The X Factor – Simon scores again with a show much better than American Idol!

Wow. Just wow. I guarantee you that even if you’re not a fan of reality television, you’re made of granite if you can’t see any merits in Simon Cowell’s new effort on Fox, The X Factor. I shouldn’t really say it’s a new concept, as people in the U.K. and Australia have made this show boffo in their countries for the past several years. Let’s just say, Simon always has his eyes and ears wide open for opportunities. And those of you who adored the first several seasons of American Idol could just tell he was beyond irritated and bored during his last year there. I mean, he was practically cleaning the dirt out from under his nails. So what does he do?

He leaves American Idol. Not because millions of viewers aren’t still watching. Not because (at that time) the production values or talent had dissipated. He leaves with the idea of adventurousness in bringing something similar to Idol to American TV, yet different and larger in many aspects. Simon takes what he’s good at (spotting talent and producing big shows) and he makes what he’s already talented at … grow. Brilliant!

We all missed Paula? Her “antics” and  banter with Simon? He brings her back, and sticks a Pepsi cup in her hand, instead of Coke. (Thus also securing his major sponsor.) He said tonight that his own production company is ponying up the biggest prize in TV reality history at five million dollars. Hey. That beats the AI recording contract and “hit single.” This winner will be performing at the Super Bowl in January. Simon has just made everything bigger and put much more at stake.

For those of you who watched tonight, and think this is just too much like Idol? You have to know (if you don’t already) that the auditions are only the first part of the journey. If the contestant makes it through, the next phase is boot camp, where they’ll be divided in four separate categories; guys, girls, older singers, and vocal groups. If you pass muster there? You’re on your way to one of the judge’s “houses,” where you’re coached by them and possibly picked to go to the live finals. That’s a lot of work. As it should be, for five million smackers.

That’s also a lot of pressure on the judges. And while I’m on board with Pauler and L.A. Reid … I can already tell I’m going to want to slap Nicole Scherzinger real soon. I mean, really girl. She actually needed all that hoopla over her birthday? Is she twelve or just an attention freak? Geez. Plus? Her comments are rather insipid. Believe me; that’s saying something when Pauler is yapping right in the next chair.

I’m getting rather wordy, so I’ll give you some idle (heheheh) thoughts …

The host, Steve Jones? Meh. Also! If he said Los Angeleeeze one more time? I was gonna kill him. What is the deal with so many shows choosing English hosts? When perfectly talented American hosts (such as myself) are readily available? What’s the fascination? You know? I’m thinking. I can fool people a lot of the time into believing I’m from England. Maybe that could be my hook! Hmmmm.

Also? I cried twice. Yep. Cried. You know the times, you did too.

And finally. I would be remiss if I did not talk about the guy in Seattle that seemed to think that taking off his pants and flopping his meat and two veggies around would get him somewhere. Um, no. Really? And I think I have problems with making decisions sometimes? Geez.

The real burning question tonight though? Why did the naked dude’s “performance” make Pauler gag and hurl? Is she that naive? I seem to remember male dancer parts in her face over several videos and various live singing and dancing schtuff on AI. Huh. Gagging? Seriously?

And how come Mr. Schlong was allowed to be on so … long? (Sounds like a limerick doesn’t it?) Why did the producers subject everyone to that? Yep. Ratings. I heard you.

But overall? Color me excited. Who’s with me? What did you think?

Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Sep 22, 2011 @ 01:35 EST5EDT