The X Factor Goes Stateside Part 1 - the Round Up

Talk about larger than life!!! We Anglophiles had a huge stroke of luck when we were gifted with The X Factor USA just a day after it premièred in the US last night and OMFG it did NOT disappoint!! Simon Cowell was there and it just proved how much he was missed in the UK but overall, I think American Idol better watch its back as it's about to get blown out of the water!! There's a hot new talent show in town!! And even HOTTER talent!! It still had that craziness about it but I am already addicted. And I shall add that Steve Jones is looking very yummy!! And Cheryl made an appearance for a little bit! Can't seem to get my head around why they ditched her but I can assure that it had NOTHING to do with her accent as Americans can understand all British accents. In fact, they LOVE to hear all the accents from the UK. If that wasn't the case then why haven't they gotten rid of Steve Jones?! They LOVE his accent!! If anything, the accent could definitely have worked in her favour as that what makes her who she is. Mel B has a thick Leeds accent and has now calls LA her home. Anyways, it's like Clash of the Titans between the two musical heavyweights Simon Cowell and LA Reid. Two of the most powerful figures in music have the most powerful opinions. Then there was the return of Paula Abdul, who had unmistakable chemistry with Simon. I am also so totally in love with Nicole Scherzinger's dresses...

The Mini Diva...

13-year-old Rachel turned out to be a little powerhouse in a million more ways than you could ever imagine. She had an infectious personality and her singing voice knocked everyone off their feet. Maybe they were right to lower the age limit after all. As long as she stays as focused as possible, then she'll be alright and will go far in the competition.

The Super-Duper Diva...

Smashed. It. She definitely did my namesake very very proud!! Stacy Francis absolutely gave a knockout audition. Not only that, but every single word she sung was believable and came straight from the heart. I absolutely loved her passion, her spirit, her attitude, her voice - everything!! He was just an inspiring person and was living proof that you should never give up on your dreams as you ever know what may come of them in the end!

The totally WTF/ Obscene...

The day when the X Factor turned X-Rated!!! Seeing things that really shouldn't be seen! Not that this is gonna haunt him in the not-too-distant future. The weirdest, craziest, lewd, crude audition came in the form of Geo who not only showed up in his pyjamas and started stripping?! How on earth did they manage to get away with airing this? Did he actually get his bits out?! OMFG! What a disgusting human being!!! There are kids there for heavens sake! What a SHOCKER! No wonder Paula reacted the way she did, I would have reacted exactly the same...

The 'Get the F*** Off my Screen!!!'....

This woman was a total nut job!! Nikki sang completely out of tune and was giving me an absolute earache - my poor ears were practically bleeding!!! She just couldn't take no for an answer and just kept begging and begging as if she was hearing something very different to the rest of the world!!

Part 2 Coming soon!!!

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....