The X Factor Final

I have decided to write a follow up article about the X Factor since the show finished last weekend. When I first commented on the X Factor back in November I ranted about the exit of the very talented Laura White in week five. 

After Laura's exit, public common sense did seem to kick in and the less talented Daniel and Rachel then left the competition. But in week 8 I was very disappointed when my personal favourite Ruth Lorenzo left the competition. The public seemed to fall back into old habits by voting through Eoghan, who has more the cute factor rather than the X Factor.    

After Ruth's exit I still watched the competition but I was fast losing hope that the most talented contestant would win. After the unique, but in my opinion annoying Diana Vickers lost out in the semi-final, the final line-up of Alexandra, JLS and Eoghan was revealed. 

As a self-confessed addict of the competition I was dreading the thought that Eoghan would win, purely because I felt that my votes for talent would be wasted and the X Factor format would die further with a victory based on popularity rather than talent. 

But I was pleasantly surprised when the most talented finalist left Alexandra won the competition, beating boy-band JLS in the final two. It may have taken 10 weeks, but talent did eventually prevail. Though in my opinion it was weeks too late. All I kept thinking was what an amazing final it would have been it the competition was purely based on talent; a Ruth, Laura and Alex final would have been amazing.   

Above, Alex's reaction after learning she won the X factor!

(Image from gigwise.com)

Talent not necessary, personality and/or sob story essential!

Gone are the days when the talent show was purely based on talent. The British public now demand more important characteristics when earmarking a star of the future; a great personality or a heart-wrenching sob story. What does the 'X' really stand for anymore?

In the past week popular TV talent shows have been thrown into controversy. On Saturday night Laura White, one of the favorites to win, was sensationally booted off the X Factor. This was followed by the even more bizarre result of Political broadcaster John Sergeant surviving another week in Strictly Come Dancing.

In the history of the X Factor and its predecessors (anyone remember Pop Idol?) there have been some surprising results and rarely has the show been out of the news. When it first started audiences fell in love with stuttering teen Gareth Gates but they still voted for the more talented Will Young to win. But these days the sob story of reasonable singer, Daniel Evans, gets more votes than the talented Jazz voice of Laura White.

Peculiar public voting has also effected Strictly come Dancing. Who could forget Kate Garraway continually being saved last year, despite scathing judges comments, terrible scores and continuos injury. 

This year's underdog, is lovable but truly terrible dancer, John Sergeant. Despite low scores and negative comments, Sergeant; dancing's version of Winnie the Pooh, according to judge Bruno Toniello, is still in the competition after a number of weeks. Whether it is based on sympathy, his warm personality or the public's desire to see him attempt a humiliating and painful Jive, Sergeant is still in the competition and may be for many more weeks.

Despite complaints from judges and viewers about recent results the public have spoken. While they still have the power to vote, audiences love the underdog, even if it is at the cost of a talented performer.  

 

(Image from unrealitytv.co.uk)