A few years ago (series 7), The X-Factor had 16 contestants and finished the series in 10 weeks through double eliminations and a four-contestant final. That year was the peak of the show. Why haven't they bothered going back to it?
Final 12
If you mean that year was the peak in terms of ratings, then I don't think it was the format that boosted the ratings. I just think the public were far more invested in the talent and the judging panel at that time.
I think that's because we had One Direction, Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and Cher Lloyd. All of which had a massive fanbase - 1D and Cher Lloyd especially, but they shared the same vote, and 1D came out tops in the end. Cher Lloyd put it possibly the best ever audition for the show. One Direction picked up all the little girls votes. Matt Cardle was a great singer. Rebecca went on this huge journey and became a favourite, and if the show was any longer, I think she probably would of won.
Originally Posted by supersnake:
“If you mean that year was the peak in terms of ratings, then I don't think it was the format that boosted the ratings. I just think the public were far more invested in the talent and the judging panel at that time.”
“If you mean that year was the peak in terms of ratings, then I don't think it was the format that boosted the ratings. I just think the public were far more invested in the talent and the judging panel at that time.”
Talent? What talent?
Originally Posted by Reserved:
“Talent? What talent?”
“Talent? What talent?”
I agree - if you rewatch the first live show. EVERYONE is so pitchy in their performances including Matt and Rebecca (even though I agree they were both talented). Only Mary/Treyc and surprisingly Katie weren't.
The whole final 16 that year was so generic - except Rebecca, Matt, Katie and Cher - there wasn't anything unique about that lot, they all sounded so generic.
I actually thought that series was pretty bad and the beginning of the downfall for X Factor. Having 16 instead of 12 didn't really work for me either as all it meant was that we had an abundance of double eliminations. I think it's only considered to be such a good series because of the success the acts have had after the show.
I don't think Cher/1D had the same fanbase? I think when it came down to it, they were just less popular than Rebecca and Matt and hence got less votes. Obviously they're more popular than them now and have bigger fanbases, but not when the show was actually on.
Originally Posted by WhyHelloWorld:
“I think that's because we had One Direction, Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and Cher Lloyd. All of which had a massive fanbase - 1D and Cher Lloyd especially, but they shared the same vote, and 1D came out tops in the end. Cher Lloyd put it possibly the best ever audition for the show. One Direction picked up all the little girls votes. Matt Cardle was a great singer. Rebecca went on this huge journey and became a favourite, and if the show was any longer, I think she probably would of won.”
“I think that's because we had One Direction, Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and Cher Lloyd. All of which had a massive fanbase - 1D and Cher Lloyd especially, but they shared the same vote, and 1D came out tops in the end. Cher Lloyd put it possibly the best ever audition for the show. One Direction picked up all the little girls votes. Matt Cardle was a great singer. Rebecca went on this huge journey and became a favourite, and if the show was any longer, I think she probably would of won.”
I don't think Cher/1D had the same fanbase? I think when it came down to it, they were just less popular than Rebecca and Matt and hence got less votes. Obviously they're more popular than them now and have bigger fanbases, but not when the show was actually on.
I thought it was fun (although the intrduction of the extra 4 as wildcards is a bit awkward... why not take 4 directly?). Even before the end of the show, I thought they had something going on (though the dragging of Katie through the competition is a bit much). The the next year they had the twist that reduced 16 to 12 in a week... and it sucked.
I do remember that series fondly but, as other posters have said, it might be a case of rose-tinted spectacles given the relative success of its contestants. I recall pantomime-hating Cher and Katie, and I have to confess I think that was part of the fun 
along with Wagner, of course. I don't think it had much to do with the number of contestants.
along with Wagner, of course. I don't think it had much to do with the number of contestants.
Originally Posted by misslibertine:
“I do remember that series fondly but, as other posters have said, it might be a case of rose-tinted spectacles given the relative success of its contestants. I recall pantomime-hating Cher and Katie, and I have to confess I think that was part of the fun along with Wagner, of course. I don't think it had much to do with the number of contestants.”
“I do remember that series fondly but, as other posters have said, it might be a case of rose-tinted spectacles given the relative success of its contestants. I recall pantomime-hating Cher and Katie, and I have to confess I think that was part of the fun
along with Wagner, of course. I don't think it had much to do with the number of contestants.”
I always thought that the size made the dynamic different and gave more fun disasters on Saturdays
