Wednesday 16 November 2011

The X Factor: Still worth watching?

the x factor

It's been a strange few weeks for The X Factor. I’m making no apologises here, I love watching The X Factor. Anyone who knows me on Twitter will see I do tweet excessively throughout the show. I don’t watch it because I think they will ever find anyone who is a genuine star but because I find it entertaining. I like seeing what the judges wear each week, I like to see if Tulisa carries on with that strange salute of hers, I like hearing Louis’ controversial comment of the night and I like hearing what positives Gary can come up with from a Frankie Cocozza performance. Alas, that has been taken away from me now because Frankie has gone. Don't get me wrong, I did not like Frankie from day one. I thought the judges went way over the top with his first audition, it wasn’t that strong. They seemed to like him mainly because he got his arse out. So after Frankie apparently partied too hard, after more than some encouragement from his mentor, he gets kicked out. I’m a little bittersweet about it all. As while there is no doubt Frankie was by far the worst singer in the live shows, the producers seemed hell bent on keeping him in. He kept the X Factor in headlines most weeks and he seemed like the only one who young girls would vote for.

Frankie
A hairstyle you want to cut.

Now, I’m not saying the show is fixed (how could they really?) BUT there are definitely times when I feel the audience is being manipulated into voting or not voting for someone. The Misha B “bully-gate” week is a great example of that. I said on the first live show that she was the winner, as I’m sure most other people did. But it seems like there were stories coming through in the press about her being difficult, and others not liking her and it all came to a head when Louis called her a bully. Then what happened? The following week she was in the bottom 2. And nobody has ever won when they’ve been in the bottom 2, sorry Misha. After realising that maybe they went TOO far, the producers give us a sickening VT showing us that Misha loves her family. Like Peter Andre REALLY love his kids. Well, duh. I’m sure she does and I do feel bad for her in a way, as she wasn’t allowed to respond when Tulisa and Louis were saying all that stuff. In my opinion she seems like a girl who wants her performance just right, maybe she ruffles a few feathers in doing so and the other contestants don’t know who to handle that. She was so much better than the rest, it was slightly embarrassing for everyone.

Misha B
The best singer, hands down.
Then there’s Kitty. Oh, Kitty. I am not much of a fan of hers. I don’t really understand people who are raving about her vocals when all she does is shout. She’s really not very good. BUT she does put on a good performance, I’ll give her that. The mad hatter tea party was inspired. Again, I feel they let her go too “crazy” and had to rein her back and try and make her likable. She’s gone further than I thought she would in this competition after that horrible first audition.

Kitty
Sometimes just too much, Kitty...
There has been so much wrong with this series but that’s what’s made it fun. Kelly calling in sick (worst sick voice ever), Alexandra Burke doing her best American impression (OKAY DOT COM) and a contestant getting rejected 4 times before finally being put out of his misery (no more now, Ashford). I was getting fed up of the smug-fest that was Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell, and I quite like Cheryl Cole. Dannii Minogue just kept going on about their pitch and Louis, well I don’t think he knows what’s going on. The new panel brought some fresh blood, because let’s be honest, we watch it for the judges just as much as the contestants.

judges
Worst. Judge. Ever?
I’ve never voted on any X Factor either, so because I don’t spend my money on it I don’t feel ripped off, just disappointed in some of the decisions. Back to last week, with Frankie getting kicked off (although his VT seemed to suggest he was leaving of his own accord), I do feel robbed of his “save me” performance. I think it would have rivaled Katie Waissel’s when she sat on the floor and just gave up (and stayed in somehow). So instead we had to VOTE to bring someone back, and not just any old contestants, oh no, it’s the 4 that weren’t good enough to make it past the first show. Well. Done.

Amelia Lliy
Deal with it, you've gone.
While I see why they have done it, because the public didn’t get a chance to vote them out, I can’t help think it is mighty unfair on the acts already in it. Surely it should be Johnny to return, as he was the last one out? I can’t help feel it just isn’t fair. And while I don’t agree with an X Factor conspiracy to get her back, it does seem quite convenient Amelia is getting another chance. Even after she bad mouthed The X Factor. It also throws up the question of who goes on the X Factor tour? It used to be top 8, but I assume Frankie can’t go now, but should Amelia who re-entered on Saturday go over, say, The Risk? Again, not really fair. But I suppose the X Factor isn’t about being fair. It’s about making money, and I’m pretty sure it does that very well.

All I ask is that they don’t treat the audience like mugs. YOU wanted Frankie in the live shows and WE kept him in. He must have had lots of followers because they kept him in week after week. I blame Louis from One Direction as he was getting his followers on Twitter to vote for him. Never underestimate the power of a teenage girl. Trust me, I’ve been one. Don’t get all defensive saying it’s a singing contest and try to get rid of him, because we all know it’s not. It’s kind of a freak show, but one I still enjoy watching.

And I've not even STARTED on Headless GaGa, Gladiator Kitty and Misha B in the bottom 2 AGAIN!! Phew, what a week!

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Think they'll have that on the tour...

Just an introductory post to my blog so you know what it's about!

ghostbusters
We're ready to believe you!
I'm a film watcher, DVD enthusiast, celebrity magazine reader, TV fanatic, book reader, RDJ fan, Jurassic Park addict, Nintendo devotee, reality TV follower, a professional Mario Kart driver, part time Ghostbuster and all round SingStar.

There are lots of TV shows I'm enjoying at the moment. Namely The X Factor, Misfits, I'm A Celeb, to name but a few. Also loved the last series of Celebrity (in the loosest term possible) Coach Trip and Derren Brown: The Experiments. Started watching Life's Too Short, which, while it may have it's critics at the moment, I thought the first episode was funny.

And yes I see there's loads of reality TV but I do like other stuff! Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, The US Office, The Simpsons (I could be the only one though), How I Met Your Mother- so also a lot of American shows. I also love classics like I'm Alan Partridge, Black Books, Spaced among others.

The last film I saw at the cinema was The Adventures of Tintin, which was fantastic. The mo-cap was brilliant and I can see why they thought it would work better like this. And I loved Snowy!

The last DVD I bought was Supernatural Season 6. I love Sam and Dean, and this season had some classic episodes which I think I will blog about when I've re-watched them. Just to name check two of my favourites- Live Free or Twihard and The French Mistake.

Jurassic Park
DINOSAUR! 
My favourite films include Jurassic Park and Ghostbusters.

I love reading and am currently reading One Day and The Hunger Games. I read a lot of books adapted into films.

Looking forward to Fincher's The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows and The Muppets.

So the blog will be a mix of all this. Oh, and celebrity gossip. I LOVE celebrity gossip. And Busted, I'm going to spearhead their reunion.