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Saturday, August 25, 2007

Ex-Factor

I confess to being a fan of most reality shows in their early days. One of my favourites was X Factor and normally I would be watching the new series.

I enjoyed discovering the fantastic new finds and also uncovering those whose 'talents' were more hidden. I was constantly surprised at how shocked the singers were at discovering that Simon and his group didn't like them. There was always that flash of amazement on their faces, which had often puzzled me. Surely they couldn't be so foolish as to think he was going to like them?

Now I know why. I feel naive!

A friend recently told me that Simon and his gang only see people who have already gone through two rounds with the junior producers. Not only are they putting through the talented newcomers, they are also putting through those individuals who are going to 'entertain' us with their awful singing. Yet these hopeful people are unaware that they are being promoted to provide 'entertainment'. For obvious reasons, they will assume that their abilities are finally being recognised. They will have phoned their families, boyfriends, wives, to tell them the fantastic news. Support will be building. The family turns up for the third round. This could be their big chance.

Finally they meet Simon, who after just a few seconds tells them they are perhaps the worst singers he has ever heard in his life. And now I understand the look of bewildered shock on their faces. "But I got through two rounds".

It's acceptable for someone to be thrown out of the first round with Simon's withering words in their ear: everyone knows what these shows involve. But to put them through this rollercoaster suggests a degree of deliberate cruelty. Leaving a nasty taste in the mouth of this disillusioned, if naive, ex-fan!

3 Comments:

At 6:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Still damn entertaining though.

 
At 11:03 AM, Blogger Christopher Barlow said...

this happened to a friend of mine a few years back. She went up to manchester (from southampton) to audition. she met the producers,they filled her with confidence and said come back tomorrow, wear the same clothes, sing the same song. so she paid for a B&B, went back, met the three judges and two of them slated her (incl. Simon). saying she was mediocre etc. Sharon stuck up for her and said she should get some experience in acting etc, and she said 'yes i do a bit of that and i'm interested in doing that but i'd like to sing'. This was then twisted and was edited to suggest she was arguing with simon and trying to grab attension, but her responses were actualy to sharons encouragement!

then as she went to leave the building, a random woman with her daughter started shouting at her, trying to start a fight and for some strange there just happened to be an entire camera crew there too! that woman should not have been there, as each contestant is/should be escorted from the building.

It was a set up to cause an argument, probably because my friend is a little alternative and they thought they might get something from her. but as the woman shouted at her she just sang to them and skipped out of the building. lol!

However she became one of the poor people who's audition was then broadcast on all the tv channels as people discussed the show on daytime tv. labeling her as one of the wierdos or freaks or opportunists!! - and she's not any of those. she is actualy a very good performer, and a very nice person!

suffice to say she spent a good six months being slated every where she went. people recognised her and picked on her. all because she simply wanted a chance at her dream career.

those shows are pure evil. they hurt people for the publics pleasure.

Chris

 
At 4:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

People should have enough sense to realise that before applying to go on it.

If you want to be in a singer, get some gigs in a bar and try to make some contacts, send out demos.

Of course the show is about making people look stupid. Even the ones who end up winning never usually have a singing career afterwards.

If you want to treated seriously as a singer or a performer you shouldn't go on these shows.

 

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