In a tragic if fitting twist, James Gandolfini - the actor forever to be associated with his Emmy-winning role on "The Sopranos" - was set to return to the network that first showcased his career-defining role.

It was HBO that delivered Gandolfini’s swaggering, cigar-chomping mafia boss and family man Tony Soprano into viewer’s homes from 1999 to 2007. And it will be HBO that airs "Criminal Justice," the final television series that will feature Gandolfini. The 51-year-old actor died on June 19 at the age of 51.

Playing a heavy on the wrong side of the law had become a character type for the actor by the time he gained international acclaim for his portrayal of Soprano. Yet his anticipated return to HBO in the seven-part series “Criminal Justice” will see him working the other side of law. Gandolfini plays Jack Stone in the drama, a downtrodden, ambulance-chasing New York attorney who gets in over-his-head when he takes on the case of Pakistani national accused of murdering a girl on the Upper West Side, according to Deadline.

Though the iconic actor will be remembered foremost as portraying mobsters ("True Romance," "Terminal Velocity," "Get Shorty," "The Juror," "Killing Them Softly"), he turned in equally memorable heart of gold performances in "Welcome to the Rileys," "The Mexican" and "Not Fade Away." He appeared as the Mayor of New York City in the 2009 remake of "The Taking of Pelham 123" and achieved acclaim in “God of Carnage” and "On the Waterfront" on Broadway.

All are testament to the actor's ability to convey deep human frailty as readily, and as convincingly as glowering, barely-tamed menace.

"He was a genius," said "Sopranos" creator David Chase in a statement following the news of Gandolfini's passing. "Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart.'"

Here, some of Gandolfini’s career-defining roles:

"The Sopranos"

One of the most grudgingly beloved characters ever created for television, Gandolfini's Tony Soprano was a dichotomy: first a loving, sometime tender family man enduring the uncomfortable probing of psychotherapy, then a vicious mafia boss capable of beating a man to a bloody pulp. When the series drew to a close after six seasons, it was with an ending as divisive as the lead character himself. An abrupt black screen left audiences to ponder Tony's fate for themselves. A scenario akin to watching and wondering over which version of the antihero would show itself from moment to moment each week.

"True Romance"

One of the actor's breakout roles was as the heavy-hitting henchman Virgil in the Tony Scott directed film of 1993. His savage beating of Patricia Arquette is a scene many viewers found upsetting, yet remains a talking point of the film.

"God of Carnage"

Though Gandolfini did not make the leap from the Broadway stage to the cinematic version of this taught comedy concerned with the relationships of two upwardly-mobile Brooklyn couples, his time onstage in “God of Carnage” did earn him a Tony Award nomination in 2009. As Michael, Gandolfini played the often brow-beaten husband to the domineering Veronica (Marcia Gay Harden). Patient and understanding to begin with, Gandolfini as Michael quickly flipped to frustration then anger as the play morphed into a dramedy of aggressive verbal sparring.

Other stage credits inculde "On the Waterfront" and as an understudy in a revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1992 starring Alec Baldwin and Jessica Lange.

"Zero Dark Thirty"

The actor brought his brand of quiet intensity to the role of the unnamed CIA director (a character based on Leon Panetta) in the Kathryn Bigelow directed and Oscar best picture nominated docudrama based on the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

"The Mexican"

Though his portrayal of a gay mobster turned unwitting hostage taker in the Gore Verbinski directed heist caper starring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts could be described as Gandolfini-lite, he was lauded for his turn in the 2001 film. "The gay character that I play is non-stereotypical when one thinks about how many gay men are portrayed in films," Gandolfini told Bay Windows at the time of the film's release. "That is why I took the role. It is one of the best gay roles I have seen in film. His sexuality is not really even brought into the picture until he eyes someone in a bar and Julia Roberts' character asks him point blank if he is gay since he is staring at the guy. When it is brought up, it is done in a very tasteful way."

James Gandolfini’s genius came in making us feel a complicated tangle of emotions toward a character it would have been far easier to simply hate. Within the course of mere moments, Gandolfini could elicit everything from fear to disgust to pity for Tony Soprano, the tormented mobster he brought to wicked life in “The Sopranos.”

But the news of Gandolfini’s sudden death Wednesday at age 51 provokes just one feeling: overwhelming sadness for the loss of an extraordinary actor who somehow found a recognizable, if dark vestige of humanity in a vile criminal.

Nothing, not even brilliant, nuanced mob films ranging from “The Godfather” to “Goodfellas,” prepared TV audiences for the arrival of “The Sopranos” on HBO in 1999. Tony Soprano quickly emerged as the post-modern mobster – trapped by the mafia life as much as by his suburban New Jersey lifestyle. Tony, whose very survival depends on raw, primal reactions to constantly changing circumstances, is driven by panic attacks to introspection – and ultimately to a shrink.

For all the often-shocking brutality that played out during 86 episodes over eight years, the most violent moments of “The Sopranos,” at least emotionally, exploded in Dr. Melfi’s office. Gandolfini could go from tears to rage, from out of control and to coldly manipulative, from being crippled by fear to frightening Melfi and those of us watching safely from home. Tony was a mobster built for Freud, between his domineering mother, conniving sister and a crazy as a fox uncle constantly plotting against him.

Thanks to Gandolfini’s intense acting and superb writing led by series creator David Chase, we saw many sides of Tony Soprano. The doting dad on a college visit with his daughter could take time out to kill a mob turncoat with his bare hands. He loved his wife and kids at home, and his gangster family at the Bada Bing. Yet he killed his best friend, Big Pussy, and his nephew/surrogate son Christopher when rules of mob honor forced those meaty hands.

Much of Gandolfini’s greatness rested in making moments pop to pulsing life with subtle changes of his facial expression or the tone of his voice. Even in that controversial, seemingly anti-climatic last scene of the series a half-dozen years ago, Gandolfini stirred unbearable tension in the pedestrian setting of a family dinner at a diner. Would Tony finally be whacked? Did we want him to be whacked? The tension without hope of relief amid ordinary circumstances marked an appropriate goodbye for a character forever ensnared by the banality of his evil, never able to rest for a carefree moment.

While there’s now no doubt he’ll be best remembered as Tony Soprano, Gandolfini possessed a quality of talent that defied being defined by one role. In parts that spanned the voice of Carol in “Where the Wild Things Are” to his recent turn as Leon Panetta in “Zero Dark Thirty,” he showed the range and potential to become the Robert DeNiro of his generation. But his time, sadly, ended far too soon.

The Writers Guild of America recently named “The Sopranos” the best-written TV show of all time. You also could argue that it was the best-acted television drama of them all, thanks largely to James Gandolfini, the man who exposed for us all the tortured soul of a cold-blooded mobster.

Hester is founding director of the award-winning, multi-media NYCity News Service at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He is the former City Editor of the New York Daily News, where he started as a reporter in 1992. Follow him on Twitter.

It’s Fourth of July which can only mean one thing: Fireworks.

Once you’re done barbecuing on the beach, here’s where to watch the night sky light up on Independence Day in San Diego.

Big Bay Boom
San Diego waterfront, 9 p.m.
Remember the Big Bay Bummer of 2012? Well event organizers promise that won’t be the case this year. Watch from multiple spots near Seaport Village, Coronado Ferry Landing, Spanish Landing, Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South, Cesar Chavez Park, Coronado Tidelands Park, Imperial Beach Pier, Shelter Island or Harbor Island.

Camp Pendleton Beach Bash
Del Mar Beach Resort, 9 p.m.
The MCCS has its annual event at Del Mar Beach resort complete with live bands and kids’ activities.

Coronado Independence Day Celebration
Coronado Island, 9 p.m.
Watch fireworks over Glorietta Bay – but make sure to get there early for parking.

Del Mar San Diego County Fair
Del Mar Fairgrounds, 9 p.m.
What better way to enjoy fireworks than from the fairgrounds? Entry to the festivities starts at $8 for kids, $14 for adults. 

El Cajon Fireworks
Kennedy Park in El Cajon, 9  p.m.
Come enjoy the visual and stunning fireworks display at Kenned Park in El Cajon.

Fallbrook Fireworks
220 Grand Tradition Way, 8:45 p.m.
The Annual July 4 Fallbrook Beautification Alliance fundraiser will bring hundreds of locals to benefit the park. Tickets start at $20.

La Jolla’s Fireworks
La Jolla Bay, 9 p.m.
See the show of fireworks at Ellen Browning Scripps Park and La Jolla Cove. 

Mira Mesa Fireworks
Mira Mesa Community Park, 9 p.m.
The Mira Mesa Fourth of July event will include many activities that include a parade, food, rides, games and a nightly firework display showing at Mira Mesa High School. Bring the whole family and come enjoy the fun.

Ocean Beach Fireworks
Ocean Beach Pier, 9 p.m.
Go with the flow and bring your blanket to sit back and enjoy the fireworks as they fill the sky in Ocean Beach.

Poway Pride Celebration
Old Poway Park, 9 p.m.
Poway High School will be holding a fundraiser on the fourth of July by selling admission tickets, food, and glow necklaces as fireworks spark in the sky at Old Poway Park. Tickets are $2.

Temecula’s Family Fun Day
Ronald Reagan Park, 9 p.m.
The City of Temecula’s Fourth of July Extravaganza will kick off at 2 p.m. at Ronald Reagan Sports Park with food, music and family activities.

Rancho Bernardo Fireworks
Rancho Bernardo Heights Middle School Athletic Field, 9 p.m.
Display your patriotic spirit and come and enjoy the old fashioned festival in Rancho Bernardo.

San Marcos Fourth of July
Bradley Park, 9 p.m.
North County will be celebrating the Fourth of July by entertaining with carnival games, evening entertainment and the display of fireworks in Bradley Park.

Video that shows Rihanna hitting a fan with microphone at a U.K. concert Monday has gone viral.
 
Rihanna, singing "We Found Love," can be seen in the YouTube footage walking through the crowd to greet her screaming fans during her Birmingham performance.

But when someone apparently grabbed her and pulled her back, the 25-year-old singer turned around and struck the person with her microphone before walking away.
 
It wasn't immediately clear in the video whether she had whacked the fan on purpose — but Rihanna later tweeted, “Purpose! That b---- won’t let me go,” according to MTV UK. The tweet no longer exists.

It remains unclear whether the fan were injured or where the person was hit.
 
Separately on Monday night, back in Rihanna's California home, a man was spotted on the singer's roof and arrested for trespassing, The Los Angeles Times reported.

See the video of Rihanna hitting a fan below.
 

For Lego fans, this might be a childhood dream come true.
 
An official Lego movie that brings the bricks to life is due out next year and the first trailer hit the web on Tuesday.

The 3D-animated film tells a story of Emmet, an ordinary Lego mini-figure who is mistakenly identified as the most powerful person and the key to saving the world. Emmet is then sent on an involuntary mission to defeat an evil ruler, a journey for which he is "hopelessly and hilariously underprepared," according to The International Business Times.

“Parks and Recreation’s” Chris Pratt lends his voice to Emmet. The rest of the voice cast includes Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, and Alison Brie.
 
“The Lego Movie” is directed by duo Chris Miller and Phil Lord, who also produced “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” and “21 Jump Street.”
 
The film is set to hit theaters in both the U.S. and U.K. in early February, 2014. Check out the trailer below: 

A hard day at work can make anyone want to scream.

As Jimmy Fallon proved, a good midday rooftop "yodel" can be the perfect way to de-stress. Brad Pitt got in on the unconventional singing technique for a bit that aired on Tuesday's "Late Night."

The video shows Fallon, exasperated from his mounting workload, escaping to the rooftop of his office building for some fresh air. As he takes in the views of Manhattan, Fallon lets out a yodel and receives an unexpected yodel reply from Brad Pitt on a nearby roof.

Fallon: "Brad?"

Pitt: "Jimmy? What are you doing up there?"

Fallon: "Yodeling…you?"

Pitt: "Same."

Fallon next compliments Pitt for his work in "World War Z," in yodel-speak of course, and Pitt then makes an unprecedented request: attempt the never before accomplished "double yodel."

With intense focus and concentration, the pair belt out an elegantly harmonized yodel duet. Check out the clip below.

"World War Z" premieres in theaters on June 21 and "Late Night" airs on NBC at 12:35 a.m. on weeknights.

Cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge is not backing away from comments that Angelina Jolie’s choice to have a preventive double mastectomy was “fearful” and not “brave.”

In a statement to NBC’s “Today” show Wednesday, Etheridge said, “I don’t have any opinion on what she ‘should have’ done- all are free to choose. I only objected to the term 'brave' describing it.”

The singer sparked the controversy when she told Washington Blade, that like Jolie she has BRCA-1, the faulty gene that carries a very high risk of developing cancer. But she wouldn’t recommend undergoing a preventive double mastectomy, she said.

"I have to say I feel a little differently. I have that gene mutation too and it's not something I would believe in for myself," the 52-year-old told the paper. "I wouldn't call it the brave choice. I actually think it's the most fearful choice you can make when confronting anything with cancer."

Jolie has said that she wants genetics testing accessible to all women.

Asked about Etheridge’s comments, Jolie’s partner Brad Pitt said the singer is “an old friend.” He reiterated support for Jolie’s surgery, calling her decision “bold,” according to “Today.”
 

Rihanna has nabbed Justin Bieber’s claim as YouTube’s most-viewed artist.

At some time on Tuesday morning, Rihanna’s 77 music videos on her VEVO channel garnered a combined view of 3.784 billion views, surpassing Bieber’s channel by about two million views.

Rihanna has 8.7 million subscribers on her channel, which is almost twice as much as Biber's 4.9 million.

The other musicians that round out the top most-viewed list are PSY at 3.1 billion views, Eminem at 2.4 billion views, Lady Gaga at 2.25 billion views and Shakira with 2 billion views, according to Billboard.

Country-crooning prodigy Danielle Bradbery was crowned the winner of season four of "The Voice" Tuesday night, beating out a crowded field of competitors decades her senior to clinch the title.

The 16-year-old from Team Blake — the youngest contestant this season, and one who had never performed on a stage before hitting "The Voice's" — eked out her victory over Team Usher's indie-pop dark horse Michelle Chamuel, who took second place, and Team Blake's country duo the Swon Brothers.

She was crowned at the end of a two-hour finale Tuesday night that saw pop stars rubbing elbows with the show's aspiring pop stars — not just the top three, but also a slew of the singers who had headed home earlier in the season.

And when she was, she grinned, wept and covered her mouth in disbelief of a sort that would make fellow country prodigy Taylor Swift proud. Somehow, she managed to sing a few bars of a song through that disbelief, though not without embraces from her rivals and from Shakira.

Danielle's win meant not only that she's the youngest winner of "The Voice" yet in its four seasons but also that Team Blake has now won his third season in a row on the show. (It also meant that Papa Shelton got quite a birthday present; Tuesday was his 37th.)

Leading up to her crowning moment, of course, were plenty of performances from "Voice" family members and high-wattage guests alike.

Erstwhile "Voice" coach Christina Aguilera, who returns in September to the red chair Shakira occupied this season, opened the show with a frenetic performance alongside Pitbull of their single "Feel This Moment." Descending from a giant pedestal, Aguilera looked glad to be back on "The Voice," even if she were on the stage instead of in a chair.

And in case Xtina and a room full of "Voice" hopefuls weren't divas enough, there was also Cher — a decade after her last live TV performance. The pop legend performed her upcoming relentless, club-ready single "Woman's World," clad in black leather and a headpiece that looked like a bird had flown into her coiffure.

Bruno Mars took the stage to perform "Treasure," and country band Florida Georgia Line paired with rapper Nelly performed "Cruise," to. But some of the most memorable performances by established stars came with their duets with the top three "Voice" contestants.

Michelle Chamuel joined one of her favorite bands, OneRepublic, onstage to exchange rapid-fire lyrics with lead singer Ryan Tedder on their electro-tinted folk-pop anthem "Counting Stars."

Later, Danielle Bradbery joined young country singer-songwriter Hunter Hayes for a duet on his song "I Want Crazy." And and most memorably, the Swon Brothers, both rabid Bob Seger fans, joined with the rocker himself to croon his signature song "Night Moves," the trio seated in a row strumming acoustic guitars.

The top three also brought back some of their former teammates, and some rival team members, to join them on-stage and give viewers a glimpse of what "Voice" supergroups might look like.

The Swon boys reunited with former team members Justin Rivers and Holly Tucker, as well as with former Team Adam member Amber Carrington for a take on Lady Antebellum's "Stars Tonight."

Danielle brought back Amber to sing with her, too, as well as her former teammate Caroline Glaser (who wound up on Team Adam before she was eliminated) and Team Adam's Sarah Simmons, on a cover of Carrie Underwood's "All-American Girl."

And finally, Michelle invited back three of her former Team Usher teammates — R&B singer Vedo, Latin powerhouse Cathia and pop-rock crooner Josiah Hawley — for a joyful, funk-inflected take on Stevie Wonder's "We Can Work It Out" that had both Adam and Usher singing along.

Those former teammates got another chance to perform Tuesday night, too. Vedo and Josiah joined with Team Shakira's Garrett Gardner and Kris Thomas — as well as with Holly Tucker, wielding a saxophone — for a "Jersey Boys"-inspired take on the Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg."

And four former and undoubtedly funky divas of season four — Cathia, Team Shakira's Sasha Allen and Karina Iglesias and Team Adam's Judith Hill — joined for En Vogue's "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)."

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to leave work a little early and try one of San Diego’s new restaurants.

Foodies will enjoy the latest options around town -- check out what’s cooking below:

Fish Public
4055 Adams Ave., Kensington
Formerly the home of Kensington Grill, this new restaurant focuses on fresh catches from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The whole restaurant’s been revamped, and there are even some special social-media themed deals on Saturdays.

Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
1202 Camino del Rio North, Mission Valley
Opening at the end of June, this new addition to Westfield Mission Valley offers burgers, beers and all kinds of scrumptious comfort food.

Piacere Mio
1947 Fern St., South Park
This Italian hotspot in the burgeoning neighborhood of South Park offers up sweet treats and mouthwatering sandwiches.

Pizza Port Bressi Ranch
2730 Gateway Rd., Carlsbad
Pizza isn’t the only thing being dished out at this popular eatery’s latest addition. Ice cream is also a feature of its menu, and we bet it tastes really when paired with craft beer!

Sugar and Scribe
1420 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach
Anyone with a sweet tooth will want to swing by PB for this adorable bakery. There’s cupcakes, pie, cookies, chocolates – and more just waiting for you to sample them!

ViVa Bar + kitchen
409 F St., Gaslamp District
Head to downtown and try this new restaurant filled with flavors from South America, Spain, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Colorful cocktails will also have you saying “Viva San Diego!”

She didn't get the crown but got a second chance at redemption for her reputation.

Miss Utah Marissa Powell, 21, took to the "Today" show on Tuesday after video of the answer she blundered during the interview portion of the Miss USA pageant went viral.

Powell explained that the question posed by panelist NeNe Leakes was "a little bit confusing." Leakes had asked, “A recent report shows that in 40 percent of American families with children women are the primary earners, yet they continue to earn less than men. What does it say about society?”

Matt Lauer gave Powell a second shot at answering the question and this time she came prepared.

"So this is not okay," Powell said with confidence. "It needs to be equal pay for equal work and it's hard enough already to earn a living and it shouldn't be harder just because you're a woman."

Her new response was met with applause from Lauer and the new Miss USA, Erin Brady, who was also in the "Today" studio.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A preliminary investigation clears Justin Bieber of any wrongdoing after a paparazzo was side-swiped by the pop star's white Ferrari Monday night outside a Hollywood comedy club, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Bieber was in his white Ferrari 458 Italia when he was pulling away from the Laugh Factory surrounded by a crowd of photographers in the 8000 block of Sunset Boulevard. Video shows Bieber leaving the scene after side-swiping the photographer in the street, but a preliminary investigation indicates the entertainer did not do anything wrong, according to police.

After the wail of the Ferrari's 550-plus horsepower V8 trails off into the distance, the video posted by PopCandies TV shows other paparazzi carrying the photographer to the sidewalk before an ambulance arrives. Details regarding the photographer's injuries were not immediately available.

A police spokesperson told E! News the case was being investigated as a traffic collision, not a hit and run.

"LAPD can confirm we are investigating a traffic collision that occurred around 11:45 p.m.," the spokesperson told E! News. "Officers did interview all parties involved and determined there was no hit-and-run. It appears the pedestrian in the roadway was a major factor in the collision."

Bieber, 19, and the Ferrari have been the subjects of previous complaints. He is under investigation for reckless driving after neighbors complained last month he was driving at high speeds through a Calabasas residential area.

More Southern California Stories:

• Wrong-Way Driver Causes Pileup, Injuries on 14 Freeway
• Woman Who Falsely Accused Brian Banks of Rape Ordered to Pay $2.6M
• Police Cite, Tow Vehicles in LAX Long-Term Parking Lot
• Pasadena 911 Caller Sentenced to Jail For Deadly Lie
• LAUSD Teacher Arrested in Ex-Wife's Stabbing Death

A strong drink might be the perfect antidote for those who are still reeling from the Red Wedding on HBO's “Game of Thrones.”

The premium cable channnel has once again partnered with Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, N.Y. for the launch of a second “Game of Thrones” beer due to arrive in the fall.

Like the Lanninster-inspired Iron Throne blonde ale released in March at the beginning of Season 3, the Take the Black Stout is a shout out to another cast of characters on the show -- the Night’s Watch guards tasked with defending the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms.

Take the Black Stout is brewed with star anise and licorice root and is 7 percent alcohol by volume, whereas the inaugural Iron Throne blonde ale is 6.5 percent, according to the blog zap2it.com which first reported on the new beer.

The label art on the bottle features the sacred Weirwood tree and was designed by the people who created the opening credits for the show, which ended its third season on June 9.

"Game of Thrones" is scheduled to return in the spring of 2014.

For "The Voice's" top three, there was nothing to be done Tuesday but wait.

One of the trio of contestants left standing for this week's finale — country balladeer Danielle Bradbery, indie-pop belter Michelle Chamuel and down-home duo the Swon Brothers — is set to be crowned "The Voice" on Tuesday night.

But in true "Voice" fashion, that won't come without plenty of fanfare first, courtesy not just of their ballooning fanbases but also of some pop starpower. The likes of Bob Seger and erstwhile "Voice" coach Christina Aguilera, among others, will perform on Tuesday's show.

On Monday, the three finalists got three chances apiece to make their closing arguments for why they should win the whole shebang, hoping they'd yield a charm come Tuesday.

Team Usher's indie-pop sensation Michelle was up against two Team Blake country acts, Danielle and the Swons. But if there were any rivalries heading into the show's finale, they weren't evident Monday night.

The coaches themselves struck the collaborative tone at the show's opening, kicking off the two hours of performances with a take on the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends," a nod to their cover of "Come Together" at the start of the season.

And indeed, with a little help from their coaches-turned-friends — at least in the case of newfound BFFs Usher and Michelle — the final three contestants showed in their performances that they were more than getting by.

Each one performed a duet with their coach, another version of the song their coach deemed their breakout song on the show this season and finally one last new song.

The Swon Brothers, who have earned the distinction of being the first duo to make it to "The Voice" finals, were up first with a cover of the Eagles' "I Can't Tell You Why" — debuting a new soft-rock falsetto and breaking with their country roots for the occasion.

"All that I think was missing was, like, the third Bee Gee," Usher remarked, adding that he enjoyed seeing the pair's sound evolve. And Adam praised the performance, despite his criticism of the last Eagles song the duo performed. "It's a really tall order to do one of their songs, and you guys did a great job."

Next, Michelle was up, not with a new song, but with the song her coach Usher thought had been her breakout performance on the show. That had come, he said, when she performed Taylor Swift's hit "Trouble" fresh off a surprise visit to rehearsals from Swift herself.

Again, Michelle gave an electric, and electrifying, take on the song, and again, her coach rivaled the audience for sheer enthusiasm, rocking out as he grinned.

Afterward, as the cheers from the audience refused to die down, the coaches marveled at her energy on-stage — Shakira called it "extraordinary" — and the excitement she inspired in her fans. "What cannot be reproduced is that when you're up there, people are screaming so loud that our ears hurt," Adam said of the screaming fans — as Usher added, "You can't have that many relatives."

Next Danielle and her coach Blake delivered a sweet but powerful take on the Patty Loveless song "Timber, I'm Falling in Love," though there was the inevitable slight creepiness of a grown man singing a love song to a 16-year-old.

Team Blake's other finalists the Swon Brothers were back up next, this time delivering their breakout performance from the season: Kenny Loggins' "Danny's Song," a tune that in their hands had won over even the country nonbelievers among the coaches the first time around.

"It's almost like I disappeared for a moment," Usher told them Monday of how their performance affected him. "Wow, what an incredible rendition, man. It's amazing."

Michelle returned next to tackle "Why" by Annie Lennox — a song she hadn't performed before, and one she knew would be a tall task. "This song is pure emotion. It's a big challenge that Usher thinks I can live up to, and I do not want to let him down," she said.

Michelle began performing a stripped-down, fragile take on the emotionally heady song — singing into what appeared a mirror, a la her take on "True Colors" earlier in the season, but turned out to be a computer image of herself.

The coaches thanked Michelle for giving them a rare chance to see her trade her high-energy rock-outs for vulnerable crooning, and they said her knack for both was testament to her talent. "Likeability and capability," Usher told her. "To me, that is what represents a true artist, and that is what you possess."

Next, the Swon Brothers took the stage with their coach to perform alongside him in a sort-of duet, if the duo counts as a single singer. They delivered a rollicking take on Brad Paisley's tongue-in-cheek homage to fame "Celebrity," in just the sort of good-humored performance the Swon Brothers have patented.

Team Blake's other finalist Danielle's turn came next to remind her audiences of her breakout performance on the show. And although Blake said it had been hard to pick one such performance for the teen since she'd had so many, he opted to have her sing the Pam Tillis hit "Maybe It Was Memphis" again.

Danielle turned in just the sort of plaintive, pure belt that has earned her such a loyal following, her clear voice the perfect match for the song's litany of Southern Americana tropes.

"You've grabbed the bull by the horns — no pun intended," said Shakira, donning a leather cowboy hat by way of support for the singer. (Never a partisan, she had also waved a "Go Okies" flag for the Swon Brothers and donned thick-rimmed glasses for Michelle.) That praise was nothing next to Adam's; he flat-out predicted Danielle would win the thing, to Usher's chagrin.

And just a night before two of the show's remaining acts were bound to head home empty-handed, that was just what Danielle and her competitors needed.

Not that home didn't have its own charms — a point made by the finalists' performance just then of the jangly indie-pop anthem "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Joining in for the choruses were all the rest of the top 16 from this season on "The Voice" — from the singers sent packing during live shows to recent runners-up like Sasha Allen and Amber Carrington.

After the crowds had left the stage, just two took to it: Michelle and her coach Usher, whose bond over the course of the season had strengthened into a meaningful friendship. With Usher predicting more duets in the future, the pair gave a soulful, ferocious take on U2's "One."

Closing out the night was Danielle, the show's youngest finalist and likely frontrunner — at least if you asked Adam and whoever decided to give the teen the plum final spot of the night. As she performed the closest thing she has performed yet this season to an uptempo song, Danielle's nerves over the pacing of Sara Evans' "Born to Fly" gave way to her trademark breezy confidence as she lived up to the song's name.

"Your perfection is almost boring me at this point," Adam told her. Her own coach was more strictly positive in his praise. "I'm one of the millions of people out there that you've got wrapped around your finger," Blake said. "Thank God you came to 'The Voice' to debut yourself."

"The Voice" will crown one of its three finalists the winner at its finale on Tuesday at 8/7c.

Ladies and gentlemen, grab your hats because racing season is about to begin.

Starting July 17, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will be home to plenty of horses for the 2013 racing season. Thousands of people are expected to visit during its 7-week run – but racing isn’t all that’s happening. Special events ranging from beer festivals to concerts will also be held at the racetrack until Sept. 4.

Kicking off the season is Opening Day, which will feature the annual hats contest and Coors Light party. After that there’s free Wednesdays starting July 24 and a food truck festival on Aug. 3. There will also be two beer festivals on July 27 and Aug. 31.

Don’t miss out on the Summer Concert Series either. The lineup includes heavy hitters like Weezer and The B-52s, plus a performance by Fitz and the Tantrums.

The racetrack is open Wednesdays through Sundays from July 27 to Sept. 4. Tickets cost $6 for Stretch Run and $10 for Clubhouse (though Opening Day tickets are $10 and $20). The racetrack will also be open on Memorial Day, Sept. 2 for its final week.