To think that the X Factor is a nasty, horrible programme that has become unpleasant to watch?

[SmellyMuffin]

I know there has always been a nasty undercurrent to the show, but this year it seems to be worse than ever. I'm finding watching it very uncomfortable viewing. We have an audience that now behaves like baying a mob, someone on another site has compared it to the crowd in the coliseum baying for some poor gladiators blood.

It's all scripted to an extent, and I think most people have sussed that now but can the producers please remember that this is real people who's lives they are messing with. Most of them little more that kids.

Why the fuck do people still watch this shit?

I think I liked the early seasons of it. It was a bit less 'knowing'.

Dd likes to watch it when she's at her gran's and has asked to watch it at home but I'm not very keen.

Yabu to have only just realised it

I do see your point Altinkum, but it's supposed to be an entertainment family show first and foremost, and I don't think that building peoples hopes up then knocking them down in front of millions of viewers is entertaining.

Yabu, it can only mess with your life if you choose to participate. Nobody is forcing the contestants.

What Gordy said.

Nobody is compelling anyone to participate in it.
They are all there of their own free will and can walk away at any time.

It's always been nasty, just in different ways. All those rubbish singers lead to believe they were good only to be laughed at.

People have free choice whether or not they take part it is up to them.Its been on long enough now people should know what o expect.I like x factor,its entertaining and its a hard industry.If they cant take the knocks maybe they shouldnt be on the programme.

Yes, I think it's a cruel premise. I preferred the earlier, more gentle show.

I threw the tv out 4 years ago because of X Factor and its ilk.

YABU, like all these 'reality' programmes the format goes stale very quickly. When being on the programme itself is a bigger deal than winning the prize, you know it's gone off.

I don't watch X Factor, Strictly, CBBO or any other talent (less) show as I can't being doing with any of it. Call me a fuddy duddy but there's other stuff to do and watch which doesn't make me curl up with embarrassment on the contestant's behalf!

I don't disagree but they were baying for acts to be kept ON so I think you're misrepresenting that.

Tv goes off after bedtime hour on cbeebies.

I hate the bloody thing.

It was always like this.

I haven't watched it for years. I am glad the other channels are starting to schedule against it now - for many years I would watch by default as there was nothing else on the other channels.

I remember listening to an interview with Alexandra Burke (who was on Cheryl's team). She was asked about Simon. She said he was a genius and his idea of her singing "Candyman" turned the show around for her. So, apparently the judges are in competition with each other but they choose the songs for other acts? Yeah right!

YABU. It's awful, its's obvious is fixed and the way they treat contestants is disgusting. Along with the fact you have watch the smug Cheryl Cole and Mel B judging talent, when they have none themselves.

I use to really enjoy X Factor but I gave up after Dannii left, the only credible judge IMO. I love X Factor Australia now

I love X Factor. The new way of shortlisting the acts is brutal, but it is a brutal industry.

I never cease to be amazed that parents think it is a good idea for 14 and 15 year olds to take part though.

I agree, I hate the new boot camp where people are given places only to have them taken away with the crowd shouting which one should be dropped. Really unpleasant.

No it's worse and more cruel than it was.

Also the contestants are 15/16.

Dds remarked last night it was too cruel so we switched off and watched breaking bad

Thanks dd much gentler

I don't watch it but did see the way Cheryl Cole behaved towards Raign on Gogglebox. She was nasty and unprofessional.

YANBU I can't stand X Factor nowadays. I find Simon Cowell and his whole 'manner' repulsive. Is there anyone left in the country who believes that any of the twists/shocks/surprises are actually that and not carefully scripted and hyped up to get people watching?

I understand that the industry is cut-throat but I do object to people as young as 14 being humiliated/rejected/made to cry on ITV - in full view of friends, peers and general Joe Public - and all in the name of light entertainment.

I like Strictly though - it is a totally different kettle of fish.

I think the clips that were shown on Gogglebox were very misleading. Rayne had been a total nightmare at her earlier audition, she behaved in a very diva-ish way and didn't come across well at all. The Gogglebox clips made it look like Cheryl had taken an instant dislike to her when that wasn't the case.
And I'm not a particular fan of Cheryl's but I did think the editing made her look bad in this case.

X Factor is like a modern Gladiator games but I think throughout history humans have watched this sort of battle. I do prefer the feel good Strictly where I can watch people learning a skill.

The baying mob I saw in trailers of X Factor were shocking. I watched it briefly but found it very uncomfortable.

Not long till The Hunger Games eh!

You don't have to watch it you know.

We made the decision 3 years ago that we weren't going to watch any reality TV and don't miss it for a second.

It's TV for people with no imagination.