Has The X Factor Lost It's Impact? (X Factor Feature)
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Written by Heather McDaid
The X Factor is the show that regularly guides our Saturday night viewing from late summer right up until Christmas. At first, we watch young hopefuls wow the judges and some downright madness occur on stage from the occasional oddity; then, theoretically, we follow our favourites through the series up until the live shows, basking in the glory as they win the final. That is, of course, the theory to it at least.
It’s been a long time coming, but some would say it’s a fair claim that the X Factor has lost its impact, especially on music. I watched last season sparingly, mainly because Matt Cardle was the first contestant in years I truly liked; not to mention Wagner was enough to make the competition seem a farce. I didn’t really need any further confirmation than a recent Westlife interview where they claimed not one artist in this series will make an impact on music. From what I recall, they were usually pretty supportive of the show.
See, the X Factor has its pros. It gives people great opportunities; it changes lives, it created successes like Leona Lewis and allows even the runners up to continue into a strong musical career: Olly Murs, One Direction, JLS, Cher Lloyd.
That being said, I would say there’s one key factor in suggesting that the X Factor has lost its impact: the scandal. For purposes of being unbiased, it’s a good thing I’ve not actually watched a single episode of this series. I cannot name more than a couple of contestants, have not seen one performance and base any knowledge on this series through news outlets and Facebook feeds. So really, to the outsider – what do we know about the X Factor?
Following the American X Factor debacle, there was the news that Cheryl Cole would not be returning to the UK X Factor, already knowing that Simon Cowell wouldn’t feature. Therefore, we were left wondering who would fill up the new judging panel. With rounds of speculation rife, it was confirmed that joining Louis Walsh would be N Dubz’s Tulisa, Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child and, taking role of lead judge, Take That’s Gary Barlow.
How are they as judges? I don’t know. All I can tell you is that Louis and Gary don’t get along. Two headlines I recall read "Louis Walsh: Gary Barlow has lost credibility on the X Factor", where the customary talent judge claims Gary promoted someone who can’t actually sing and "Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh at war", talking about the dispute over two acts that were voted out. Unsurprisingly, I can’t comment on the acts themselves. All that the latter article noted was that The Risk were voted out for being bottom and Johnny was voted out unanimously by judges. About music? I think not.
Next up: Tulisa v. Gary. Following that: Kelly v. Tulisa. All I hear is that week in, week out there’s a new judge argument and, countering that, an article or statement about how the judges have a united front. Honestly? I don’t really care. I mean, sure, we all love a judge scuffle here and there – I think we can all agree Sharon Osbourne throwing water over Louis was quite a giggle – but for being a ‘talent contest’, there’s not a whole lot being reported about said ‘talent’.
Next judge scandal: Tulisa’s ‘trademark’ arm stance may be breaking the programme’s rules. Seemingly her tattoo script that reads ‘The Female Boss’ is on show during this gesture and therefore illegally promotes her perfume. Shock! Scandal! The latest Ofcom investigation, surely! This is the next in a line of investigations and restrictions including removal of certain lyrics to complaints over Rihanna and Christina being slammed for ‘raunchy’ dance routines.
What contestants can I name? I can name Amelia Lily. Following a relatively unsurprising exit, which is next on the list, the latest ‘fix’ scandal reared its head following her return to the show. As I’m lead to believe, following [Exhibit A]’s departure from the show, four acts that were previously voted out were up against the vote once more bidding for their return. Without remembering the exact times that caused the scandal, it’s alleged that STV posted a news story claiming Amelia Lily had won the public vote while Dermot O’Leary still called for people to vote on the live show. I was around an hour before results were announced, I’m sure.
Naturally, people who saw this claimed that should Amelia Lily be voted back in then it’s a fix. Fast forward an hour and exactly that happened. While people defend the fact that it was just a coincidence because she was the clear favourite, it’s still a little suspicious. Countering the ‘scandal’ an official statement was released to say in preparation they’d written a story for each contestant being voted back in and, as a glitch, posted all four. Interesting that even though ‘all four’ were posted, only the Amelia Lily one was seen by public.
Returning to “Exhibit A” – i.e. literally the only contestant name I’ve heard throughout – Mr. Frankie Cocozza (small pic). In a surprising twist, I don’t actually dislike him. I remember his first appearance being plastered all over my Faceook feed; seemingly everyone loved the ‘gorgeous cheeky chappy’ who had a string of girl’s names tattooed on his backside. With that information my introduction to Mr. Cocozza, I wasn’t naive enough to expect he’d be a role model or the perfect contestant. That may explain why my shock to his departure wasn’t as great as many, but my annoyance with him is the attention surrounding him. He is my prime example as to why this is not a programme based wholly on talent.
While I wouldn’t have considered it the furthest stretch of the imagination to consider him a party boy, I can understand the reaction to his bragging of drug-use. Admittedly, this is a prime time television slot; children watch this, it’s completely irresponsible and, giving credit where due, Frankie apologised accordingly. He is genuinely the only contestant whose performance quality I have any grasp of: week in and week out I heard complaints about him being kept in because he wasn’t that great.
He was kept in because he had the One Direction appeal, girls would love him. He was cheeky, he was ‘a lad’ and, in the end, he was also a bit of a bad boy. Clearly, this wasn’t based on talent. My aim is to continue to avoid this series of the X Factor and I’m adamant that little else that happens will compare with the attention Frankie received. I guarantee I will have no idea who the winner is when it’s announced.
Another viewpoint to take that the X Factor is dwindling is the lack of a charity single. Admittedly, I was never a fan of them; I often found them to be hideous covers of good songs but it was a tradition. This year, the contestants didn’t get their chance at a charity single, instead featuring in a Marks and Spencer advert – a miniature note of scandal would be Frankie’s removal from this ad campaign.
Perhaps people know they’re not going to do as well with a charity single this year and cut out a whole lot of effort. Judging on viewer figures that would be a fair assumption. Having dominated the ratings for years, 2011 has seen them take a backseat to BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Notably, the X Factor’s numbers go up the moment Strictly ends, suggesting a high bulk of viewers merely flick on to see what’s happening after watching their programme of choice on the BBC.
I’m not naive enough to claim that a talent competition must be all about talent. I understand the notion of shocks and scandals making a show more appealing, but if the X Factor was truly a show focussed on talent then why am I not hearing about the talent? As an outsider, shouldn’t I be hearing about this amazing new talent set to take over the music industry? Instead, I’m hearing about Tulisa’s tattoo, Gary Barlow’s attitude and the Marks and Spencer commercial.
The guest stars are often the greatest lure of the show. I’d go as far to assume that of all the results shows, the one featuring Lady Gaga was the highest in terms of viewership. I recall reading the initial idea for a Madonna and Lady Gaga themed night was suggested because Simon Cowell knew those artists would draw in mass viewership. I think my favourite episode was the final a couple of years ago with Beyonce, purely because it was Beyonce.
While the theory is that we’ll watch the judges discover, nurture and produce a true talent, the reality is that we’ll watch a variety of scandals surround some people who get to sing on national television week in and week out. I know people still enjoy the show, I know people will continue to watch the show, but I fail to see this as a wholly legitimate talent competition, more a media circus living under the veil of talent. There will always be focus on scandal, but this series of the X Factor – to me – steals too much focus away from the alleged talent.
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Returning to “Exhibit A” – i.e. literally the only contestant name I’ve heard throughout – Mr. Frankie Cocozza (small pic). In a surprising twist, I don’t actually dislike him. I remember his first appearance being plastered all over my Faceook feed; seemingly everyone loved the ‘gorgeous cheeky chappy’ who had a string of girl’s names tattooed on his backside. With that information my introduction to Mr. Cocozza, I wasn’t naive enough to expect he’d be a role model or the perfect contestant. That may explain why my shock to his departure wasn’t as great as many, but my annoyance with him is the attention surrounding him. He is my prime example as to why this is not a programme based wholly on talent. 
