Duets (2012) s01e01 Episode Script

1 hell is gone and heaven's here there's nothing left for you to fear shake your tail get over here now scream I'm a burning effigy of everything I used to be you're my rock of empathy my dear come on let me entertain you all right babe come on come on let me entertain you let me life's too short for you to die so grab yourself an alibi heaven knows your mother lied my dear accept rate your rights from wrongs come and sing a different song the kettle's on so don't be long come on let Mel int entertain you let me entertain you he may with good he may be out of sight but he can't be here so come around tonight here is the place where the feeling grows you got to get high before you taste the lows Come on! Woo! Let me see your hands! Everybody! let me entertain you come on let me let me entertain you let me come on baby come on come on come on come on come on come on come on come on come on come on let me entertain you let me entertain you let me entertain you let me entertain you Wow! Welcome to "Duets.
" My name is Quddus and I will be your host and let me tell you, that was just a taste of what is to come over the course of the next nine weeks.
Tonight, you are in for a treat.
The superstars will be performing their biggest hits alongside their partners.
But before we get under way, ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together again for these superstars.
Kelly clarkson.
Jennifer nettles.
Robin thicke.
John legend.
Guys, you can take your seats in the superstar lounge.
Thank you so much for kicking the show off the right way.
And here is how it's all going to work.
Every week, our superstars are going to give their selected amateurs the chance of a lifetime.
To perform with them on this stage in front of millions at home, you guys.
Not only that, our amateurs will be vying for a recording contract with Hollywood records.
But what makes the perfect duet partner? To see how our superstars went about their search, let's take a look at how it all began.
I mean, there are 7 billion voices out there.
Very few of them are unique and special and that's what we're here to find.
I want to know what no, no, wait where was that? We're not going to be standing up there by ourselves.
It's called "Duets.
" To perform on stage, you have to know, this person has my back, there has to be a mutual exchange.
It takes a lot to do that.
Let's find our stars.
The superstars fanned out across America, each with their own strategy.
We are looking for such a specific thing.
Emotion, power, control.
All of them in search of go amateurs to sing with.
I didn't end up picking you to go on.
It wasn't always pretty, but the superstars were on their own, trying to figure out what it would take to find a diamond in the rough.
The talent can come from anywhere.
No cattle call.
No panel of judges.
Just intimate moments of one artist in search of another.
Not a lot of people break your heart when they sing and I'm looking for those people.
Pop sensation Kelly clarkson with multiple grammies and over 20 million albums sold used her tour to search across the country.
Yes! Robin thicke, the multiplatinum r & b and soul super star returned to his roots in the world of gospel.
Can you believe Jennifer nettles, lead vocalist of award-winning super-duo sugarland, went across the country but found somebody in her own backyard.
And John legend, with nine grammys to his name, tried to find somebody with as smooth a voice as his own.
Take it slow Each of these artists have put themselves out on the line to find, to perform and then win alongside complete unknowns.
I'm so lost.
Their reputations are on the line.
As is the future success of those they chosen to compete with.
This is my dream.
To be a great partner, I have to depend on you to compete under pressure.
It hurts because I don't know how to get better.
You all right? The only thing the superstars have to do? I'm not coming in this fight.
I hope you get first runner up.
Is get past each other.
I was wondering if it was your thought.
Never underestimate the insecurity and ego of an artist.
I got some moves.
The closer we get to the end, I'll start itching for a victory.
I'm come pettive.
I'm not nervous.
Kind of boring.
Be nervous.
I'm going to annihilate your team.
Yes! That looks like a crazy search.
Bull our superstars did not back down.
Jennifer, how hard was it to choose? It was super stressful and hard.
There is a wealth of talent in this country, I have to say.
And I roamed all over it, looking for it, so we're excited to see who you chose.
And, as our superstars went searching the country, they could only choose two amateurs.
Let's look at the tough time that Jennifer had with the search.
It is wonderful.
What I'm doing right now, I'm here to rehearse for my tour and hopefully find someone who might be my contestant on "Duets.
" So, with this crazy schedule, I've had to look at all the audition tapes, to pear down the ones that feel the most appropriate.
And hopefully we'll find somebody great.
And I am telling you I'm not going I'm super focused on what I feel is a voice that can be diverse.
I want to feel That can sing more than one style.
Georgia I want them to be dynamic.
Because the concept of this is, you have to have chemistry.
I want you to know you couldn't love me better Music is the most powerful medium there is.
It's just an emotional center for me.
Really lovely.
I think Brandon was very impressive.
I'd like to see how we sing together.
Sort of trial Duets, as you will.
Come in.
Hi Brandon.
I'm married and I have a 5-month-old baby.
My wife is pregnant with our second child.
Hey, kid.
I want to bite your cheeks.
I've come to a crossroads where I have to decide would you like to get started? Or am I going to be serious and get a job I can support my kids with? This is my last shot proving I can do this and support my family if you don't know me by now you will never never never know me I came tonight hoping that I was going to make a definitive decision.
I have auditions in New York, so, what I want to do is put you on ice here.
No matter what happens, I have a beautiful son, one on the way, my wife loves me.
She said that she really, really planned on making a decision tonight but is going to do auditions in New York.
No.
And I just sang with a freaking superstar.
I call that a win-win.
So proud of your dad.
I love you.
So, since Vegas, a ton more talent has come through with submissions.
Nice to meet you.
Can I hug you? Of course, I'm a hugger.
In this batch, there may be my partner.
I'm loving angels instead The process of narrowing this down to the final one is grueling.
Because everyone brings something unique to the table.
I'm Jennifer.
Nice to meet you.
So, j.
Rome strolled in and stole my heart.
Where do broken hearts go can they find their way home back to the open arms of a love that's waiting there So good.
My dad told me when I was 6 years old, j.
, you're the man of the house now and you have to take care of your sister and your mother.
Beautiful, beautiful job, beautiful person.
So, my bore basically raised me by herself.
So, to do this, like, I want to make sure my mother is great for the rest of her life.
The more talented people I see, the tougher I realize this decision is.
I have Brandon, who is fantastic and I have j.
Rome, he has the soul, he has the voice and he has the emotion.
So, I think it's going to be a challenge to find that right person.
It's time to find out who Jennifer selected.
Right now, performing her big hit "tonight," Jennifer nettles and her first duet partner, j.
Rome.
If words could make it real I'd tell you how I feel instead I'm waiting here on my knees love I know how it feels to breathe with you beside me I think about it always tonight, tonight, tonight I'm waiting for waiting for the night tonight, tonight, tonight I'm waiting for waiting for a lifetime for a day would be an even trade no price I wouldn't pay for your heart love I know how it feels to breathe with you beside me I think about it always tonight, tonight, tonight I'm waiting for waiting for oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Wow.
I mean that's the first performance of the night.
Way to start it off.
Yeah.
All right.
Go to the lounge.
Let me talk to j.
Rome.
So, I heard you got your tonsils taken out recently and took your voice and almost your life? Yeah, I couldn't talk, couldn't sing.
Ism was laying in the emergency room and I didn't know, like, there was so much blood and everything like that, I didn't know if I was going to make it through the night.
I was paying and praying and God just put me through.
I'm here today, singing with Jennifer.
So, the bar has officially been set.
Time for the superstars to rank j.
Rome's performances.
The three superstars that didn't just perform in this case, Kelly, John and Robin, have just entered a secret score on their cab let between 1 and 100.
After each amateur performs, we'll add up the scores and reveal where they stand.
Throughout the night, our chart will keep track of how each amateur is stacking up to their competition.
T so, before we make any of that happen, let's first hear from our superstars who I know are dying to say something about that performance.
Let's start it off with Kelly.
I was standing at the end.
I don't know if saw me.
When you were singing, like, huh, I wonder how they are going to blend together.
I never heard her sing that style.
What's great about Jennifer and great about you is soulful music rings clear anywhere, and that's what's going to be so beautiful in this show.
Y'all sounded so great.
Thank you, thank you.
Robin, what do you think? Oh, man.
J.
Rome, you know, first of all, you are very handsome, you have an amazing voice.
So, I don't like you already.
Going to be honest.
That's the beginning of the show, ladies and gentlemen.
That's how you kick off a season of "Duets," baby.
Absolutely.
I don't know what to say that has not been said.
This guy is really phenomenal.
You really look and sound like a star.
Thank you.
Okay, so, now that we've heard what the superstars have to say, j.
Rome, let's take a look at the "Duets" chart.
As the first to perform, you are obviously going to be at the top of the chart.
Yeah! Woo hoo! But the true test is holding that position.
Thank you, again, j.
Rome.
Go ahead to the lounge.
Best of luck holding that number one spot.
Coming up, our other superstars perform in this epic night of music.
You are watching "Duets" on abc.
Hey, it's Quddus, back here on "Duets," where music's biggest superstars not only coach the amateurs, they perform with them each week on stage.
As John legend is about to find his first duet partner, he decided to hold the auditions right here in our studio.
So, we're going to take a little tour.
This is our little piano room.
Gorgeous.
This room is going to be great.
Check out the green room.
Man, I love this place.
Pianos everywhere.
I definitely understand the human voice pretty well.
Ill mean, there's 7 billion voices out there.
Very few of them are unique and special.
And that's what we're here to find.
The most important thing, though, I have to figure out who is going to be my partner? I looked at their tapes online, said, who sounds good to me? Is this really happening? This is happening.
Once I evaluated those folks Mr.
Legend we brought them in to see my personal.
You make me feel I'm very used to having to discern whether or not someone is good at being a vocalist.
I've been around a lot of great singers, from my days in church, to auditions singers for my band.
Part of what I'm judging is whether or not they can hit a note cleanly, purely and beautifully.
I'm in a New York state of mind Very nice.
Certain people sing songs in a different way.
I'm listening for that, too.
We're just ordinary people we don't know which way to go So nice.
Thank you.
So nice to meet you.
John legend.
Thank you.
Where do I go? You go that way.
Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind All right now.
Thank you.
Johnny was awesome.
He just came in there with confidence.
He can really sing.
But he risked too much, which, in my opinion, isn't always the best thing to do.
But I want to call back welcome back to see if we're good people.
We're going to try my new joint, "tonight.
" Baby tonight He was a little thin.
I was concerned about that.
So, we'll try "ordinary people.
" I want you to sing it as straight as possible.
Not a lot of vocal gymnastics, you know? I knew this was the one chance I had to sing.
Right now, I want to recognize the melody, because I wrote it.
Sure.
You're here.
This is it.
This is the moment.
Because we're ordinary peop people maybe we should take it slow take it slow oh oh After my instruction toned it down and I could hear his voice in a more pure way.
He nailed it.
So, we need to talk.
Let's talk.
First of all, you had an exceptional audition.
You sounded wonderful.
You got a great tone.
You got great control.
Especially "ordinary people," I thought you delivered with passion and made me proud that I wrote the song.
So I've decided I want you to join my team.
Let's duet.
I'm so excited.
I don't know what to do.
It's like the excitement is just running.
I just want to run out and holler it through the streets.
It is just amazing.
I want to cry, but I'm a big linebacker.
I can't do that.
He definitely has pep in his step.
Singing "ordinary people," give it up to John legend and Johnny gray.
Girl I'm in love with you but this ain't the honeymoon we past the infatuation phase right in the thick of love at times we get sick of love it seems like we argue every day I know I misbehaved you made your mistakes we both still got room left to grow and though love sometimes hurts I still put you first we'll make this thing work but I think we should take it slow we're just ordinary people we don't know which way to go because we're ordinary people maybe we should take it slow this ain't a movie no fairy tale conclusion y'all it gets more confusing every day oh sometimes it's heaven-sent then we head back to hell again we kiss we make up along the way I hang up you call we rise and we fall and we feel like just walking away but our love advances we take second chances though it's not a fantasy I still want you to stay we're just ordinary people we don't know which way to go because we're ordinary people maybe we should take it slow take it slow oh oh oh this time we'll take it slow take it slow this time we'll take it slow Wow.
You know, what, hold up.
Hold up.
Let me get this for you.
Let me get that for you.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
You earned every bit of that sweat, man.
Thank you, thank you.
Wow.
Let's hear what the superstars have to say.
Robin? Oh, man.
You know, I actually had the honor of opening up for the great John legend years ago.
Didn't help my career at all.
Look at you now.
Look at you now.
If you want to go on tour again.
I'm a star maker.
We'll hit the streets, baby.
I got to hear that incredible song every night and when I hear you sing it, you have the exact same connection and emotion to the lyrics that he has when he sings it.
I'm amazed and impressed.
Congratulations.
Kelly? I love you are just so happy.
Like, when you are singing, you are the happiest guy and people are always trying to be too cool for school when they're performing.
Sometimes it's great to see that vulnerability.
That's so sexy on a man.
Good job.
Thank you, thank you.
I can set y'all up.
That's I got a man.
All right, Jennifer? Loved it.
I mean, what a voice.
You have a beautiful low end that just makes it warm like honey.
I mean, so super-smooth and you were connecting with the song and I loved it.
Great voice.
Thank you, thank you.
So, now that we've heard from our superstars and the scores are locked in, Johnny, let's find out your position on the chart.
Okay.
Second place.
Not bad.
You'll take that.
All right, go ahead to the lounge, my brother.
So, now, as the chart begins to take shape, I have a little bit of good news for our amateurs.
Tonight, nobody's getting voted off.
They are going to have two weeks to prove themselves.
When we return, it's Robin thicke's turn to hit the road.
He's got the rhythm, he's got the voice.
Where would he go to find his his first part? It's "Duets" here on abc.
Hello, everybody.
It's Quddus, and welcome back to "Duets," where the superstars aren't just judging the competition, they're in the competition.
Let's check out now Robin's search to find his first duet partner.
Oh, yeah! I am here at the ocean way recording studios in Los Angeles.
There's amazing history here.
Frank Sinatra, dino, Sammy.
You can feel it.
You can feel it already.
They've all recorded here.
Hey Richard, I'm excited.
This is going to be great.
There's definitely something special in this building, and that's why I wanted to come here to try to find the next great Frankie baby.
Lay me down on a bed of roses I'm hoping to find great singers and great performers and people with great energy.
Signed sealed delivered We flew these people in because I really thought that they had a lot to offer.
I felt that they were very soulful tell me something good baby, tell me Excellent.
But they also, you know, had their own style.
To be constantly surprising refrain I hope it mixes with my style.
Who do we have next? I think that's everybody.
I think I have a good handle on it then.
I have to pick somebody that's going to work well with me.
I think it could be Olivia.
I think it could be Dante.
Ready? Ready.
At this moment, we're going to find out who I gel with the best to make sure I'm making the right move.
If this goes great, you should be my singer on the show.
I'm currently in the marines.
I just came back from Afghanistan.
The marines have been great to me.
But this is my passion and I have to make it.
I have to.
Settle down love for a minute Not bad.
With Dante, I really wanted to work on timing.
Wait for me.
One, two.
And I want to take all my problems out on you He likes to sing ahead of the beat and I like to sing behind the beat.
We're going to have to be right on the same timing.
Baby you know that I care There you go.
Okay, good.
I need a few minutes to think it over.
Thanks, Dante.
He did good.
He may have been a little nervous.
He's got the raw talent.
To be able to sing with Robin thicke is big, like, just being able to see him is amazing.
So, to be able to work with him is 100 times better.
I'll sing it a couple of times.
Lost without you lost without you lost without you lost wouithout you lost without you That's nice.
Chemistry is the most important thing in a duet.
How her and I interact with each other I think is equally important to the talent itself.
Tell me something sweet tell me something nice tell me something good baby tell me it's all right tell Mel that you love me tell me you'll be there I got that's good.
Can you step out for one second? Okay.
Thank you, sweetheart.
Tough call.
This is my gut feeling.
I'm going up against Kelly and Jennifer.
I can't I got to make sure that I'm making the right choice.
No turning back now.
What's up man? Moment of truth.
After everything, you know, I thought you did a great job.
I thought you settled your nerves down a little bit.
Unfortunately, I'm not picking you.
And there's really no cool way to say it.
Right.
It hurts a lot to know that I didn't make it and that I can't move onto doing what I love.
That's not easy.
Not easy for me.
So come on over.
You can stand right there.
As you know, I can only pick two people for the show.
So I picked you.
You're on the show.
Thank you.
You're going to do it.
Let's duet.
All right, you ready? Yes.
Thank you so much.
You ready for this opportunity? I'm so happy.
You're welcome to true.
Okay.
I'm so happy.
I'm so appreciative that he took a risk for me.
I will not let him down at all.
I got you and you got me oh Okay.
Well, here he is, performing his hit "lost without u.
" Make some noise for Robin thicke and his duet partner Olivia chisholm.
I'm lost without u can't help myself how does it feel to know that I love you, baby lost without u can't help myself how does it feel to know that I love you, baby tell me how you love me more more and how you think I'm sexy, baby that you don't want nobody else you don't want this guy you don't want that guy you wanna hold me close when you see me tell me how you love my body oh, oh how I make you feel, baby you wanna roll with me you wanna hold me you wanna stay warm and get out of the cold with me I just love to hear you say it oh, baby, it makes a man feel so good tell me you depend on me I need to hear it I'm lost without u can't help myself how does it feel to know that I love you, babe I'm lost without u can't help myself how does it feel to know that I love you, baby baby, you're the perfect shape shape baby, you're the perfect weight weight treat me like my birthday I want it this way I want it that way I want it tell Mel you don't want me to stop baby tell me it will break your heart that you love me and all my dirty you want to roll with me you want to hold me you want to stay warm and get out of the cold with me I just love to hear you say it makes a man feel so good I'm lost without u can't ha can't help myself how does it feel to know that I love you, baby I'm lost without u can't help myself how does it feel to know that I love you lost without u lost without u lost without u lost without u I'm lost without u oh oh Yeah.
Good job.
I'm going to leave you with her.
You know what? I feel like I was just interrupting something there, okay? Oh, you were.
I mean, y'all can take a couple more minutes if you need.
That was special.
It was.
Pinch me.
I think he pinched you enough, though.
Yeah.
All right, let's hear what our superstars thought about that performance.
John? What did you think? You sounded very sexy.
Thank you.
Reminded me of alliyah.
Yeah.
Had that very.
Thank you.
Subtle sexy approach.
Now, only thing I would say is.
I feel like you can get into it even a little bit more, you know? Just feel comfortable out there.
You're a star.
Just own it.
Jennifer? What did you think of that? Where are you from? Charlotte, north Carolina.
Okay.
I thought I heard some Southern.
I loved it.
How authentic is your voice in this genre.
It is fantastic.
Thank you.
Good stuff.
Now, Kelly? Okay, if I look like you, first of all, I give my left leg to look like you.
And secondly, to sound as hot as you, you sound so sexy and so beautiful.
Thank you.
You own that even more, oh, my God.
Unstoppable.
Amazing feedback right there.
A good choice and I'm mad about it.
Let's find out what position you have on the chart now.
Okay.
You're in third.
We still got some show to go.
Go ahead to the lounge and see you in a bit.
When we come back, Kelly hits the road to find her first duet partner.
But what happens when your audition is on a stage in front of thousands and thousands of people? You will not want to miss this.
Hey, everybody.
It's Quddus and welcome back to "Duets," where our amateurs are being given the chance of a lifetime to perform onstage with some of their musical idols.
Up next, let's take a look at the overwhelming surprise that Kelly had in store for her first duet partner.
We are incredibly busy right thousand and I'm on tour constantly.
So, it has been kind of a test to find time to fit in auditions and stuff.
I sleep on a bed I'm blowing it right now.
No, you're good.
I figured on the road it would be cool to fit in auditions.
Looking forward to meeting you, too.
I'm not going I'm doing just fine I love you.
I want to make sure I find, like, the perfect people, because I am so competitive.
We're here today in San Diego.
We're finishing up tour here, and I picked juliana and Jason.
They're both there and I love them.
Oh, I'm letting go oh, you are mine at last Shut up.
You are so good.
Hey! I want to throw one more curve ball at them and see who kind of rises to the top.
There are 60,000 people coming tonight to the show and I thought it would be really great to get y'all both in front of an audience.
I just want to see how y'all react with the crowd and the chemistry and the flow and everything.
I just thought that we were going to watch her show.
I didn't think I was going to be apart of the show.
I'm very excited to be a part of this new show coming up.
It's called "Duets" and we're totally going to win.
My dad's a singer and he knows how hard it can be.
He put his dream on hold to have a job so he can support us.
If she did pick me, it's showing them that I can do it, that I can be successful in this business.
I'm getting a little, like, jittery.
And I've auditioned and auditioned and I actually came down to a couple people that I'm very, very excited about.
When I was 17, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
When she was diagnosed, it took her within eight months, so it really just turned my world upside down.
Give it up for juliana! I didn't want her death to be in vain, and it is my dream, and she believed in me so much, so I kind of used that as my, you know, my fire within to keep doing it and keep singing.
Georgia sweet Georgia no peace I find yeah just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind keeps Georgia Georgia ooh, ah on my mind yeah yeah Give it up! Thank you, guys.
Juliana is so ridiculous.
The only problem with juliana is she sings a little bit more through her nose, and I sing a little bit more through my gut, so it just kind of didn't blend as well as I had hoped.
Good job.
Oh! Watching juliana, it was very nerve-racking.
She did really good.
Jason, come on out here.
I was, like, having doubts about myself, like, why am I here? I'm so excited.
Me, too.
I wish you'd hold me when I turn my back I don't have a choice but I still choose you oh, I don't love you and I always will I always will I always will Oh, you're good.
I always will You're good.
You sound awesome.
I always will This decision I'm about to make is extremely difficult.
The only problem with Jason.
He got so overwhelmed.
He's never performed in front of that many people.
I just got to go off the performances that I've seen so far from them, which stinks, because I do not want to tell someone to go home.
Did you have fun? I had a lot of fun.
Yeah.
You are so sweet.
I love it.
I know you probably felt like you lost it at the end, but that's cool.
That means you really want it.
Itch was freaking out because, like, I kept begging my band and crew, I'm like, I don't know who to pick because I was singing with y'all, maybe I wasn't paying attention.
I listened to it again and I thought you did really good.
And will you duet with me? Oh.
Jason farol, let's duet.
Oh, my God.
Are you ready? I just think that there's something super, super special about you, and honestly, it reminded me of me.
I officially have my first person for "Duets," Jason farol.
And I'm so excited, you're so excited.
And he is going to knock everybody's socks off.
Jennifer nettles and Robin are going to hate you because you are so good.
Oh, my God.
Which I love it.
So much emotions right now.
I'm happy, I'm scared, but I'm really excited.
You have such amazing pitch.
I didn't end up picking you to go on, but I thought you did so well.
It was purely just because of the blend.
You dream and you dream and you work for it, and it's, like, can it happen? And then when you have a moment like this, like, it's sad, but it's, like, it's okay.
It'll be okay.
I hated that.
Remember what we said.
We won't forget each other.
We'll be friends.
I love you.
My dad's going to be so happy when I tell him.
When we come back, Jason farol makes his national debut with Kelly clarkson.
You're watching "Duets" on abc.
Hey.
It's Quddus, back here with abc's "Duets," where amateurs are selected by and perform with music's biggest superstars.
Performing "breaking your own heart," this is Kelly clarkson and her duet partner Jason farol.
shaking your head like it's all wrong and before you're here you're already g and even with the lights all around you you're all alone in the dark you're breaking your own heart taking it too far down a lonely road you say you just want love but when it's close enough you just let it go the very thing you've been the most afraid of you've been doing it from the start breaking your own heart oh yeah too many tears too many falls it easier here behind these walls and you don't have to walk in the shadow and life is so hard you're breaking your own heart taking it too far down a lonely road you say you just want love but when it's close enough you just let it go the very thing you' the most afraid of you've been doing it from the start you're breaking your own heart Jason! Jason.
Listen, man.
I'm going to keep it real, because that's just what I do.
You've been nervous the past couple days.
You're right, yeah.
But that didn't show at all just now.
Really? Good.
Good.
It might have something to do with you having half the crowd here.
So now it's time to hear what our superstars thought.
Jennifer? When you open up and your voice opens up, it lights up the room and that is the kind of stuff we want to see from you.
Fantastic.
Thank you.
Robin? First of all, how do I get some seats for my cousins and my friends? Right? He got it like that.
No, honestly, the only conclusion I can come to right now is that you are adorable.
Your voice, your face, your whole energy.
I love everything about you.
Thank you.
To get a man like Robin thicke to tell you that you're adorable is saying something.
It really is.
Hey.
I'm secure in my manhood.
I love you.
That's right.
That's right.
John, what about you? I love how much you love being here and how much you love music and love this opportunity.
So congratulations.
Thank you.
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah, I'm so proud of you.
All right, so, now the moment of truth once again.
The superstars have scored our amateurs in a secret vote from 1 to 100.
Jason, let's find out where you stack up on the chart.
Okay, all right.
You're at the bottom right now.
But you still got a lot of singing left in you on the stage.
All right.
Join the lounge.
Coming up, John legend takes the stage and Kelly clarkson performs her current chart-topping single "stronger.
" You are not going to want to miss these performances.
You're watching abc's "Duets.
" Welcome back to the "Duets" stage.
Welcome back to the "Duets" stage.
It's Quddus here, and before the break, Jason farol performed, wooed the crowd, but he still ended up in the bottom spot, while j.
Rome has been able to hold onto the top position all night.
Up next, we got John legend and his turn to find a second duet partner.
I'm competitive.
I'm not nervous.
We've got a strong team starting out here, but I got to find one more, so I just said, who impressed me most live? Elisabeth.
Hello.
The cream just kind of rose to the top, you know? Ain't this what you came for don't you wish you came oh what you playing for I got to school at Harvard university, and my dream is to be a professional musician, to be a professional singer.
What's your major? I'm planning on concentrating in organismic and evolutionary biology.
Say that again? I really want to study pandas.
Okay.
Tonight, I'll be the best you ever had Okay, so now let's try it this way.
This one's a little more like you know, you gotta be a little tighter.
Baby, tonight you need that tonight believe that tonight I'll be the best you ever had Beautiful.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Thank you.
I have never been so thrilled.
I feel like it's a great chance for me to really follow my dreams.
How you doing? Scared.
Welcome back.
Brittney was so adorable, her whole energy.
She was just nervous.
We're going to have some fun now.
Okay.
We're going to sing together.
She looked like she was about to cry when she first walked in.
Baby, tonight's the night I'll let you know baby, tonight's the night we lose control baby, tonight I was terrified.
I was like, okay, I hope I don't sing it wrong.
I hope I don't say the wrong thing.
I have a tendency of doing that.
But for me to step out of my comfort zone allows me to be me, and I've never really allowed brittney hunt to be brittn hunt.
Tonight I'll be the best you ever had Beautiful.
We're all done.
Thank you so much.
I'm so sorry.
Oh, don't apologize.
You were great.
Thank you.
I was just nervous.
I was just hoping, oh, I hope he likes it.
I hope he likes it.
I hope he hears my heart.
Bridget.
Hey.
To be selected by John legend would be undescribable.
Ain't this what you came for don't you wish you came oh boy, what you playing for I mean, I'm 34.
I've been doing this for a while.
So there will be a job opening soon in Virginia.
Basically, what I do is when you don't pay your taxes, I come get it.
So when people see you at their door, they're not happy.
They're not happy at all.
So let's see what would happen if you did the "tonight" and I did the low part.
Baby tonight's the night I let you know baby tonight's the night we lose control It's always challenging trying to find the right key for the female singer to be in her sweet spot as a vocalist, and me to be in mine.
The best you ever had Good, good, good, good, good, good, good.
I really enjoyed your audition.
I think you did a great job.
And you really nailed it.
I really was pleased.
And I'm ready to ask you to join me on the show.
What? Are you ready? Yes, I'm ready! Let's duet.
Oh, my God.
Let's duet.
Yeah.
This day ranks pretty darn high.
They definitely need to find someone to fill my position at work back in Virginia because I'm not coming back for a while.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Woo! From the first time I saw her, I thought she just looked like she belonged on TV.
I'm happy.
I got a good team.
Signing his song "tonight, best you ever had," give it up for John legend and his duet partner bridget carrington.
oh all right ain't this what you came for don't you wish you came oh girl, what you playing for oh, come on come on let me kiss that ooh, I know you miss that what's wrong let me fix that twist that baby tonight's the night I let you know baby tonight's the night we lose control baby tonight you need that tonight believe that tonight I'll be the best you ever had I hit you with the best stroke freestyle and the breaststroke till you're blowin' cigarette smoke and now the bed's broke so what we gonna do now forget it round two now work it out and we cool down cool down baby tonight's the night I let you know baby tonight's the night we lose control baby tonight you need that tonight believe that tonight I'll be the best you ever had okay we started right and I'm yours, baby we got all night and I won't waste your time baby tonight's the night tonight's the night oh, oh, oh tonight's the night I will let you know baby, tonight tonight oh, oh, oh tonight's the night we will lose control baby tonight you need that tonight believe that tonight I'll be the best you ever had I don't wanna brag I don't wanna brag but I'll be the best you ever had I don't wanna brag I'll be the best you ever had Oh, my goodness.
Oh, my goodness! Wow.
So how did you feel? I'm a little warm.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
I've seen you in rehearsal, and you've been kind of, "oh, my God.
It's John legend.
Oh, my God.
It's John legend," and you just broke out.
Oh, yes.
Lights, camera action.
Yes, indeed! Oh! Yes! So it's time to hear what the superstars have to say.
Robin? Oh, man.
That song makes you want to go to the club and get it poppin'.
Anybody wanna go get it poppin'? Ready to warm it up? Something's wrong with you.
It makes me want to call my man.
Me, too.
It makes me want to go home after the club.
But no.
No, what I will say is that, uh, when you look in John's eyes, I feel and when you're singing together, you guys have this romance and chemistry.
I get the same feeling when I look in his eyes.
That's why I won't do it.
That's why I won't I won't look in his eyes.
But anyway, it works for you guys, so, congratulations.
That was wonderful.
Thank you.
Jennifer? Great.
Such sophistication.
That was a classy performance.
You just owned that song and you just owned the stage in it.
Thank you.
Kelly? I thought it was hot and sexy and whew! I want to do a duet with him right now.
Y'all wanna okay.
No, I just think John picks such great vocalists.
I mean, he complements everyone.
He's got such a smooth tone.
And I just thought you did great.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Way to step up for sure.
Let's find out your position on the chart.
Okay.
I'll take that.
Well, you can join your man right there in the superstar lounge.
All right, after the break, Jennifer goes back to her roots, and still to come, Robin and Kelly take the stage with two new amateurs.
This is "Duets" on abc.
Hey.
It's Quddus, and welcome back to the "Duets" stage.
So far our superstars have managed to find some absolutely incredible talent, and up next, it's Jennifer's turn.
Let's watch as she searches for her final duet partner in some very familiar territory.
This lady was a superstar long before she became the recording star of the world.
And that is in 4-h.
Tonight is the annual national 4-h gala, and at this gala, I'm going to be awarded as the alumna of the year.
To the one and only Jennifer nettles.
4-h was an organization that I was very much involved in in my youth, and I was a member of clovers and company.
I would love to invite clovers and come to come and we're going to sing a song for you now.
It's an organization that has immense talent that takes kids from, basically, sixth grade throughout their high school career, from the state of Georgia.
From coffee county, Jennifer neles.
For me, growing up, it gave me so many opportunities as a performer.
When the walls fall all around you when your hope has turned to dust So far in this process, I have been from Vegas to New York in search of the right partners, and what I realized is, is while I've been all over the country, it might be helpful to look in my backyard.
Inside won't y won't you stand up There's so much talent in this group.
Hello.
Hey.
How are you? Come in.
So I'm lucky enough that some of the current members of clovers as well as some of the alumni from clovers are going to come and audition.
Georgia Georgia did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there You are, like, a classic.
Not over you I was reminded again in that room how much talent that organization has.
Come right in.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you in person.
Finally.
I know it.
Oh, my gosh.
"Everybody knows Jennifer nettles in Douglas," you know, and I'm like well, you know what? You actually, my nanny tells me that you sing in her church and she loves it.
My name's John glosson.
I am from Douglas, Georgia, which is Jennifer's hometown.
I like music, the way it makes my soul feel.
I feel like music comes from within me, and it comes through my soul, through my heart.
I try to mean every single word of it to connect with who I'm performing in front of.
How great thou art then sings my soul my savior God to thee oh, oh, oh, to thee how great thou art Woo.
You're killing me.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God! That is so good.
Oh, thank you.
Babe, you are blessed.
Thank you.
You know, as I have learned throughout this process that I was looking for a package.
Oh, my gosh.
Oh, so good.
So, I needed more than just a voice.
I needed someone to be able to engage and to be able to get into a song and to what he or she is singing.
He has that.
What do you think it would mean to Douglas for you to be in this competition? The support in our town, I mean, is amazing.
I mean, it's sort of like anything that happens, everybody knows about it, so it's like they all just go crazy.
Jennifer asked, "what would Douglas do if America saw you on TV?" And I was like, okay, what is she going to say? Is she fixing to, like, crush my dream or is she fixing to help them? What I want to tell you is I would love for us to just blow.
Douglas' and all of America's mind.
I would love for you to be my partner.
Let's duet! Are you kidding me?! Oh, my God.
Jennifer.
I've always felt like if the door would open for a music career, I would walk through it.
When I heard you sing oh.
I was like, that's it.
That's it right there.
Oh, my gosh.
That was it.
Oh, my God.
I'm so excited! I am so excited to see this performance.
Performing her grammy-winning hit "stay," let's hear it for the prize of Douglas, Georgia, Jennifer nettles, and her duet partner John glosson.
I've been sitting here staring at the clock on the wall and I've been laying here praying praying she won't call it's just another call from home you'll get it and be gone and I'll be crying and I'll be begging you baby beg you not leave I'll be left here waiting with my heart on my sleeve for the next time we'll be here it seems like a million years and I think I'm dying mm what do I have to do to make you see that she can't love you like me he can't love you like me why don't you stay I'm down on my knees I'm so tired of being lonely don't I give you what you need when she calls you to go there is one thing you should know we don't have to live this way baby, why don't you stay I can't waste another minute oh, after all that I've put in it I've given you my best why does he get the best of you so the next time you find you want to leave his bed for mine why don't you stay I'm up off my knees I'm so tired of being lonely you can't give me what I need when she begs you not to go there is one thing you should know I don't have to live this way baby why don't you stay Wow! Come over here, man.
Woo.
So, let's talk about that, because it seemed like there was nothing else going on in the room at all.
No.
You were just you and Jennifer.
Yeah.
She was pretty much yelling at me.
And she has that effect.
And I was pretty much yelling back at her.
Yes, you were.
But we love each other.
We do.
We do.
All right.
Kelly? Oh, my God, you're like an angel.
You sound so pretty, so beautiful, and so good.
John? You guys just really beautiful high voice and it just sounded crystal clear and you blended with Jennifer so well.
And congratulations.
Thank you so much.
Robin? Well, first of all, you're singing with a beast over here.
Okay? We all know that.
Takes one to know one.
When I told my mom I was doing the show with Jennifer nettles, she was like, "now that's a real singer.
" But no.
The fact that you hold your own with a voice like that and then you make it your own is a true testament to your talent and your greatness.
Congratulations.
Thank you, thank you.
All right.
So, John, let's find out your position on the chart.
Number three.
Hey right in the middle.
You go ahead to that lounge and think about all of that.
The competition is just cheating up.
And the chart is taking shape.
Coming up, Robin thicke has collaborated with Christina, Mary j.
, and Usher, but who will be next? This is "Duets" on abc.
Hey, it's Quddus, and welcome back to abc's "Duets," hey, it's Quddus, and welcome back to abc's "Duets," where six amateurs have performed and only two remain.
Next up, it's Robin's turn.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah! Yeah, calm down, ladies.
Let's take a look at what happened as you pursued to find this last duet partner.
All right, let's go find our star.
For my duet partner, I really want to find a gospel singer.
I sing with passion and soul and no one sings with more passion and soul than a great gospel singer.
I have seen hundreds of audition tapes from gospel singers I still haven't made my final choice yet, but I still need to hear the two people work a little bit and just make sure that I'm making the right decision.
Hey, Alexis, come on in.
Hey.
Good to see you.
Oh whoa It seems like it comes very easy and natural to Alexis.
So, I'm interested to actually work on the song a little bit to see if she can take it another step further.
If nobody's watchin' you will never know Nice.
She has an angelic tone, and I thought that her tone could really match mine well.
All that you got is doubt and no one to pull you out when your heart is slowin' down To sing with him that just blew my mind.
Can you believe Yeah.
That was great.
If he's going with someone else, I'll still be so happy that I even experienced this, because not a lot of people get this close to their dream.
Hey, jas.
Hey.
I want to sing with Robin thicke really bad.
Jasmine, I saw her tape and she was adorable and her personality was shining through the tape.
Lonely girl don't you worry, babe how can you get by lonely girl don't you live your life through someone else's eyes ooh, ooh This is crazy.
Dream on Well, I obviously got butterflies.
I'm like I forgot how to sing for a second.
Sexy girl on a plane why you crying what's your name who you running from The song that I sang with him, I would listen to that every night, and I'd just picture him, and he's really sexy.
Keep on dreaming That's great.
Okay, this is not happening right now.
It sounds great.
I'm sorry.
I feel like I'm in a dream right now.
This is insane.
That's great.
That's great.
Well, keep on dreaming.
Yeah, that's perfect.
Perfect line.
You and I sound good together.
What I like about her is she can sing very strong but she also has a very sweet, subtle tone, and so I think her and I have a good chance to sing really big and then to make something really subtle and intimate happen also.
God bless you.
Thank you so much.
Okay, thank you.
I'll see you soon.
Okay.
You know, I just got to go with my gut.
You know what I mean? It's the hardest thing to do.
I'm really just trying to go with my heart to find the right person.
Somebody when you get on stage together that something powerful is going to happen and meaningful.
I think we're ready to dance.
Am I right? All right, it's now time to reveal who Robin chose.
Singing "magic," here is Robin thicke and Alexis foster.
I can make the pain disappear and I can erase the past oh, baby, yeah I can make the future shine so bright and I can make right now all right, uh-huh I got it, you got it we got the magic, yeah magic, yeah I got it, you got it yeah we got the magic, yeah got the magic, yeah I got it, you got it got the magic, yeah we got the magic, yeah got the magic, yeah I got it, you got it yeah, yeah, yeah all I got is concrete all around me ooh, but I can see the countryside, baby you can be rich when you're poor poor when you're rich it could be raining and I can make the sun shine come on, baby I got it, you got it we got the magic, yeah I got it, you got it we got the magic, yeah I got it, you got it got it we got the magic, yeah whoa, whoa, whoa ooh, baby oh, whoa you know I got that magic come on science they can't prove it oh, no but I know you can do it yes, you can I can fly I can bend metal with my mind you can wake up in a paradise yeah we got that magic we got that magic we got that magic you know we do now we got that magic we got that magic we got that magic we got that magic we got that magic yeah, we got that magic we got that magic oh, we got that magic we got that magic come on now, baby yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Put your hands together, everybody! Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa oh, now, now we got the magic you know we got that magic baby we got the magic m-a-g-I-c I got it m-a-g-I-c we got it you got it in you we got it and I got it in me we got it, baby oh yeah, yeah, yeah we got the magic, baby the magic yeah oh, oh, oh Y'all most definitely got the magic.
Y'all had me doing the back head bounce and kinds of other dances over there, my goodness.
How'd that feel for you? That's a party, huh? Great.
I love that song.
That's incredible.
It's time to face up to the superstars now.
All right, Kelly, what are you thinking? Oh, my gosh.
I love it.
Your voice is so beautiful.
It was awesome.
So great.
Thank you.
Thank you.
John? Your tone is so nice, it's so clear and it's like clear as a bell.
I love it.
It just rang through and it was awesome.
Thank you.
Jennifer.
I saw you dancing a little bit.
I was feeling the magic.
I think it is fantastic.
And were into it, you got the crowd going.
Ill loved it.
The scores are locked in, Alexis.
Let's find out where you are on the chart now.
Okay.
Congratulations.
Come to papa.
Come to papa.
We have one last amateur who has been waiting all night to take the stage with Kelly, and they'll perform her number one hit single "stronger.
" You will not want to miss the finale.
You're watching "Duets" on abc.
Hey, it's Quddus, and welcome back to "Duets.
" With one more spot to fill on the chart, we are down to our last superstar's search.
As Kelly went looking for her final duet partner, she came across a superfan who's from a small town just like her.
Take a look.
I just finished tour and I'm back home in Nashville.
Hey! Hi! I still need one more duet partner, so I brought a few people back to hear.
And tonight I'm going to break it down to two of them and figure out which one I'm going to pick.
I'm in a New York state of mind I can't express enough.
It's called Duets.
I want someone to blend you.
Let me love you It's hard to blend with someone if they have completely different voices.
It can just kind like a knife in your ear.
I don't want that.
Oh, my God.
I'm Kelly.
I'm Ashley.
Two girls stood out to me who I think are kind of magic.
Where do broken hearts go can they find their way home Music is everything to me.
And I feel like everything thus far in my life has prepared me for it.
Nice riff.
Ashley is exciting to me.
I'm looking for of a tricia yearwood type of voice that is big and open and warm.
Love Kelly clarkson.
I'm bonderline obsessed.
I love the pink.
I have these bad nerves and it freaks me out a little bit to think I'll be standing in front of Kelly clarkson singing to her.
I'm sorry.
No, take your time.
You make me want to cry.
Oh, don't make me do that.
I am so a contagious crier.
Already, my eyes are watering today.
And I am telling you I'm not going you're the best man I've ever known I think Jordan getting more nervous and that might have to do with the fact that she is a fan.
No, no, no way way My hands are numb.
I remember thinking, I don't note how many times, I would love to just sing with her.
Just once.
And I just did.
Thank you so much for coming.
We're doing a show called "Duets.
" And I want to win.
Today, we are at blue bird cafe.
Hopefully one rises above so well that I don't have a tough choice.
But I think I'm going to.
Well, it must've been wild angels wild angels baby what else could it be? Baby what else could it be? Ooh baby what else could it be Come on! I'm just looking for a nice blend.
It's the difference between hearing something and going and then hearing something that sounded like butter.
But I'm the only one who walked across the fire with you it's only fear that makes you run the demons that you're hiding from when all your promises are gone I'm the only one yeah I'm the only one Yeah! Oh, my God.
This decision sucks because they are both really good and they both shine differently.
Oh, I'm so nervous.
Jordan has this amazing tone and quality to her voice that you cannot teach.
Ashley sounds a little bit more experienced maybe than Jordan, a little more comfortable in her skin.
Hey! I'm freaking out.
Oh, you're freaking out.
Did you have fun? I did.
Okay, good.
Okay, good.
Here, sit right here.
Sit down.
You did so awesome.
Oh, thank you so much.
I thought you did so well.
I loved your voice.
I love it.
I think it's so great.
I think you have such a cool tone to it, and I definitely think you should pursue music.
But I only get to pick one, and after the performance today, Jordan Meredith, let's duet.
Oh, my God! Okay! I was trying to freak you out.
Because I couldn't get anymore freaked out.
Oh, no, you're good.
To hear Kelly tell me that she loves my voice and my tone, and she sees something in me, more than anyone could ever tell me, no matter how many times I hear it, the fact I heard it from her is just enough for me.
Unfortunately, I did not pick you to duet with.
It's just because I think her voice is a bit more open yeah.
Like mine, and whenever we were blending, that's what I was really looking for in this.
If you do your best, then you can look back on it and say, "it just wasn't right " or " God had something even bigger and better planned for me.
" Oh, God.
Don't cry.
It's okay.
Hello? Mom? Yeah? Hi.
What's wrong? Nothing.
I made it on the show.
Oh, my gosh! Yeah.
So, I have my duet partners and now I'm pretty much ready to annihilate.
Oh, honey.
I am so proud of you.
That is awesome.
Let's give it up for Kelly clarkson and Jordan Meredith.
you know the bed feels warmer sleeping here alone you know I dream in color and do the things I want you think you got the best of me think you had the last laugh but you think that everything good is gone think you left me broken down think that I'd come running back baby, you don't know me 'cause you're dead wrong come on! what doesn't kill you makes you stronger stand a little taller doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone what doesn't kill you makes a fighter footsteps even lighter doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone you heard that I was starting over with someone new I told you I was moving on over you yeah you didn't think that I'd come back I'd come back swingin' you tried to break me but you see what doesn't kill you makes you stronger stand a little taller doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone what doesn't kill you makes a fighter footsteps even lighter doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone thanks to you I got a new thing started well, thanks to you I'm not the brokenhearted thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me you know, in the end the day I left was just my beginning in the end what doesn't kill you makes you stronger stand a little taller doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone what doesn't kill you makes a fighter footsteps even lighter doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger just me, myself, and I what doesn't kill you makes you stronger stronger stand a little taller taller doesn't mean I'm lonely lonely when I'm alone I'm not alone You've been holding out on me.
So what was that like for you? It's amazing.
I still get the nerves, so, I'm trying to get rid of those, because I don't want to look nervous.
All right, so for the final critique of the night, let's hear what the superstars have to say.
John? Kelly did a great job of finding somebody that that matched her tone.
Sometimes I couldn't tell you two apart, which is a very high compliment.
Oh, thank you.
Because Kelly is one of the best singers in the world.
You sounded great.
Thanks.
Jennifer? I agree with John in that there were times when I was like, "wait a minute.
Who's singing lead? Who's singing harmony?" I mean, this for you to stand up and sing that song with her and to hold your own in it, that is a testament to your voice.
A testimony to that.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Robin? I got to be honest.
I like your smile, I like your hair, I like your voice.
The whole stage is just bubbling with good times right now.
Well, the amateurs' fate now rest in the hands of our superstars, and when we come back, we're going to find out if Jordan lives up to her idol's expectations, and the final chart will be revealed.
Hey, it's Quddus, and we are back down to the wire here on "Duets," hey, it's Quddus, and we are back down to the wire here on "Duets," awaiting Jordan's position on the chart and the final rankings of the night.
Here we go.
It all comes down to the chart.
Okay, so you're in the bottom two.
But you still have next week to perform and change people's mind.
I'm just saying, my two are bottom two.
That's a little suspect.
I didn't put you there.
That's a little suspect, but I'm going to let it go.
All right, well, conspiracy theories abound.
Okay.
I agree.
You can go to the lounge, talk it over with Kelly.
Thank you, guys, so much for watching "Duets.
" Be sure to turn in next week as our amateurs tackle some of the classic Duets in music history.
Also, if you missed one minute of tonight's amazing premiere, you can see it again this Sunday at 8:00, 7:00 central.
And we'll be back with an all-new episode Thursday, same time 8:00, 7:00 central.
We'll see you then.
Good night, everybody.