The X Factor

Thought the Polaroids and handwritten forms looked better to be honest. Less produced, more like a system that you'd actually use in that kind of environment. In some ways more professional and less staged. (If you were doing a real casting call - you'd be using bits of paper)

Similarly - having a slightly "rough around the edges" feel to the stage (and the lack of an audience) gave it a feeling of a "rehearsal room" which I kind of liked.

It all felt a bit less contrived and a bit more "credible"...

I also thought about the big touch screen table they had last year. However I think looking through the photos with the paper, brings a bit more drama to the show, the future of all of the acts is literally in the hands of the judges, rather than being on a screen, which did add a bit of distance between the judges and acts.

It did seem a stupid move as the Overs isn't exactly brimming with talent - not a potential winner amongst them now, but had it remained the same they could have had three pretty decent acts.

The girls especially suffer for it though I think that would have always been a case of three from four with Gamu, Cher, Katie and Rachel.


And although they've not been shown too much this year, the groups are actually fairly strong without the need to add two new groups to the mix


It is like they spend all the money on the auditions and have to raid the back of Simon's sofa to fund bootcamp. Also don't like how they split the main audition the final outcome is based on over the two shows - would have been better to have a two-hour show on Saturday containing it all and then cut last nights to an hour and just concentrate on the reveal (with an extra 10-15 minutes of filler). Would have been nice too to include Dannii and Cheryl seeing clips of the final 8 in all categories before they're told who they'll be mentoring.

ITV getting their money's worth out of the show this year, the opening live episode on 9th October is 2.5 hrs in duration ! (is it always that long ?)

The schedule is all very civilised this year, meaning that SCD is going out very early, at 5.45pm, XF at 7.40pm.

In answer to my own question, the launch show on October 9th is it's longest ever, and is said to involve a 'special treat'

http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/842668-x-factor-to-air-longest-ever-show-involving-a-special-treat-for-viewers

Final 12 might have been leaked online by Radio Times

I have heard this too and if true

then it is devastating. A genuinely beautiful talent & it beggars belief how won't be in the final 12.

I heard there where plans for a 3 wild card to be added to the show by the public? is there any truth in this

God I hope that's true - I know what my wildcard vote would be!! That may explain the extra-long launch show and the 'special treat' mentioned by Metro.co.uk

According to the press (ok the Daily Star), all 20 unsuccesful acts from judges houses will return next week, with the judges able to select a 'wildcard' act each.

That would make for 16 acts in the live stages. Some double evictions would be required.

That makes a lot of sense. Cheryl and Will.I.am mentioned that there were four acts they wanted to put through in their discussions didn't they?

As said above they would have been better having a weekend for wildcard, unless that is what's going to happen? So one out next weekend then 1 wildcard joins?