The first thing I thought when I put this on is "Why on earth are they doing this in a little room and Where the hell is the audience"??. Why are they watching it on a screen in another room instead of being in the arena.?

It really lacks atmosphere without a studio audience..

Anyway,its funny watching the other judges teasing Simon by saying "yes" to acts that deep down they know really dont deserve that response

The whole thing is completely flat.

Great so now we get only half an hour of a show before we have to switch over to ITV 2 and listen to an hour of panel show gunf.

The auditions are far superior without the moronic audience encouraging the bad auditionees.

This is a return to the x factor roots. Thankfully I might add

There still was an audience, but they watched it on a screen. What the hell was that all about? Why do we need to see what people are saying about them as they audition?

So much better

It was just really bland and dull.

I agree. I wonder if I'm in a parallel universe reading some of these comments? Yes it was better than last year, but that's because they've got rid of the awful Nick Grimshaw, it can't get any worse than that.

What are you on about? It was a 90 minute show.

Yes much better, the judges were swayed by the audience when it was done that way.

They will be having the theatre auditions at a later date though, won't they? And don't get me started on that cruel chair swapping thing.

I wasn't keen on the way it was shot as a film rather than a studio broadcast.

Yes but the actual audions were only only on for 30 minutes on itv 1 between 9:00 and 9: 30, we were then told to switch to itv 2 for more"xtra factor". When I switched over there was no more auditions just typical panel show nonsense so I switched off after 10 minutes. So we only got half an hours worth of a show

It started at 8

I actually think there's a far better atmosphere WITHOUT the huge audiences. Long live the room audition! That's why it's essential to have the right judging panel and ensure they all have chemistry and bounce off one another; THEY create all the atmosphere you need.

Nope.

Boot camp, 6 chair challenge, Judges Houses then Live Shows I believe.

Think you missed an hour

Absolutely agree and it was much better for it. Simon's clearly decided to go back to basics - almost original judge line up and I was really hoping he'd strip the auditions right back like the early days when they were judged just on their voices alone, without music backing. Almost.

I've always preferred the room auditions, the arena ones looked like they were held in big ugly warehouses and it was just wierd. The audience were unbearable too.

However I wish they didn't have those loud backing tracks. If they wanted to go back to the roots of the show they should have had the contestants singing a Capella. That first 16 year old girls audition was almost ruined by her backing track imo.

I like how the auditions have been in a way to me it felt like it was respecting it's roots but looking to the future with the new credits and the new audition set.

I prefer the room auditions without the chav y crowd all shouting off off off or screaming like sheep

Just wish they ditched the 6 chair challenge

Forums love the retro room thing.

The media hates it

I am glad they've gone back to the room auditions, I've always preferred them. I was a bit disappointed they had backing tracks though. There's plenty chances later in the competition to hear them sing for an audience, I've always felt the room auditions are more personal and you get a better reaction from the judges. The bad ones are always funnier too to see the judges reactions without the crowd laughing or booing.

Absolutely agree. I hate it when there is an audience. Audiences should be kept for the live shows only.

Agree with this too; the six chair challenge is a relatively new thing, it used to be much better without it. It's unnecessarily cruel.