The X Factor Semi Finals - The Round Up

Last night, the aromatic smell of victory was floating in the air as the final four took to the shimmering stage and sang their young hearts out for a place in next week's final ( I can't believe it has come so quick!!!). It feels like only yesterday that they were just fresh-faced auditionees wanting a shot at a music career and it is so impressive of how far they have come. Even if they don't win, it does not matter at all -  they are definitely guaranteed a career of some sort in music or any other sectors of the entertainment industry. Last night the pressure was on like Donkey Kong!!! The final four all sang two songs each - one Motown classic and one that they believe will get them into the final! It's crunch time!!!

The X Factor Live Show Week 4 - The Round Up

Tulisa stole my catsuit!!!

Let's hear you SCREAMMMMMMM!!! It was Halloween week on the X Factor this week so there were some interesting performances being conjured up in the rather boiling hot cauldron. But who made everything go bump in the night and who was just a reign of terror? Alexandra Burke, who previously appeared on the show in 2008 and became victorious, was sitting in for Kelly this week. Kelly was ill with a throat infection, which sounds rather nasty, and doctors therefore told her she wasn't able to travel. However, the scariest thing this week just had to be Louis's poor impersonation of Kelly Rowland, which was disturbing in its own way. In fact, I have no idea which was more terrifying, that or Dermot's creepy dancing at the very beginning of the show, where he actually did look like he'd been choreographed by a zombie or the living dead...

The X Factor Live Show Week 3 - The Round Up

Big hair, big egos, big voices, big arguments, big performances...this can only mean one thing: Rock Week! So it is time to find out who was on fire and who was fizzling out in the frying pan. Which acts completely headbanged their way through tonight's show and which ones are just a piece of trash on the floor in a rockstar's hotel room? Feel the heat, embrace the madness, devour the drama, it's time to have a look back at this weeks serving of the X Factor live show...

The X Factor Live Show Week 2 - The Round Up

A little late but we shall continue. After the X Factor had turned into the Shock Factor yet again after four contestants were eliminated by the judges, it was business as usual this week. What was particularly shocking was that Amelia left as I though she completely owned her performance the previous night and absolutely blew the roof off! She had the most powerful voice out of the whole competition and it was the saddest thing ever to see her go. As for the rest of them it was time for them to up the ante as the pressure was on like a Bonbon where they had to sing their little hearts out for their chance at a life-changing career move. With the theme of love and heartbreak, there were about to be some hearts broken as the fate of these contestants was left in the safe hands of the British public....

Red or Black? Good or Bad?

Last week saw the launch of a brand new gameshow from Simon Cowell, fronted by Ant and Dec, as known as Red or Black, which shows how one colour and one choice can potentially change your life forever. Using a similar format as the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent with an audition type process in which thousands of people turned up to Wembley competing in several challenges in order to be in the running to winning £1,000,000, resting on one simple choice – red or black? Eventually, providing their choice was the right one, they would reach the live shows and with the help of some of Cowell’s alumni, including JLS and Leona Lewis, they competed further and became one step closer to potentially winning £1,000,000. Win or lose, it was all a matter of luck. For a few people, luck was on their side and they ended up winning the entire prize money and looking forward to a new life. For others, going home empty-handed without so much as a consolation prize was the only other option and going through that process turned out be an entire waste of time.

This therefore allows me to question the purpose of this show. At least with Cowell’s other shows Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent and The X Factor, the audition process becomes more worthwhile in which the last one standing (and the runner-up) in the competition is guaranteed fame and fortune whether it’s a £1,000,000 or £100,000, a one-year recording contract, a slot at the Royal Variety performance. Even if it eventually turns out to be short-lived, they are guaranteed a taste of success and triumph. But Red or Black turns out to be exploitative, sending viewers and contestants on a guilt trip for the contestant who falls at the last hurdle. 


I did find it really compelling and entertaining to watch and I did enjoy it  but at the same time I did find it to be slightly exploitative towards the contestants at times as they could result in having no money - which is highly upsetting for them, their loved ones and the viewers. On the other hand, it means more megabucks in Simon Cowell's pocket and a higher position on the Forbes rich list as well as an even more decadent, flashy, glamorous, luxurious lifestyle. Is that a good thing? Well...no, not really. More like degrading. Also, winning the prize money also has a huge price of its own in which it attracts a lot of media attention around the winner. Your private life surfaces and is splashed all over the papers, like the wife-beating scandal with the first winner Nathan in which it was revealed that he did time in prison for domestic violence. Not such a good thing.

Therefore it was no surprise when this article was published. Whether it's true or not, I don't know. But it is worth a read...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3814897/Dec-Red-or-Black-may-brget-the-chop.html

In all honesty, maybe you could save yourself the hassle and unwanted media attention and just buy a lottery ticket or head to the nearest casino to try your luck there and then.

To conclude: Red or Black? Good or Bad? You decide....