Thursday night (June 28), "Duets," ABC's reality singing competition, will go live for the first time with the contestants and their superstar partners (Kelly Clarkson, Robin Thicke, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles) singing new-millennium songs before turning the vote over to the public.

The show puts a new twist on the tried-and-true genre, but also differs from the competition when it comes to judging style, according to host Quddus.

"I'm a positive person, I don't need to see people bickering on screen. I don't enjoy uncomfortable moments like that," Quddus explained MTV News when asked what set "duets" apart from the competition. "I enjoy people who are witty and smart and have really pointed opinions, who can say a point without having to demolish somebody's self-esteem. And that's what our show is."

The former host of MTV's "TRL" feels like having a bad guy at the judges' table is not only a stereotype, but often those people don't even have the proven success to back up their harsh words. "Duets," he says, goes above and beyond shows like "American Idol" and "The Voice" because of the level of talent the coaches bring to the table.

"I feel like it's such a stereotype to have people behind a judges' table who are so pompous sometimes and so know-it-all about it, and oftentimes they don't even have the credibility to back up what they're saying," he said. "So I'm like, you know what, it's time for people who actually make amazing records, who are good people, who genuinely want to see other people win and develop as artists do the talking. And that's what our show is."

"Duets" airs at 8 p.m. on ABC.

How do you think "Duets" compares to other reality singing competitions? Leave your comment below!