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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be amazed that something as psychologically manipulative as X Factor is allowed on air?

298 replies

moondog · 09/10/2011 20:59

I've been watcihng it for the 1st time.
I can't beleive they are allowed to toy with people's lives like this, building them up, playing with them and then casting them aside.

What an unbelievably unpleasant concept.
I feel tainted for having watched it.

OP posts:
pointydog · 09/10/2011 22:23

These happens with so many programmes these days, moon. You are v out of touch you know.

pointydog · 09/10/2011 22:25

And it's got to the stage it happens so often, we all know the drill now so we are desensitised to it.

Also, all the people gettin gpublicly dumped know that they will still get dosh for news stories and they will still get a few opportunities to make something of their singing career. Everyone knows the game.

TuftyFinch · 09/10/2011 22:36

Princess. I didn't ever say I thought it was right. However, I don't think you can say "making fun of vulnerable people has become acceptable in society" without quantifying it. I don't think it has become worse and I work in FE with young people who often have SN and/or MH needs. They are in mainstream education and included. There is no suggestion that they shouldn't be. I know sniggering and laughing does happen but we are all responsible for standing up for more vulnerable people. If i, or any of my colleagues saw any form of laughing or bulling of anyone it wouldn't be ignored. I understand you are seeing this from a different perspective and I do understand your point of view, I just don't think it as simple as just banning it. My suggestion about Ofcom wasn't a joke.

littleacceb · 09/10/2011 22:43

I used to watch Pop Idol a bit, but have never seen X Factor other than the snippets they show on the news or in ad breaks for other things.

I just feel a bit uncomfortable with the whole quest for fame aspect. While lots of money would be wonderful, I can't imagine anything more horrible than being public property and having people you don't know approach you in the street and tell you what they think of you. Everyone has the right to pursue their dream, but I'm not sure why fame is the dream of so many people.

As I said, I completely understand the desire for financial benefits. I hate to break out the Freakonomics, but the odds of becoming wealthy are far higher if you slog your guts out through your A-levels than if you try to get on a reality tv show.

Also - in the scenes that I've seen, the judges don't appear to really say anything useful or constructive, just creative put-downs or clever wordplay for "I liked it". Is that a misrepresentation or is that how it is all the time?

I really love real pop music, but it seemed much better when boy- and girl-bands would tour under-18s nights and school assemblies, building up a loyal fanbase, rather than this flash-fame that happens now.

runningwilde · 09/10/2011 23:11

It has become so manipulative with shit judges who dont know their arse from their elbow. They need record producers to judge not some two bit singer like tulisa or Cheryl

Original poster
moondog · 09/10/2011 23:23

Who in God's name is Tulisa anyway?
I know who Kelly Rowlands is and Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh but Tulisa?
She is about 19 in any case.
What does she know?

OP posts:
melancholista · 09/10/2011 23:26

She is a Role Model, moondog.

So is Louis Walsh.

Original poster
moondog · 09/10/2011 23:30

I sort of get that but who is she? What does she do (apart from spout thick tripe)?

I thoguht the music business was about old men telling young peopel what to do, not young peopel telling young peopel what to do.

And that 16 year old!
Fucking hell, she looked abnout 38.

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 09/10/2011 23:32

Moondog..... You are doing it yourself, pointing and laughing.

Original poster
moondog · 09/10/2011 23:33

I'm certainly not laughi8ng.
I am aghast.

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 09/10/2011 23:34

So aghast you are making fun of someone's appearance, speculating over age. Maybe Tulisa has some SN?!

WilsonFrickett · 09/10/2011 23:37

Tulisa is in a popular music combo called N-Dubz.

HTH.

Original poster
moondog · 09/10/2011 23:38

I'll check 'em out on Youtube.
Are they hot with da kidz?
Do you not have to have some enduring stardom to be a judge.
I may be a middle aged mum but I have a vague idea of who is Big and I ain't ever heard of no Tulisa.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 09/10/2011 23:38

Compared to Cheryl Cole, Tulisa is actually a reasonably articulate judge who is able to give an opinion rather than pout, flutter her eyelashes at Simon Cowell, and say "eeeeh I get you, you know, I really get you".... to every act..

melancholista · 09/10/2011 23:39

Yes. Clearly a very high IQ.

Original poster
moondog · 09/10/2011 23:42

Dear God.
I've just checked out Youtube.
I would seriously have thought it an Ali G spoof withoutprior warning.Some prick with a tattoo on his neck in a Peruvian acrylic hat, burbling about finding 'yew' on Facebook.

OP posts:
MadameBoo · 09/10/2011 23:44

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8209429.stm

lurkinginthebackground · 09/10/2011 23:46

I agree that it isn't about who is the best singer, that would be boring. It is a tv show. It's primary purpose is to make as much revenue as it can. If that means taking the piss out of someone who clearly cannot sing then that is what will happen.
I disagree about the contestants being in control, I think they are "advised" what to sing at all stages of the show, what to wear etc etc. They do have to sign a contract just to appear on the show and waiver their control as it were, that is the deal.

It is the same with other reality shows. Who wants to only see good dancers only on Strictly. Or good ice skaters on Dancing on ice. What people want is to be entertained and if that means laughing at someone who is a "freak" for want of a better word, then that is what will be shown. Unfair as it may be.

Original poster
moondog · 09/10/2011 23:47

Interesting Madame, especially that bit about the signs.

OP posts:
melancholista · 09/10/2011 23:47

Just...lovely.

worraliberty · 09/10/2011 23:49

Wow I haven't watched any X Factor at all this year but moondog you should put your pointy, sneery judgey pants to good use and get yourself on the panel.....

WilsonFrickett · 09/10/2011 23:49

Look, not to my taste at all, but current, urban, and selling loads of records and she's big on bring hard-working and easy to work with. I think all important attributes for being a judge.

But then, I am a die-hard fan of X-factor, an avid consumer of popular culture and am firmly of the opinion that participation doesn't automatically equal exploitation. As such, I seem to be in the MN minority...

melancholista · 09/10/2011 23:52

But just look at Lurking's post: "What people want is to be entertained and if that means laughing at someone who is a "freak" for want of a better word, then that is what will be shown. Unfair as it may be."

I think she's right.

But how can that possibly be OK in a society which claims to be civilised?

WilsonFrickett · 10/10/2011 00:02

The people I laugh at on X-factor tend to be the raft of PFBs who have never been told 'actually darling, perhaps you're not the best singer in the world and maybe Mummy should cancel your lessons, so we can concentrate on your acting and interpretive dance, hmmm?'

There are a lot of people who are completely deluded about their own level of talent, for sure, but I don't think there are that many 'freaks'. I think Susan Boyle, Johnny from the current series teach us that talent is talent is talent, tbh (although Johnny's song last night was more than a bit weird and he is actually a much better singer than that).

thefirstMrsDeVeerie · 10/10/2011 00:05

I dont watch it anymore because I cant stand how its produced (if thats the right word).

All that mugging from the judges and the 'suprise' twists. Like when someone is overweight and wearing a tracksuit and they roll their eyes and suddenly the contestant sings like and angel and the judges sit back and gawp at each other.

Dont like the 'journey' 'comfort zone' 'nailed it' cliches either.

OH and the kids love it so I let them get on with it and find a repeat of Mrs Marple or something to watch.

If adults with SN want to audition why shouldnt they? Its not up to the NT population to tell them they cant.

It used to be a brilliant show but I have gone off it now. But I am not a fan of reality shows generally.

I dont think its worth any gnashing of teeth or pulling of hair or anyone's soul withering away.

Its just a tv show.

That big campaign a while ago to make sure the winner didnt get to number one was a bloody joke too. The band everyone was supposed to vote for was pretty much owned by Simon Cowell too were they not?

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