The 2008 run of the X-Factor franchise in the UK has reached its Live Finals stage. Tonight 12 acts faced the public vote which resulted in a sing-off between two of the three groups mentored by Louis Walsh, much to the enjoyment of Simon Cowell. Judging from internet comment and Facebook reactions, this show continues to retain its appeal, making the apparent 'bitching' between the judges seem all the more false. This week's guest star was last season's winner, Leon Jackson; on show to promote the launch of his first album.
Girl Band "Girl Band"
The public came down firmly against the two girl bands - the imaginatively titled "Girl Band" and breathe-of-fresh-air "Bad Lashes". Whilst Girl Band stood their ground with a better performance vocally, Bad Lashes represented something new in terms of girl bands. This group offered a more earthy, real and independent sound (albeit by covering others songs, as with all X-Factor contestants) and perhaps it is this individuality which was a bit too edgy for the UK audience. Vocally their nerves showed too but it was their difference musically which most probably influenced the typical X-Factor audience.
Controversial Judgment, Not !
What does grate somewhat - aside from the fickle and safe nature of the UK audience on occasion - are the continued efforts on the part of SImon Cowell and his fellow judges to generate column inches by on-screen bickering. Whilst it does not quite seem to have a rehearsed air about it, their spats do seem a tad school-girly and pointless. It is hard to avoid being cynical about the continued sniping over the heads of Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole.
Share And Share Alike
The show is nip-and-tuck with Strictly Come Dancing for Saturday night viewing audience share with the draw of both shows enduring sufficiently to put the BBC dead-level with ITV. When friends start telling you they are staying in on Saturday purely to see one or both of these shows then its certain their appeal is solid and likely to continue. Ker-ching for the producers !
Talent Is In the Eye Of the Beholder
A pity though that Bad Lashes got the boot. They are possibly a rare find, up there with the likes of last year's finalist Rhydian Roberts; another act which was an acquired taste. It would have been interesting to see how a girl-band-act - that is refreshingly not married to R&B/Soul ballads, laced with marshmallows and shmaltz - got on commercially. One can only hope that some impresario takes them under their wing and devotes time to training them up, smoothing off their rough edges (and there were many in their performance tonight) such that this unusual band of girls have a shot.
Who knows - being the first live losers of X-Factor 2008 may be a career boost for Bad Lashes ? Meanwhile, the UK will be glued to the series, for which the hot favourite has to be a solo girl singer with the smart money going on Ruth Lorenzo in this regard.
Simon Lewis - A technologist by trade, Simon has worked with and founded a number of internet businesses. In his off-time, his love of cinema and media ...
