An Open Letter To NBC Affiliate WYFF Concerning The Live Broadcast Of "The Voice" On November 26, 2013

Dear WYFF,

As our local NBC affiliate, you represent us … through the news, through your support of local charities, through advertising our local businesses. Thank you.

The general consensus that I get from my community and from social media is … We all love the music talent show, "The Voice". My personal assessment of this show is that it's much better than American Idol because it doesn't seem edited. It seems more professional than other TV reality talent and competition shows.

I, along with people in my community (Liberty SC) are concerned about the November 26, 2013 broadcast of "The Voice". In this episode, the semifinalists sang a rendition of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"

According to lyrics website AZLyrics, the lyrics are …

"Will the circle, be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by?"

The contestants were "coached" (may I used the word, "forced" also) to use these lyrics instead …

"Will the circle, be unbroken, by and by OH, by and by?"

I'm confused by this.

What is controversial or even religious about using the word "Lord" in a HYMN?

This song is a gospel hymn. It refers to heaven. The music was chosen, knowing it was a gospel hymn.

I'm also confused because characters on MANY of your shows say "OMG" or "Oh My God" or even "Lord have mercy" … none of which constitute praise or have religious undertones.

Furthermore … If you featured the number one song in the country … "Royals" by "Lorde" would you introduce them like this … 

"Here's the song Royals, by the band OH"?

The song featured on "The Voice", as sung, lacked harmony and didn't fit. It was a blatant slap in the face of all viewers of all religions or even no religion.

Please pass this along to NBC and express to them that we noticed.

Philip Smith

Liberty SC