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'The X Factor' judges and finalists on the Top 3's favorite performances, and why you shouldn't count out the groups. by Adam B. Vary. Categories: On the Scene, Simon Cowell, Television, The X Factor. Comments +; Add ...
Image Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOXYou have to give the folks at The X Factor credit for consistancy: Even their finale week press conference, held today on the show?s main stage at CBS Television City, opened with a full lighting package, an introduction from host Steve Jones, and mentor/judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, and L.A. Reid emerging from the mega-screen doors with finalists Melanie Amaro, Chris Rene, and Josh Krajcik. Before the press could ask any questions, we were even treated to a video package retracing the finalists? ?journeys? on the show.
After things finally did kick into gear, as is often the case with these kinds of ?pressers? (to use the industry lingo), not a huge amount of news emerged from this event. Justin Bieber, Pitbull, and Ne-Yo will all perform on Thursday night?s finale, but there?s no word yet on which ?superstar artist? (Simon?s words) will duet with the finalists on the Wednesday night show. Speaking of Wednesday night, Steve Jones had Melanie, Chris, and Josh pick from three cards to determine the order of the performances that night. Melanie drew the No. 1 card, which meant she got first dibs on when she wanted to sing, and she chose the final position. Chris had second choice, and he decided to sing second, which meant Josh will open the show.
Despite fan confusion and outrage over a voting system that usually relies on the judges to make the final call ? except when they don?t and deliberately force a deadlock, automatically sending home whomever had the lowest votes, like with Simon?s adorable muppet Rachel Crow ? Simon made clear he was not planning on changing the system next year. ?If that week had worked in the way I believe the process should work, the judges could have actually saved [Rachel],? Simon said. ?The fact it went to deadlock that week ? the process didn?t work. So I?m not going to change the system, I?m just going to suggest that we do a better job in the future.?
With all of the group contestants eliminated before Thanksgiving, the viability of the category for next season remains an open question ? although a group did just win the UK version of The X Factor, the first time in eight seasons. When asked about how The X Factor?s stateside iteration could help ensure a group make it to the finals next year, Paula Abdul first acknowledged that the category is challenging in the current pop music ecosystem, where solo artists rule the roost. (She did claim that ?NSYNC and Backstreet Boys date from the ?early ?90s,? but point taken). Then Paula made an intriguing suggestion: ?Maybe if each judge/mentor had one group, and we each had one female, one male, and one over-30, that would help solidify more interest in groups.?
For his part, Simon decided to take the moment to make a bold prediction: ?Within two years, a group will win this show. Because I think I know the kind of group who could win the show like this. And if they walk in the door, they?ll win. Guarantee it. I can feel it.?
When asked what he learned from Melanie Amaro, Simon indulged in a somewhat surprising display of modest introspection. ?I learnt that I?m not American,? he said. ?That was a big factor on where I got things right, and where I got things wrong. Even last night, I changed Melanie?s song, because I believed it was too British, too old for her. So I?m trying to think American, and that?s what Melanie has mainly taught me. I can?t do this from a British perspective.?
Simon even admitted that his hubris got the best of him before The X Factor?s U.S. premiere, saying, ?I probably came here a bit too cocky.? But then he kept talking, and the old Simon came back. ?This will be the greatest final we?ve ever been in?.I?m more excited about this week than I have been for quite a long while. This is $5 million talent here.?
Melanie?s favorites were ?Earth Song? and ?Feelin? Good,? and although she wouldn?t admit to having a least favorite performance, she did acknowledge that she was initially not happy with the notion of having to sing ?Earth Song.?
Josh?s favorite song was ?Wild Horses.? His least favorite? ?Do the ensembles count? Because the circus song for me was a low point. I?ve never said ?What?s the dealio? in my life. I have said ?Raise your glass,? though ? plenty of times.?
Chris? favorite was his self-penned song ?Where Do We Go From Here,? and his first two live show performances were his least favorite. ?I was learning how to be on stage in front of a live audience, live TV for the first time.?
I still don't think any of these three are 5 million dollar worthy. For me, this show was en epic fail. Though I do think it has potential to learn from its mistakes and be much better the second time around.
I think people are too fixed on the 5 million prize. They are winning this Money as a down payment on their potential earnings . It will be structured and will be the only income drawn. If they hit with some songs and appearances the money will be made back two fold. Itsnot a concert for best singer it is for someone with the XFactor. Believe Chris will win because his audience votes and Buys music. Josh and Melanie maybe better but their audience doesn't vote in large numbers and probably doesn't download music.
this wonderful time together? My fri;ends told me about___ ?ill?on?ire?rien?s?c??/? it's the best pla'ce to me;et rich si;ngles whoever you want. I have tried.
If there's one thing American Idol has taught us, it's that the people who vote are not necessarily the people who buy music. There's no other way to explain that the show has produced two superstar winners in 10 seasons and that some of its biggest sellers came in second, fourth and even seventh place.
Perhaps we're "fixed on the 5 million prize" because the show mentions it about every other minute. In my opinion, the show is an epic fail. Looking forward to American Idol where the focus is much more on the singers. As it should be.
I agree too--there's too much emphasis on the 5 million and the money winnings than on the talent alone that we're focusing on. I do think that next year they need to stop mentioning it so much and focus on the talent aspects of the singers and their competition.
The best 3 finalist of any of the singing competitions hands down. Watched AI since the beginning. They have been out of touch and boring for 5 years now.
I must agree--I loved the try outs, but then came judges week, and that was not too good, then the rest has been crap. I can hear someone, each week shouting "bigger, bigger" and "sell it baby, sell it" as the production has overwhelmed the singing. I can barely hear the voices now but boy can I hear the band (the mixing is a joke)
Even though I do like Josh and Melanie (and even Chris sometimes), I'm just not excited about this show anymore at ALL. It will be a challenge to make myself watch this week... I might even skip it.
Thanks Esox. Yes, I'm not a "who cares?" person at all. I've watched every episode in its entirety (not skipping through the filler) and my legitimate criticism was that after all this time, rather than be excited for the finale (which is what would be expected for a show of this type) it's just really become monotonous. I *will* watch the finale because I feel like I should to be "complete." But it's a shame that I'm not more excited about it and I can't even really say why. I hope it will be a good finale though.... there are three really talented people left.
Nicole needs to be let go as judge. Simon was wrong with this choice. He should have stuck with his first instinct and kept Cheryl Cole. Nicole is embarrassing as a judge. Not only is she up and dancing all the time, but if you notice all of her "catch pharses" are so lame and don't make much sense!
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