Is it really necessary for a new recording artist to be able to perform a Michael Jackson song to make it in music industry? I really don't see the point in the artist-themed weeks, don't get me started on "predictable song choices." Whats wrong with picking a song they feel comfortable with that they can perform them well, risks are nice once in a while. But sometimes the public just want to see artists use there strengths to there advantage. *rant over*

I guess the themes are there to show variety. Take people out of their comfort zones so they don't just do a certain style of song every week and also to build a type of structure for the show.

And obviously entertainment for the public aswell.

I agree. I wish they would do away with all this theme pap and just let them sing songs they want to sing.

oh, thats not exactly where I was going with this. I do agree themes are needed to keep the show structered, but the artist themed weeks are way to specific. number ones, film songs and big band are all great themes and are alot more open than "you have to perform an abba song!" Alot of the great artists from back in the day are no longer relevant to the music industry today.

One of my favourite lines from the Peter Kay programme last night was Pete Waterman telling R Wayne "You were brilliant in Mika week".

Isn't there going to be a bond theme night this series?

At least we haven't had Neil Diamond week yet...

Oh no please, I can't take anymore.

I love it when they say it is songs from the films, and I thought oh yay - Musicals! and then it turns out to be pop songs which were played as the background music in a film! I thought that this week the only ones I enjoyed were Cheryl's gils, and she said at the 'judges' homes' that she was going to let them choose their own songs - made a lot ,ore sense I think

You don't see Britney Spears going "Well, I wanted to make an electropop album but this year is a themed year so I had to fill my album with Barry Mannilow covers."

I don't understand why themes are so important for structure. It's not like anybody would choose to sing a 20 minute death metal epic without themes, the song choices are nearly always going to follow the same old route of well known pop songs for white contestants and well known soul songs for black contestants.

Themes like number ones are OK but so loose that there might as well not be a theme. After all, nobody is going to sing an obscure song anyway.

Because it's an entertainment show.

Alex's version of I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a million times more entertaining than her trying to sing SOS because it's ABBA week.

I don't see the purpose of an entertainment show stopping the entertainers from doing what would entertain the audience the most.

The producers of the show are interested in getting an act that can be easily marketed, the themes will help that.

X factor is an enertainment show, it's not a search for the next superstar any more.

I think it's important to bear in mind that it is a competition when it's all said and done, and they need to make it challenging. However, some of the themes are a bit bizzare. I mean seriously, Michael Jackson? I liked it last year when they stuck to less restricting, one-artist-specific themes (Number 1's, movies, British hits, love songs etc).

Haha, I agree about Neil Diamond night. That was a chore to get through. Mariah night was pretty dire too IMO. But still, the first Beatles night was brilliant, and I personally loved ALW night, just 'cause all of his musicals are awesome.