Radio Times

At around 7:00pm every Saturday evening, approximately eight million people take leave of their senses, jettison their critical faculties and tune into 90 minutes of unadulterated garbage. Eight million people can't be wrong, surely? Believe me, they can.

The X Factor is lowest-common-denominator television writ large, spawned from the same culture that foisted Katie Price and Peter Andre upon an unsuspecting world: a tired and repetitive format that plays on the aspirations of susceptible no-hopers with limited talent and even less personality, acting out their fantasies on a set with as much visual appeal as an unlanced boil.

Few of the contestants can hold a tune, none of them can dance, and all are "living the dream". Some of the singing is so obviously flat and out of tune as to be, frankly, embarrassing.

This is no talent show: this is a travesty. If you want a proper talent show, then watch a few repeats of Opportunity Knocks. This is a freak show, a cynical marketing exercise masquerading as primetime television in order to manufacture the mythical Christmas number one and generate income through their phone lines.

The whole thing takes mediocrity to another level. Girl bands, boy bands, bland bands. Even the faintly musical Rhydian looks like an android. And Dermot O'Leary is a classic case of the bland leading the bland: a barrow boy with a charisma factor hovering just above zero and less charm than an aphid appears to be hosting ITV's Saturday-night banker. Sonny, you are no Hughie Green!

Call me old-fashioned, but surely something must be wrong with a variety show when the judging is marginally more engaging than the "entertainment", when the performers are merely the support act in what is essentially The Simon Cowell Show, a cheap pantomime with our hero as King Rat, the star of his own entrepreneurial empire. This is vanity television by any other name.

God, how I despise Simon Cowell: a smug, preening, one-dimensional megalomaniac. His adjudicating cohorts are almost likeable in comparison: cloying Sharon Osbourne; vacuous and lachrymose Dannii Minogue; and the lugubrious, over-excitable Louis Walsh. If this is the Bloomsbury set of popular entertainment, heaven help us.

It's all so predictable and artificial - even the emotions are contrived. The faux bickering between the judges is about as convincing as the theatricality of Saturday-afternoon wrestling in the era of Big Daddy, their comments trite at best and about as insightful as Beckham on Bach. Everyone is always "headed for the final" and "deserves to be in this competition". How true. Bring back the clap-o-meter, I say.

And to compound the agony further, The X Factor - the Results shows how to stretch a lame idea into yet another hour of gripping repetition, based on the somewhat torturous premise of enduring for a second time the worst two acts of the evening. Now that's what I call entertainment!

I hate The X Factor. I hate its self-regarding hyperbole and its blatant insincerity. I hate the irritating voiceover and the insipid background music that has all the atmosphere of a ringtone. I hate its cod emotions and its contemptuous manipulation of its adoring public. I hate its venality.

Most of all, though, I hate the fact that it deprives me of my wife and daughter for much of a Saturday evening. Bring on the final.

I see a lot of idiotic followers have used this post to say such crap as, I will never watch x factor again blah blah whinge. Jedward are awful. we must never watch this again and we will show simon whos boss. DO ME AND EVERYBODY ELSE ON THIS POST A FAVOR AND GO AWAY. you know you are lying. you know that you will find the grip of curiosity too much to resist and so you will tune in regardless of what u say. surely even you idiots must realize that the reason cowell allowed jedward through is coz he realizes too late that if it was not for these two poor victims of cowell and the media not being in the competition anymore then the ratings would have nose dived. And who could blame us? we would have been left with the same predictable mundane wannabes that we have every year. Lest we not forget, was it not simon himself who a few weeks ago referred to the twins as, and I quote, VILE LITTLE CREATURES? THIS IS THE SAME SIMON COWELL YOU TWERPS WORSHIP. Personally I dont give a damn who wins. However, if im honest I wouldnt mind jedward winning it to wipe that smug smile off everyones face as these two lads have had to put up with some horrendous things in the press. tHE TWINS ARE ONLY SEVENTEEM FOR GODS SAKE, GIVE THEM A BREAK AND STOP SNIVELLING THAT UR GONNA STOP WATCHING IF SO AND SO DOESNT GET THROWN OUT. Its supposed to be a fair competition isnt it? and whether cowell put them to the public vote is irrelevant. It was after all you the public that voted the twins to stay in the competition. either stop watching altogether and put your money where your mouth is or stop snivelling and watch it. just dont insult anybodys intelligence by coming on this post whingeing all the time.

Its just a bit of fun!

JEDWARD FOR THE WIN!!!!!1

Fans showed their fury online across Facebook and message boards, branding the TV boss a 'hypocrite' and 'w***er', accusing him of fixing the show to secure viewing figures and to cement his own act's victory

Others said Cowell had sealed the fate of the doomed 'talent' show branding it as 'Dead as Big Brother!'

The wave of anger came after Cowell stunned millions when he flip-flopped on his praise for Dannii Minogue's act, 18-year-old Lucie Jones just 24 hours after heaping praise on her.

The XFACTOR IS A LOAD OF BALLS!

Lucie jones was taken out and I mean wtf?

Love music hate X Factor

Help us make it a more classical Christmas by not buying the x-factor song and instead buying Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus is coming to town

Help us make it a more classical Christmas by not buying the x-factor song and instead buying Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus is coming to town

Instead of moaning about X farce get yourself to live gigs. There are thousands of original musicians/bands playing pubs clubs & festivals every saterday night.

Please end this utter rubbish and all the spin offs and imitations. Lets have some proper entertainment back on a Saturday night because I don't know how much longer I can stand my wife watching this s**t!!!

X-Factor, Strictly, all their spin offs and any show involving a phone vote system of any kind is defended as being "what the public want". So what? The public want to bring back hanging but that doesn't mean its acceptable or even desirable for them to get it. Saturday night on the mainstream channels is just a procession of mind-numbing prole fodder requiring no intellectual effort and fit only for the consumption of the burger and chips munching sofa spuds with whom we are surrounded. We are also subjected to shows about the main protagonists (Cowell, Minogue etal) at every turn and bombarded with drivel about these self-satisfied cretins by the press. God help us all. Bring back something a monkey might have trouble understanding and stop pandering to the lowest common denominator.

At my school we hold debates in PSHE about how crap it is.How de-moralizing and derogatory(Spellings?)it is.Thank god I've never seen an episode of it.

HA HA HA HA...ETC ETC.rock night? gimme a break. the fact crybaby cole picked a katy perry song tells u summit. these p***ks wouldnt know real rock if it bit them on the ass,check out the song and video DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL BY STEEL PANTHER. I think this song sums up everybodys opinions on this post the best. go on, youll laugh youll cry youll thump the air and pretend to play air guitar. But more than that, you will find yourselves nodding in agreement whilst listening to the lyrics aswell.

if you want to see real talent you dont go to x factor. Im sick of the contestants whinging about how hard it is or the pressure they are under or how this is what theyve always wanted. Really? and what have they done to sell themselves then? did they send in demo tapes of themselves singing to recording companys? did they tour the country playing in poxy clubs hoping that someone will give them a shot like real musicians? No, of course not. Because they have no real concept of what real hard graft is and so they cannot grasp this concept.Pathetic.

My 16 year old son has been having guitar lessons for the last couple of years and as a result of which he expressed an interest in attending an "Open Mike" night at a local pub.

I checked with the landlord that it was OK for him to attend and we went along to check it out.

We were made to feel most welcome and the encouragement that my son received from the other musicians present was a real eye-opener. There was none of the crass self-obsession that seems to plague the contestants on TV shows like the X Factor.

I was absolutely gobsmacked at the raw talent that was on display. There were youngsters in the 16-20 year old age bracket that seemed to have more talent in their little finger than all of the X Factor finalists put together. They WROTE THEIR OWN MUSIC, they PLAYED THEIR OWN INSTRUMENTS and they sang to a standard that easily surpasses that which is churned out on a Saturday night.

So good people of the UK, why settle for second best, turn of this over-hyped drivel on a Saturday night and get down to your local “Open Mike night„. (Do not confuse with Karaoke by the way) Prepare yourself to be entertained by real people playing real instruments with real talent. I did and I subsequently advised several of my friends to do the same and now about eight or nine of us are now regulars down at the local on a Thursday night.

As for X Factor, it is now just a sad reminder of how far TV had previously pulled us all away from what real entertainment is about. Anyone know where I can get some guitar lessons?

I cannot stand the X Factor. It's the same old b******s over and over again: someone comes out and gets laughed at for being untrendy and self-delusioned. Someone else comes out and has the same kind of predictable voice they always go for, and wows everyone. The judges always let people through for entertainment value who they know will never win, which is cruel. All the while they play that stupidly mawkish background music when they're showing somebody's sob story or triumph. No Thanks.

X Factor is utter dogs**t - full of annoying talentles t**ts.

No need to discuss this programme it is pure s***

Why isnt it renamed 'The UK Karaoke Championship' because thats exactly what it is.

i myself am to be married and i have a daughter and i never agreed with anyone more

x factor a media dream! Fills pages and time 4 talentless dj's !

In 200 years time when our descendants look back at what 10 million plus people were watching namely the x factor and BGT, they will think that people in the 21st century were the biggest pile of inbred, s**t for brains hicks that ever graced this beautiful planet. so well done to everyone who watches the x factor, welcome to your legacy. Bunch of whiney idiots!!!!

I totally agree with this point of view, the x factor has been blown far out of its original proportions, still people seem to be hooked on it for some reason.

It would be good if ITv actually did change some of the set, some of the other original ideas, to make it actually a little interesting. This is also true with Britain's Got Talent, ITV have over publisized both in a desperate bid to get more viewers.

It is a show that, I feel will always be remembered because it gave a chance for Britains (while pathetic) unsung heroes to make their mark..

(If your school is doing an X factor christmas play, then boy is veryone sad by the way :)

I totally agree with this point of view, the x factor has been blown far out of its original proportions, still people seem to be hooked on it for some reason.

It would be good if ITv actually did change some of the set, some of the other original ideas, to make it actually a little interesting. This is also true with Britain's Got Talent, ITV have over publisized both in a desperate bid to get more viewers.

It is a show that, I feel will always be remembered because it gave a chance for Britains (while pathetic) unsung heroes to make their mark..

(If your school is doing an X factor christmas play, then boy is veryone sad by the way :)

help me help me

my boyfriend is watching x-factor I only watch this when i am here what a load of crap

It is because of this dire claptrap that for two hours on a Saturday evening I am forced to remove myself from the lounge and spend the best part of the evening upstairs plotting Simon Cowells untimely demise. This show has no redeeming features whatsoever, it is merely a self promoting vehicle for Cowell and and his sickly cohorts, unfortunately words will never truly convey my utter contempt for this show and others like it.

This show makes me sick. All of the contestents are so incredibly bad I find it difficult to comprehend that so many people in this country believe with there soul that the acts can sing. Then I realised, anyone watching this insane, pile of horse s***, does not have a soul.

Just listen to real music, made by real people.

***What do you expect if you watch ITV1? Just pretend that station doesn't exist and your life will be enormously improved.***

Hi, just found this blog! My parents are watching x-factor right now (god I can't believe this awful show is still aloud on TV! The audience is f-ing annoying they scream at everything!! All I can hear throughout the house is a screaming audience! Arrrrggghhhhhh!!!!

dunno all about britains got talent s*** x factor

It's not a surprise to hear how many ppl this brainless show rakes in when you realise that the majority of the ppl who watch it are kids who do so because it's considered cool and ppl with mundane lives who need to feel part of something. To say that it's interesting is like saying watching paint dry is interesting. Ppl who like this show would die if they actually saw something truely indervidual and inspiring. But they wont ever see that, because they're blinkered "Got to watch X-factor, got to talk to my friends about X-factor, the people who win X-factor are truly talented". The winners might be able to sing but that doesn't detract from the fact that the program is purely about making Simon Cowell alot of money, and he does this by pandering to the vulnerable, the people who need this drivel, and there will always be those types of people around. It's interesting but unfortunate to see that our species is so diverse. I dont't watch it, or any reality TV shows to be honest, and I feel sorry for the people who do, because it's sad to see people get sucked in and think that it is the highlight of their weekend, They are more important and interesting things in life to think about. It's such a shame, it's a waste of life.

X factor has the most useless talent on the planet. what i hate the most is when they put someone through who has absolutley no talent. why get someones hope up and to be honest it just the judges patronising realy. some of the singers i grant are quite good but the show on the whole is only exiting in the beggining with the people you laugh at and the final when people cry. thats the best bit.

Depressing, particularly when our loved ones are conned/fooled/seduced into following it. There is so much wonderful, brilliant and well-executed in this world, Bach to Hirst, The Office to everything in The Uffizi - we just don't need this, sucking all the real pleasure out of life.

Ladies, Gentlemen, please. This debate has raged for too long. It is obvious that the X factor must die. As rome grew to it's peak and burned so must the X factor. It now boasts an audition proccess whereby people are coaxed out of their homes with the alure of a LIFE CHANGING record deal, then find themselves on stage in front of 2000 people to be humiliated and then have Simon Cowell tell them how bad they are. I genuinely believe that this show is human rights abuse.

I arrived here cuz I Googled 'I hate XF' How did those who defend it find there way here?

the original and a few other posts here are stunning examples of eloquent incisive constructive journalitic criticism I am pasting some fo my previous rants on this genre.....Mr. Scowell - I LOATHE him. He sits in judgement, having no respect for young talent & searches for his 'revelationary' viewpoint which is invariably purile criticism, YET he has NO talent whatsoever!!! He has no wit & hardly even recognises humour.

He hates judging auditionees, he doesn't need the money, so, why is he there & making talent nervous & uncomfortable? I think that Paula & Randy are far more constructive & sensitive in their observations & comments as they can relate more than SC ever can. If I was able to judge the judges, SC would not get my vote because he is repetitive; banal;lacks personality or creativity; egocentric & inconsiderate. Furthermore, have you seen Britains Got Talent? It should be 'Watch the Judges of BGT & the making of BGT but don't expect to actually watch the talent.' WE don't waste precious air time on nobodies. I did notice that when it comes to direction & editing, the TV Co's have found no talent in these areas as it is moronically edited to make the performances totally unwatchable as it cuts to judges & audience & jumps from camera to camera!!!

If u must do this, use screen in screen, PLEASE. Oh, & you will see terribly edited snippets of talented Joe public being used to swell the Mr.Scowell coffers, with no respect whatsoever for their talent & efforts to audition.

What idiot produces, directs the format & 'EDITS' the show?

It is unbelievabley frustrating to watch!!

Everyone now knows that when you get a camcorder that less is best, just point & shoot & no efffects, zooms pans etc. However, the show's creators seem to treat every act as a subject for 'creative presentation techniques.

Oh, & cut to the judges, again, & again, & again. Forget the finely honed act, or incredibly choreographed dance routine that requires a flow & perspective or any act that is trashed if presentation mutilated, discarding it's rhythmic progression. Basically, we just need a stage, & a camera such that we can see more acts for longer & then make our own decision.

You don't give airtime to nobodies, you just use them to further your own careers.

I've just got back from filming in the new series of the x factor as a contestant... to be honest mr humphreys you have confirmed in this articlethat you haven't a clue what a personality is, because if dermot o'leary has no personality then u haven't a hope in hell! met him quite a few times now and he's easily the nicest, MOST CHARMING person i've met in a while. take a few lessons from him i would, if i were u! Also, when you're as successful as simon cowell, then maybe that's when you should start bad mouthing him, because he's obviously doing something right! I think anyone who has made as much of a legend of himself as that man has should be nothing but applauded... along with the other judges.

for the lovers of x factor your remote control defence is flawed we can change the channel to find another referance to this toilet bowl show or turn the tv off to find that the world is taken over by this s**tty show eg.) word of mouth, magazines, other programmes , papers etc

oh here we go again sat nights show was a total shambels what a load of absolute rubbosh - i watched as i happen to know danyl johnston and even i have to say how bad it was - this show is minipulative beyond ebliefe and yes you do have to audition for a few rounds of producer researches before you get anywhere near the judges and the t.v. show lies from the start making believe otherwise. british people get out of you living rooms - turn the t.v. off and listen to some real music for once - not todays wasted covers (why not listen to the originals) and find out what real music is all about!

Fair enough, the show can happen, I don't mind that too much - if people want to watch it that's fine. What I can't stand is the stupid morons who go out and actually BUY the singles and albums of the people on the show. It's not real music is it? It's all crappy bland covers which all sound the same (slow tempo, strings, occasional choir), but every year, they seem to get the christmas number 1. If anybody reading this has bought an X-Factor song, you should feel ashamed. Very ashamed.

Apparently by the time an act sees Cowell and co they've been through 4 rounds of auditions. Which means the deluded acts have been waved through for their comedy value - total exploitation. Those who are 'unlucky' enough to fall by the wayside have auditioned to young researchers who are not allowed to give feedback on why they have failed!!

Okay, Get Over It. if u dont like it change the channel.

XFactor brings in more viewings than any other programme so Simon Cowell must be doing something right!

Just cos its not to your taste doesnt mean its not to ours. Simon has worked from nothing, so i applaud him in doing so well for himself. Simon Cowell amazing, as are his shows so seriously be quite and get the hell over it. no offence.

WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!! WE LOVE THE XFACTOR!!

HeHe :D

x factor is brain washing people have a chance of winning if ur prettty i only watch it coz i can watch it with my family

I hate the X Factor and all the bland winners of this hideous show. Alexandra Burke is nothing but a vile blubbering kareoke muppet with about as much talent and charisma as Leona Lewis: i.e zero!

i'm so happy to see everyones commnents, at least there're some real people out there. I had the misfortune of havin to watch beyonass and alexass on you tube singin there "infamous" duet on Xfactor as my friend missed it and am asking for help.... I like Xfactor just the audtions for the laugh, but i hated Alex. I've never been happy or sad about previous winners but this girl just takes the biscuit. she totally played the cameras and her false way about things just makes me sick... everyone thinks she's this great artist, which she is far from. For now, she is just a singer, an artist is someone who can write their own songs, their own music etc etc... until then, she's just another brick in the wall. I'm not jealous before anyones starts, if i could sing, write produce songs i would, but i can't. i appreciate music for what it is, but this is not it... I had the misfortuen of leavin a comment on you tube one day about her, and that people should not vote for her as the "favourite song of 2008", as, very simply, it's not her song it's a cover, and the s**t hateful responces i'm getting it just beyond a joke. People have lost the sence of what music is about and i'm sick to death of it. i love my music and would just die each day without listing to it, but this kinda s**t is just destroyin it.... please help abort this s**t and bring back real music..... please leave your comments to the following videoa and try and bring back some reality to the music world...

X-Factor 2008 - Alexandra Burke - Listen ft Beyonce - Final (HQ)

I applaud you Simon; The X Factor does indeed suck. I'm sick and tired of the fake emotions etc, and now they're doing anything to attract viewers, e.g. changing judges, fake arguments, getting Britney Spears on the show (and she mimed the whole thing anyway).

And as for Same Difference, who I believe were an act on 2008's X Factor (I don't watch it)... That's just wrong.

how on gods green earth did we come to this.im 33 married, ana when i watch this crap it ma kes me dread the future.there was a time not so long ago when musicians and artists were judged by the the fact that they could write a decent lyric or mix genres to truly create something unique and differant.when i was younger my idol was[and still is queen]. i marvelled at the sheer talent on display.the emotion in which freddie sung the songs,and how they crafted the words and lyrics and brian mays awesome guitar playing and fused it all together to create something truly amazing.what i really admire is the fact that they rarely repeated themselves and tried hard to give the world something differant every time.poor fred died years ago and people[rightly]are still marvelling at queen.fast forward to now. forget teaching the next generation how to play an instrument. dont even bother trying to stress the importance of the artform of striving to write your own material.hell...dont even worry if u cant even sing.oh and lest we forget always be either attractive[in a twiglet sort of way]sing one of westlifes songs or maybe girls aloud[feel free to vomit]and act in mock disbelief when the so called judges [normally lepre...erm i mean louie or cole reply oh...i absolutely adore that song.yes, because ur feckin crappy bland predictable look at me im so sexy in a plastic fake sorta way group/band wrote it.and didnt the numbskull who just cringingly performed to u know it.failing that a sob story always works.yes it has come to this.genetically enhanced androids programmed to sing more famous and more talented peoples songs to a some what gullable public.everyone keeps bleeting how leona bloody lewis is the saviour of british music.like hell...we need saving from the crap she and every other moron involved in this arselicking show spew forth.she didnt write bleeding love either, it was the lead singer from one republic.someone on this webpage who is amusician themselves said in the musical world xfactor finalists are shunned and looked down upon. its not hard to see why.take away the judges and voice coaches and what would we be left with.we would be left with someone who cant perform or belt out anything else coz there is no one telling them what to do.bloody hell...u cant expect them to write something themselves can you, or shock horror play an instrument...its all so depressing and i thank god for all the real talent out there.but i cringe when i think of who my daughters future idols might be or what shows like xfactor teach her.

i typed in (I hate x factor) and this wonderful site came up thank you! I hate alexander im gonna give it a go!!!!!

i'm writing an essay on how awful reality shows such as X-Factor are! Oh yeah!!

The X Factor is plastic karaoke - Alexandra Burke is pure pish - she is murdering a wonderful song

You really can fool most of the people most of the time

I couldnt agree more Simon, I don't watch the show and have only ever seen it when forced to by an overwhelming room majority. The latest 'winners' version of one of my favorite songs ever (hallelujah) actually made me feel ill when I heard it. I think the fact that shows like this are attracting so many viewers only goes to show what little people expect in terms of entertainment.

As others have stated, it's a mystery how this programme goes on to fool the millions who spend their money on 'voting'. The reality is, and always has been, that any act Simon Cowell likes gets a record contract. Then, and only then, is it up to the public to decide who has success and who doesn't.

And yet, every year, people phone in, by their millions, believing that they make a difference. The only difference they make is who leaves the show and when. (Though even then they are being subtly manipulated.)

To add to the pantomime, we then have the repeats, and the spin-off shows too. It just becomes too much.

The author of this entry stated it absolutely correctly when describing it as a cynical marketing exercise. I believe, on the final, there were some nine-million votes, at 50p a throw. (With a mysterious 15p going to charity, we're told. Why they do that is quite beyond me. I'm sure there are people who'd rather just pay 35p for their call.) You don't need to be a genius at all to work out how lucrative this pantomine is for Simon Cowell. He's the only real winner in this programme.

What is this I love Cheryl garbage. Can you not see the irony of a totally talentless halfwit judging other talentless nobodys. Not to mention her horrific trailer park tattoos. Famous for being famous...pathetic!

Amen. I could not agree more!!!!!

Geraldine for No1

I agree with everything said here. The programme should be renamed 'How disillusioned can one be?'. As for hating the programme, I would extend the hatred to all those dreadful programmes masquerading as entertainment but primarily designed to make a certain group of naive viewers pay for the rubbish they are watching. It is about time that we as a viewing nation rebelled against all of these programmes where the makers make an absolute fortune in premium phone calls under the disguise of entertainment. They should all be renamed. 'Get all those mugs to pay us a fortune while watching absolute rubbish'.

The problem with not liking the X Factor is that it takes over the TV. It's everywhere. It's a mockery of a competition. The winners do not receive one million pounds. Contestants in second, third and fourth place receive the same prize as the winner - a record deal, after the public spends all their money voting for the winner. Louis Walsh is very irritating. Cheryl COle is so overrated, and Dermot's voice just grates!

Thank God the X-factory is over tonight. No doubt the Christmas number one is already secured. It falls into the tragic pile of mince that has become british tv. Every time of the year seems to be dedicated to a certain programme Big Brother, I'm a Celeb, etc weeks of suffering at prime times.

My God we don't even get Top of the Pops anymore which was based on actual record sales i.e. person hears a record on the radio, thinks that's dam good I'm gonna buy it and the ones that sell the most get on the show.

Na we get dictated now who has a tragic enough story to get groomed for stardumb. It's like the scene from Toy Story when the alien cuddly toy gets grabbed "I have been chosen!" It's then rammed down the nations throats for week after week with little or no alternative. We should all try to write the Christmas No.1 and make it something funny quirky for God's sake all the X-Factors fake sentimentality makes me sick. It's so anal it's unbeievable. Let's get some real bands on the tv. They write their songs do gigs and work hard with little cash, in the end quality will out with comedy rearing it's head occasionally as light relief.

I totally agree. I have just (stupidly) tried to explain the cynical nature of programs such as this to my nine year old daughter. Unfortunately, I did this in the middle of the 'grand' final (I know, what a berk!). I just could not take the image of JLS arriving in Nowheresville in a stretch limo. Don't get me wrong, they're probably nice guys, but the whole thing just feels wrong. These guys are just being used. Sometimes I feel like Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters; am I the only one who sees what is going on. People think that you are mad if you don't join in. Help!

Thank you for articulating what I feel about this dreadful excuse for television. Saturday night viewing is now all garbage, bombarded as we are wth mindless game shows, celebrity tat and this end of pier talent show. We will then have the media foaming at the mouth about the judges' love lives, contestant sob stories and how they all learned to sing in poverty stricken choirs or grew up longing to help the elderly etc etc. Still, I suppose the panel are getting wealthier with every phone vote!

AMEN

of course the x-factor is really the I Love Simon Cowell Show but hey so what!! It's light entertainment for Saturday night and yes there are plenty of questionable singers in the top 12 but usually someone good comes along in the end and for my money Ruth Lorenzo although voted off, (That's what you would expect from Joe public) is an artist with a real voice!!

Is my man blind. I don't think he can watch the show.

Guy's diluded u think.

Really, You are presenting yourself as a very miserable person, in fact 'grumpy old men' springs to mind!!

If you don't like it, then just don't watch it, but to your post verges on being just rude and judgemental. I'm sure that there are people out there that can say television which you personally enjoy isn't very good, but it's all a matter of taste. Television, as with everything else is life should be about personal choice, not about conformity or anything else. With all the channels available now, I really pity you that you feel so bothered by a television show. Do you have nothing better to do with your life than to belittle things which other people enjoy?

You people need to get a life. Change the channel, leave the room, DON'T WATCH IT IF YOU HATE IT!!

Spemz, 13

xxx

yes sometimes i would agree that the show is repetitive. however this is raw talent which hasn't been modified unlike many other artists in the charts at the moment. kind of what you hear and see is what u get. don't you agree?

you say .....

"Few of the contestants can hold a tune, none of them can dance, and all are "living the dream". Some of the singing is so obviously flat and out of tune as to be, frankly, embarrassing. "

"the fastest selling debut album of all time"

- LEONA LEWIS !!!!!!!

i rest my case !

I can stand 1 show, but then to suffer another an hour or so later on. Too much!!

why o why do people keep watching this show if they hate it sooo much?! the people complaining seem to know the show inside out! if you dont like it, dont watch it! let the rest of us 8 million who enjoy it watch it in peace!

no, you will not find greats like john lennon who wrote his own songs etc, because this show is for the people who have not yet been spotted, or who cannot get to perform in places where talent spotters go! i think its a little sad to come on here to complain in length about the show, just turn your tv over!

Absolutely brilliant piece Simon. Good job. I couldn't agree more. I think a lot of people have missed the point of the piece, and this is evident by their response. I don't think anyone is claiming that X-Factor isn't entertaining for people because 8 million people seem to like it. What is clear, however, is that the show is an accurate representation of how sick and twisted reality shows can be. X-Factor are not out to find the next star. X-Factor are out to line their own pockets via advertising revenue. I am a full-time musician living in London, and I can tell you this much; nobody with any decency in the world of music supports or respects either X-Factor, nor the winners they churn out. The show is a fine example of how teenagers are being encouraged to embrace celebrity. What's worse, the show is teaching young people that song writing is no longer necessary, and the least of importance.

What this does to the future of music is a little scary. I am just hoping and praying that shows like X-Factor divide the music lovers from the idiots. Let the idiots be entertained by X-Factor, let the talentless hopefuls have their dreams built up only to have them dashed, and let the music lovers enjoy music written by talented song-writing musicians who are, in terms of talent, streets ahead of anything X-Factor could every dream of finding

you wont see anyone thst sounds like bob dylan,or someone that can write songs like john lennon, its the same old crap(that once you can reach a high note your a great singer) bahhh.. some of the most memorable voice ever would not have a chance on this show. that to me say it all

LOVE THIS REVIEW. YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

True, the x factor is a place where wannabe pop stars who, for the majority of the time cant really sing appear but once in a while a true star is found. Leona Lewis is the best example.

If you truely hate X Factor, then click on the following facebook group!! Hopefully it catches on....... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38616405317

I think it is worth watching just to look at Cheryls stuning looks and fantastic cute smile xx

I love Cheryl xxxxx

If you dont like it. Then why watch it? And how come you know so much about it and waste your time watching it when you dont even like it? Idiot.

It's entertainment for some people, I hate Coronation Street, East Enders and all soaps, we have a choice, turn over or go out, the time people have taken to right this stuff obviously complain about everything. It's also an excape from the real world & Gordon Brown, so what Simon makes money, he had it before he got on Tv.

So what, for a couple of hours on a Saturday night, let people laugh, cry or whatever.

Do you have a remote control....? Change the channel if you hate it so much!

X factor sucks big time it has ruined the music charts with its worthless covers

The Romans had Christians and Lions, the Georgians had cock fighting and bull baiting, we have the X Factor. All of them cruel and utterly deplorable. If you want to work in "showbiz" why don't you get yourself on to a proper course, and work your way up the way the professionals have to. I know someone who danced in a show on a cruise ship for six months to earn her "Equity" ticket, and she has since become a well loved children's presenter. It is possible. Chucking yourself into the fray along with thousands of others in the vague hope that you might get five seconds of telly time and be discovered is just ridiculous. I don't like the way they tape the worst auditions for people to laugh at, that's just nasty. When it gets to the final shows, and each week the judges pass comment, I find that Simon Cowell is the only one who consistently makes good judgement comments based on sound commercial understanding. And let's face it.... the one you have to impress is Simon. There's a strong whiff of factory production about the performances, a good sob story is always standing in the wings, and the entire thing is cheesy and ghastly. Apparently Simon has slammed the Peter Kay record in the press. He would, I would have thought, done better to consider why that record has been hyped into the charts. Could it possibly be that cynicism amongst the wider viewing and purchasing public has finally taken over?

I LOVE THE X FACTOR. How can you say it's bland and boring. Of course the acts are amazingly talented! Theyre appearing on national T.V AND are offered many deals and band ideas as soon as they come of the live shows. Why do you think people sacrifuce their saturday nights to watch this fantastic show?! I'TS WOWWW !!

Oh and btw, I'm 13 =]

X Factor: "Wow I could make some money off of this guy!", "Nevermind the artists that have been pouring their hearts into this for years and years, im way better than them" and "I can cry harder than you".

X FACTOR SUCKS. THE STUPIDITY LEVEL OF THIS SOCIETY IS HARD TO BELIEVE.

I hate the screaming audience and the way it takes over the whole nation, so exploitive and so manipulative-as for Simon Cowell-he thinks he is God. Awful people-awful programme

The X Factor is great TV and is one of my weekend TV highlights. It's way better than Strictly Come Dancing and the fact that somebody in this country has a great voice and and is a huge star hasn't been discoverd. All that Simon Cowell wants to do is find that star he's done it with Leona and if it wasn't for The X Factor we wouldn't have Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Leon Jackson, G4, Chico, Andy Abrahams, Ray Quinn, Ben Mills, Rhydian Roberts and Same Diffrence. It's not just about crap TV it's about discovering somebody with that voice. And Plus Simon Cowell,Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh for me make give the entertainment value whereas the singers give me the serious singing. Plus Cheryl is great but i hope from the rumours Dannii is going and Sharon's coming back. The X Factor Is The Best Talent Show Ever and i'm only 15.

Yeah I see where you are coming from, because it is repetitive.. like "No body wants it more than.." Or "As we reach the end of the day, nobody is more nervous than.."

It's so cringey!!!!

But I do like it sometimes. I just find the live shows a little dull.

lol..

xfactor is the biggest load of s**t i have ever seen let a real singer or band be no1 at christmas shallow programe staring shallow people

Anyone here complaining that they lose their families every weekend to the X Factor and similar programs must ask themselves how they came to be married to / parents to these people. Probably because they're addicted to having a life to complain about.

I feel more for the people who have experienced the cattle market audition process, but reality tv is an illusion and this is the way the industry works. The public watch to see the inspired, the appalling and grotesque, and the ones with 'interesting' stories. The majority are average singers, with average looks and no novelty. If all of them were put on the show it would collapse.

Isn't it funny that even though all you people are protesting how much you hate x factor and what a load of mindless nonsense it - You are still talking about it in a blog!

If you don't like it, thats ok, we don't all like the same thing but, why go on about it?

Was this article written in 2007? Sharon Osbourne isn't on the show and Rhydian is probably now working at HMV. If it was, a few updates would have been appreciated.

it is the worst kind of contrived TV - all for the benefit of simon cowell and his business. It makes me ill to see how far we have all sunk - exploiting the gullible and inadequte - yes they turn up but this is supposed to be a talent show not a freak show -

i personally think you have issuses nobody cares about what you think over 6 million so shut up

DANNI FOREVER!

It's one of the worst shows to be commissioned in the history of TV. I actually can not believe people watch it. It's absolutely beyond me how they can find it entertaining. A few stories mentioned just mirror the experience the daughter of my mothers friend, and her pal had. Both good enough voices, but neither got through. Yet, the idiots, and there's no other word for them, did. I remember reading during the week, a person auditioned but he/she thought it was Britain's Got Talent - how can the producers and ITV justify that? It's blatant humiliation. If it was the talented only maybe that would appeal to people but it's not.

In all honesty, I think it's sad that you think the X-factor deprives you of a Saturday evening, TV isn't the only thing to do! Get out and do something instead!!

I have to say that I often find myself watching the X-factor. This is because it is funny stuff! The hopeless acts are hilarious and I'm afraid I have no simpathy for the auditionees because by now they must know what they're in for.

I really like the X Factor!

We know it's a program for greedy people to make money from talentless people watching talentless people, in between commercials. So, turn the TV off and do something else.

I so agree-this is a parody of a "talent show" and showcases the worst morons ever(including the judges). I hate to sound like a cliche but this really does appeal to the lowest common denominator and people really do need to get out more if this is the highlight of their Saturday night!

As someone who loves listening to music I completely agree. I watched Rock Star Supernova and was blown away by the talent and the effort that went into creating a show each week. By comparison this show is looking for people to laugh at each week.

I would have agreed with this column after the first series. Now were on to the nth, i can no longer have pity for the idiot, no talent masses that turn up for the auditions. They know full well what they're letting themselves in for, and now i can enjoy their deluded hopefulness with all my spite... I only watch the first few rounds, when they get on to the real "singers", i just watch reruns of the worst applicants on youtube. Brilliant.

For some reason the 2007 series hooked me, possibly because there were a lot fewer sob stories in the heats and there was some general interest with rejected soloists becoming groups, though they deliberately allowed people with outstanding criminal matters to get to the studio stages and then chucked them out to create drama. As far as I was concerned that was both fake AND unfair on whoever lost out on those two places. If X Factor is all that matters to some kids, then barring those with criminal records of any age might help cut crime, you never know!

This year I said I would record and watch it just to fast forward through the breaks and the sob stories but now that they're trying to tug the heart strings already, I'll come back to it at bootcamp and watch a couple, and then see who makes it to the studio. However, I definitely won't get hooked again.

The X Factor makes me want to punch a hole in my TV. Every single aspect of it is such a blatant lie that it's continually high ratings make me ashamed to be British

I HATE THE XFACTOR!! I AM BEING FORCED TO WATCH IT BY ANDREW AND I WANT TO TOP MYSELF. WHY DO THEY RUN THESE SHOWS!?!?!?! ITS JUST CRAP TV... OH HOW I WANT TO WATCH THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL SO THAT I CAN FIND SOMETHING EDUCATIONAL! SOMEONE HELP ME OR SHOOT ME.

agree,x f crap

I think you're preaching to the converted Simon. Anybody who hates the X-Factor already knows how bad it is and anyone who likes it...well...I'm not sure they'd even have the intellectual capacity to read this column :P.

I enjoyed reading Simons comments, superbly put and 100% correct.

My wife is now Mr. Cowells mistress for the next 300 weeks or however long it takes for the cute, 20 to 25 year old, easily marketable, recovering from a recent tragedy, not the best singer, dancer, personality, performer, public speaker, cute though - to record the much hyped, sickly sweet, dull and ultimately forgettable Christmas Number One.

Then we are safe, until....Dancing on Ice, Strictly Come Dancing, Last Choir Standing, Id do...(Andy Webber BBC 20 week free Advert), Love Island, Im a "desperate" celebrity, Celeb Wife Swap, Jade, Jordan..sorry Katie, Kerry, Lisa Scott someone.........and all the rest of the Parasitic rot which populates our airwaves in search of 25p per text.

Sad really - Tv was an innovator once, its a broken one armed bandit now in a crummy arcade, ultimately it makes the "man" rich and gives nothing in return but an empty romise of something better.

Have a read of Ben Elton's book "Chart Throb". Not only is it very funny, but will open your eyes to what programmes like X-Factor are really all about.

I would never vote again due to the fact that on the last year final I'd tried many many times voting for Rhydian but the line was constantly engaged! It was obviously a fixed show that the true talent won't give a chance to shine. The other thing bothers me was that they made Rhydian into this weird villain, in fact he is a perfect normal young man from a ordinary family. How this world has gone so wrong!!

What about Leona Lewis to all those who say it produces no talent?!

my mum, who 1s 36 auditioned for the london's xfactor. She has singing degrees and has spent many years singing in collage and for weddings.

It was freezing and raining and we had to stand outside for more than three hours, whilst they filmed the show. When we finally got inside, the toilets were packed, so we started to use the men's toilets. We were desperate! lol. Then, we had to wait for more than 10 hours, for a 1 minute audition with not the real judges, but producers, who didn't seem to give out golden tickets for the next round. We heard the girl infrount of us sing, and she was really out of tune, but yet she got through o the next round. My mum sang a song and gave it all she had, but they refused her. Is this fair?

I appeared on the show and made it on TV. I agree completely with the blog and also the comments made about it being fixed. I was asked to do things for the camera which made me very uncomfortable and also had my song changed to the awful 'my heart will go on' - was told that i had to do a female ballad!! Like someone above has mentioned i am also a rock chick!!

The Manchester auditions sound just like the London ones. Three hours outside in the rain, three hours inside waiting to start the auditions, and all the time treated like extras for crowd scenes (the crowd got a bit restless and we were told we should not complain as we had not had to pay to get in !). AND, yes, some judges appeared to say no to everyone they saw regardless of ability. The guy who saw my daughter did not ask her name, watched the people around him while she sang, and did not seem to have any golden tickets in his booth to hand out ! The judge next to him had paperwork and golden tickets, showed interest in the contestants, and was encouraging them. Should OfCom be looking into this?

I too auditoned for x factor this weekend, and can back up everything in the last post. I set off to get to manchester at 5am, que'd outside in the freezing cold from 8 til 11, finally got in old trafford only to sit again in the cold til 5.30pm. Finally got my chance with a judge ( that was a producer and not a "real" judge) and got a big fat no. Now i know i cannot prove my vocal talents online and my music degree means nothing to these people and maybe the cold, my shivering body and chattering teeth slighty effected my singing..but i'm pretty damn sure the o.a.p dressed as elvis who got a golden ticket won't be in my league! ( i shall watch the manchester episode just to see the kind of rubbish they picked for entertainment value). It's purely embarresing and dissapointing to have not even passed this stage and also annoying to have spent the whole day freezing, surrounded by lunatics and people who for some reason had brought their screaming brats!?! only to have 120 seconds with a judge who as in the last post didn't seem to be putting anyone through. So what is the criteria and quota!?! there were only judges at one end seemed to be giving golden tickets out!

I am a rock n roll chick at heart and only did the audition at the request of a few friends who are fans of the show, but i will remain dissheartened, as with all talent competitions, and spread my view that the x factor is the biggest, most fixed rubbish on tv. My only advice, to all the normal, talented, not particularly attention seeking, graffters and learners in the world is don't let it affect performing in future, i for one will be gigging again in my hometown soon and not calling myself x factor loser but x factor champ ( as x factor loser from the last post should) and i thank x factor ltd for only wasting 10 hours of my life and not putting me through to the next round to waste any more of my valuable time!

Cheers and good luck to the muppets!

i auditioned for x factor today and it is not wot u think

the auditionees do not go straight to the judges, but they go to the producers and insidentally all the screaming is fake as i realised when they made us too it 20 times over each take and each angle, and then by the time u see the "judges" who are producers, people from record deals, and other things too u have waited 9 hours and it only takes 5 minutes in and out, but it is a fix i tell you a FIX! the judge who i went to see and the one next door didnt let anyone through and there were some very talented ppl, but yet ALL the other judges booths were screaming when they got a golden ticket, whereas the gentleman and woman next to him did not let one person through. it is unfair, the judges may have loved them and they could have becom a star for all they knw, it shatters ppls dreams i tell u, shatters them into dust!!!! i h8 x factor, its shattered my dream, i am a stage gurl but i dnt think ill b able to stand on stage again!!:-(

Boo! I love the X Factor!!

It is so boring.

This programme is so cringe making. I watched it once and never again will I subject my brain to such talentless trivia. Who comes up with with shows like this? You might as well go down tot he pub on Kareoke night.

I'm sure I'd agree with you - had I ever watched the thing! Just as the listings descriptions for Big Brother, I'm A Celebrity, and everything of that ilk, were enough to ensure I steered well clear of the programmes, so it worked for X Factor. And once I began to read articles in my daily paper trying to convince me that what happened in this programme (and those mentioned earlier) was in fact NEWS, so I became more determined to avoid them like the plague. And to make matters worse, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find something to watch on TV that isn't 'reality' related what with the repeats and the 'here's some who weren't quite good enough for the main programme' shows, and the hey! if you liked the British version how about those from the rest of the world!

I can just about tolerate Strictly - for the dresses and the implied message that if even muscle-bound ageing rugby players can be turned into graceful swans, there's hope for you yet you old duffer!

But much much better are the Cranfords, the Oliver Twists, Ballet Shoes etc. The Street (not that Manchester one) was eminently watchable too. And natural history programmes, and history and the Monarchy.

Just about everything that isn't a 'reality' show, really (!)

I watched the X Factor for the first time ever on Saturday and it was as bad as I expected. "Barbie" and "Ken" were so bad, it would have made you cry. I think Ryddian or whatever he is called, had the best voice but to choose Kathryn Jenkins to duet with was a dire mistake. She has a beautiful voice but it was much too operatic for such a show. No doubt the irrepressible Kylie did much to enhance Leon's chances appearing as Catwoman. As a "Strictly" viewer I have to agree that this programme is going down the pan too. The cat fights amongst the judges is too much and they obviously have their favourites right from the start of the series! Moral of this...? I need to get out on a Saturday night!

Totally agree, but why just pick on X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing is just as bad. And as bland as Dermot has become, nothing can compare to how bad Bruce Forysthe is now. Its pitifully unfunny and he gets £400 grand for it.

sadly funny but true. Tv hs gone down the pan.

I hate it too.

Argeed .:-) To make matters worse my school is doing a X factor christmas play X-(

I agree, at the very beginning it was a bunch of normal people, all just wanting to become famous, and there was no gimmicks, not as much bickering, and it was good television. The second one was quite good, bordering on boring sometimes but was a good mix of interesting people. The third one was not as good, but was still entertaining and they chose good song catergories that made it a bit different. This year everything has changed (or should i say.. stayed the same?!) with the similar songs, the same 'sad' and pathetic backgrounds every contestant seems to have make it pityful to watch, besides the out of tune singers with no talent. its even more painful as i live in Leon's town, so i cant go anywhere without pictures of him flooding the shops. I stopped watching it now as i knew from the beginning when they showed the bad auditions, it was going to be a bad one, and boy was i right :)

I couldn't agree more.