ms_weaver06 I was so excited for this show... biggest letdown ever! The possibilities of the show sounded awesome -the chance to vote and see my impact on live TV, the chance of my face being on the wall, and the fact it was a whole new TV experience. Great ideas all around but the whole show is poorly executed in my opinion. The voting is fun but the fact there's only 10 contestants per show is ridiculous. I wish there would have been American Idol style tryouts to vote on. More so, I wish the people they put on this show could actually sing! For a singing show it shocks me the lack of talent on the show very rarely to I find someone to actually pass on to the next level. Personally, I'll stick with The Voice and American Idol and leave this show for the sleepless nights.

Kevin Contreras For what I'm seeing, "Rising Star" is trying to be something it clearly isn't. The concept of the show is what made me tune into watching in the first place. It involves a group of contestants singing in front of a screen blocking the view of the judges (Brad Paisley, Ke$ha, and Ludicrous) and the audience. However, the screen shows everybody that is voting for that contestant live. Viewers at home download this app and they vote yes or no for each contestant. The contestant has to reach a threshold of 70% to rise the screen and reveal the judges and audience to advance.From there, it goes downhill. First off, the host of the show isn't that great to watch. In fact, he is more awkward. However, it's his first show to host so I can't pick on him too much. Next, the judges barely have an connection to each other like "The Voice" and maybe even "American Idol" judges have between them. It's almost all forced. Oh my God, the contestants are there I say...bad. If I were to be a little nicer, I say they aren't to par to what a singing competition should be. It's more like I'm watching a community talent show than a nationwide hunt for the next superstar. Also, it seems like every of the contestants have their own weird, bizarre, or sob story to ride along their back. It almost seems like the show relies too heavily on the story aspect of the people than the actual singing itself. Once you do that, you just get bad television. In summary, it was almost identical formula to go against the Voice that in the end tasted rotten. I really hope this show really fixes itself fast or this will be another "X-Factor" failure.

Nicholas Huffaker First off, the show uses a gimmick of showing your face on a wall. Sounds great right? Wrong. For the 90 seconds the singer goes for, the wall is rarely shown. Normally, the camera will either be on the singer, or the panel of "experts". When the wall is shown, its a quick pan around it. Not my cup of tea, but the advertisers love the show. For a 2 hour special, each singer with 3 minutes, and a total of 10 singers, it just doesn't add up. 30 minutes of singing, 1 hour of commercials, and 30 minutes of the judges over acting on stage. Overall, I am really dissatisfied with the show that could've been so much better.

vandermarkjanette With Josh Groban hosting, and Brad Paisley as one of the judges, I fully expected The Rising Star to be an entertaining, high quality show; and I was right! The instant voting, and tabulations being in full view added to the excitement of the show, as well! Major Kudos to the person or persons who got Josh Groban to agree to host! He relates well with both the contestants and the judges, and has a heart-warming smile! The show seemed to be over quickly, and left me wanting more! The concept of letting the audience be a part of judging the contestants from the moment they walk onto the stage is refreshing, and truly sets this show apart from all others. Thanks to all who made The Rising Star a reality!