The Instant Save Vote Tracker Is Too Much

Engh. How am I feeling after Tuesday night's episode of The Voice? Not great, Bob. Why? The first crop of voting results were announced, that's why. After Monday night's fantastic performances, I wasn't ready to let anyone from the top 12 go. I wasn't ready at all. I also about blew a gasket when Carson Daly had reached slot eight and Sisaundra Lewis was still standing on the stage. But before I could start yelling at the TV about voters pooping The Voice bed, Carson announced that the ninth spot belonged to Sisaundra. Thank goodness. Sorry I ever doubted you, fellow voters!

The bottom three: T.J. Wilkens, Dani Moz, and Tess Boyer. Summer bummer. The three performed for the East Coast audience's Instant Votes. T.J. sang "I'll Be," Dani sang "Turning Tables," and Tess sang "Dark Side." All of 'em sounded lovely.

And then, Carson dropped the Instant Vote gates. The Instant Vote race began, as did my anxiety attack.

Carson told us we'd have five minutes to tweet like maniacs. The show cut to commercial. I went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. I hoped it would help me relax. I chugged the water. I didn't feel better.

When I came back, I saw something that only worsened my stress level. Something the show has never done before. At the bottom of the screen, there was a chart. A chart that tracked the Instant Save votes as they came in:

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ENJOY THIS SHAKIRA AD WITH THAT MENACING INSTANT SAVE TRACKER IN MY FACE?

COMMERCIAL BREAKS SHOULD BE BREAKS. THIS BAR GRAPH CHART THING IS HARSHING MY BREAK CHILL. IT'S LAUGHING AT ME. THIS COMMERCIAL BREAK IS BREAKING ME DOWN.

The show returned. The chart stuck around. It looked like the victory belonged to Tess.

And then, the chart disappeared. Carson announced that the Instant Save voting window had closed. Chills ran up and down my spine. Even though I liked all three singers AND the results were more or less spoiled by the tracker chart doohickey, I was nervous.

Did the numbers change drastically during the 30 or so seconds between the chart vanishing and the voting ending? Nope. Tess won the Instant Save. Congrats, Tess! Miss you already, T.J. and Dani! Don't miss you in the slightest, Instant Save tracker!

Next Monday Night: The Top 10! More Live TV!

Images: Tyler Golden/NBC; NBC