The X Factor

[FotoStoreSheila]

The host is terrible. For one thing, he made me appreciate Ryan Seacrest, and I never want to do that. If X Factor returns for a second season, they need to re-cast.

I believe Simon genuinely dislikes Nicole, but I think she's been right for the most part. Her crazy decision to let Dexter anywhere near a live singing competition, notwithstanding. I actually laughed when Simon criticized Stacie's wardrobe and Nicole song choice for her, and Nicole came back with, "I gave her wings!". It was absurd, but I can sort of see what she meant.

The person I'm most pleasantly surprised by is Paula Abdul. Maybe her meds kicked in at exactly the right moment, or maybe she's at her best working with large groups of performers. Either way, her singers were my favourite to watch.

I'm happy with the singers moving forward. I just wish Nicole had chosen Tiger over crazy Dexter, although I guess his sound was too much like the burrito guy, who I like very much.

Why Simone was even in a singing competition, let along the Top 16, is beyond me. She can't sing. Who cares if you're releasing a single. You got dumped, sweetie. Next.

My favourites right now are Astro, Melanie Amaro, and Josh (burrito guy).

[Deleted]

Oh man, that was hard to watch! I didn't want to see anyone go home - I actually liked all their performances. Though I like Stacy Francis, her style is probably my least favorite, so I guess I thought she'd go. I found the personality of a few of the Intensity members to be annoying (especially the main singer - do not like her or her voice) but I still really enjoyed their performances, and it was hard to see them so crushed (particularly the girl in red from that duo group - I find her annoying, but it was still sad).

Very bummed Stereo Hogz were in the bottom two! I thought their performance was fabulous. I also LOVED Drew (why'd they drop her last name?) and Marcus - I would totally go watch both of them in concert. And Astro is actually pretty fabulous.

[prada]

I'm not really watching, but I have caught some performances on YT. I don't get all the Drew praise. She sounds like many other singers out there, so does Stacy actually. Interestingly, a few weeks ago there was a HUGE post on ONTD about Stacy's past, her ties to Scientology, how she was in a girl group, etc. So she is basically a big phony. Marcus, Josh, Melanie, Stereo Hogz and Astro are the ones who I enjoy. And Leroy can't be 60! I actually think Astro could have a big career after this, he is amazing.

[Cranky Old Broad]

I haven't watched this show since they put Astro through to the live shows. I guess I'm in the minority because I can't stand that arrogant little shit. I have it DVRd so I guess I can watch LeRoy, Josh and a few of the others.

[Deleted]

I gotta say...

I shouldn't like Astro (I mean hell, I'm a waaaaay too old white woman)...but he doesn't bother me.

And I shouldn't like this show (I mean, cmon, half these acts are giving me epileptic symptoms with all the lighting effects) ...but it's continuing to grow on me.

Cause, vocally? These people are all pretty damn good.

[margojata]

Paula Abdul got the ax from "X Factor" ... TMZ has learned.

It's a stunning development, given that Simon Cowell personally recruited Paula after she was booted from "American Idol."

Sources also tell TMZ ... Paula got the news from a lawyer connected with the show, and has yet to hear from Simon.

Paula's pink slip now sits on top of those delivered to Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones.

Our sources say Simon has not found replacements for the cast members who got booted.

I could not get into this show at all, despite looking forward to it - so maybe Simon is onto something with a big shake-up. Mostly the audience bugged me. It was nonstop hooping and hollering. They need to tone that down and get a more intimate feel like Idol has.

[Deleted]

Wow! Poor Paula. I actually thought she was one of the best things about the show (which I stopped watching a couple weeks before the finale). She seemed more with it than she did on Idol, and I thought she did a great job choreographing the groups.

[GoldenFleece]

The wildest X Factor rumor is that Simon is offering Beyoncé half a billion dollars to be a judge. In reality, LA Reid is returning and the show is seriously interested in Mariah, but apparently Nick Cannon thinks being a talent show judge would be a big step down for her.

Melanie's Super Bowl commercial. They're selling a full version of that "Respect" remix. Is that her first single? If they don't get her out there with her own song fast, she's going to flop.

[GoldenFleece]

X Factor loses head-to-head ratings battle with The Voice. It's got to be a big blow to Simon's ego, and I wonder if FOX is rethinking that huge paycheck to Mariah for Idol.

I thought the show was alright. I liked the backstage clips with the judges but the auditions themselves were just okay. Britney seemed pretty together but it is highly edited. Don Philip creeped me out. I know these shows can be life changing but he was just way too emotional.

[fabrichnova]

I read on TWOP that Don Philip came out to everyone/Britney during his audition (apparently LA Reid kept goading him, saying he had "a secret") and was crying because when they were touring together he was afraid she wouldn't be accepting of his sexuality, and so that was why he was so emotional.

Of course, classy Fox decided to edit that out. *eye roll*