Friday 14 June 2013

So, we're just going to let the egg thrower be the main talking point on BGT are we? Yeah because there's not much else to talk about.

Britain's Got Talent is over for another year, a Hungarian act won but a stage invasion dominated the headlines. To be fair, the final was all a bit dull in the end. Too many kids, too many singers and a lot of over over hyped acts all equalled to a very long evening. So when people like Jack Carroll, Attraction and Steve Hewlett come along they automatically stand out a mile. Steve Hewlett was a worthy wild card winner, it's a shame there weren't any magicians or better dancers in the final. Attraction were the best act of the competition but their final performance didn't have any of the emotion punch of the other two. Jack Carroll was good, he was always going to finish high and the judges obviously wanted him to win. Was anyone else surprised by the lack of support Francine had in the end? She only ended up with 2% of the vote, maybe people were fed up of the Jordan routine especially that horrible song at the end.

The big story of the evening however was a Natalie Holt rising from her seat in the orchestra and pelting Simon Cowell with some eggs. How she got the eggs in, and actually to the edge of the stage is anyone's guess. Her reasons for doing so were obviously nothing to do with being a fame hungry attention seeking brat. Oh no. She wanted to start a debate about Cowell's power and influence in the industry. Something which is hard to believe as she previously audition for BGT a year ago and was basically working for him on the final. So, she's quite happy to be on television but not too happy being a backing musician. Also, she looked far to happy with herself.  Very rarely will I agree with Amanda Holden but she had it right when she called her a "stupid cow."

She might have been angry at Cowell's influence but that doesn't stop her wanting to be part of the show did it? The final was nowhere near as good as previous ones, especially the Diversity/ Susan Boyle one, no matter how hard the judges were trying to convince us. However you know exactly what you're getting with BGT. Four judges with not much to say, a few sob stories, little kids not understanding irony and Ant and Dec. You either love it or hate it. See you next year, maybe they'll unearth some talent that we haven't seen before. Yeah, maybe.


Wednesday 5 June 2013

Sorting Out The X Factor

So the judges merry-go round on the X Factor has finally finished, and with Mrs O back in the hot seat it seems to have come full circle. So I've decided to throw out some ideas on what has been wrong with a format that has been on a decline for the past few years. They've already decided on bringing back just the room and judges for the first audition so what else can they change?




1. Themes for the Live Shows.

And I mean proper themes, not "Let's have Olympic night, that'll be great."
"But what does that actually involve? What kind of music?"
"Look, I've given you a theme you work it out."
I miss Big Band week. At least that was a proper theme, with a recognisable style of music.

2. Judges actually Mentoring.

Okay, maybe that is a bit "The Voice" but then the judges can actually take some blame when the contestant isn't moving forward. Rubbish judge, rubbish chance. For example, Tulisa looked like she had given up last year. Maybe that's part of the reason her contestants were all gone fairly early on.

3. Shorter live shows.

I like it feeling like an event on a Saturday night but when it gets to the business end of competition, two hours is too long with only two or three contestants to sing. And then a two hour results show? Dear god they aren't that interesting.

4. Get some contestants that are good and worth talking about.

I'm probably in the minority here but I love the "controversial" contestant they have every year, but it's even better when they can actually sing a bit (Katie Waissel, Kitty). Yes, you need good singers but you definitely need entertaining acts. If not it's just The Voice.

5. Bring back Brian Friedman.

Just put him on TV, for his fashion choices alone are amazing.