Comments on: Why I think X Factor is a bit cruel

By: Caroline Smailes

Caroline Smailes — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:38:10 +0000

I did and felt exactly the same. I just think the feel for this year is different and maybe the edits have been cut with a particular audience in mind.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:24:02 +0000

Loved all the people you mentioned there at the end, especially Miss Fitz, though I hate the spelling. I felt uncomfortable watching that particular episode as well. And then I had to sit and think if I’d felt as uncomfortable watching in previous years or if I’d changed recently. I didn’t come up with anything particularly, but I was quite sad watching it. Won’t make me stop, I love the show too much. But you’re right. I wouldn’t be able to handle that level of humiliation and my heart goes out to those that have.

By: Caroline Smailes

Caroline Smailes — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:50:49 +0000

DJ MacDonald – I’m looking forward to bootcamp!

Amanda Renee – the guy who had his shirt buttoned up wrong. I had a Facebook comment about why no one told him… it’s wrong, so wrong

Brom – it always scares me, more so this year than any other year. Maybe because I’m waiting to hear on a book deal… there is logic to that.
PS I love SImon even a little bit more than before.

Lily Sheehan – I wish that I wasn’t, but I’m a sucker for it too!

xxx

By: Lily Sheehan

Lily Sheehan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:19:54 +0000

I have to admit that I have been watching, but i have gone off it a bit. Last week I thought the new live audience format was genius but after watching Saturday’s show I thought twice. I’ll probably still continue to watch though as I’m a sucker for car crash tv!

By: Brom

Brom — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:25:13 +0000

I am of a similar opinion to yourself Caroline, even though by choice I would not watch it, but the time it’s on coupled with the demand of my family and my stomach make it impossible not to sit through. (Convincing the kids that the judges do not see every single hopeful is itself a challenge in logic and statistics I rise to every week.) There seems to be two breeds of no-hopers, the ones that think that they are good and can win, and the ones that seem to carry on regardless as it were, have a comedy element which makes people smile. The former is sad and uncomfortable, the latter I think makes good TV.

PS I can’t stand Simon but he does know what he’s talking about.

By: Amanda Renee

Amanda Renee — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:23:40 +0000

You said that better than I could have. It’s a sad day when we have to humiliate kids for entertainment.

By: DJ MacDonald

DJ MacDonald — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:37:36 +0000

I loved it last night, I adore the feature of the new live audience. The good thing is that the audience encourages who they like and offers a chance to those who might not impress the judges alone. There’s some pretty good singers in the early stages this year, making for a promising live show outlook.

I am feeling good about this one. <3

DJ
x

By: Caroline Smailes

Caroline Smailes — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:42:16 +0000

Kerry – sunny Saigon? Wow! Can I come and join you?

Debs Carr – gosh, that is self control. I hope that the edits are going well.

Cathy – I’m exactly the same, loving Bootcamp but still watching every week. Clearly, though, I only watch in the hope that one day Simon will send me a coded message.

Anna May – thank you! And don’t you think that everyone in the whole wide world needs a Dermot hug?

Fhina Crawford – I’d like to see more raw talent too. In 75 minutes, I had 3 that stood out. But in a few weeks it’ll all change and Bootcamp will begin. I think that I am becoming a bit hard these days, refusing to be touched by sob stories, although when that child ran onto the stage last night it made me cry… but not for musical reasons. Please do come back and rant whenever you wish

xxx

By: Fhina Crawford

Fhina Crawford — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:49:25 +0000

Caroline, I also feel increasingly uncomfortable watching the (obviously) mentally unstable, or those who are deluded, on X Factor…

I love Simon too, but the way that the judges are now becoming the luvvies – The be all and end all of the show with less time spent on the auditionees – This concerns me; And how the show’s undercurrent appears to be about fitting in and being the most beautiful, (at least in the case of Danni and Cheryl ), and no longer just about finding raw talent…

And yet, I too shall be mesmerized, but for me it’s about finding that performer who makes the hair on the back of your neck prickle because their voice actually touches somewhere in your soul… And then real tears will spring to my eyes, not the staged tears apparently so beloved of the ‘stars’…

Rant (possibly!) over…

Take care, Caro, and thanks for all that you do!

Fhi x

By: Anna May Mangan

Anna May Mangan — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:32:41 +0000

Hi Caroline,
love your blog. I’m a newbie and an X Factor addict and think the most heartrending shots in the show are of Danni trying to make eye contact with Cheryl for caring/sharing moments that are never reciprocated. Poor Danni’s face battles the botox to look crestfallen. She so needs a hug from Dermot but never gets one…..
Anna May