it was the worst semi final ever

I agree

Louisa's cover of James Brown's song was incredible. Her best performance so far and possibly the stand out performance of this series.

The others didn't have a great night, especially Lauren, she had a very off night tonight and is the odds makers favourite to leave tomorrow which is a shame especially as last week i thought she was fantastic and i loved her version of Firestone.

I think you'll find 2012 was the worst semi final. 2007 wasn't that much better either.

I loved it.

It was alright singing-wise but there is (was, I guess) zero hype about it. And that makes it really boring...

Compared to last year it was utter shite!

From memory the semi final is often, maybe even always, a poor show. It seems to be a combination of nerves on the part of the performers, plus by this stage they have worked out how the game is played and how the producers set some up for a fall. So there is an air of inevitability about it

Apathy seems to reign. Can't believe how dead this forum is for a semi-final. I just don't think anybody cares about these 4 acts.

The 2012 semi was the worst. Maloney, Jahmene AND James Arthur! It was so piss poor I didn't even bother to watch the final.

We've had poor semi-finals before, mostly with far less female acts involved.

everyone has a lot of hate for this :P I loved James Arthur and was so glad he one and I mean I think Jahmene was good at the time as I have never heard a singer like him at the time

I guess it is just preference, although I do agree it seems different this year, seems rushed and have a weird fake feel to it now that ever so often you get a waft off and you are like did Cheryl just go and dance like a mad woman to the nae nae song :P

I do think some of the acts are so talented though and its a shame this is the version they have to be on.

It's not the worst for singing talent, but it is because of the least interesting and most forgettable acts who you just couldn't care less about.

This is the first X Factor semi final I couldn't careless about.

Oh God, Maloney and James Arthur were epoch making.
The only reason to watch was Nicole in her amazing outfit and boots

OMG, was that only three years ago? I didn't watch the final either, I did like Jahmene but he lacked star quality and it was always clear that James Arthur was the producers' idea if relevance and credibility. But how wrong we were, all three of them have gone on to be global superstars. In a parallel universe.

2012 and 2013 were dreadful semi finals and way worse alol. People have such selective memories.

I didn't watch what happened?

I agree, it made last years semi final look decent and everyone was dull as heck in that semi final in my opinion.

Song choices were atrocious.

The series really is going out with a whimper. Personally I believe that it's a consequence of what seems to be the show's ambition now of catering entirely for ballad singers and eccentric comedy acts.

Not the choices, there were some great songs.

Its the arrangements they come up with. Take all the life and soul from them so that the three balladeers can do vocal gymnastics to impress. Sing the beautiful melodies well, no need for the showy stuff.

BIB is the most interesting thing about this show this year because it's the fact that it's all the same style of ballads, it's just diva shouting instead of any Pop ballads, Rock ballads, Indie ballads, or any other genre ballads which is making it uninteresting because there's not enough variety in the ballads.

Then don't forget their cruise ship versions of the uptempos.

Was channel hopping and heard Lauren, I was shocked that a semi finalist can't sing in tune!

It was terrible. Boring song choices and terrible staging.