The X Factor - live show 8 - Take That & Elton John week

1. Danyl for Simon.
"Relight My Fire"
His first up-tempo number, and the vocals were dreadful. Don't know what Simon is hearing each week. But I can see why he's been sticking to ballads now.

2. Lloyd for Cheryl.
"A Million Love Songs"
Shouldn't be here and proved it again. Enough already. That said, possibly his best performance... Better than Danyl just did.

3. Olly for Simon.
"Love Ain't Here Anymore"
After the bottom two last week, Olly needed to pull his socks up, and he certainly gave his best vocals for three weeks. But he's only proving to me he shouldn't win. What is Simon watching, again? Emoted the song well? Cheesy grins and winks to girls in the audience don't go with these lyrics.

4. Joe for Cheryl.
"Could It Be Magic"
It could and it was. Perfect, yet again. Argh Louis just stole my line. Oh no.

5. Stacey for Dannii.
"Rule The World"
Well, someone had to do it, especially as they missed it on movie week. Fair play, she handled the low notes as well as the high ones. Are you paying attention, Danyl? Very good. Suck on that, Louis.

6. Lloyd for Cheryl.
"I'm Still Standing"
Not for much longer, please. Make it stop. Please make it stop.

7. Danyl for Simon.
"Your Song"
Back to the ballads, back to the tongue, back to the flat low notes, back to the big high notes. One. Trick. Pony. Yawn.

8. Olly for Simon.
"Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"
Olly does "butch" apparently. Whatever, but he's back in the game, at last. Very good.

9. Joe for Cheryl.
"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
Getting bored of writing "perfect" so many times, but can't phrase it any more accurately. The most mature and emotional performance comes from one of the youngest contestants.

10. Stacey for Cheryl.
"Something About The Way You Look Tonight"
Interesting arrangement, and it worked for her. Liked her performance enough to forgive her trademark bum notes. 2nd best artist tonight.

Lloyd and Danyl in the bottom two please. Joe and Stacey MUST be in the final.

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Dexter

Finally, I have started watching Dexter. It's a show that's always interested me- I loved Michael C Hall as David in the sublime Six Feet Under, and Dexter's high-concept premise is intriguing. A secret serial killer works with the police, killing killers along the way.
A bout of illness has provided me with ample time to sit in front of the tv, catching up on all the shows I watch, as well as starting on others I've been hoping to watch. With four seasons to catch up on, I finally took the plunge on Dexter. And wow, was it worth it.
I watched all of season one within 24 hours. A great mix of characters and dynamics, a well thought-out back story and a compelling, unpredictable main plot with plenty of twists and turns- some you may guess, some you won't.
The plot line of the Ice Truck Killer's connections to Dexter was one that played out plausibly, the end result proving hugely satisfying, particularly Dexter's final dilemma.
Obviously I had no idea which characters would make it into future seasons, and it was a good sign when I found myself worrying about the likes of Debra and Angel.
After a short break to catch up on some other shows, I'm back into the show and onto season two, loving that the story arc is the hunt for The Bay Harbor Butcher- Dexter himself.
I'm now halfway through, about to start episode 7 (of 12) and there is one theory I'm interested to put out there- is Harry Dexter's actual father?

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The X Factor - live show 7 - George Michael week

1. Lloyd for Cheryl.
"Faith"
Shite as always. How on Earth did he get this far? Surely his last week?

2. Stacey for Dannii.
"I Can't Make You Love Me"
Shaky Stace is back. Some great moments, but some very bad ones too.

3. Jedward for Louis.
"I'm Your Man/Wham Rap"
The singing, the dancing, the coordination, the charisma... All absent, as always.

4. Danyl for Simon.
"Careless Whisper"
Interesting arrangement, a bit nasal, but nicely performed, mostly.

5. Olly for Simon.
"Fastlove"
Lacking his usual swagger, but better than last week. Just. Olly's not back in the competition yet.

6. Joe for Cheryl.
"Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"
Head and shoulders, the best of the night. Go Joe!

Bottom two: Jedward and Lloyd please.

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The X Factor - live show 6 - Queen week

1. Jamie for Simon (BOO!)
"Radio Ga Ga".
Almost-whelming yet again, I'll never understand what he's doing here. His vocals were drowned out, indicating even Simon must get how weak he is. That said, maybe his best performance yet.

2. Lloyd for Cheryl.
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love".
Was it my imagination or was he actually good this week?

3. Olly for Simon (BOO!)
"Don't Stop Me Now".
Shocking. Didn't know he was capable of such a bad vocal. He's in trouble tonight.

4. Joe for Cheryl.
"Somebody To Love".
He looked very uncomfortable on stage tonight. Poor song choice from Cheryl, despite the great second half.

5. Jedward for Louis (BOO!)
"Under Pressure/Ice Ice Baby".
The nightmare continues.

6. Stacey for Dannii.
"Who Wants To Live Forever".
She is turning more and more into Leona Lewis each week. Stunning, great choice Dannii. The best by a mile. Even if cunty just said the same thing.

7. Danyl for Simon (BOO!)
"We Are The Champions".
Struggling again. Don't know what the judges are hearing. Simon has no objectivity or self-awareness. Again with the tongue...

Simon's all deserve bottom 2 this week. I'm voting for Jedward.


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The X Factor - live show 5 - movie week

1. Stacey for Dannii.
"Son of a Preacher Man" from "Pulp Fiction".
Oh dear. Dreadful performance. She's in trouble tonight.

2. Olly for Simon.
"Twist & Shout" from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off".
Very good, confident performance, great vocals. He's shaping up as one to beat.

3. Lloyd for Cheryl.
"Stand By Me" from "Stand By Me".
Overdoing the trills, which don't suit his voice (or anyone's for that matter). Quite liked the arrangement, shame about the vocals really. But I think he's safe.

4. Jamie for Simon.
"Crying" from "Gummo". (!?!?!)
Yikes. His worst yet. Awful.

5. Lucie for Cheryl.
"This Is Me" from "Camp Rock".
Don't know the song but it suited her well. Suck on that, Demi Lovato.

6. Danyl for Simon.
"Purple Rain" from "Purple Rain".
Haircut! Best he's done for weeks, though I've never got the appeal of this song. He should be safe again- this time he's actually earned it.

7. Jedward for Louis (BOO!)
"GhostBusters" from "GhostBusters".
What can anyone do or say? Shite.

8. Joe for Cheryl
"The Circle of Life" from "The Lion King".
Excellent, though the arrangement missed the point. This should have been awesome.

Bottom two: Lloyd and Jamie. Given Jedward are not being judged on talent.

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