X-Factor

[Karen_J]

Love him or hate him, Simon Cowell has created the show that is going to put American Idol out of business. It is very entertaining, well put together, and positive. The updated format makes AI look old and tired. No more endless strings of tone-deaf losers making fools of themselves in acapella hotel room auditions for cheap laughs. And the upper end of the talent is better. Where did they find all these people?

I'm going to miss Steven Tyler. The rest of AI, not so much. Its time has come and gone.

[Snowbird]

And how about that "stud" that had to drop his pants? could have done without that bit of theatrics . . . along with Paula's exit to hurl. Otherwise, there really were a few more better bits of upper end talent as you said. But truly - I found the format all too familiar and expected more of a change up I guess. . . . maybe it'll get better after the audition process.

[toofarnorth]

Forgot about Simon's new baby . . and after reading my Twitter timeline last night and tonight, I'll probably continue to 'forget'.

Pop culture blogger MJ sums up the majority of comments I saw ... @mjsbigblog: I've lost the will to live #xfactor

Although PFS sent me this tonight:
They just showed a few people who made it through (didn't show their auditions) and there's a GP look alike. LOL

Now that could be intriguing .......

[Karen]

I saw an interview with Simon the other night somewhere. It's slightly tempting to check it out, but I just hardly watch tv anymore and don't want to be tied to a show. Plus, there is so much new established music coming at me right now - why watch something that requires an effort to like the performances.

[Karen_J]

I found the format all too familiar and expected more of a change up I guess. . . . maybe it'll get better after the audition process.

I'm really liking not having to hear the highly annoying AI theme music before and after every commercial break. That's a nice change. Also, I think L.A. Reid may have a little more to offer as a judge than Randy Jackson, who hasn't had much commercial success (other than TV) in the last 10 years. I didn't know anything about Reid until this week. He can be tougher than Simon!

X-Factor is up against some serious competition in prime time, with all the fall series premiers and Survivor. I'm thinking the low ratings this week may only mean that a lot of people are waiting to check it out until after the first round is over, and everyone left in the competition has at least a decent amount of talent.

It's obvious now that they front-loaded the debut episode with extra talent. Last night, only one singer truly impressed me, the quiet and unassuming lady who sounded like Whitney Houston. But that first episode was really something. Where have all these people been hiding?

I'll be interested to see what the format is for the top ten round. I always thought it was crazy to make every performer attempt every major musical genre. If a country singer can't do a good job with Beatles classics, so what? That has nothing to do with their ability to succeed professionally in their own genre. Too many good people went home from AI in weeks where they were forced to sing stuff that didn't even remotely interest them, or their fans. I think that's a big part of why so many AI top ten contestants have done better than the one who finished first that year.

could have done without that bit of theatrics . . .

Security should have gotten that guy out of there very quickly.

@mjsbigblog: I've lost the will to live #xfactor

There were more losers last night, shown only for comic value. I'm tired of that joke.

I hope that at least one of these shows is always around, just because there are talented people who, for one reason or another, are not able to go through the traditional process of playing tiny clubs, making a demo tape, and hiring an agent to help them advance their careers. The old way of doing it has worked for many, but for some reason didn't work out for Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, or Carrie Underwood. Without AI, we might never have had the chance to enjoy their work.

I like the idea of some of these big companies paying for a talent competition. They have plenty of cash. Young artists never do.

[Karen]

I hope that at least one of these shows is always around, just because there are talented people who, for one reason or another, are not able to go through the traditional process of playing tiny clubs, making a demo tape, and hiring an agent to help them advance their careers. The old way of doing it has worked for many, but for some reason didn't work out for Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, or Carrie Underwood. Without AI, we might never have had the chance to enjoy their work.

I like the idea of some of these big companies paying for a talent competition. They have plenty of cash. Young artists never do.

Completely agree with you there Karen (just don't want to watch it myself ).

Not sure about the genre thing though. Does seem true talent should be able to make something out of anything. But then, Grace has me spoiled.

[Karen_J]

(just don't want to watch it myself ).

I know what you mean, Karen #1. I felt that way about AI two seasons ago. I only watched last season to see Steven Tyler. I already liked him a lot before that, but I had no idea he could have such a funny, sunny personality! So much for the scary, bad-ass rocker stereotype. I thought he was more entertaining than the singers.

Does seem true talent should be able to make something out of anything.

I think it's nice to have that ability, but not essential. Think back to some of the greatest voices in the history of pop and rock. Do you think all of them would have done a great job with several other kinds of music? In most cases, we don't know the answer, and I never have given it much thought.

It's not very often that you're going to run across another GP, who could sing the phone book and make it sound good.