2663 replies to this topic

[Imogen]

Apologies in advance if another thread has been created, and I haven't spotted it.

As indicated by the title, this thread is about all things X Factor (which I have pledged my life too. No social life for me!), and it's the first show tonight, so...bring on the freaks. Can't wait!

[Pooki]

Just watched the first episode today, and it was pretty disappointing. I shouldn't be surprised of course, but again, we get endless footage of the freaks and barely any of the people who got through, though I liked the black girl trio and the handsome guy who looked after his mother who they put through.

I do agree with Simon's decision to say no to that incredibly nervous kid through however, even though it was out-voted by Louis and Sharon. He just isn't ready to go on stage, even though his voice was alright.

Paula Abdul didn't really add much as a guest judge IMO, besides plunging necklines.

The last bit with the old lady having a go at Simon over laughing at the middle-aged daughter-in-law was so contrived, although I was a little disappointed at him for laughing in the first place, considering she was a nice enough, non-freaky lady who hadn't gone in with any kind of attitude. Simon just came across as even more obnoxious than usual by laughing at her. The mother-in-law should never have been let in the room in the first place, but they got the scene they were hoping for.

[NotPatrick]

I generally avoid X Factor like the plague up until they get past the "let's gawp at all the mentally ill and homeless people who have been told they're great by the producers so when Simon et al laugh at them it's even more hilarious" stage but I did see the section with the "little old lady" at the end after I was flicking channels when "Maria" had finished.

And good grief that woman (the mother in law that is) was awful. I've no idea why we were supposed to cherring her for yelling at Simon Cowell because

a) it's become increasingly obvious that Simon Cowell is by far the least obnoxious out of the three judges

and b) what sort of woman decides to stomp into her daughter in law's audition, start yelling at all the judges before the poor woman even opens her mouth, stand there glaring and pulling stupid faces at the judges whilst she sings, and then starts bellowing at Simon because he dared to giggle a little bit?

Honestly I don't even know if he wasn't laughing at her rather than the singer...

Edited by NotPatrick, Aug 20, 2006 @ 11:08 AM.

[Shattered Life]

Ha, some BB people. This should be fun.

I do agree with Simon's decision to say no to that incredibly nervous kid through however, even though it was out-voted by Louis and Sharon. He just isn't ready to go on stage, even though his voice was alright.

Agreed. There's a slight chance his confidence will improve, but if he's bordering on a full blown panic attack at the thought of having to sing in front of three people, what's he going to do when (if) it's a studio full of people? Sharon was sweet to him when she could see that he was nervous though, and it was down to her he got a second chance. If I was him, I would be praying for Sharon to be my mentor. That being said, perhaps Simon would be able to help himbetter with a "tough love" approach.

And I'm ashamed to say it, but I do find the deluded people tragically funny. People like MAD!Donna, Onkar, and that crazy mother in law are the reasons why most people tune in to the starting shows I think.

[Melk]

I do agree with Simon's decision to say no to that incredibly nervous kid through however, even though it was out-voted by Louis and Sharon. He just isn't ready to go on stage, even though his voice was alright.

I remember last series Sharon rejected a girl with an amazing voice, because she thought she was too 'delicate' and would be broken by the pressure of the competition. And while that girl was very nervous, she wasn't nearly as nervous as the kid that Sharon said yes to this time around.

I was totally with Simon Cowell over the crazy mother in law thing. Who brings their mother in law along? And had any of these people ever watched the X Factor before? What do they expect from Simon Cowell? He's Simon Cowell for god's sake, his fame is built around his bastardry!

[Imogen]

Is it me, or is the X Factor feeling a bit lacklustre this year? I've just watched the second episode, and although good, it just feels a bit samey. Like I've seen it all before.

That being said, the Louis Walsh fangirl was hilarious (Louis Walsh?!), and I always take pleasure in seeing pathetic chavs getting rejected. Not that it seemed to deter Kylie and her pushy mother. (Did they get lost on the way to Trisha?)

[Jane in Vain]

I'm finding it a bit lacklustre because it's generally quite easy to predict who's going through and who isn't before they've even sung. Shown with a tragic sob story? You're going through. Telling the camera your ambitions to rule the world through the medium of pop music? You're obviously shit and are going home.

the Louis Walsh fangirl was hilarious (Louis Walsh?!)

Oh lord! I was cringing (and I concur - Louis Walsh?!) Despite the fact that I much prefer the early stages of delusionistas, care in the community patients and the occasional relief of a decent voice, I find it a bit annoying that she must have been put through for 'entertainment' value only as her voice wasn't anything to write home about. Most eccentric contestants are only amusing for a very limited time period.

[Pooki]

I always take pleasure in seeing pathetic chavs getting rejected. Not that it seemed to deter Kylie and her pushy mother. (Did they get lost on the way to Trisha?)

They were really awful - she didn't have the talent, the looks or the personality to go through. Simon was right to blame the mother for leading her down the garden path, because it just isn't going to happen for her. And I hate it when the auditionees bring their whole family with them to the audition, that just screams ‘loser’ right away.

[Occasional Hope]

Yes, it's desperately boring at the moment - the voices are average at best.

BTW, apparently the boy who sang swing this week used to be a child soap star, on Brookside.

[hannahsweetie]

They were really awful - she didn't have the talent, the looks or the personality to go through. Simon was right to blame the mother for leading her down the garden path, because it just isn't going to happen for her.

It scares me that so many people truly believe they're going to be famous someday - really, is that your biggest aspiration? Also,it bugs how so many of them say "it's my dream, I've worked my whole life for this" and they're, like, 17.

Edited by hannahsweetie, Aug 29, 2006 @ 1:02 PM.

[Shattered Life]

Yes, it's desperately boring at the moment - the voices are average at best.

Agreed. I haven't been wowed by anyone as of yet, especially since we usually always get a background (a.k.a heart wrenching tale) of the people that go through. I honestly don't know why Louis let his number one fan go through, as while her voice wasn't terrible, it wasn't good either. Simon and Sharon should really have stepped in, because it put Louis on the spot with someone who would be completely and utterly crushed if he said no. There's a reason why it's a panel of judges, and not just one.

They were really awful - she didn't have the talent, the looks or the personality to go through. Simon was right to blame the mother for leading her down the garden path, because it just isn't going to happen for her.

"Simon Cowell, you just patronise yourself!" Um, WTF? I absolutely loathe the people who bring an entire entourage of supporters who are completely blind to the fact that the person just can't sing.

I liked the old woman who had a decent voice. She was nice, and the judges treated her as such.

ETA: I was wowed by someone, actually. I was gutted when it turned out that girl was 14 instead of 16. She would have been extremely interesting to watch this year IMO, as her prefered genre isn't really mainstream these days.

Edited by Shattered Life, Aug 29, 2006 @ 2:22 PM.

[Pooki]

I was wowed by someone, actually. I was gutted when it turned out that girl was 14 instead of 16. She would have been extremely interesting to watch this year IMO, as her prefered genre isn't really mainstream these days.

I thought that girl's (was her name Paris or something?) voice was amazing too, and I couldn't believe she was only 14. Although even if she had been old enough, I'm not sure X Factor would be the best avenue for her to go down (although is it as limited to pop as Pop Idol/Popstars was? I guess G4 were trying to be opera-lite) if her real ambition is to be an opera singer.

It scares me that so many people truly believe they're going to be famous someday - really, is that your biggest aspiration? Also,it bugs how so many of them say "it's my dream, I've worked my whole life for this" and they're, like, 17.

And when they obviously haven't done any work to develop themselves either.

[Imogen]

It scares me that so many people truly believe they're going to be famous someday - really, is that your biggest aspiration? Also,it bugs how so many of them say "it's my dream, I've worked my whole life for this" and they're, like, 17.

Big fat word. Paris has obviously been working for most of her life on her voice, and seems very mature for her age. She obviously has a lot of ambition, and I believe she'll go far. In comparison, Kylie wants to be famous, and her mother has done her a huge disservice by encouraging her.

I really want to buy Pick Me Up or Reveal or something similar. I'd bet my last doughnut that Kylie and her mother have done an interview and been given a 'makeover'.

[modge]

Also! As if "It's my dream, I reaaaaaaaaaaaallly want it" is a valid reason anyway? Tough shit if you really want it, if you're not good enough, you're not good enough. I HATE the number of people on X Factor/American Idol/Fame Academy/Whatever plead this as their justification and response to critcisim. "I really want it" is not a winning argument!

I was barely able to watch the last episode, I think I'll tune in again once bootcamp starts. I hate the "narrative" element that's crept into all the auditions, and the 'witty' editing that makes a 3 second incident take 5 minutes to play out. I hate the focus on the dreadful ones and that we hear a couple of notes (if we're lucky) out of the good ones. I hate whenever a pensioner goes to audition as they rarely get treated well. I hate the producer-set up mothers ripping into Simon (as if Kylie's mother would have got past security and into the judge's room if it hadn't been okayed by a producer, or indeed Simon himself). I particularly felt that one of the older men one the last programme seemed to have a genuine disability of some kind and I don't think they should have let him audition.

Ach, I do like the programme (honest!) but I'm only really interested in the talent part. I actually think the bootcamp is my favourite part of the whole thing, they should show more of that and less of the "funny" ones.

/rant ends.

[Pooki]

I hate whenever a pensioner goes to audition as they rarely get treated well.

I hate that too, and even if they do get treated well, it's just in a patronising way. I really think they should lower the age limit, because realistically, they're not going to put anyone through to the finals who's older than say Brenda last series, and getting all these old people to queue up for hours, probably after travelling, just isn't good.

I particularly felt that one of the older men one the last programme seemed to have a genuine disability of some kind and I don't think they should have let him audition.

Was that the guy who Simon said he couldn't understand? I thought that too. The show does have the feel of a Victorian Bedlam when they're setting someone like that up for laughs. it's just unnecessary.

Edited by Pooki, Aug 31, 2006 @ 4:35 AM.

[modge]

I think so, tbh I flicked over to ...Maria repeatedly during the episode because I couldn't bear to watch. It was the man who had quite large teeth and a sort of high forehead - sorry for the bad description!


ETA - no posts in a week, Simon will be disappointed!

I was pleased to see no care in the community auditions this week. The monochrome80s twins were brilliantly bad, and the leopard cats also. I was pleased to see that we got more good auditions this week, and montages of the bad. Disappointed that they're still going with the "here's a sob story with swelling music that will climax just as Simon announces their success" editing that takes any suspense away. However, I had called that the boyfriend-girlfriend pair who auditioned separately would have one get through and the other not, so I wasn't all right all the time. However, I reckon she'll get chucked at bootcamp before him.

Next week - more auditions! I thought we'd be onto bootcamp by now. And Paula is back, looking nuttier than ever.

Edited by modge, Sep 2, 2006 @ 6:41 PM.

[Occasional Hope]

Well, at last I was moderately wowed by someone this week - Samantha, the young mother. I thought she was excellent - possibly the best pop female voice I've heard on any of the British shows in this genre. Obvioously it's hard to tell from one short clip if she's got enough to win - but I'm definitely impressed.

I liked Welsh Richard last year and I liked him again this week, but he falls into the good-but-not-exciting category for me. I wasn't stunned by Boyfriend - I thought he hgot through on looks more than voice.

I think I may have a sense of humour deficiency, because I generally find the bad auditions quite the reverse of mirth-inducing, but I did LOL at Champagne (and the cat girls were amusing to a lesser degree).

Edited by Occasional Hope, Sep 3, 2006 @ 6:36 AM.

[Pooki]

Well, at last I was moderately wowed by someone this week - Samantha, the young mother. I thought she was excellent - possibly the best pop female voice I've heard on any of the British shows in this genre. Obviously it's hard to tell from one short clip if she's got enough to win - but I'm definitely impressed.

She was very impressive, and like the judges, I really hadn't expected much when she walked in. I was a little cynical when she said if she was to win, she'd be making a better life for her kids, and found myself muttering ‘Except you'll never see them’.

I only caught the first half of last night's show (derned supper!), and there's only one thing I found noteworthy. The girl who'd just had a heart operation.

Dammit, I'm going to sound like a heartless fiend here, but it's totally right. No way would she have got through if she hadn't given the judges that sob story. Not that she was bad, just that she was nowhere near good enough. Arg!

I couldn't stand when she came out with that heart operation story - I hate when people use their sob stories to help them get through. I didn't think she was good enough either.

I liked Welsh Richard last year and I liked him again this week, but he falls into the good-but-not-exciting category for me. I wasn't stunned by Boyfriend - I thought he hgot through on looks more than voice.

Richard seemed ok, but like a bit of a wet blanket to me. I don't think he'll make the finals this time either. I agree that boyfriend got through on looks more than anything too. And I don't buy that he'd gone along to support his girlfriend and only then and there decided to audition himself. The boyfriend-girlfriend thing was clearly their gimmick for getting on telly. I didn't like the girlfriend much at all. She looked trashy, and like the judges said, she wasn't anywhere near as good as she thought she was.

I quite like that we're getting to see the judges talking amongst themselves behind the scenes, it gives more of an insight into what they're thinking.

[Occasional Hope]

I wish the rejected or on-the-fence candidates wouldn't plead so - it's embarrassing to watch and they're only humiliating themselves. Imagine watching it when it comes on the TV a few months later - and knowing all your friends and family are watching too. At least Spirit and Destiny's Della had some dignity this year.

I liked the gravel-voiced Joe Cocker type guy, Ben - nice-looking too, which never hurts on a show like this. No-one else was much good.

The ringer boy band Avenue were certanly nothing special - they were on the front page of one of the tabloids the other day, because apparently they've broken the rules by having an active management deal (with someone with XF affiliations) - details here: http://www.mirror.co...-name_page.html. I do wonder if Simon was aware something was up and that was why he wasn't keen? Something about his reaction just seemed a bit odd

Harri, ex-Eskimo Blonde, was a bit nasal for my tastes.

[Jane in Vain]

the gravel-voiced Joe Cocker type guy

Was that the one with the Michael Bolton hair, near the end? He was good, but I was surprised at how much the judges all raved about how wonderful his performance was. He deserved to go through, but it feels like they were so happy to see him partly because the general standard has been lower this year. I've been a bit surprised at some of their choices; in the latest episode I liked the engagingly earnest black guy with the pregnant girlfriend, but his audition didn't seem particularly stunning. Also,

Harri, ex-Eskimo Blonde, was a bit nasal for my tastes.

She sounded a bit like Britney with a throat infection, so I was really surprised she got through again. (She is very pretty, though, in an 'adorable poppet' way. I was more than a little unsettled by her replacement in Eskimo Blonde, who looked like Debbie McGee.)

Edited by Jane in Vain, Sep 10, 2006 @ 11:13 AM.

[Melk]

I must be evil, because I cackled with glee when Harri got through and Eskimo Blonde were rejected. Although really I didn't think Harri was very good at all.

[hannahsweetie]

I must be evil, because I cackled with glee when Harri got through and Eskimo Blonde were rejected.

The best bit was the fact that she was still sitting there (no doubt pinioned to her seat by Thornton) when they came out of the audition room crying their eyes out. I may have let out a cackle too.

[LeoDragon]

The ringer boy band Avenue were certanly nothing special - they were on the front page of one of the tabloids the other day, because apparently they've broken the rules by having an active management deal (with someone with XF affiliations) - details here: http://www.mirror.co...-name_page.html. I do wonder if Simon was aware something was up and that was why he wasn't keen? Something about his reaction just seemed a bit odd

I'm 99.9% positive that one of the guys from Avenue (Jamie) used to be in a Steps-like foursome called Pop! So maybe Simon recognized Jamie but couldn't quite place him and that's why his reaction seemed odd.

[SandraDee21]

I must be evil, because I cackled with glee when Harri got through and Eskimo Blonde were rejected. Although really I didn't think Harri was very good at all.

I totally agree. Eskimo Blonde were my least favourite group last year and I hate people who come back year after year to audition. Am hoping Harri doesn't actually get that far in the competition cos that nasel voice is really going to bug. Especially when she starts singing Whitney.

[Occasional Hope]

According to one of the tabloids today, this may be the last series of XF. Apparently Simon wants the shopw to "go out on a high", and to replace it with a UK version of his America's Got Talent show (which sounds dire). I don't know how substantiated the story is though - it could just be a bid for more money from Simon.