The X Factor

About time Hope went! I'll echo the comments that they were awful tonight, the tuning was all over the place. I'm going to defend Same Difference once again - they were really good tonight I thought, probably the only act that was note perfect. People slag them off because they're fun, like that's a bad thing, but I think they are adorable and I'd love them to win.

As for Rhydian... I'm still undecided. At first I hated him, then I grew to really like him, but now I'm not too sure again. I don't know what it is but I always feel like there's something missing when he sings. Yes, he has a brilliant voice, but it seems completely emotionless. Maybe it's just because opera is not my cup of tea, I'm not sure, but I just don't think I get him.

Niki's first performance was fantastic, I thought, it really suited her. Leon was just Leon, pretty unmemorable.

Next week will be fun because the 4 remaining acts are all very different. I think Leon should be the one to go next, but in all honesty it could be anyone.

Sorry was I only the one to see the production clock coming into the final part of results? This is supposed to be a TV presentation forum after all..

I wouldn't have called the clock an item of presentation. It's not like it's something you're supposed to see.

Better than turning into Digital Spy.

I'd say Rhdian is the only one who's turned in note-perfect performances.

Hope weren't great - "We Will Rock You" was the worst of the 2, however I'd have much rathered Leon went - he is so boring and his pitching was well off on Saturday. He also is one of the worst in terms of spewing out the emotion in the VT to try and win support of teenage girls (and presumably succeeding!!). There was a fantastic bit where even Dermott got bored of talking to him - absolutely classic.

As for Louis, he's just becoming more and more of a knob every week. When asked to judge Hope he said that he couldn't becasue Beverley went last week. What? And the point is...........?

And he said Danni had never had a hit record ... just factually incorrect!

I think he meant a decent hit record.

My comments from Saturday night:

1. Rhydian - Clearly the strongest singer, but completely not right for this competition. Should be onstage somewhere, not exactly X Factor material. Would love to see him play Jekyll and Hyde. Also, his facial expressions are a bit smug during his performances. Why? (As an aside - I was rather peed off at the blatant use of the patriotic song to bring in votes. Can't we judge talent, not origin?)

2. Hope - There is NO justification for singing WWRY in that arrangement. I was in WWRY a few months ago and that was a complete disaster. I can't even remember their other performance.

3. Same Difference - Same as ever, same difference between all of their songs. I thought they would have a proper go at a ballad tonight, to show that they really can sing. And she can't stand still either.

4. Leon - I can't actually remember what he sang. I do remember though during one of his performances last week that there was one note in his jazzier one that was pure Frank Sinatra.

5. Niki - Each performance was equally good, and as far as I could tell pretty good note-wise the whole way through. What I'm getting bored with is the constant allusions to her being a mum - who gives a sh*t? I don't, I am just looking for talent.

Can I also just say that Danniiii Minogue is really beginning to p*ss me off. Her comments always seem to be geared around pitching and being flat or sharp - yet I can't actually recall her singing live recently. She's a fairly poor judge. She has clearly had botox to the extreme as she can't move her eyebrows much above the position they're usually in, and her horrible Aussie drawl just grates on me like Same Difference.

I have, to be honest, wholly agreed with Louis on a lot of points this show. I think SD are best suited to some pantomime, and think that Bev was one of the strongest voices in the competition. How she found herself in the bottom two is beyond me - unless of course the contest is rigged, and that would never happen, would it I think the points about him being "sad" and a "granddad" are out of place - he just has a differing point of view to those expressed by the other three judges.

Having said all this, I think it's been a very very poor competition this year. The singers have not been nearly as strong as last year and the production just seems to lack something major this year. I can't quite put my finger on it but this year the whole show seems to have something missing from it. Maybe it's become overly formulaic? I read news the other day that the votes have fallen by half from last years' competition. I keep also hearing that SCD is surpassing TXF in the ratings.

I think the show needs to lose the emotional pleas for votes. The sob stories get in the way of the talent (or rather, lack thereof) which the pre-celebs tend to have. It's dull to watch - I do not want to know how Tom lost his grandma in a freak whale-hunting accident 10 years ago, and this is why he's singing Beyond the Sea tonight. I tuned in to see music - can I have some music please?

The worrying thing is the competition has a horrible effect on the participants' voices as well. Only one of the acts IIRC has proper training - so that means that even if these acts do get out of the competition alive, without proper vocal coaching then they will run into serious problems (see recent problems with Leona Lewis' voice).

What do other people think? I haven't commented on X Factor in a while so just thought I'd share some of my thoughts with you.

Hmm well that's somewhat subjective isn't it, a hit record is a hit record.



Interesting, although I feel he's a bit operatic to perform in a musical like that one (assuming you do mean the Wildhorn musical!).



I actually have to disagree, I think there is a place for "technical" feedback - none of the other judges give it. The point about her not singing recently is a rather silly playground-esque comment; I'm a terrible singer but I can tell you in a flash whether someone is flat or sharp.



Yes it's getting very annoying indeed. I think it's been gradually building up over the years - and to be fair to the contestants a lot of it is in the editing. Also it starts in the audition shows - a successful audition will often be preceeded by the auditionee's sob story, and then it keeps getting brought up by the judges / presenters / VT editors throughout the rest of the series.

Song Choices for Saturday

Based on song choice I expect either Niki or Leon to go - hopefully Niki, who if you believe the following is as bitter and twisted as Louis:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a81358/niki-glad-to-see-louis-mocking-dannii.html

Is it just me or is there something up with the sound?

What Louis says is true though. How can Danni Minouge dish out criticism to anyone? She's only still around because of her sister (and her cancer). She can't even sell singles off the back of the show with her new one not even making it into the top 20 this week.

There was a minor fact that there was almost no publicity about her new single. Even Chris Moyles said on the day of its release that he didn't know anything about it.