The X Factor – The judges pick the final sixteen!

I was just mentioning to someone at work today that The X Factor was going to make me rather nutty tonight. I knew it would be a one hour show schlepped into two, with lots of commercials, pregnant pauses, and needless drama. And I hate to say I told you so.

Tonight, the judges announced which four acts they would be taking from their houses back to Hollywood for the live shows. I was spot on about three of Simon’s picks. I do believe I’ve either watched him for waaaay too many years and can tell how he thinks, or I myself need a new and lucrative career as a talent scout. So let’s dissect the show for lack of anything better to do, shall we?

Simon’s Picks: I am completely in agreement with Simon’s choices of Rachel and Drew (whose name completely escaped me in one of my previous posts, due to cold medicine consumption. But she was the blonde I saw through the haze of ibuprofen and Cepacol.) Even though these two are thirteen and fourteen respectively? They’re super talented and seem like they can handle the stress before them. And, let’s face it. Simon is considering the cash cow potential of another teen sensation. Kids spend the most money on concerts and music right now, and finding the next Justin Beiber is every music mogul’s fantasy.

I continue to be utterly confuddled about what he sees in Tiah, though. Do you get it? And if you do, will you send me the memo? I’m wondering if he knows she’s not all that, just like the rest of us, but is unwilling to admit it after he’s made such a to-do fighting for her. He admitted tonight she has “pitch issues.” Um, ya think?

And should anyone with pitch issues be advancing to his final four? What’s he thinking with her? Maybe he’s not using his Main Simon Brain, but the more influential Little Simon Brain on this one. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

As for not choosing Melanie? I liked seeing Simon say he’s wrong for a change, and fly down to Florida to get that powerhouse on the show. I was shaking my head when he said No to her. In her first audition, I turned to the husband and said, “There’s your next Jennifer Hudson.” It’s so blatant how super talented she is, that my evil side wonders if this was staged. My, I’m becoming jaded with the Fox network reality shows in my old age, am I not?

Pauler’s Picks: I am so terrifically bored with the group selections, that I really have no opinion. So, I’ll just tell you that she picked Lakoda Rayne, Intensity, The Stereo Hogzz, and The Brewer Boys. Blah blah blah.

L.A. Reid’s Picks: I knew L.A. would go for Chris Rene, who I believe the audience will just eat up with a spoon. His back story of fighting drug addiction and working his life out for his son, is a heart string puller. Plus! He ain’t bad. I also called twenty year old Marcus Canty. He just “fit” L.A.’s background perfectly. As for the teenage rapper with the ‘tude (Astro)? I don’t see him as a five million dollar recording artist. He won’t go the distance.

The big surprise for me, was L.A.’s choice of Michael Buble-ish crooner Phillip Lomax. I was actually proud of him, choosing this dark horse. I adore the guy. And mark my words; the middle age women Moms out in voting land will too.

Lastly:

Nicole’s Picks: I could tell (maybe the excessive crying was my first clue) that this wasn’t exactly easy for Nicole to choose her final four. She picked some sentimental favorites based on their real life stories, that I think might just damage her team. As in Dexter Haygood. I know, I know. I might be very mean. Dude is homeless. He’s older. It’s his last chance. I believe all of these facts have gotten him this far. But in reality? He should be in Vegas, impersonating Little Richard or James Brown. C’mon. You know it’s true.

Stacy and Leroy were also choices based on Nicole’s emotions. Neither of these two can win it.

But! Josh Krajcik can! He’s her best bet, her fastest pony. She just needs to hose him down and powder him up. Then he’ll be the one to watch.

What say you? Did anyone not make it through that disappointed you? Or did you agree with the judges? Sing out!

Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Oct 19, 2011 @ 01:52 EST5EDT