Lip Sync Battle

Season 1 – 60% – When someone can make a really good joke out of themselves, it's a show that I could watch for hours. And Anne Hathaway, Anna Kendrick, or Julianne Hough are absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately, as the episodes progress, the participation of celebrities we know well here dwindles, or those who forget what the show is about (Mike Tyson), or those who are so out of touch with humor that I just shake my head (Justin Bieber, Iggy Azalea). So, in the end, I rate the first season lower because LL Cool J as the host doesn't help the weaker episodes at all, and although Chrissy Teigen looks great, she is quite off-putting as a co-host. Season 2 – 70% – Much more balanced, but sometimes noticeably less exceptional. It still holds true that whoever lets go and gives a performance demolishes the stage (Channing Tatum, Joel McHale, Zoe Saldana), while the boring participants put me to sleep even in a weak twenty-minute episode (Jason Derulo, Todd Chrisley, or Russell Peters). Fortunately, there are no completely mediocre performances, so you can easily binge-watch almost the entire season at once. However, on such occasions, it becomes even more apparent that the focus has shifted from the intricacy of lip syncing to unnecessary bombast that actually confuses the performers. Additionally, LL Cool J is becoming uncomfortably rigid with his same greeting and rehearsed surprised grimace. He seems like a likable person, but his hosting skills are lacking. Season 3 – 70% – It is necessary to revitalize the concept; otherwise, the whole Battle falls apart sadly, but this year it just barely managed. This is mainly due to surprisingly entertaining guests whom I wouldn't expect (Don Cheadle, Ricky Martin), as well as those who are exactly as entertaining as I hoped (Tom Holland, Sean Astin, Matt McGorry). In two instances, however, I had the feeling that the performers were fulfilling my unrevealed fantasies. Kate Upton sings "…Baby One More Time" dressed as a schoolgirl, and a few episodes later, Ashley Graham stops by in a leopard bra to perform a Shania Twain number? Either someone is intensely spying on me or I have been particularly lucky this year. It's a pity that the impressions of the entire season are lowered due to the last episodes, inexplicably broadcasted during the summer break, which are also the worst of the entire show. Season 4 – 60% – I don't consider the new opening a change in the concept, but revolutions have to start slow. Over the years, I have become so accustomed to the show that I don't mind that it remains mostly in a somewhat accelerated (and therefore "averaged") format. In those weak twenty-one minutes, there is hardly anything more that can be done, and I forget about many pairs as soon as the specific episode ends. I consider the matchup between Ben Higgins and Rachel Lindsay an absolute low point, where I drifted into half-sleep due to the unfunniness of both participants. The battle of beauties, loved by the '90s generation, Mena Suvari vs. Alicia Silverstone, was definitely the best smackdown, and a similar nostalgic string was struck by the Shania Twain Tribute. However, the last episode with a duet from the TV series Heathers was a standout. Both performers reminded us of the phenomenal performances that once launched this show, and they managed to escalate each other's performances so high that it is certainly the best episode in the past three seasons. Season 5 – 60% – I like how they occasionally surprise me with a special episode that I wouldn't expect, and it turns out to be the best moment of the season (Jason Schwartzman vs. the Sesame Street guest). I dislike, however, that the main attractions end up being embarrassing (the Mariah Carey special, despite Darren Criss' presence). It is simply another disappointingly unbalanced mix of pairs, where LL favors guests from the same TV series (Empire, Power), and I can only hope that someone more pleasant will seize the opportunity and give a great performance (Brooklyn Decker, Lauren Ash), rather than just chatting emptily and being ultimately boring (the complete line-up from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy). It seems that the show is taking a temporary break, so I have to express my immense joy for Chrissy Teigen. From occasionally unbearable girl, she now regularly steals the whole show. From a giggly girl, she has become the mother of two who has mastered situational comedy, and for five years, she has been outshining the monotonous Cool within just five minutes in each episode. (09.03.2016) (menos) (más)