The X Factor

Now that the auditions and boot camp are over, and the live shows are about to start, this seems the perfect time to reflect on the situation so far.

Firstly, me. I'm a big fan of these shows. Popstars, Pop Idol, American Idol, Fame Academy, Britain/America's Got Talent, even World Idol. I watch every episode (with a few early exceptions) and buy the music. Last year, for the first time, I stopped watching. Why? Two words; Louis Walsh.

For me, the most talented vocalist was clearly Austin Drage. The first time he was in the bottom of the public vote, Louis voted out the competition, desperate to keep his only remaining act in. The very next week, Louis did the same thing to Laura, and there was a public outcry- it was even raised in Parliament. This was the last straw for me too, and the unthinkable happened. I stopped watching.

The only reason I saw the finale was because it was on while I helped my mother trim the Christmas tree. What a debacle it was. Eoghan Quigg was still there...? Alexandra's breakdown in front of Beyonce wasn't moving, it was embarrassing.

Fortunately, the very shrewd Mr Simon Cowell knew that the song of the moment was Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Thanks to Jason Castro's performance of this song on American Idol, the Jeff Buckley version had recently shot back up the American charts, and it was making appearences in auditions and performances here in the UK too. X Factor winner Alexandra Burke took her big ballad version all the way to the coveted Christmas #1, selling over 1 million copies, making it the most successful X Factor single ever. Even Jeff Buckley was propelled to the Christmas #2. Even writer Leonard Cohen himself went on to have his first ever UK top 40 hit as a performer with his own original version. And all because of The X Factor.

This year we have seen various songs re-enter the charts thanks to the show's auditions, and this is only set to continue as we move to the live shows. Tonight they sing Robbie Williams songs, as does the man himself, and Alexandra debuts her new single.

A couple of months ago, I was given the opportunity to see the auditions for myself, live in Cardiff. Amongst these was Lucie, now in the top 12 as part of Dannii's group of girls. And boy, is she good.

Dannii and Cheryl have both picked wisely for their categories, and Simon had the toughest decision, though I would have made different choices to him. He opted for the three most likely You Tube auditions rather than the three best singers. And as for Louis, he's plumbed deeper than even his own depths with the Irish twins. Surely (PLEASE!!!!) we lose them first tonight.

It's looking like a good year, with some great talent in at least 3 of the 4 categories. Let's just hope the useless judge doesn't fuck it all up again this year.

-- Posted from my iPhone