X Factor: Devastated 12 Nov 2009 — This week has seen unprecedented activity after Lucie Jones lost her place in the X-factor. I was out, and unable to see the live Sunday show, but caught up with what happened on Monday.
In my opinion, Simon Cowell went to the public vote because:
a) he was curious,
b) he expected the public to have least voted for the Bart Simpson twins,
c) he wanted to be as fair as he could to Louis Walsh who was down to his last act.
I don't accept that Simon is as money-orientated or as devious as people try to make out.
But, before the SING-OFF, he did say he'd put the past behind them and judge the 2 acts on their final songs. Lucie was miles better at SINGING than Jedward, and Simon Cowell should have had the courage to have voted off the twins. Simon has lost a lot of credibility this week.
The judges have to recognise that an act can be deeply unpopular, and recognise it by opinion on Internet groups, newspapers, and BOO-ing. Yes. Lots of boo-ing for the twins week after week.
Some argue that if you want an act to stay in, you should vote for them. I don't accept that argument. That would have meant voting for Lucie, Stacey, Olly, Jamie, Danyl, and all the other acts I would rather see on the show rather than the twins. At 35p a time plus VAT that would be a gross exploitation of the public. Too expensive.
As one who has enjoyed all the thrills (and deluded wanna-be's) of this show, from auditions to the live finals, I see no point in continuing to watch X-FACTOR. When judges don't do the decent thing, there will be seen to be nothing fair about encouraging the public to vote for their favourite act, when THE MOST UNPOPULAR ACT can get through.
I even sense that Louis Walsh was uneasy that Lucie had to leave the competition. There is no value in asking a mentor to vote.
If there has to be a SING-OFF, the public should get a further opportunity to vote who stays in the show.
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So the Central Beds want the parishes to do more...5 / 11/ 2009 — I went to Chicksands last night. Town and parishes conference. Seems to me that CBC expects to have their income cut next year, and strongly hints that they want the parishes to pick up the tab and push up their part of the Council tax, even asking us to think about what services they want the parishes to take on. So, will it be grass cutting, footpath mending, litter picking, .... what? And Con, Lab, and Libs all saying they want power devolved to the lowest level. So whoever wins, more power to the lower levels. But it's a fine balance deciding to put up localities' local precept to pay for these services if that locality is on the poor side. So, if the services are taken on from the central authority, the central authority must follow through with the funds. Come on, public, contact me!
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3 Nov 2009 JEDWARD were not highest polling as I foolishly reiterated a tabloid claim in the last post. It was just a rumour.But there is so much talk about the duo now that I fear they have become the anti-X Factor vote.
Has it occurred to you yet that all the anti-X-Factor votes are concentrated on one act? Whereas all the sensible votes are split across many great acts? And who would want the act that can't sing to win more than any other act? The rival TV companies! With X-Factor disgraced, they can look to boosting their own ratings. The Louis Walsh Aggravation Factor will continue apace right through to the finals.
Look into my eyes, my eyes, my eyes, not around the edges, into my eyes... LUCY JONES....
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Where Politics Meets the X Factor : 27 Oct 2009 —
For me, being a Liberal Democrat is seeing that something is wrong, and seeking to intervene to make a change. So, here's where politics meets the X-Factor.
For me, being a Liberal Democrat is seeing that something is wrong, and seeking to intervene to make a change. So, here's where politics meets the X-Factor.
Each week is themed. The singers may be poor on one theme and good on another. But if they're poor one week, they could go out. And all the times people voted for them before, when they might have been much better, those votes won't help to save them.
I think the current voting system is wrong. The acts that leave should be the ones that have polled the lowest number of votes over ALL the weeks they have been on the live programme. It shouldn't be the ones that score the lowest in a particular week.
I think the current voting system is wrong. The acts that leave should be the ones that have polled the lowest number of votes over ALL the weeks they have been on the live programme. It shouldn't be the ones that score the lowest in a particular week.
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X-Factor Polling: 27 Oct 2009 — Apparently the twins John and Edward polled the highest vote at the weekend even though they are rubbish singers. Some see it as an anti-Simon Cowell vote. Well, naturally I was surprised that Miss Frank group went out. They were good. But I didn't vote. I might have voted if I could vote for an act to leave the contest. Somehow I don't think that idea would get off the ground.
But the voting system is wrong. The acts that leave should be the ones that have polled the lowest number of votes over ALL the weeks they have been on the live programme. It shouldn't be the ones that score the lowest in a particular week.
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Rikki in the Last 2 as predicted! 18 Oct 2009 — I was right, I said last week X-factor Rikki was going down.. in a few minutes we find out if its him or Rachel. Rachel where are your fans? Lloyd should have been there not Rachel
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X-FACTOR Live: Week 1 (Revisited) 13 Oct 2009
Following Saturday night's X Factor contest, I took another look at the performances last night.
Skipping through the chat, the intros, the ads and the judge's verdicts brought the 2-hour long show down to three-quarters of an hour.
Rachel Adedeji was in the bottom 2 for viewers' votes, so why was that? Well, the presentation of her song, Robbie William's "Let Me Entertain You" tended to drown her out. To be heard she was left shouting into the microphone rather than singing into it. She is capable of much more professional output than that, so I would say that was a poor song choice for her, and she can surely get through a few more rounds with better songs to suit her.
The group that exited the program actually weren't all that bad. They sang well. I think they suffered from the stigmatism of where they came from pole dancing. Dressed to be provocative on stage cannot alone have been enough to turn people off. After all, who can deny that Madonna and Kylie Minogue have not exploited provocativeness to help sell themselves?
Rock star, Jamie Afro Archer, was given a poor song choice. I can see the connection. Marc Bolan had afro hair, and Jamie had afro hair. Thought processes of Simon Cowell(?): "He can do the same thing." But that's as far as it goes. Marc was effeminate. Jamie never will be. Jamie looked uncomfortable singing Get It On, UNTIL he moved away from the mike stand, and raunched it out in his own rocker style. Yeah!
Stacey Solomon. I mentioned earlier she might get too irritating to vote for. She's giggly, very Essex, and for Gawd's sake dear, keep yer trap shut and just open it for the singing! She sang well. Where she falls down is confidence. Please let it grow in her, for she has such a wonderful singing voice. Let her not hide behind her hair. Let her fans see her, let us all hear her, and wow! she's still in my top 2.
Lucie Jones. On first hearing of this week's song, I wasn't too sure. Then the judges knocked her a bit. But now I have seen her sing it again, I found maturity in her voice, confidence in her own ability, and yet still, an even more powerhouse of a voice still lurking there waiting for the right song to match that power. Lucie is still my number one.
Miss Frank. This was a brilliant performance, well executed, and on the scale of tonight's performances better than many other acts.
Olly - a slow start this week, people chant for him, but he doesn't look like a winner to me.
The Bart Simpson twins - they can't sing, but they're in the competition, somehow! I don't think they'll make a career in being pop stars, but they could do well presenting TV shows. Even so, I'd be one of those who would not watch any show they presented.
Danyl, the teacher. I don't quite get this guy yet. His performance went to the next level. No doubt about that. But is he still trying to prove something to just his school, or is he seriously reaching out to the rest of the country?
Joe is the dark horse with a crisp voice. Best of the boys on tonight's performance. Endearing. Great act.
So who haven't I mentioned yet? Rikki, and Lloyd. Lloyd you lack maturity, your act is still too fragile to make you a true winner among all these others. Rikki, sorry mate, you are going down. Soon I predict.
Skipping through the chat, the intros, the ads and the judge's verdicts brought the 2-hour long show down to three-quarters of an hour.
Rachel Adedeji was in the bottom 2 for viewers' votes, so why was that? Well, the presentation of her song, Robbie William's "Let Me Entertain You" tended to drown her out. To be heard she was left shouting into the microphone rather than singing into it. She is capable of much more professional output than that, so I would say that was a poor song choice for her, and she can surely get through a few more rounds with better songs to suit her.
The group that exited the program actually weren't all that bad. They sang well. I think they suffered from the stigmatism of where they came from pole dancing. Dressed to be provocative on stage cannot alone have been enough to turn people off. After all, who can deny that Madonna and Kylie Minogue have not exploited provocativeness to help sell themselves?
Rock star, Jamie Afro Archer, was given a poor song choice. I can see the connection. Marc Bolan had afro hair, and Jamie had afro hair. Thought processes of Simon Cowell(?): "He can do the same thing." But that's as far as it goes. Marc was effeminate. Jamie never will be. Jamie looked uncomfortable singing Get It On, UNTIL he moved away from the mike stand, and raunched it out in his own rocker style. Yeah!
Stacey Solomon. I mentioned earlier she might get too irritating to vote for. She's giggly, very Essex, and for Gawd's sake dear, keep yer trap shut and just open it for the singing! She sang well. Where she falls down is confidence. Please let it grow in her, for she has such a wonderful singing voice. Let her not hide behind her hair. Let her fans see her, let us all hear her, and wow! she's still in my top 2.
Lucie Jones. On first hearing of this week's song, I wasn't too sure. Then the judges knocked her a bit. But now I have seen her sing it again, I found maturity in her voice, confidence in her own ability, and yet still, an even more powerhouse of a voice still lurking there waiting for the right song to match that power. Lucie is still my number one.
Miss Frank. This was a brilliant performance, well executed, and on the scale of tonight's performances better than many other acts.
Olly - a slow start this week, people chant for him, but he doesn't look like a winner to me.
The Bart Simpson twins - they can't sing, but they're in the competition, somehow! I don't think they'll make a career in being pop stars, but they could do well presenting TV shows. Even so, I'd be one of those who would not watch any show they presented.
Danyl, the teacher. I don't quite get this guy yet. His performance went to the next level. No doubt about that. But is he still trying to prove something to just his school, or is he seriously reaching out to the rest of the country?
Joe is the dark horse with a crisp voice. Best of the boys on tonight's performance. Endearing. Great act.
So who haven't I mentioned yet? Rikki, and Lloyd. Lloyd you lack maturity, your act is still too fragile to make you a true winner among all these others. Rikki, sorry mate, you are going down. Soon I predict.
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CANDY RAIN GO OUT - Good! 11 Oct 2009
I was surprised Rachel Adeje was in the last 2 for the playoff to see who left the X factor tonight. Thank goodness she stayed in, and Candy Rain, the former pole dancers have left. I don't think I could have looked at those false lips any longer. Rachel is a beauty, she sings very professionally, but I suspect what happened was that people picked Lucie Jones, and Stacey Soloman to get the vote rather than Rachel.
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Now that the X Factor live show candidates are chosen, I can say that my predictions of last week are right on the money.
"My" three girls, Lucie Jones, Stacey Soloman and Rachel Adedeji, are through. Jamie "Afro" Archer is through, along with Olly and Danyl Johnson (who I have a bit of trouble being convinced by). And the girl group Miss F.R.A.N.K are through (see video below). I don't disagree with the boys that were put through by Cheryl, and she did include Lloyd Daniels, but it's the first mentioned two girls, Jamie, and Miss F.R.A.N.K that I tip for the top 4 slots.
OLLY
DANYL
MISS F.R.A.N.K
The judges gave their decisions in their own inimitable style. Danni Minougue came across as very professional, but surely we could have done without the long pauses where the girls were told what they were going through or not. Louis was short sharp and to the point. King Cowell, sat on his throne giving the contestants his decision while the challengers knelt looking humbly on. Cheryl was a true drama queen, even breaking off halfway through giving the opera singer her decision. The scene reminded me of a poor bullfighter who suddenly decided not to plunge his sword between the weakened bull's shoulder blades. In the end, she delivered her final blow to the hapless contestant, a decision I entirely agreed with in the end, but one that didn't get my hankie of approval for how the blow was struck.
It was raining cats and dogs by Lake Como, in Italy, where Louis Walsh's decision was made. Someone up there clearly realised the groups were by and large a washout! On the downside, the irritating twins are put through, almost as I predicted they would be in my blog of last week. Louis seems to have forgotten that Simon Cowell does not like the Bart Simpson hairstyled twins. Simon won't rest from knocking the twins on the upcoming live shows until they have been finally booted off.
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My X-Factor Predictions 2009 27 Sept 2009 — So, the X-factor judges have made their decisions about which "24" to keep in the competition. If I were a judge I wouldn't bother having a "groups" section next time, because in my opinion, none of the groups we were shown on TV had the elusive "X-factor" about them. That said, the one group that I think will have a chance at winning is the all-girl group, who entered as individual solo artists and came out of boot camp as a group on the recommendation of the judges. That alone is a sure sign that the judges also thought the standard of groups entered was poor. That means that my tip for the group to go the furthest is "Miss F.R.A.N.K". Their boot camp performance was a terrific raunchy blend of harmonies, and if they continue to gel together they should surely go far. The next group I think will go far is the twin boys, John and Edward, with the Bart Simpson hairstyles. I rather think they will appeal to some voters as much as they will turn off others. I fall into the category of voters who already find them conceited, arrogant, and implausible, and they won't get my vote. In my mind, I have already written off the other four groups.
Moving onto the over 25's, it was Simon Cowell's remark on hearing that he had got the job of mentoring them, "this could be a really good year for me, err I mean for them", that leads me to suspect that there are going to be some clashes with his 6 stars. They're already set in their ways at over 25, and if they don't work with Cowell, he'll be quick to talk them down in the shows. I'm wondering whose hair he is going to find the most irritating? Will it be Afro man Jamie (3,238,807 views so far on YouTube video, Mohican man Daniel, hat-man Olly, short back and sides Danyl (7,385,959 views so far on YouTube video (wow!), bushy-haired Nicole, or Afro lady Treyc? Jamie will go far, although as a rock performer, I think it will be cringe time in disco week, and I do wonder how he'll come across doing jazz/swing. So, while he's the best of the bunch for me, I'm not sure he's got staying power. Nicole, poured her heart out at boot camp to get through to the final six, but I think she peaked too soon, and will not appeal to many people. Treyc, I didn't think stood out for me in early performances. Olly, with his gimmicky hat, will get lots of votes in the early rounds. Mohican man, I like your sincerity, but I don't think you're good enough to win.
The boys - none really stand out to me as a winner, I barely remember any of them in the auditions. Some better boys didn't get through including the 17-year-old lad who did a Michael Jackson number, he was a real natural star for me and should have gone through. Judges, what were you thinking? So, instead, we've got the hat man, Rikki, with nothing special about his voice or desire to win, and then there's Lloyd Daniels with the cutie-charismatic-face-in-the-crowd that will catch a large number of votes. Notice I haven't said anything about his singing. The others in the six - did nothing for me.
The girls, - I like some of these, and I rather think the overall winner is going to be in this group. So, my three favourites in this category are Stacey Solomon, Rachel Adedeji, and Lucie Jones.
Moving onto the over 25's, it was Simon Cowell's remark on hearing that he had got the job of mentoring them, "this could be a really good year for me, err I mean for them", that leads me to suspect that there are going to be some clashes with his 6 stars. They're already set in their ways at over 25, and if they don't work with Cowell, he'll be quick to talk them down in the shows. I'm wondering whose hair he is going to find the most irritating? Will it be Afro man Jamie (3,238,807 views so far on YouTube video, Mohican man Daniel, hat-man Olly, short back and sides Danyl (7,385,959 views so far on YouTube video (wow!), bushy-haired Nicole, or Afro lady Treyc? Jamie will go far, although as a rock performer, I think it will be cringe time in disco week, and I do wonder how he'll come across doing jazz/swing. So, while he's the best of the bunch for me, I'm not sure he's got staying power. Nicole, poured her heart out at boot camp to get through to the final six, but I think she peaked too soon, and will not appeal to many people. Treyc, I didn't think stood out for me in early performances. Olly, with his gimmicky hat, will get lots of votes in the early rounds. Mohican man, I like your sincerity, but I don't think you're good enough to win.
The boys - none really stand out to me as a winner, I barely remember any of them in the auditions. Some better boys didn't get through including the 17-year-old lad who did a Michael Jackson number, he was a real natural star for me and should have gone through. Judges, what were you thinking? So, instead, we've got the hat man, Rikki, with nothing special about his voice or desire to win, and then there's Lloyd Daniels with the cutie-charismatic-face-in-the-crowd that will catch a large number of votes. Notice I haven't said anything about his singing. The others in the six - did nothing for me.
The girls, - I like some of these, and I rather think the overall winner is going to be in this group. So, my three favourites in this category are Stacey Solomon, Rachel Adedeji, and Lucie Jones.
Stacey is the Dagenham 21-year-old girl that will appeal to the tabloids, and ultimately to their readers and these will actually vote. Despite all these hardships(!) she actually has a terrific singing voice. Stacey Soloman's (5,649,500 views so far on YouTube. So people like her, but I think she might drop off towards the end of the season's show run as little things like her large teeth and big pointy nose (sorry, but the public is fickle!) start to irritate viewers. But she could still win.
Rachel Adedeji came across as professional, perhaps too professional, but I think she'll go further than the second-placed group. Lucie Jones, an 18-year-old student, is the girl I'd tip to top this category and possibly the whole show. As I write, her video on YouTube has had 2,133,142 views, but I rather think that for all the different types of songs they have to do, Lucie could be the one to creep through and get enough votes across the generations.
Who knows, it could be Lucie, Stacey, and Afro Jamie as they race towards the final show in December. Or perhaps, for this type of show, cutie Lloyd instead of Jamie?
