I was really disappointed with the show on the whole on Friday. With the exception of Verity, whose nerves showed through and her voice (whilst very "nice") is simply not of the same calibre as the other contenstants, all the acts were I thought, really very good and all showed a lot of promise. However, the real disappointment came from the judges, in particular Simon. I have always been a real supporter of Simon - I don't think there has ever been a time when I have disagreed with his criticism, although at times I think it could be worded in a slightly less harsh way. But his comments last night were so one-sided, I felt it really brought out his true colours. To say that Cassie was trying to win the "sympathy vote", when clearly that is his entire reason for putting Verity in (people like her as she is a lovely woman with a pure unspoilt voice) was just for that reason.

Worse than this though, was the constant bickering between the judges - it seemed that they couldn't handle that fact that now we are in the live finals part of the show, the contest is about the acts and not about the judges. It was cringeworthy to watch such childish sniping...

What would really make this show much more rounded would be to install one further judge. Someone who is prepared to speak his mind (ie not Nicky or Foxy. Maybe Pete Waterman would be ok - nasty Nigel would be good, but given the lawsuits flying between him and Simon at the moment I can't see that happening), but who isn't going to be blinded by their own selection as Simon so clearly was on Saturday.

I was also interested to see how Kate Thorton struggled to contain the crowd and the judges. It must have been tough, but I don't ever remember Ant and Dec or Davina struggling in quitet he same way. I think the behaviour of the judges didn't help her, but I'd be interested to see whether things improve in that sense next week, once the producers have been able to give the judges a bit of a rollocking...

Yes, it's too much about the judges. Then again, what did peope think this programme was going to be about?
It's got nothing to do with the contestants - it is even less about music.
They've got their Mr Nasty in Simon Cowell and they're going to keep milking this cash-cow for as long as he'll do it.

Also, bear in mind how much the music 'industry' has to do with music - the answer is nothing. When you see the contracts these clowns draw up and get performers to sign, it's a disgrace. Cowell's the same as all the rest.

And as for all these people who're so talented wanting to make it in music, perhaps the majority would have benefitted from getting together with real groups, real musicians and developing some stage craft, rather than the attitude of "My friends think I'm really good at karaoke and my Mum will be ever so upset if I don't win".

At least the guy from the chicken factory, for all his weirdness, was realistic. "Oh well, there's always the chicken factory".

Fabulous

I agree it was crigeworthy crap tv on saturday. And the fact the the judges themselves (or at least Sharon and Louis) didn't know that they had to choose who stayed just made it worse.

It was one big farce.

I mean what a crap idea that is, as soon as Kate mentioned what was going to happen, it's bloomin abvious that the judge is gonna choose their own act. And as soon as Roberta and VWS were left i think everybody knew that Roberta was going simply because of the bickering going on between Sharon and Simon.

I've never watched talent progs like this before, but thought id give this a try when it started and quite enjoyed it to start, but saturday's programme was just god awful. Everything about it just seemed forced and un-natural.

I like it.

We've had four series of the same thing, X Factor is at last a little different. We're judging the judges as well as the acts now.

I'll admit the twist is a little pointless but I'm thankful for the variation in format.

Louis said on the Xtra factor that they knew about the twist for a week or so. Personally, I think they trawled the Fame Academy format for the worst possible bit and used it. Huh. So however good they are, any of Simon's acts in the bottom two had better just wave bye bye.

As for Simon, his comments at the beginning of the programme were professional and mostly impartial. He was very positive about VWS and G4. I don't think he has ever been struck on Two to Go, and they were dressed like Peters and Lee. Personally I liked the song, but he has every right not to like it and say so.

I also think Simon was right about Roberta being dressed up like one of Charlies Angels and the song was just too much for her lightweight voice. I think she was just very bland overall. He was positive about Tabby, and I believe he was wrong in what he said to Cassie, but I think she unfortunately bore the brunt of his irritation with Sharon (and Louis) who had both, frankly been less than professional from the beginning.

So there are no housewives in the charts? So what? Who says there can't be? Poisonous little tw**s like Louis Walsh!! If he had commented that Verity's nerves showed in her performance he would have been commenting constructively. And truthfully. But focussing on her status? Purlease!

As for Sharon, she is obviously in hate with Simon and made no attempt to hide it. None of her comments (except to Rowetta) were remotely constructive. And in Verity's case, I believe, actively designed to destroy her confidence.

Personally, I wanted to bang their silly heads together. They made a very good show all about the judges instead of the performers.

I think it's way over the top and pointless - and takes away the attention from the contestants. As for the judges supporting the acts, if she continues, Sharon is going to make sure that her group come last every week - she's one down already! After her performance last saturday, I wouldn't vote for any of her acts on principle. As for the 'sympathy vote' that she keeps shouting about, Simon will get it if Sharon continues with the 'on-screen' comments. She is not exactly 'Miss Perfect'! With all due respect to her family, there must have been some 'sympathy votes' last christmas when her husband and daughter were no.1 in the UK charts!

I think it's going way over the top now - and I wish they'd all just be at least on civilised speaking terms with each other - it really is spoiling the show, and the press are hyping it up no end as well...it's kind of ruining the 'fun' atmosphere that shows like Pop Idol had (well at least did until the final of PI2 when Pete supposedly walked off.... )

Totally agree,

Cant believe the judges are putting thier credibility on the line over what has become a personal vendetta.

Im in total shock , the change in my view is tantamount to

Parkinson changing the format of his show to
"Jerry Springer Style Sensationalism".

I dont like this stuff with dem judges choosing the act to go not very good that. Makes no sense to me then to vote as then they make the decision and it may not be the voters at all so someone goes we had not voted out, where is the sense in that.

Peppermint

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Well this could happen this week, we could end up with 2 of the same judges acts in the bottom SIMPLE SIMONS would be GOOD!!

Peppermint (Sundae)

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