The X Factor, Saturday 7.40pm, ITV1
By Brian Charles
The X Factor is back and before an 'I Believe I Can Fly' has been warbled in anger, there is a whiff of scandal.
ITV entertainment big cheese Paul Jackson had to admit the programme had staged some scenes in Saturday's series four opener, specifically footage of the judges discussing whether to invite the "sacked" Louis Walsh back onto the show.
No huge surprise, no big deal. The dismissal and reinstatement of the Irishman had a hint of stage management about it throughout the whole affair.
It's not Panorama. The pantomime "Sharon hates Louis" and "Louis is furious with Simon" and "Simon stole Sharon's dinner money" is all part of the fun.
It's as vital a part of the show as picking your favourite hopeful, wondering why on earth they hired Kate Thornton and laughing at borderline maniacs who genuinely think they’re the next Mariah Carey.
Not that I am in any way implying that Mariah Carey is a borderline maniac.
But now the show is actually kicking off again there is no need for any gerrymandering. The entertainment speaks, and sings, for itself.
As any fule kno, Dannii Minogue joins the panel, Brian Friedman has been bumped to creative director, Louis is back, Kate has been replaced by Dermot O'Leary, people as young as 14 can now enter and 150,000 have auditioned.
Perhaps one of them will go on to be as big a recording artist as Steve Brookstein
It starts on ITV1, Saturday, 7.40pm and is still absolutely streets ahead of its raft of pale imitations.
Well done Simon. A good decision made. Now Diane to go please
Posted by: karen | 22 November 2008 at 23:23
I feel so sorry for Laura and Ruth niether should have been in the bottom two! there was a conspiracy on Saturdays show. Diana ILL, and can't sing yet on xtrafactor you see her at the Bonfire, eating toffee apples and screaming her head off, forgive me but wasn't 5th November only Wednesday! can someone explain to me what is going on!
Posted by: val | 10 November 2008 at 12:32
I can't believe that Rachel got through and not Laura.
Rachel did not even try to sing as what she did on the first week.
Laura has been out standing throughout the show.
It only shows that you need to have sympathy to get through the next stage.
Why don't people vote to who has the talent and not who they like.
I liked ashton but he was not the best last week.
Diana or Alexandra to win.
Posted by: alexus | 09 November 2008 at 20:37
i think that the x factor is now pathetic...its not sympathy factor...ruth is good and laura is amaizing...the people that should be out is daniel and rachel!! ther rubish!! sorry guys but ur judging is going way down in most peoples estimations!!!!! get a grip!! all those bum notes rachel had ...daniel was the best we ever saw him fair play and sorry but him and rachel should have been in the bottom two...and rachel should have gone out!! this is just a singing compitition not a feel sorry for compatition!! the wrest of u guys are outstanding espesially diana!! get well soon sweetie!!u all need to get ur act together!! simon cowell wot is going on with u!!?????? u think rachel is good? i give up!!! cheryl is the best judge!! and she wont win because ur all voting for people that cant sing!! she deserves to win she has the best catogorie!!!
Posted by: | 09 November 2008 at 14:15
Why has Laura been voted off when she is clearly one of the front runners in the competition. Simon fancies Ruth it is obvious, Louis is voting tactically to give his group a better chance. I wouldnt mind betting that if you went to the viewers vote it would have been Laura who won. Louis has said all along that Ruth had something missing and the Laura was world class, so why vote of Laura and keep Ruth in. Why has Simon ran away, frightened of the backlash again. Laura should have won the whole competition, a total travesty in my opinion. Ifeel as if I dont want to watch any more.
Posted by: glynis byatt | 08 November 2008 at 22:22
this competion is supposed to be about singing ability not the sympathy vote scott should have stayed daniel should have gone as soon as daniel said he was singing his choice of song for his wife he was through 25/10/2008 at 2258 hours
Posted by: lesley morgan | 25 October 2008 at 22:59
yes that daniel has a good voice but i think ramming it down everyones throats about losing his wife is beginning to sound like he's playing on people's sympathy. very tragic he lost his wife in tragic curcumstances but for god's sake man leave it out from now on. its wearing a bit thin now
Posted by: tom | 25 October 2008 at 22:55
ryhdain didnt win cuz he was rubbish. how many more poeple wud but leons version than ryhdians....millions! and as for all this rubbish it was a fix i voted for leon and had troble gettin thru so ur all just sore losers!!
Posted by: kel | 20 December 2007 at 18:09
leon was the winner by far. amazin looks...amazin voice...amazin talent mate! stop your wining!!
Posted by: kel | 20 December 2007 at 01:42
I watch X Factor ever week love it but I was so upset Nikki did not get into finals I no viwere vote for there favourite performer but Nikki should not have been put out please try and improve the voting system because I am sure if the panal of judges were to pick who was to be voted out it certanily would not been Nikki. Votes count but you have lost one of the best performers in the competition. Although I voted for Rydian the competition is all about great preformances and teo of the acts that went into the final were no were near close to Nikki but everyone has their opinion but please X Factor judges try and change the voting system for next year maybe have a member of the public on the panal of judges. Sorry but needed to write and let you no how I felt but I love X Factor and Simon is fair and speaks the honest truth about all the acts .
Kind Regards
Sharon Cameron
Posted by: Sharon Cameron | 08 December 2007 at 22:18
about time simon noticed that samone is out off tune, and should have gone out the first week, whats going on with simons jedgement.
Posted by: pamela stevenson | 17 November 2007 at 19:58
missed x-factor on saturday. where do i go to watch it on the internet because i can not find saturdays show anywhere??
Posted by: billyjoe | 11 November 2007 at 22:34
'Hope' have no hope until they get rid of the Amazonian Warrior in their line-up. She looks totally out of place in the group, has no looks and will ruin their chances of progressing to the final. Stood next to the rest of the babes she looks like Lurch from the Addams' Family.
Posted by: bobbyg | 22 October 2007 at 10:52
i missed x-factor on saturday. where do i go to watch it on the internet because i can not find saturdays show anywhere??
Posted by: sez | 19 August 2007 at 22:11