One of our favorite singing competitions returns to NBC starting tonight. The Sing-Off hasn’t aired since 2011 when the a capella show tried out an expanded format for season three. But it’s finally back and we couldn’t be happier. Host Nick Lachey told us what we need to know about the fourth season:
The Sing-Off is once again a holiday-season event

NICK LACHEY: We were very cautiously optimistic that the show would come back. You know, it was put on the back burner there for a moment. And I really have to give a lot of credit to the very passionate fans of the show out there for really petitioning and clamoring for it to come back. Personally, I think the show worked great in the holiday season. I think we saw that in season two. It’s just such a feel good show and feel good music. It’s the time of year when families are really in the mood to sit down together and watch a great family show, and that’s frankly what The Sing-Off is.
Nick and the judges will get to interact more with the groups
NICK: Well, one of the cool things – and I should mention — we have a new production team in place on The Sing-Off this year. [Survivor and The Voice guru] Mark Burnett came on board and took over the show, and he had a fresh take on what the show should be and really infused some new energy into the show. And one of the things that was changed per Mark’s request was more interaction from both myself and the judges with the groups. So you’ll see as the season progresses, all of us kind of taking a turn and mentoring and trying to give some guidance to the groups as they go through this journey. There’s a lot of information they’re trying to process and taking all the judges’ comments and trying to apply those to the next week or the next show’s performance. And so it was a really cool opportunity for us to – you know, we’ve all learned the hard way a lot of times in this business, some valuable lessons. And for us to be able to pass those along to these groups was a really cool opportunity.
For Lachey, the closer interaction was especially welcome
NICK: There was one group in particular that kind of reminded me of my own kind of past history and they come from a performing arts school in The Bay Area. So you know I had a soft spot in my heart for them, you know, coming from a performing arts high school myself. I really saw a lot of myself in them and so it was cool to be able to kind of pass along a little bit of knowledge and support. These are teenagers down here in L.A., on the big stage with a lot of very, very talented people. And to say they held their own is a gross understatement. So I was very proud of them and very thankful to have the opportunity to give some insight to them, and all the groups. It was just a great opportunity for us to interact with them and mentor them a little bit.
Joining the (arguably) two best reality show competition judges out there — Ben Folds and Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman — is Jewel

NICK: Jewel is fantastic. I’ve known Jewel, you know, previous to us doing the show together, but I thought she was a perfect fit for The Sing-Off. She’s incredibly talented, first of all. We all know that. But she’s so well spoken and so relatable. I think what really struck me is how passionate and how caring she was about each and every group and each and every performer in the group. And she really gave her all in trying to nurture and walk them through this process. I just thought she was a fantastic addition, incredibly knowledgeable. Certainly not at all hard to look at from my vantage point on stage. She made my night better just sitting out there.
Watch out for The Ultimate Sing-Off, a new element to the competition
NICK: The judges score all the groups throughout the night and your lowest two scoring groups then have to go into what we call the Ultimate Sing-Off where they duel head-to-head, performing the same song against one another. And not only is it great entertainment, I have to tell you some of the best performances you’ll see in the season come during that Ultimate Sing-Off. It’s a really neat moment in the show.We all have [that] moment where we don’t give our best and we kind of lay an egg on stage. And it gives those groups a chance to redeem themselves for a bad performance. So it doesn’t necessarily take them out of the running of the entire competition. They have a chance to come back at the end of the show and prove that they still belong. And so then when the two low groups have the Ultimate Sing-Off, obviously, the judges have to then decide on one of them to continue on and one of them to go home. But a really cool, dramatic moment at the end of the show.
The Sing-Off might air during the holidays but don’t expect a lot of holiday-related tunes
NICK: There really was not too much of a holiday theme in terms of the music involved in the show. You might see a little bit of that in the finale, because I think that’s kind of how it worked in years past as well. But for the most part it’s – these are songs that everyone will know from this year and years past, some really creative themes like we’ve had in the past, you know, of chart toppers. And we have a movie theme night and so some of the shows have themes that really give them a great kind or arc. But all in all, it is happening during the holiday season but it’s not necessarily a holiday music-themed show entirely. But still as I said earlier, it’s just such a feel good show, it really does lend itself to the holiday season.
You just might see Nick and the judges mix it up with the groups
NICK: One thing we have always had a lot of fun with is myself and the judges kind of being involved musically, performing with some of the groups. So, you know, I can neither confirm or deny that will happen, but if history is any indication, there’s a good chance you might see that.
Other facts you need to know:Â Season four will consist of seven episodes and will culminate in a season finale set to air on Dec. 23. That’s when we’ll find out which group wins $100,000 and a recording contract. Plus, look for music from this season to debut on iTunes the day of each telecast.
Here are the groups competing:
ACOUSTIKATS (Lexington, KY)

This collegiate group has been serenading sorority girls all over the University of Kentucky campus, but now it’s their time to make it on the big stage. With their southern charm they hope to win over America’s hearts.
CALLE SOL (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

From the island of Puerto Rico, this group of six professional musicians has only been together for a few short months. Their Latin style is sure to bring a flare to the competition.
ELEMENT (New York City)

This all-female group brings a New York attitude to the stage. They all work day jobs and pursue their showbiz dreams in the concrete jungle during their time off. These powerful female voices hope to bring a buzz to the a cappella world.
THE FILHARMONIC (Los Angeles)

This locally based group is made up of male Filipino singers. Their knack for ’90s R&B, mixed with their Filipino culture, is sure to bring a new twist to the music of the past.
HOME FREE (Minneapolis)

This all-male group has already been on the road touring the country and the transcontinental journeys have made them all very close. Their years of performance experience add to their refreshing country sound.
THE PRINCETON FOOTNOTES (Princeton, N.J.)

A 50-year-old tradition is holding strong with this Ivy League group — classically trained, perfectly polished and technically great. Although they stick to tradition, they also like to mix a modern flair.
STREET CORNER RENAISSANCE (Los Angeles)

This soulful group put aside their dreams of becoming musicians to raise their families. Now it’s time to shine. Their roots are in doo-wop and they strive to pay homage to this classic sound.
TEN (Dallas)

Many of these eclectic artists have experienced traveling with professionals in well-known bands. Their group leader brought them together. The gospel influence and impressive backgrounds produce a perfected sound.
VOCAL RUSH (Oakland, CA)

The youngest group in the competition is a force to be reckoned with. They have won the high school a cappella groups’ international championship two years in a row. Their pop and R&B influence are sure to put a spin on modern chart-topping hits.
VOICEPLAY (Orlando, FL)

These three best friends have been together since high school and expanded their group to six, added the influence of a female voice. They toured the U.S. and ended up back in Orlando performing before auditioning for “The Sing-Off.†This pop-inspired group blends the male and female voices perfectly.
It’s all about music tonight on NBC. The Sing-Off returns at 9/8c after an episode of The Voice.
Related posts
Classics
George R. Olson, Tim Rozon, and Sarah Levy Talk the SurrealEstate S2 Finale
[Spoilers for the SurrealEstate Season 2 finale.] How’s everyone doing after the finale? As we close out the second season of SurrealEstate, some of our merry band of misfits are scattering to the winds–Zooey to law school, Phil to the Vatican, and Augie back to his think tank with Rochelle,…
Previewing SurrealEstate Season 2 Finale + Revisiting the Season with George R. Olson
[Warning; General spoilers ahead.] Strap in, SurrealEstate fam, because we’ve arrived at the Season 2 finale, and it’s a doozy. As we saw in the closing moments of last week’s episode, Susan is back. But because we have one more episode left, it’s not as simple as all that, as…
Tyler Hynes Talks Through His Eight-Film Hallmark Holiday Library
Things you realize when you have to re-record your shows on a new DVR – just how many Hallmark movies your people have done. Fan favorite – and one of ours – Tyler Hynes has done eight Christmas movies for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries since 2018. Alongside…
Spencer Creaghan Talks About Creating SurrealEstate’s Signature Sound
SurrealEstate is winding down its second season, with two episodes left, and just as in Season 1, Spencer Creaghan’s music continues to be a character unto itself. And every week, he shares tidbits with the fans via his s social media channels, something he started to help give them an…
Andrew Walker Talks Christmas Island and the Magical Hallmark Community
[Warning: Spoilers for Christmas Island.] Now that the Screen Actors Guild strike has been resolved, we’re able to resume regularly scheduled programming and interview our favorites and yours. Up first, earlier today, I spoke with Andrew Walker about Christmas Island, which premiered last weekend and encores tonight and through the…
George Olson and Danishka Esterhazy Talk SurrealEstate “I Put a Spell on You”
[Warning: Spoilers for the episode.] Tonight’s fun new SurrealEstate found Luke caught up in an especially bewitching woman, Kay, played by Tara Yelland, Susan trapped in her house, and Zooey learning the ropes. In the next part of my conversation with showrunner George R. Olson and producing director Danishka Esterhazy,…
Danishka Esterhazy Talks SurrealEstate: “The Butler Didn’t”
[Warning: General spoilers for the episode]. Tonight’s new SurrealEstate, “The Butler Didn’t,” follows the team as they investigate the years-earlier mysterious death of a woman whose ghost now reenacts her hanging by dropping over the banister from the second floor to terrify anyone on the landing or at the bottom…
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk the From Season 2 finale
[Warning: Spoilers for the season finale.] How’s everyone doing after that finale? While we wait and wonder and hope for a third season announcement, soon, here’s what Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders had to say about their parts of the finale, and where they hope they get to go next….
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk From Season 2 + A Season Finale Preview
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] It all comes down this, #FROMily. As Sunday’s episode wraps up Season 2, we begin with the aftermath of the terrifying onset of seemingly simultaneous attacks on Julie, Marielle, and Randall, which accelerate the “We gotta get out of this place” of it all. Sara comes…
Alison Sweeney Talks About What’s Next for Hannah and Mike After Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
[Warning: Spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder.] Everybody OK after that Hannah Swensen Mystery twist? Thankfully, our favorite crime-solving couple is still on speaking term, even if they’re on a break (hopefully not that kind of break). Most importantly, we already know this isn’t the last film in the series. No…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…