Is NBC's 'The Voice' Just Another 'American Idol'?

What are the primary differences between "The Voice" and "American Idol"?

Based on a Dutch show, "Voice" pairs teams of contestants with celebrities to lead them through the contest. "Idol," formatted after a British program, pits singers directly against one another.

"Voice" is produced by "Survivor" creator Mark Burnett, "Big Brother" force John de Mol and Warner Horizon Television, while "Idol" comes from Simon Fuller, Fremantle Media North America and 19 Entertainment.

A handful of interesting contrasts may be found between the two programs, aimed at crowning the next "American Idol" and "Voice of America." Here are five differences.

"Voice" has celebrity coaches, rather than judges.

Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler preside as judges for "Idol," offering candid or comic critiques on contestants' auditions each week. On "Voice," however, celebrities serve as talent coaches. Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Blake Shelton build their own teams of contestants for the competition, choosing from a group of finalists.

"Voice" begins with blind auditions.

Initially, the quartet of "Voice" celebrity coaches does not even face the singers, who perform to the backs of the coaches' big red chairs. Contestants, chosen from previous nationwide auditions, are selected for teams on the basis of voice alone. For later episodes, the coaches mentor their chosen candidates.

On "Idol," the judges face the contestants and frequently even comment about their attire and appearances.

Public voting is saved for the end in "Voice."

After the initial auditions, coaches and their teams will battle it out until the final four weeks, when "Voice" goes live on TV. At that time, American audiences will be invited to vote for their favorites. Contestants will be eliminated until each of the four coaches has one remaining team member for the finale.

"Idol" looks to public voting for most of the season, once the judges have whittled the group of contestants down to a reasonably manageable two dozen singers.

"Voice" offers a record contract and cash prize to the winner.

Unlike "Idol," which promises a 19 Entertainment record deal to America's favorite singer, "Voice" gives the winner a $100,000 prize and a major label contract to boot.

Of course, the top two finishers on "Idol" usually drive away in brand-new Fords.

"Voice" has a radio and TV personality emcee.

Carson Daly, of "Last Call with Carson Daly," is host of "Voice." The 37-year-old is clean-cut and looks good in a suit. The former Los Angeles deejay is single, partial to actresses and fancies himself a comic wit.

Aha! Perhaps this is not so different from "Idol" and 36-year-old host Ryan Seacrest, after all.

The two shows will coexist for more than a month this spring.

Beginning in April, "Voice" will overlap with "Idol," which is expected to wrap up by the end of May. "Voice" airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, while "Idol" is on Wednesday and Thursday evenings on Fox.

Similar shows also include "America's Got Talent" and "The X Factor."

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