Weekend Talker: 'American Idol' vs. 'The Voice'

American Idol is marking its 10th year of star-making with a few changes, most notably behind the judges' table.

The only original judge is Randy Jackson, and he is joined by Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler from Aerosmith who replace Simon Cowell and Kara Dioguardi. Each week, they comment and critique each singer's performance, America uses toll-free numbers to vote on favorites, and, after the votes are tallied, a singer is let go from the competition.

It might have taken a year to catch on after its debut in 2000, but Idol is a ratings behemoth, bringing in millions for FOX each season. And despite ratings that have dipped a bit, it remains the biggest draw on network television.

Now comes The Voice in NBC. Like Idol, The Voice is a singing competition with professionals in the music industry as judges - Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Christina Aguilera. Also like Idol, the judges choose the contestants who will move on to the rounds where America does the voting.

Where The Voice differs, is in how the judges choose the singers, and that is why it's the more authentic, compelling choice. Let me explain.

Casting teams from the show went around the country to find the best singers to bring to a blind audition where - and here's what matters - the judges could not see the performers. That's right. Judges could only hear the voice. 

Seated in spiffy chairs that spin, the judges hit their button if they are interested enough in the way the singer sounds. The goal is to build a team of eight for each judge. But, if more than one judge turns around, it is up to the judges to convince the singer to choose the judge and team of their choice.

There's something to be said for the hosts, too. Ryan Seacrest is smooth and all Mr. Hollywood while Carson Daly is more Everyman and casual. Both of them relate well to the judges, using their industry experience, radio and television, respectively, to get solid statements from the judges.

Once the teams are set, the coaches choose pairs of opponents to sing the same song and go head-to-head for the battle round. Judges pick the singer they thought did the best job; once teams are whittled to four singers each, they move on to the live rounds where they sing for America's votes. Still, it is up the judge to determine, based on performance and votes, who will continue to the next round until only four singers are left.

The winner receives a recording contract and $100,000 cash prize.

So, yes, it's a little more complicated than Idol, but The Voice is more a true test of talent because it's all about the talent from the very beginning. The Voice is not about "the package." Sure, all that matters down the road, but until the winner is crowned, singers are judged purely on their Voice.

Do you prefer American Idol or is The Voice your singing competition of choice?