Cee Lo Green Wants to Return to The Voice

An original coach on the show, Cee Lo appeared on seasons 1-3 and 5, but was not invited back after facing charges in a felony drug case. He pleaded no contest to giving a woman ecstasy at a 2012 dinner and recently completed his community service sentence, but remains on probation.

“I’ve talked very possibly about doing ‘The Voice’ again,” Green said in an interview with the Associated Press. “So I just kind of put that out there, wishful thinking, kind of willing it. Because I would love to do it again.”

After Cee Lo entered his plea, he posted a series of tweets, including one that read: “Women who have really been raped REMEMBER!!!”  He also implied that it was only rape if the woman was conscious. He later posted an apology, but the damage was done. NBC kept their distance from the singer, and a reality show and several concert appearances were cancelled.

“It was a very redefining moment in my personal and professional life,” Cee Lo said of the incident. “I get in front of my creator, humbled, and I ask, ‘What does this mean? What is this supposed to mean for me? What am I supposed to learn from it?’ And (to) have that revealed and have it bestowed upon me is a blessing, of sorts.”

“I’m so grateful that…everyone who just may happen to witness this particular interview, have my deepest, sincerest apologies for any inconvenience, any ignorance, any ill will, anything. I’m just glad that it’s behind me now. I’m so glad for it.”

Cee Lo is hoping for a return to TV, but his first priority is to “reacquaint with the music community and say, ‘I belong to you.’ ” The emotions he experienced throughout his legal and personal ordeals of the last few years arc channeled into his new album, Cee Lo said. Heart Blanche is due out November 6.

The earliest Cee Lo could return to The Voice would be Season 11, scheduled to air next fall. But first, Pharrell Williams, who has had a successful 3 cycle run and is currently filming the next one, has to decide he’s had enough. Cee Lo returned to The Voice last spring to assist Blake Shelton during the live shows.  Maybe NBC would be willing to have him back if Pharrell departs. But I hope not. Cee Lo was pretty useless as a coach. His song choices were often head-scratchers, and his vocal and performance advice mostly ineffective. He was also creepy with the girls. That’s reason enough to just say no to Cee Lo.

Interestingly, that first season, coming off the massive hit, “F*ck You,” Cee Lo was the coach who didn’t need the career boost. Adam Levine’s band,  Maroon 5 had slumping sales, and Blake Shelton was a middle-tier country star. Now, those two have become much big stars, thanks to The Voice exposure, and it’s Cee Lo who needs the boost.  Of course, the singer, hoping to rehabilitate a shattered career, wants The Voice to take him back. But please, NBC, just say no.