John Legend & Blake Shelton Reveal The Voice’s Most Competitive Coach & More Secrets

Season 19 of The Voice is just a week away, but for coaches Blake Shelton and John Legend, the competition is already in full swing!

E! co-host Carissa Culiner caught up with the pair on Monday, Oct. 12’s Daily Pop, and right away, Blake couldn’t help but point out that he’s coached many of the singers who went on to become champions.

“My team has won The Voice seven times, I think,” he said cheekily. “Is that correct?”

“He’s trying to act like he hasn’t counted them,” John fired back. “And thought about them every second of every day.”

The two will face off with Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani this season. Perhaps Blake will give the latter, a.k.a. his girlfriend of five years, a break this time around?

“We all have our own teams and obviously you go home, you want to, you know, talk about that,” Blake explained. “And so there’s been times where we’ve bounced songs off each other, too: ‘What do you think about this song? Do you think this would be a good one for my artist to perform?’ or whatever.”

How sweet, right?

Wrong! Blake continued, “And of course, I always take that opportunity to kind of derail her team.”

“Sabotage,” John chimed in.

“This is The Voice!” Blake can be seen saying in a clip of the NBC show. “This is a dog-eat-dog business. There is no feelings.”

Lucky for him, “Gwen doesn’t have a competitive bone in her body,” he told Carissa.

“But she’s passionate about music, which makes her a good coach on the show,” Blake said. “As much as I love John Legend. it’s way more exciting for me to have her on the show.”

Then there’s Kelly, who John said “might be the most competitive” of all the coaches.

“She has won as an artist, you know, on another show, and I saw even more of her competitive streak when we were playing a trivia game on The Kelly Clarkson Show,” he explained. “She’s serious about winning games.”

Watch: Blake Shelton to Gwen Stefani: “I Love the Sh*t Outta You”

Blake and John went on to reveal that filming on the new season of The Voice is already underway, and even with all of the precautions in place amid the coronavirus pandemic, everything feels relatively normal!

“Once we got a couple artist auditions behind us, I really felt like we were just doing what we’ve always done,” Blake said. “I mean, outside of the ruckus of a live audience there, really nothing changed.”

He continued, “Naturally, we are spread out anyway…so the only real thing that I noticed after a while was we just didn’t go up and shake someone’s hand when they got on the team, or give them a hug.”

John agreed: “Once you get into the performances, it didn’t feel much different.”

“Actually, there were moments where you were happy that there was no live audience because you could really hear everything about the artist’s voice without all the extra noise and hubbub going on around it,” he added. “It was actually kind of nice to be able to focus in on their voices.”

Watch the complete Daily Pop interview with John Legend and Blake Shelton in the above clip!

Miranda Lambert Makes Rare Comment About Her Divorce From Blake Shelton

Miranda Lambert reflected on her high-profile divorce from Blake Shelton in a new interview with CBS News, telling the outlet she has a very specific way of handling the rumors.

Watch: Miranda Lambert Reflects on Blake Shelton Divorce Drama

Divorce in the spotlight can be strange, just ask Miranda Lambert.

Seven years after she and fellow country star Blake Shelton called it quits, the 38-year-old reflected on the tabloid-frenzy that surrounded their high-profile divorce.

“I wasn’t prepared for that,” Miranda recently told CBS News. “I don’t think anybody is. And it’s not nice sometimes, but I think you got to take it with a grain of salt.”

Luckily, the “Actin’ Up” singer has her music as a way of cutting through the gossip and getting her side of the story out there to her fans.

“I’m a singer-songwriter so luckily I can tell my whole truth,” she shared. “I will not lie in my music.”

Miranda and Blake began dating in 2006 and tied the knot at the Don Strange Ranch in Boerne, Texas in 2011. In July 2015, the former couple announced that they were divorcing after four years of marriage, amid rumors of infidelity that were never confirmed.

Later that year, Blake later moved on with his The Voice co-star Gwen Stefani, and the two tied the knot last summer. After short-lived relationships with Anderson East and The Turnpike Troubadours‘ lead singer Evan Felker, Miranda also found her happily ever after with NYDP officer Brendan McLoughlin, who she married in January 2019 after just a few months of dating.

Jim Smeal/BEI/REX/Shutterstock

“I feel like I’ve been through enough in my life to know what I don’t want,” she told Health in November 2019 of the whirlwind romance. “So when I know what I do want, I snatch it right up.”

Brendan has even been featured in several of his wife’s music videos including “If I Was A Cowboy,” “Tequila Does (Telemitry Remix)” and “Settling Down,” a song inspired by him.

With a supportive partner and red-hot career, Miranda admitted she’s never been happier.

“I’ve grown up and I’ve learned a lot about myself and I think at some point you start to settle into who you are,” she told CBS News. “I feel at peace with myself.”

The Voice Judges’ Salaries: Shakira and Miley Cyrus Were Not Even Close to Getting Ariana Grande’s Salary Per Season For The Voice

Ariana Grande’s salary for the Voice! was much higher than past female judges Miley Cyrus and Shakira.

Ariana Grande has one of the most angelic voices among the musicians who started off in the 2010s. She has garnered a huge fanbase and is already a multiple Grammy-winning artist. With six highly successful albums, Grande has cemented her legacy as one of the best among her contemporaries.
Ariana Grande in the music video for Positions
Grande came on board as one of the judges in season 21 of the popular singing reality TV show The Voice! She joins a rich history of great musicians who have been prior judges on the show, including Shakira and Miley Cyrus. However, their salaries were not even close to what Grande received during her tenure on the show.

Ariana Grande’s Salary For The Voice! Was Much Higher Than Miley Cyrus and Shakira

Ariana Grande was one of the judges on season 21 of The Voice!
Ariana Grande joined season 21 of The Voice! as one of the coaches along with Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend. Her inclusion on the show attracted many fans and gave the show a new boost and excitement. Grande joins a rich list of other female artists who have been judges on the show in prior seasons, including Miley Cyrus and Shakira.

Cyrus was a judge in seasons 11 and 13 of the show and received $13 million per season (via Stylecaster). Shakira was a judge on the show in seasons 4 and 6 and received $12 million per season (via The Hollywood Reporter). Despite both artists being judges for two seasons, their salaries were no match for Grande, who joined season 21 of the show.

Grande reportedly received a whopping $20 to 25 million for her tenure as a judge on the popular reality show (via OK! Magazine). This makes her the highest-paid coach in the history of the show. Her immense star power and reputation in the music industry seem to have contributed to the increased salary. She brought a certain charm and fun to the show, which boosted the viewership, and thus, her salary was well deserved.

Ariana Grande Credits The Hollywood Strikes For Coming Up With New Album

Yes, And? is the lead single of Ariana Grande’s 7th album Eternal Sunshine
Ariana Grande is set to release her seventh studio album called Eternal Sunshine. She has already released her first single from the album titled Yes, And? which has become a hit with fans. The singer recently appeared on the Zach Sang Show, where she talked about her upcoming album and how it came to be.

Grande claimed that she didn’t intend to release any music before her film Wicked came out. However, the dual Hollywood strikes led to her going back to the studio with producer Max Martin and started churning out various melodies. She also stated that her role as Glinda in Wicked led to some personal healing for her and also changed her perspective towards music. She said,

“I didn’t have the goal to make an album. I was actually really opposed to coming out with music until after Wicked – either both parts or just the one part. I wasn’t sure how it would feel. But as soon as the strike began, I came to New York just for fun, just to see how it would feel. Max Martin came to New York to spend a week with me at Jungle City studios, and it all just kind of started pouring out.”

She further added,

“My relationship with music changed and healed a lot through taking space from it. I learned so much from Glinda and through Glinda. I healed a lot of parts of myself alongside and through her, and it actually helped me heal a lot of my own personal, weird stuff that I had with my relationship to music and to being an artist and that persona.”

The much-anticipated album is set to release on March 8, 2024. Grande will lead Universal’s two-part musical film, Wicked alongside Cynthia Erivo. The first part will be released in theaters on November 27, 2024, while the second part will be released on November 26, 2025.

🎤 Carson Daly Reveals Game-Changing Twist in The Voice Season 28: The “Carson Callback”

After 28 seasons of cheering from the sidelines, Carson Daly is finally stepping into a more powerful role on The Voice.

In a surprising twist revealed in the Season 28 trailer, Daly announced a brand-new rule that gives him the ability to influence the competition for the first time ever—and fans and coaches alike are buzzing.

The new feature, called the Carson Callback, allows Daly to “call back” a contestant who didn’t advance in the traditional format. “Sometimes I see great singers fall through the cracks,” Daly says in the trailer. “And I’ve never been able to do anything about it—until now”.

The moment the Carson Callback was introduced, coaches Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Bublé were visibly stunned. “What is happening, Carson Daly?” Bublé exclaimed as the red card lit up the stage. The teaser didn’t reveal exactly how or when Daly can use this new power, but it’s clear the dynamic of the show is about to shift.

For years, Daly has been the emotional anchor of The Voice, supporting artists and their families, celebrating victories, and offering comfort during eliminations. Now, with the Carson Callback, he’s stepping into a more active role—one that could change the fate of contestants who might otherwise be overlooked.

Season 28 premieres Monday, September 22 at 8/7c on NBC, and fans are eager to see how this new twist plays out.

Will Daly’s instincts match the coaches’ decisions? Will the Carson Callback become a fan-favorite feature? One thing’s certain: The Voice just got a whole lot more unpredictable.

You can read more about the new rule on Yahoo Entertainment and Country Music Nation’s breakdown.

‘Shifting Gears’: 5 Things We Need to Happen in Season 2

Disney/Raymond Liu

Shifting Gears ended Season 1 on a few cliffhangers. The ABC sitcom follows Matt Parker (Tim Allen), a widowed father who runs a car repair shop and whose daughter Riley (Kat Dennings) and grandchildren (Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis) move in with him after her marriage becomes on the rocks.

The final episode of Season 1 saw Riley’s husband, Jimmy (Lucas Neff), come back into town and tell her that he was offered a spot to open for the Foo Fighters. But first, he asked if she wanted to get back together. Instead of answering him right away, Riley gave him divorce papers by the end of the episode. This led to her childhood best friend/brother’s friend/dad’s coworker, Gabriel (Seann William Scott), confessing his feelings to her. However, she didn’t hear him because she’d fallen asleep on her couch after drinking too much at a party. One of the most shocking things to come out of the finale was that Matt and his rival, Eve (Jenna Elfman), shared a kiss after everyone left the party.

With Shifting Gears returning for Season 2, here are five things we’re looking forward to (hopefully) seeing.

1. Riley and Gabriel *both* confess their feelings.

Disney/Raymond Liu

Riley and Gabriel’s relationship is bound to bloom in Season 2. What with her wondering why Gabriel hasn’t married anyone yet, their past history, and, well, his admission that he has a thing for her, there’s too much there there at this point. There are two problems, though. First, Gabriel is best friends with Riley’s brother, Sammy. If the two of them break up, it could hurt her relationship with her brother. Secondly, Gabriel also works for her dad. Since the car repair shop and Riley’s job are across the street from each other, their relationship could interfere with their work.

2. It’s time to finally see Sammy.

Even though he’s been looming large, viewers have yet to actually see Sammy yet. He was mentioned about two times throughout the season. Aside from Sammy having a one-sided conversation with Riley at the beginning of the season, fans don’t know much about him. Given that he is in the Navy, his return would most likely be a joyful one.

Executive producer Michelle Nader teased the appearance of Sammy in an interview with TVLine. “We hope to introduce Sam in Season 2.  We think he will be another fun casting opportunity and a great character for everyone to complain to!” she said. Since Sammy hasn’t shown up yet, it is not clear who will play him.

3. We need a flashback of Matt’s wife, Diane.

Disney/Raymond Liu

Another potential casting opportunity for Season 2 could be Matt’s wife, Diane. The character died before the series started, so she was never seen in Season 1. However, as he moves into a new romance, perhaps fans will get to see a few flashback scenes or even Diane appearing to Matt or Riley in a dream. Matt visited his wife’s grave in Season 1, so she is still very much a part of his mindset, and it’d make total sense for him to turn to his memories of her before trying to truly move on.

4. Matt and Eve become the real deal.

Disney/Raymond Liu

After Matt and Eve kissed, he seemed shocked. Then, when Riley asked him what he got up to at the party, he didn’t mention the kiss. Judging by his somber reaction, Matt was possibly thinking about his wife. (He was probably also confused because just hours before, Eve was his rival.) Maybe he will go to a grief counselor, or Diane will give him a sign that it’s okay to move on, and he will begin a relationship with Eve. Or they could go back to their respective corners and keep fighting things out.

5. There should be more familiar guest stars.

Disney/Raymond Liu

Tim Allen is known for putting his past costars in his current shows. Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who played his son on Home Improvement, showed up in Last Man Standing. Nancy Travis, who played his wife in Last Man Standing, appeared in one episode of Shifting Gears. Jay Leno, who was also a recurring character in Last Man Standing, appeared as himself in one episode of the current sitcom.

So, could other familiar faces show up? Hopefully. After all, there are plenty of other Allen-verse guest stars that we could picture guest-starring on the show. Kat Dennings and Seann Williams Scott both memorably worked with Jennifer Coolidge in the past (in 2 Broke Girls and American Pie, respectively), so what’s stopping her from appearing on an episode or two?

Dennings also worked closely on 2 Broke Girls with Beth Behrs, who is currently on The Neighborhood. She said she would love to have Behrs appear or for her to appear on Behr’s sitcom: “That’d be incredible. The fun thing about Shifting Gears is that we have this car shop set. And anyone could walk in. So yeah, of course, I would love anyone to pop by,” the actress told TVInsider.

What would you like to see happen in Shifting Gears Season 2? Let us know in the comments.

Shifting Gears, Streaming, Hulu

Shifting Gears Season 2 Gets Exciting News Ahead of Premiere

Tim Allen has been a sitcom staple for more than three decades. His current ABC series, Shifting Gears, was renewed for a second season following rumors it might be canceled, but now things are looking up for Allen’s newest sitcom venture.

In the latest development, per Deadline, Shifting Gears, which also stars Kat Dennings, has been given an additional three-episode order for its second season by ABC. Now, Shifting Gears Season 2 will consist of 13 episodes instead of the original 10 that had been planned.

The multi-camera Shifting Gears launched as a mid-season addition to the network in January 2025 and follows Allen’s character, Matt Parker, a widower who is reunited with his estranged daughter, Riley (Dennings), after she and her children move into his house.

Even with Shifting Gears’ 13 episodes, which is more than the first season’s 10, it is short of a full 18-episode season order. That paves the way for room for ABC’s reboot of Scrubs. Scrubs is reportedly on tap to be a mid-season addition to ABC’s lineup and could wind up in Shifting Gears’ Wednesday night time slot when its season finishes.

So far, ABC has just one comedy series planned as a mid-season replacement show, and it’s the Scrubs reboot. The Bill Lawrence-created Scrubs, a medical dramedy, initially ran for nine seasons starting in 2001. While the network hasn’t yet announced its midseason schedule, Scrubs will likely slide into Shifting Gears’ Wednesday time slot when it debuts.

Scrubs Creator Teases “10th Season” of the Beloved Series

The Scrubs revival will feature original cast members, including Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, and John C. McGinley. Reyes’ character, Sacred Heart Hospital nurse Carla Espinosa, will make her return to Scrubs after sitting out the sitcom’s ninth and final season.

The reboot is being billed as the tenth season of Scrubs and is set to reunite Doctors John “J.D.” Dorian (Braff) and Christopher Turk (Faison) as the pair “scrub in together for the first time in a long time.”

Lawrence previously teased that the revival will delve into how the medical “system has not only changed, but how it has beaten some of these people down, and how they retain their optimism with a new wave of young characters.”

“My hope would be that we establish where everybody (from the original show) is, whether they’re still with us at the hospital, or not,” Lawrence said.

ABC has a stacked fall comedy lineup, which features Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary. The upcoming Shifting Gears Season 2 will feature a Home Improvement reunion of sorts. It was previously reported that Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning will be guest stars on Shifting Gears Season 2.

Richardson is best known for playing Jill Taylor, the wife of Tim Allen’s Taylor, on the long-running Home Improvement. Karn played Tim’s “Tool Time” co-host, Al Borland, while Dunning played the “Tool Time girl,” Heidi Keppert. Shifting Gears also stars Daryl Mitchell, Seann William Scott, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis.

The first season of Shifting Gears is streaming on Hulu.

💥 Sparks Fly in Shifting Gears Season 2 Trailer as Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman’s Romance Takes Center Stage

ABC’s hit sitcom Shifting Gears is revving up for Season 2, and the newly released trailer makes one thing clear: the romance between Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman’s characters is shifting into high gear.

The trailer picks up right where Season 1 left off—with Matt (Allen), the gruff but lovable auto shop owner, and Eve (Elfman), Riley’s boss and dance studio owner, sharing a surprise kiss. That moment wasn’t just a cliffhanger—it’s now the emotional engine driving the new season. Their chemistry is front and center, and fans are already bracing for the roller-coaster ahead.

In one standout scene, Matt is caught sneaking into his house by his daughter Riley (Kat Dennings), who delivers a hilariously blunt line: “Tell me you’re using protection—because you are not ready to be a parent.” Meanwhile, Eve spots Matt hiding in his car and asks, “Are you hiding?”—a moment that perfectly captures their awkward, budding connection.

Showrunner Michelle Nader teased that the relationship will be “volatile, sexy, and antagonistic,” promising plenty of ups and downs. “It’s interesting to watch their relationship develop,” she said. “They’re going to go into high gear—but it’s going to be a little bit of a roller-coaster”.

Adding to the drama is the return of Nancy Travis as Charlotte, Matt’s Season 1 love interest. Her reaction to Matt’s new romance is sharp and hilarious: “Oh, you met someone? Lucky for you, she has low standards”.

Jenna Elfman, thrilled to be back, praised the writing and cast: “I’m blown away by the comedy this year. The stories are sincerely hilarious. At work, we’re all doubled over laughing repeatedly”.

With guest stars from Home Improvement and Last Man Standing also making appearances, Shifting Gears Season 2 is shaping up to be a wild ride—full of laughs, love, and unexpected turns.

Catch the premiere on Wednesday, October 1 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.

🎭 Justina Machado Joins Happy’s Place Season 2 as Maritza—A Fierce New Force in the Family

NBC’s Happy’s Place is turning up the heat in Season 2 with the arrival of a bold new character—Maritza, played by acclaimed actress Justina Machado. Best known for her starring role in One Day at a Time, Machado brings her signature strength and wit to the sitcom’s evolving family dynamic.

Maritza is introduced as the mother of Isabella (played by Belissa Escobedo), Bobbie’s newly discovered half-sister. Described as a self-made powerhouse, Maritza put herself through law school as a single mom and now runs a wildly successful legal practice. She’s sharp, confident, and doesn’t suffer fools—a perfect match for the show’s fast-paced humor and heartfelt storytelling.

Her arrival adds a new layer to the show’s central storyline, which follows Bobbie (Reba McEntire) as she navigates the surprise of inheriting her late father’s tavern—and discovering she has a half-sister. With Maritza stepping into the picture, viewers can expect deeper revelations about Isabella’s upbringing, her relationship with Happy, and how this new family unit will clash, bond, and evolve.

Machado’s casting also signals Happy’s Place’s commitment to bringing in seasoned talent with emotional range and comedic timing. Alongside returning stars Melissa Peterman, Pablo Castelblanco, and Tokala Black Elk, her presence promises fresh tension and unexpected laughs.

Fans of One Day at a Time, Queen of the South, and Six Feet Under will recognize Machado’s ability to balance grit with warmth—qualities that make Maritza a compelling addition to the show’s ensemble. Whether she’s throwing legal jargon or emotional curveballs, Maritza is poised to shake things up in all the right ways.

Season 2 of Happy’s Place is already packed with guest stars and surprises, but Machado’s role might just be the one that changes everything.

You can read more about her casting on Variety’s exclusive report and ScreenRant’s character breakdown.

🎉 Christopher Rich Surprises Fans with Emotional and Hilarious Guest Appearance on NBC’s Happy’s Place

In a moment that felt both nostalgic and electric, actor Christopher Rich made a surprise appearance on NBC’s Happy’s Place, reuniting with longtime co-stars Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman nearly two decades after their hit sitcom Reba ended.

The February 21 episode featured Rich as Maverick, a mischievous tattoo artist who instantly caught Gabby’s (Peterman) attention—and the audience’s hearts.

Rich’s unexpected cameo wasn’t just a treat for fans—it was deeply personal. After stepping away from acting due to a major stroke, this marked his triumphant return to television. “It felt like I was back home in a safe place,” Rich shared, reflecting on the warm welcome he received from the cast and crew.

The episode was packed with subtle nods to Reba, including Rich calling McEntire’s character “Red”—a nickname he used for her on the original show.

One particularly cheeky moment had Gabby asking Maverick if he had a wife she could steal him away from, a playful reference to their former characters’ scandalous romance on Reba.

Fans flooded social media with praise, calling the reunion “unexpectedly emotional” and “pure joy.” Rich himself hinted at wanting to return, joking, “I think Maverick should come back because Gabby wants to have a baby. I make pretty children”.

With Happy’s Place blending fresh storylines and nostalgic callbacks, Rich’s appearance reminded viewers why onscreen chemistry—and offscreen friendship—never go out of style. For longtime fans, it wasn’t just a guest spot. It was a homecoming.

You can read more about the reunion and Rich’s reflections in Us Weekly’s exclusive interview and NBC Insider’s feature on the actor.

🎬 Reba McEntire, Melissa Peterman, and Christopher Rich Reunite Onscreen for NBC’s Happy’s Place: “It Felt Like Coming Home”

It’s been nearly two decades since fans last saw Reba McEntire, Melissa Peterman, and Christopher Rich share the screen on the beloved sitcom Reba. Now, the trio is back together again—this time on NBC’s Happy’s Place—and the reunion is as heartwarming as it is hilarious.

In a recent episode of Happy’s Place, Rich guest-starred as Maverick, a mischievous tattoo artist who instantly catches the eye of Gabby, played by Peterman. The chemistry between the three was undeniable, and for longtime fans, the episode was packed with nostalgic nods to their Reba days—including Rich calling McEntire’s character “Red,” a throwback to his nickname for her on the original show.

“It felt like coming home,” Rich shared in an interview, reflecting on the experience of working with McEntire and Peterman again. “They took such good care of me. It was just so wonderful to work with those two women. They were very, very protective”.

Peterman echoed the sentiment, saying the reunion was filled with laughter and emotional moments. “We’ve been through so much together, both on and off screen. Getting to play off each other again—it’s like we never missed a beat,” she said.

McEntire, who stars as Bobbie in Happy’s Place, has been instrumental in bringing her former castmates into the fold. After reuniting with Peterman in Season 1, she helped pave the way for Rich’s guest appearance in Season 2. “It’s a joy to work with people you love and trust,” McEntire said. “We know each other so well, and that makes the comedy even sharper.”

The episode also carried extra emotional weight for Rich, who returned to acting after recovering from a major stroke. “The crew made it feel like the old Reba set,” he said. “It was a blessing. I want to go back so badly”.

Fans responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, flooding social media with praise for the reunion and calling for more appearances from the original cast. Rich even teased a possible return, joking, “I think Maverick should come back because Gabby wants to have a baby. I make pretty children”.

With Happy’s Place continuing to blend fresh storylines with nostalgic charm, the reunion of McEntire, Peterman, and Rich proves that some onscreen families never fade—they just find new places to shine.

You can read more about the reunion on NBC Insider and Us Weekly’s exclusive interview.