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Last Mann standing

By Mark A. Perigard
Monday, May 7, 2012 -
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Chris Mann is “The Voice.”

Now he only has to convince America tonight in the final performance round of the NBC talent show (at 8 on WHDH, Ch. 7).

He won’t be humming his way to an easy victory.

The 29-year-old classically trained singer from Wichita, Kan., wowed audiences with his rendition of “Ave Maria” last week, but he still faces fierce vocal competition.

Former Alicia Keys backup singer Jermaine Paul, 33, from New York, has the swagger and the silky chops to claim the top prize of a recording contract, although his rendition of Journey’s “Open Arms” last week was a misfire.

Hasn’t “Glee” taught us that nothing good ever comes from a Journey cover?

Rocker Juliet Simms, 26, from California, is ready to lead that Stevie Nicks tribute band. It’s tempting to root for ex-“Mickey Mouse Club” member Tony Lucca, 35, of Michigan, if only because his ex-Mouseketeer comrade Christina Agui�½½lera’s head would rocket from her neck if he won. His continuing presence has been the thorn in her tiara, and for a show that thrives on stroking egos, Aguilera has been lobbing hand grenades.

“I just find you to be very one-dimensional,” she sniped recently. She later suggested he’d be better off forming a Britney Spears cover band with his mentor (and her frenemy) Adam Levine.

Xtina isn’t the only one with credibility issues.

Before helping to eliminate Jamar Rogers last week, Cee Lo Green told him and Simms, “I will forever unconditionally love the both of you. And I mean that completely and sincerely.”

OK, but will he take their calls after Labor Day?

Tonight, the final four each perform a song and then a duet with their celebrity coaches.

In the two-hour finale tomorrow (starting at 9 p.m.), the finalists will sing with some of the season’s more memorable contestants (look for homeboy James Massone to return to the stage). Stars Justin Bieber (who seems to accept every TV offer thrown his way), Flo Rida, Lady Antebellum and Daryl Hall and John Oates also will perform, and the celebrity mentors — Aguilera, Levine, Green and Blake Shelton — will put aside their differences, real or faked, for a group number that will try to play to their strengths without mangling our ears at home.

Of course, somebody will be named winner.

Perhaps just to remind us he’s still alive, NBC brought back season-one champ Javier Colon last week.

The Mark Burnett show has not toppled “American Idol” in the ratings, but it has come close.

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FINAL FOUR:
Singing in this...
FINAL FOUR: Singing in this season’s final competition on ‘The Voice’ are Chris Mann, Juliet Simms, Jermaine Paul, Tony Lucca, from left.

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