Is there really any point in compiling a case for the prosecution? Exhibit X fails to disappear from our screens, particularly now a lifeline was thrown by the phenomenal worldwide success of 2006's winner, Leona Lewis. To be fair, the viewing public and wannabes know the score: global success (Leona), one-hit wonder (Shayne Ward) or eventual obscurity (Steve Brookstein, likely Leon) awaits...
The fun-factor comes from watching Britain's tone deaf delinquents embarrass themselves on national TV, with the vague hope the glorified karaoke session in the later stages will unearth a genuine star. By now, the production is slicker than oil. It's still a barrage of noise and hyperactive editing, but The X Factor's a roaring Ferrari of light-entertainment manipulation, burning up the screen and delivering exactly what the masses want: spectacle, sob stories, silliness, star potential and Simon Cowell.
Yes, those egotistical judges are back, first seen flying across the English countryside in jet-black helicopters (Cowell's chopper, aptly registered "G-PIMP"), before landing and getting into jet-black chauffeured cars. The aforementioned Mr. Cowell is inevitably back for more ear-bashing (head still ringing from American Idol), together with impish Irishman Louis Walsh, low-rent Aussie pop-star Dannii Minogue and (replacing the axed Sharon Osbourne) Cheryl Cole from Girls Aloud.
The latter is the big surprise and possibly this year's secret weapon. Is Cheryl the best choice to judge a singing competition ever? Possibly. After all, Girls Aloud were themselves birthed on X Factor precursor Popstars: The Rivals, so Cheryl has first-hand experience of auditioning (in front of Louis, actually). Therefore, she will bring genuine empathy, reality show nouse, musical experience, and earn immediate respect from X Factor's fan-base. More so than Dannii ever has, anyway. I mean, taking criticism from a woman who's only really famous for being Kylie's sister was always going to be difficult. Can anyone name a Dannii Minogue single, off the top of their head yet? Come on, it's been a year since I last asked this! Anyone?
It's still true that the auditions phase is the most entertaining part of the show, but even they can grow tiresome by week 3. While preferable to the winter months of karaoke and the judge's self-promotion (Cheryl has agreed to perform with Girls Aloud, I wouldn't bet against another Kylie appearance for her sister, and Louis will likely trot out Westlife), I'm personally ambivalent towards X Factor. Yes, it can discover someone as fantastic as Leona, and you'll still find a few people defending Shayne Ward (a huge star in Asia, apparently), but I still can't find anyone who voted for Leon last year. It seems that Scotland voted for "their boy" en masse to steal a win based on nationality instead of talent -- which makes The X Factor resemble a smaller-scale Eurovision.
And in the age of the internet, why not just wait till Sunday and hit YouTube for all the best bits without Dermot O'Leary and the adverts? Boy band JLS. The wailing horror of Dreamtime. "Ant & Deaf". 26-year-old mum Rachel Hylton. Security agent Les. Cute Welsh girl Alexandra Davies.
16 August 2008
ITV1, 7.30 pm
The fun-factor comes from watching Britain's tone deaf delinquents embarrass themselves on national TV, with the vague hope the glorified karaoke session in the later stages will unearth a genuine star. By now, the production is slicker than oil. It's still a barrage of noise and hyperactive editing, but The X Factor's a roaring Ferrari of light-entertainment manipulation, burning up the screen and delivering exactly what the masses want: spectacle, sob stories, silliness, star potential and Simon Cowell.
Yes, those egotistical judges are back, first seen flying across the English countryside in jet-black helicopters (Cowell's chopper, aptly registered "G-PIMP"), before landing and getting into jet-black chauffeured cars. The aforementioned Mr. Cowell is inevitably back for more ear-bashing (head still ringing from American Idol), together with impish Irishman Louis Walsh, low-rent Aussie pop-star Dannii Minogue and (replacing the axed Sharon Osbourne) Cheryl Cole from Girls Aloud.
The latter is the big surprise and possibly this year's secret weapon. Is Cheryl the best choice to judge a singing competition ever? Possibly. After all, Girls Aloud were themselves birthed on X Factor precursor Popstars: The Rivals, so Cheryl has first-hand experience of auditioning (in front of Louis, actually). Therefore, she will bring genuine empathy, reality show nouse, musical experience, and earn immediate respect from X Factor's fan-base. More so than Dannii ever has, anyway. I mean, taking criticism from a woman who's only really famous for being Kylie's sister was always going to be difficult. Can anyone name a Dannii Minogue single, off the top of their head yet? Come on, it's been a year since I last asked this! Anyone?
It's still true that the auditions phase is the most entertaining part of the show, but even they can grow tiresome by week 3. While preferable to the winter months of karaoke and the judge's self-promotion (Cheryl has agreed to perform with Girls Aloud, I wouldn't bet against another Kylie appearance for her sister, and Louis will likely trot out Westlife), I'm personally ambivalent towards X Factor. Yes, it can discover someone as fantastic as Leona, and you'll still find a few people defending Shayne Ward (a huge star in Asia, apparently), but I still can't find anyone who voted for Leon last year. It seems that Scotland voted for "their boy" en masse to steal a win based on nationality instead of talent -- which makes The X Factor resemble a smaller-scale Eurovision.
And in the age of the internet, why not just wait till Sunday and hit YouTube for all the best bits without Dermot O'Leary and the adverts? Boy band JLS. The wailing horror of Dreamtime. "Ant & Deaf". 26-year-old mum Rachel Hylton. Security agent Les. Cute Welsh girl Alexandra Davies.
16 August 2008
ITV1, 7.30 pm
