As someone who religiously defends the channel which brings us "Babies Make You LOL", I don't think you're in a position to talk about 'silly'.

You make a certain poster on here seem almost unbiased! I've always supported X Factor on here but this series has been the fakest yet unfortunately which is disappointing. I also wouldn't put it past the producers to have selected Ryan Lawrie to return now that his girlfriend is through just for the tabloids..

It's not been any more manipulated than any other series, this thread just likes to moan. Shame really, it could be such an intelligent place of objective ratings discussion. Score, sunbeam and cylon6 are the only ones who post insightful & reasonable stuff. Oh and Ray Tings posts numbers so thanks to him too.

And the relationship will have started after it filmed so bang goes another conspiracy theory.

The Ryan Lawrie thing is interesting. As we saw on Xtra Factor he was put in a boyband at bootcamp who were eliminated at 6 Chair. It sounds like there were high hopes for this boyband, with Lawrie as the frontman, but clearly it didn't work and the project was abandoned, but they still like Ryan Lawrie, hence him being put back in as the wildcard. Apparently there was a bit of an argument between Simon and the producers at 6 Chair about the boyband.

It'll only be an "intelligent place of objective ratings discussion" when you drop your ridiculous obsession with your precious "Simon". It's plain weird.

I don't think it's anywhere as bad as last year where it was the Louisa Johnson show plus assorted others. At least they haven't crammed one act down our throats this time around over everyone else.

The handling of the joke acts has been pretty poor though - particualrly Honey G.

I think they've lost the plot imo and clearly don't understand their own show. The 'novelty' act has to be likeable and relatable if they're going to do it- Jedward were the enthusiastic amateurs, their voices weren't great but made up for it with Gusto, same with Jedward- Johnny Robinson could actually sing despite being as camp as Christmas. You have to appeal to the 'vote for the underdog' spirit, and the two 'novelties' chosen so far seem to not be very nice (I remember them on Coach Trip and they were irritating wannabes then)

Plus, from what I saw last night, the standard of Talent is poor- It (and all other record contract singing shows) need a break to let the talent pool refill again. Let it shine might work as it's casting pros for a stage show who might not want a record contract but who knows

Yes, definitely agree with this.


Finding someone inspirational, and therefore defending their shows from unfair criticism, isn't a "ridiculous obsession".

Oh Dan. You need some new material, that's been done to death and doesn't really reflect my posting history at all.

Easily half of your posts are spent defending this one programme, in any way you see fit. I would estimate less than 1% of my posts recently have been wasted pointing out very legitimately that C5 is judged in here by many only on its weaker programming - thanks by the way for giving a perfect example of that just there (you're the best!) - mostly I don't bother to respond to those now, as I don't like wasting my time.

I think you need to just accept that a lot of the criticisms around X Factor are very valid, and just be thankful it doesn't affect your enjoyment the same way. Certainly saying nothing would be preferable to attacking posters on a very personal level, as then it's very obvious you have no credible answers to what people are saying and have lost the argument.

And calling them by their first name only is perfectly normal? You don't just defend Simon Cowell's shows from unfair criticism, it's more like all criticism.

Id love to know what your definition of "reasonable" is. Im glad you had the common sense to leave yourself out of that list.

Jedward certainly weren't likeable, not at first at least. They were portrayed as being quite arrogant and sang over another girl at bootcamp, reducing her to tears. They softened later in the live shows but the early portrayal certainly wasn't favourable.

I think Honey G, if she goes through, stands a better chance at lasting. The two from last night remind me of Diva Fever, who didn't last. Albeit I find them funnier, although I'm not sure if it's intentional or not!

There you have it folks. Comply with Dan R's way of thinking or you're dead to him and have nothing useful to contribute.

That's all part of Dan's idea of "intelligent objective ratings discussion".

I don't know whether to take being singled out as a compliment or not!

Looking to tonight, the overlap will probably dent both somewhat. I'll actually repeat last night's predictions of 8.5m for Strictly and 6.5m for X Factor and see if I'm any closer! Also after last week's jump I wonder if Poldark might overtake Victoria? Having Strictly in the schedule might give their whole evening a bit of a boost.

Lottery show, with its Strictly lead-in, doing well enough for a recommission. But now that Nick Knowles is no longer on a BBC handcuff deal, maybe his schedule will be too packed with commercial projects to film any more. (ahem!)

Casualty doing reasonable against X Factor, but it would probably do even better if BBC1 give it the Strictly lead-in.

MOTD down due to a lackluster line-up. Gary Lineker talks it up as another great line-up but should have just been honest and advised everyone to "have an early night and save yourself for the good stuff on MOTD2" Swansea v Liverpool was first game on by default rather than because it was anything special.

Dad's Army hit by the clash with Strictly. Definitely audience overlap there.

Resorting to personal insults is a sure sign that you're losing the argument.

Time to stop embarrassing yourself now.

Ratings Thread Groundhog Sunday continues.

sorry, what did I say that was personal? I was just referring to his previous posting history to argue his point, nothing personal about him. I'm sure he's a lovely guy.

At the end of the day, if you don't like what I post then add me to your 'Ignore' list. But I'm kinda fed up of being accused of "not taking any criticism of XF" whenever I debate somebody's point - is discussion not what a forum is about? And it doesn't help that there is an anti-Syco agenda with some posters.

Reportedly one of them appears not to be gay.

But you don't take criticism, that's entirely the point. The problem isn't with other posters.

You'll be the same when The Apprentice is down on Thursday.

Memories of TV Burp there with your mention of Eog-Han. Is Harry still not ready to bring it back yet?!

I'm at the airport but airport security to check the forum coz it's a dangerous situation!

People here are over thinking again. SCD can do well coz most don't seek spoilers. XF needs the mad acts coz it's a fun show which only get down to real serious stuff in November. And GBBO will do fine on 4 if it's good coz most don't 'support' TV channels like they do sports teams.

We analyse and predict because we aren't normal!

Fantastic for Strictly. Up 1.3m on last years show - although IIRC last year there was some form of Rugby overlap.

XF pretty much what I expected. I notice next Saturday's first live show is 2-hours long. They're normally about 2.5 hours. I wonder if they'll extend it like they've done for the last two Saturday shows now. I wouldn't rule it out just yet.

lewie - do you have last weekends XF ratings excluding +1 yet? Thanks.


Week 2 ratings:

2016: 9.2m
2015: 7.9m
2014: 9.1m
2013: 9.3m

If anything, it's actually more in line with a week 2 rating. The 2015 show was much lower due to the Rugby World Cup.

I think even if Dan looked at the XF spoiler thread, he'd be shocked.. The judges/producers have made a right mess and I can't see the public committing to 10 weeks of live shows. It's an even worse lineup than 2013.