carson’s Callback’ card on The Voice Season 28 premiereCredit: NBC

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Carson gave the card to contestant, Ryan Mitchell, after he received no chair turns following his blind auditionCredit: NBC
Viewers didn’t see the shakeup coming, as the typical format for the show is that singers have one chance to impress the coaches during the blind auditions.

The four coaches this season, Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg, are turned away from the stage. If they’re interested in fighting for a spot on their team, they would press a button to spin their chair around.

This also often ends in a battle between the coaches if multiple of them express interest in working with the artist.

However, in an effort to give some singers who weren’t chosen another chance, producers rolled out a new rule that allowed host Carson Daly to have a say in the decision.

Contestant Ryan Mitchell earned the first “Carson’s Callback” card, which the host gifted him after he received positive feedback from the coaches but no chair spins.

The California native delivered a powerful rendition of Cage the Elephant’s Cigarette Daydreams, but the coaches worried that he was “too stylized” and weren’t sold on his song choice.

Carson, backstage with the young singer’s parents, looked taken aback by the coaches’ feedback and quickly put his new power to the test.

The Today show host swiftly pulled Ryan and his family to another room behind the scenes where a fancy card was beneath a display box and presented it to him.

He explained that Ryan had 24 hours to rehearse a new song before returning to the stage for a second blind audition.

The contestant agreed, and it appears, unbeknownst to the coaches, that he has another chance to secure one of the 12 spots on their teams.

Fans have long been critical of the show’s frequent format changes, and they previously complained that the “most talented” singers were forced out of the competition prematurely.

“The show’s format is by far the show’s biggest obstacle,” a production insider exclusively told The U.S. Sun in May following the Season 27 finale.

“It’s a tough recipe to follow. The blind auditions, nothing gets better than that. That’s the show’s bread and butter and what put the show on the map.

“Now everything after that? The show is still figuring it out as they go even 27 seasons in.

The Voice Season 27 Coaches

The Voice has gone through many coaches in its various seasons. Some stay on for a while, while others only stay for one season. Here is who will be coaching Season 27 in 2025.

Adam Levine – Season 1 to 16, 27

John Legend – 16 to 22, 24 to 25, 27

Kelsea Ballerini – 15, Comeback Stage, 20, 27

Michael Buble – 26 and 27

They continued, “Next season won’t be exactly the same, changes are underway, and changes will always come and evolve. No two seasons have ever been the exact same.

“The show hears the complaints loud and clear. The people who make the show also want the best talent possible to make it to the finale but some of that is not in their control.

“They do the best they can,” the source explained.

Carson has been the only constant cast member on The Voice, as he’s been the show’s host since its inception in 2011.

The lineup of celebrity coaches regularly changes, although all the ones this season have occupied their seats in previous seasons.

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The card gives one lucky contestant another chance at auditioning during the blindsCredit: NBC

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Carson is only allotted one card per season to an artist he felt should be reconsideredCredit: NBC