I'd find that easier to believe if he hadn't put though Frankie based on the fact that he had a lot of cheek, which Gary mistook for charm, and he therefore thought the public would fall for him.

I can't decide whether he was told to put Frankie through, or whether, as you say, he mistook the cheek for charm and Frankie reminded him of Robbie in some way.

I'd like to hope he was told to put Frankie through, because he's a good enough musician to be able to hear that there were an awful lot of boys who had much better voices than Frankie.

Agree 100% with 100% of this post. And I feel the reason Gary Barlow looks so extraordinarily uncomfortable is that, three weeks into the live shows, he had an "Eureka" moment, realising that it's a circus, a travelling freak show, an end of the pier fest of mediocrity.

I wish the production team would make up its mind whether the X Factor is about singing - and finding a winner who can legitimately sell through talent and talent alone - or simply, as the poster said, entertaiment: or a vehicle for seeing the cash roll in. It's perfectly possibly for someone/a group to perform and hold an audience in the palm of their hand without moving an inch by singing...just singing...no bells and whistles...no swings and roundabouts...no strange staging...no weird flights of fantasy with (that awful word) styling.

I should have said, vis-a-vis GB, that he's not blameless in the whole fabricated fandango in terms of a) his choice of contestants and b) song choices: tho' how much choice did he/does he actually have?
Last edited by newbaby : 26-10-2011 at 16:45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwMD7ZNMa28
Series 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=068Y_xkld00
Series 4

and Series 1 and in part 7

Were much worse series talent wise, yes the contestants were interesting but the talent was non existent if you watch the above recaps.


It does need to be like S5 where Song choices were good also. I think the show would improve a lot with just a week with good songs choices.

The ever-excellent Sofabet has just discussed this very topic and is worth a read: http://sofabet.com/2011/10/24/x-fact...as-gone-wrong/

And I certainly agree with spannerandpony's assertion that Gary is extremely uncomfortable with how things are panning out.

After watching the American version last night, I'm really grateful that we have ours. Don't get me wrong, it totally has it's flaws. I definitely agree that the show is becoming more and more of a pantomime and there's far too much influence from the producer's for my liking. I know some found the judges getting along really boring but I enjoyed watching that more relaxed dynamic and I just found it a lot more fun to watch than the ice cold dynamics we got this weekend.

As far as I'm concerned though, the show is a hell of a lot more sleek and thought out. It does demonstrate a lot elements that I like in a TV show and I have a lot of fun watching it. I think the talent is also often overlooked just so people can continue their vendetta against the show, claiming how this season is the 'worst season EVER!' every single year. It's a fun show to watch on the weekend, nothing more, nothing less. I sometimes think people take it a little too seriously, like their life revolves around the show.

I think the production team have to shoulder a lot of the blame. The audition and bootcamp and judges houses programmes worked quite well as production team largely had to just record events but now they have to produce a live show deficiencies in the team are apparent

- vocal coach ...there has been very little progression in the vocals of the contestants from week 1, infact many have got worse or are the same. I think only Johnny has progressed. Bring back Yvie Burnett. She said herself if you don't see progr ess coming through this week or next you start to worry

- poor contestant selection particularly boys and overs categories, including flushing out talent at initial pre judge auditions

- poor list of song choices and song arrangements

- poor staging and camera work. Boring choreography. Some bad styling

- manipulation by production team and not showing journey of broad enough talent pool ...what happened to John Adams for example. Just let talent do the talking and determine who goes through. Get back to basics.

- its getting worse as production team panic and pressure is put on judges so it starts to seem more staged and unnatural. I thought the first live show was the best as the judges were given a little bit more freedom to be themselves. Gary lost some credibility in show 2 by supporting Frankie and Kelly seems to have lost some of her charm and charisma as she has been told to get feisty.


PLUSES

- the new judges
- the new Xtra factor
- Dermot
-no Simon or Cheryl

I personally think that people with real talent have either been overlooked at the audition stages in favour of people who will get others talking about the show...ie the more controversial acts, such as Jonny and Goldie. It could also be that the really talented people now do not bother to audition because the whole process is actually not worth it because the winner usually fails to get very far.

This years top 12 have been the least talented out of all the years that I can think of and if X Factor is to survive for another year, the producers will need to try another format maybe having more auditions venues to make it easier for people to get to.

This years top 12 is more talented than the first series, the third (bar Leona and Ben), The Fourth (No redeeming qualities), The Sixth

I started to dislike the new panel very much and I miss Simon

I think this year started bad with the talent not getting through. Goldie chosen over sammi, Carolynne not getting through. Frankie over anyone.
The TWIST I think was a huge mistake, and Amelia went and the less talented stayed, and the public never had a say.
I think the Rock theme, was annoying as it seems some wouldn't know Rock if it hit them on the head
The most important thing is that we don't have much talent on the show. 2008 was my best year, as couldn't predict a winner. The judges are fine, but if I am honest I really enjoyed fashion wars with Dannii and Cheryl
lol
I miss them, but not saying I want anyone back though, as nice to see how the new judges will progress.
The positive is Caroline, on the xtra factor with Olly. Caroline is fab. Love the Xtra Factor more now.

And I'm another one agreeing with spannerandpony's post.

Oh yes - that part - I miss it on purpose most times, the music played when it is done as well, like they're Gods. Yeesh.