The X Factor

Here's my opinion...

Same Difference
I thought they were pretty average on the night. 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' was a great way to open the show, but their performance with Jason Donovan was not as good. I felt Sean was drowned out a bit by Jason's vocal. I should think they'll get a record deal from this though as they seem to appeal to the kids.

Rhydian
Should have been the winner on the night, but I think the only thing that let him down was the duet with Katharine Jenkins. That bitch truly upstaged him and ruined what would have been a great performance if he had sung it on his own. His performance of 'Somewhere' was once again breathtaking, as was his rendition of 'O Holy Night'. He was well and truly robbed.

Leon
Yet again, another Scot wins a talent show (Michelle McManus and David Sneddon ring any bells?) and like the aforementioned two, he doesn't deserve to win. His duet with Kylie was the only highlight from him, and I have a funny feeling he won't be around for long. £20 says his album is full of Frank Sinatra rip-offs and stuff like that.

Rhyd's performance seemed quite sloppy - a lot of sliding on notes, and Somewhere was particularly bad. His voice just didn't fit that arrangement of When You Believe, and Katarrine Jenkins just ruined You Raise Me Up.

And I don't think there's a problem with Scots winning things - particularly when we English seem so poor at winning everything else!

OK, let's review the six that matter...


In sixth place...

Louis Walsh - should never have been unsacked and proved himself to be more out of touch with music than ever. He's an absolute embarrassment to watch and is more interested in personal feuds than judging the act.


5th...

Sharon Osbourne - unlucky with the category she got, but the way she's acted towards Danni is completely uncalled for. Only thing to give her credit for was throwing the vote to the public when she had the chance, rather than moaning about the difficult decision and then making it anyway.

4th...

Dermot O'Leary - close call with Simon for third. After a shaky start he finally got into things about half way through the live shows. On his own merits then he's pretty good, but I still wouldn't say Kate needed replacing.

3rd...

Simon Cowell - more than happy to let Louis take the Mr Nasty role this year (which is why unfortunately Louis will be back next year!). Honest as always, but alot less reliant on put downs this year.


2nd...

Fearne Cotton - she's done the impossible this year, making Fearne Cotton actually bearable to watch. She's done a fantastic job with The Xtra Factor, but it's a shame ITV2 axed the Friday edition in favour of bloody Jordan and Peter.


1st...

Danni Minogue - two acts in the final two speaks for itself. Most of all though she's not only been a dedicated mentor, she's been honest throughout without ever resorting to attacking the acts or the judges personally. And throughout the final not once did she imply people shouldn't vote for Same Difference because they weren't her act - she judged them absolutely fairly throughout.



... As for 2008 - Louis and Sharon need to go, with one or two new judges bought in. I'd also liked to see it revamped so judges have acts from each category, rather than one category each.

Show wise the theme weeks need to end, as do the sob stories. They should definately stick to three in the final though - makes a much better event than just the two.

That's a really good idea actually. Give each judge a Group, 16–24 and over 25.

Just heard the full version of Leon's new single on the radio and it's complete and utter ****. I sincerely hope Katie Melua/Eva Cassidy stay at number one next week.

Has anyone ever managed to track down the full backing music beds for The X Factor? It must be somewhere, surely?

I agree. Mind you, I still want Ricky Tomlinson's Christmas My Arse to get to no1.

What is it people don't like about Katherine Jenkins? I personally don't think she's that bad - yes she may be a little drowning when she duets but you can't argue shes not a good singer(?).

I think the X Factor should end TWO weeks before Christmas so that the winner gets their number 1 (frankly they should maybe get ONE, but not THE ONE)... and then if the song's worth it, it'll stay #1 for Xmas.

Of course Cowell will never let that happen.

I hope this time next year he dosen't come out with a really annoying song like
Leona did.

The one that became the biggest selling single of the year?

I don't think Sharon should go as she actually bring something to the panel, Louis is just making up numbers and is awful and needs to go.

I would like a fourth judge to be brought in, but I would only like to see 3 categories. I think one judge should be impartial.

How about Simon as impartial head of the panel with the casting vote? It would circumvent the jibes made especially by Sharon that it's unfair that she has no say about what goes on, whereas 'it's Simon's show'.