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?

 And so it begins... twitter.com/radioleary/sta…

— Dermot O'Leary (@radioleary) June 4, 2013

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.