A love letter to "The Sing Off"

Dearest "The Sing Off",

Once upon a time I was ashamed to say that I watched you but now I stand tall when I proclaim that I love you, "The Sing Off." When we first met, it was a cold winter and I was very sick and in need of some company. I found it where I least expected it.

At first, I mocked the iridescent shirts of Nick Lachey, the fact that Nicole Scherzinger is judging anyone and the costumes that the "Queer Eye" guys would deem too gay, but then I started to look past your faults to see that Ben Folds' highly technical yet witty remarks made you different from the cabal of inferior singing reality shows. I've also always had a special place in my heart for Boyz II Men, especially Shawn, whose vocabulary extends past the word "dawg". To this day I can sing every word of the heart-wrenching ballad, "End of the Road." I also like that you're self-assured. You never wait for all of America to decide what happens in your show. Most importantly, you're never a douche (I'm looking at you, Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell).

I can still remember that sudafed-induced sleepless night when I watched the entire marathon on Oxygen, Television for Women, and found myself surprised when I was rooting for my favorite groups. The a capella aspect of you actually forced the contestants to know the technical side of music, not just belt out one amazing note at the end of the song, a la Mercedes on "Glee", and expect everyone to drool. I can't be fooled by those tricks. I need more substance. You gave me that.

After that marathon night, I thought that the attraction would disappear and I would forget about you, but I missed you. I had to wait a whole year for the next round of talented a capella groups that would capture my attention even more than I imagined. Our meeting was short but sweet. Luckily, you came to your senses and decided to move to a prime time spot for an extended period of time. You even got rid of your biggest fault, that Pussycat Doll, and replaced it with the much more charismatic Sara Bareilles. Well done.

You have grown over your short three seasons into a humble, yet impressive reality show that I'm proud to say I watch.


Love,
Page