The US Factor January 12, 2010
Posted by Patrick in Televisual.Tags: Ellen DeGeneres, Fox, Kara DioGuardi, Pop Idol, Randy Jackson, The X Factor
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After a lot of behind the scenes deliberation and hmmming and hawing, the American version of UK (and international) television talent show The X Factor has finally been confirmed for launch in 2011.
Less certain, however, is the future of American Idol, which currently airs on FOX, the same network that The X Factor is slated for. At the moment everyone’s claiming the shows will co-exist but frankly, I don’t see this happening without one seriously detracting from the other. And let’s be honest, American Idol is still using the same tired old format that Pop Idol used way back when. Where are the battling judges? Where are the groups? And where, god damn it, are the Over 25s?
The good news for us over on this side of the pond is obviously that we’ll pretty much have year-round X Factor, with the UK edition running nicely into the US.
For one thing, Simon Cowell will definitely not be on board next season on American Idol, instead focusing his attentions on judging both the UK and US editions of The X Factor.
The obvious question on everyone’s lips is who will be joining Cowell at the judges’ table when the show debuts next year. He’s already said that he wants to work with Paula Abdul again because he “misses her”, and it was speculated that he’d possibly bring some of his UK judges over with him, the most likely candidate there being Cheryl Cole. Oh please let it be Cheryl Cole. Once it’s not Randy Jackson, that’s fine with me.
And who will be left to take the reins on American Idol next year? If it’s Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson and Kara Whatsherface then you can count me out.
[Image: The Guardian]
Super Extra Miley Factor December 4, 2009
Posted by Paula in Muzak, Televisual.Tags: Danyl Johnson, Hannah Montana, miley cyrus, Olly Murs, Simon Cowell, The X Factor
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Simon Cowell has chosen the Miley Cyrus hit The Climb as this year’s X Factor winner’s song. Certainly a change in tempo from last year’s song, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing was reportedly also a contender, but I doubt anyone could beat the Glee cover of that song (or the original, I guess).
The Climb, which featured in the Hannah Montana movie earler this year, certainly fulfills all the criteria for an X Factor winner’s hit: poignant lyrics about making it/finding happiness/falling in love/defying the odds, a build up to a big final chorus, and a nice catchy melody. All Cowell needs to add is a key change, and it’ll be musical gold.
It’s an odd choice for a winner’s song, considering there’s only one female performer left in the competition. Apparently Olly and Danyl have been struggling with it in this week’s rehearsals. They’re too macho, perhaps?
Task for this week: Learn The Climb‘s lyrics by heart in time for Saturday night’s X Factor. Add key change if you wish.
The Climb – Miley Cyrus (download)
http://kiwi6.com/upload/hotlink?id=x04zpw07
Cheryl goes Gaga November 27, 2009
Posted by Patrick in Muzak.Tags: 3 words, black eyed peas, Cheryl Cole, fight for this love, lady gaga, The X Factor, will.i.am
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The video for Cheryl Cole’s new track 3 Words, featuring Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am has just surfaced online and well, it’s quite a mindfuck after the relative normality of the Fight for this Love video.
This video features all sorts of visual split-screen tricks, weird costumes that are going to draw inevitable Lady Gaga comparisons (in the video Cole appears as a platinum blonde who looks ready for a funeral, some sort of Cleopatra-esque character, and that sort of malarkey). There are also a load of people dancing or lying on the floor with some sort of combination mask/bandage on. Sure why not.
It looks like it cost a pretty penny to make and it’s probably going to be a huge hit (as are all things that The X Factor touches), but it’s a big change from the more upbeat and dancefloor worthy Fight for this Love. I imagine the song will be remixed to within an inch of its life.
The song itself is actually quite good, not really ‘kicking in’ until the final minute, but still remaining interesting enough up to that point. It does annoy me however that Cole features will.i.am on so many of her album tracks. I mean, Heartbreaker was good, but it wasn’t that good.
And finally we have something to replace the seventy mentions of the word ‘fight’ in Fight for this Love. That’s got to count for something.
Watch below.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Not you too, Diana May 19, 2009
Posted by Paula in Muzak, Televisual.Tags: Diana Vickers, The X Factor, Trabolgan
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I’ve been waiting for word of Diana Vickers’ debut album ever since she was knocked out of The X Factor. She was my pick to win and I really think she has the potential to go far.
But apparently she’s not going too far this summer, judging by the tv ads that are all over RTE this week. Diana, along with a heap of other former X Factor contestants, will be performing at Trabolgan holiday camp this August.
For anyone who doesn’t know Trabolgan, it’s East Cork’s very own Mosney/Butlins-style holiday camp, complete with water park and pitch-and-putt facilites. Not exactly the key to pop world domination.
Make and Deux 