X-Factor..best reality/talent show?

[GreatOrmondSt]

Afternoon MumsNetters, I'm tres excited about the X-Factor starting on Saturday, the audition stages have to be my favourite part. I love these talent shows, I can't be alone! I also really like the Over The Rainbow/I'd Do Anything/How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria shows with Graham Norton but which is the best? As Harry Hill would say, there's only one way to find out...

Amy

In its heyday, nothing beat American Idol. The machinations of the producers of that show were a joy to behold. This last year was rubbish and I think it's only got one more season left in it before US X Factor kills it off, but there have been some amazing singers on there over the years. And I am beyond obsessed with Adam Lambert from season 8.

Asking which is the best reality/talent show is like asking the best way to kick a puppy.

Jaebird, I forgot about AI! I agree it had some great series, LOVE Adam Lambert :. I can't see it lasting without Simon but I'm even more excited for US X-Factor!

Liberty, you love them really! I think for every novelty act like Jedward you've got a great kid like Danielle from Over The Rainbow, who is so talented and will make a wonderful Dorothy. Did anyone watch Over The Rainbow? It was the best of that series in my opinion.

Amy

I've only ever seen X-Factor. Never watched AI, Over The Rainbow, BGT et al.

X-Factor I watch because we talk about it on here at the same time and it's a giggle. I don't know if I'll watch it this year yet. I find the mocking of people who have obvious mental health issues and self esteem issues absolutely atrocious.

I absolutely detest all those musical theatre and dancing type shows with Graham Norton. I'd rather have my toenails pulled out than watch any of them (although of course I'd make an exception if Sarah Harding turned up on the sleb dancing one!)

But I love The X-Factor. It's grandiose theatre. It's football for sport-haters. It's gladiatorial combat.

I am the same as Liberty. I loathe the whole concept of X Factor, hate the fact that Simon CVowell has smugly made millions on the back of exploiting fame-hungry kids and mediocre music, but still find myself compelled to watch it avidly every bloody year.

Have never watched any other talent show, save New Faces with Marti Caine when I was a nipper (used to love Nina Miscow being a bitch at some rubbishy ventriloquist).

I have never watched Britain's Got Talent either. I just don't get watching a load of kids doing body popping, dogs walking on its hind leg shit. Real end of the pier crap (and Amanda Holden's irritating face).

I agree with you Getorfmoiland. I dislike the exploitation. I used to watch BGT, but its gotten dumber over time.

Ahh Miss Holden. Purely irritating.

I understand what you mean Liberty, it can be uncomfortable viewing at times!

UnquietDad, I know what you're saying about Sarah Harding; I definitely tuned into Strictly a lot more last year when Ricky Whittle was on. I wonder why :o.

I guess I love those shows with Graham Norton because I love a good musical! I can't wait to see Danielle in the Wizard of Oz.I also like that the end product is something I can enjoy with the whole family rather than a pop song that's not aimed at me!

Amy

I'm a fan of the reality/talent shows generally, but I don't like X Factor. As they don't usually get enough people every year who can sing well enough to make a decent competition it just ends up being about the spectacle. Simon Cowell has a distinctly different personality on there compared to American Idol. You can tell he takes AI much more seriously (or he did until recently when he knew he was leaving).

Exhibit A for my vote for American Idol being the best:

I wish they had a wider variety of acts and songs on X-Factor, though - some bands who played guitars would be good, and singers who didn't go for the obvious big ballads and show tunes. There is only so much melismatic Whitneying, hand-waving and constipated-face-making one can endure in an evening.

I am looking forward to this- i always get sucked in- but like to keep a healthy cynicism whilst watching. it is ridiculously predictable, which make X-Factor bingo so much fun.

Last year Simon had obviously seen one too many episodes of Glee- almost every song (regardless of act) in the final weeks had been used in Glee.

I await several renditions of 'Don't stop believing' in the audition stages. Also a deluge of posters claiming it is all exploitative. Maybe-but no-one is actually forced to take part. There are really quite a lot of deluded people in the world.

i wish they would make more of an effort with the groups- it makes no sense having a category that is doomed to fail. They do need something different to win. And they screw up sometimes pushing for the wrong winner- JLS has a much better chance of long term success than diva-lite Alex Burke, and at least Rhyddian was unusual where Leon was just rubbish.

And UQD- heartily agree the world does not need another Whitney/Mariah sound-alike. Or another appearance from Michael Buble- he has been on it every bloody year!!!!

I have just been reading about the "controversy" around girlband Husstle (great name - I'm sure they will be brazen hussies) already being promised a place in the finals.

Interesting that Cheryl has never lost and a group has never won. They surely have to break at least one of those runs this time by giving Cheryl the groups to "mentor". She is the only judge who has ever been in one, after all! Although I'm not sure how useful her advice will be... "These are the shooz yuz have to wear, like. And these are thuh best cloobs ter be seen in, like. And this is thuh best eyeliner... Wossat? The music? Divv'n have a clue, pet. Ah'm shooer it's very nice."

Of course, Chezza is really only there to showcase her ever more bizarre dress sense (the creation with the cd boobs was truly dreadful). Oh, and a new single, maybe, to coincide with the series.

Husstle?? Without even seeing them, I can imagine a Pussycat Dolls tribute act, with a future career in glamour modeling.....

Husstle

I fear you are right, Raaah!

And one of them is already, as the gorgeously witty Sarah Harding self-deprecatingly says of herself, "about 40 in girlband years."

OMFG.

They look like really great role models.

I'd like to see Cheryl get the groups this year, we've had a good boyband in JLS but I think with her help we could see a good girl group this time.

UQD, Must Be The Music seems to have more of a mix of genres; bands, classical, etc so it may be worth checking out.

Until I go to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Wizard of Oz (going to the gala premiere in February :o), I've been getting my musical fix from Don't Stop Believing. Anyone been watching?

Amy

When X Factor first started I thought the audition stage was brilliant, best bit of the series.

But over the years I think it has got too same-y and formulaic. I hate the way they will trail what is coming up over and over; then you finally see it and then they keep showing it again as "last week on the X factor". They certainly know how to take about 30 minutes of material and stretch it to fill a 90 minutes show.

I much prefer the live shows nowadays. However, I think you have to see it from the start to "get" who everyone is.

DD and I will probably record the audition shows and then watch the next day when we can fast-forward all the adverst and messing about and get the gist of the thing in half the time it takes to watch it in real time.

I hated the new 'live audience' format- having a backing track and all the acoustics just makes them sound very different to the old way of doing it. It also makes the audition/bootcamp bit blur into one. Doubt they will change it now- even though it got really negative views last year.

It's true it is way too long- the audition stages could easily be condensed into one show! We always record/ff too- then you can miss the bad singing, but still get the comments.

I hope we get something different this year- but unfortunately, it is easier to market a solo, mawkish ballad singer to the masses, than something with a bit of originality.

And I really think they should be made to sing something Christmassy as their first single, if they will insist on wanting the Xmas number one!

I preferred the "on the spot" auditions where it was just the singer9s) and the judges - hard to mask a lack of talent in that cold light. But I always thought that, if they could play a guitar, they should be allowed to take it in with them and play.

I also liked it when the auditions were just in front of the judges, it's almost more tense seeing them in front of just those four. Although some of the auditions last year (Olly, Jamie Afro and Danyl) were probably enhanced by the live audience.

Although the auditions can be classic, I almost prefer a format of a show like Over the Rainbow where the auditions aren't a major part of the show and it gets straight to the talent rather than showing singing grandmas or people in silly outfits!

Amy