X-Plaining X-Factor

So Matt and I have become semi-avid fans of X-Factor. This is basically as close as the UK gets to American Idol. In fact, X-Factor is also the brain child of Simon Cowell, who is also a judge on this show. For those who might know, Leona Lewis was a previous X-Factor winner (she's the only one who's made it to the states)

But there are some key differences between the two shows, in X-Factor the contestants are divided up into four categories: Groups, Boys, Girls and over 25's. Together the judges narrow down the contestants and then the producers assign them a category to mentor. The judges pick the final three contestants in each category and then guide them through the live shows. They pick their songs and help them with their images and performances.

In the live performances, each act is voted on by the public (except they charge here, which is lame). The bottom two acts perform a song and the judges decide who will stay and who will go. Or if it's deadlocked, then it goes to who had the least amount of votes.

So it's kind of exciting to watch and see what happens. However, there is a particular group that is a complete joke. No one could believe that Louis Walsh (the groups judges) put them through. And what's worse, they have only landed in the bottom two once. And when Simon, who has hated this group since the beginning had a chance to send them home (and save a great performer) he didn't and sent it to the public vote. So I'm not sure which is worse, the fact that John and Edward (identical twins) had more votes than Lucie, or that Simon didn't send them home.

Of course he was being strategic about it, there's no way John and Edward (or Jedward as they're known here) will win, and Simon still has 3 acts in, so he's hedging his bets. By getting rid of Lucie, it makes it so there's only one girl left (all of Simon's acts are boys).

So to give you an idea, here's some YouTube clips of Jedward, as well as Lucie.



Louis always picks songs that they don't really have to sing. Past songs have been: Oops I did it again (with red vinyl suits), We Will Rock You, and Rock DJ (a Robbie Williams song).

And here's who went home instead:



It's kind of a long clip, so you can just watch some of it to get an idea.

But a travesty, isn't it? The theme last week was movie night, which is why the songs are from movies.

And just for fun, here are my two favorites (now that Lucie is gone).

Olly (again a long clip, you can watch just a portion to get an idea):



And Joe (I call him 'Little Boy Joe'):



So there you have it. On Saturday and Sunday nights, this is where you'll find us. At home, watching the X-Factor.

Any questions? Comments?