Missing The X Factor

So, I went round to my brother’s house last night, just after seven, and as I glanced at the TV I thought, ‘Hmmm, that looks like The X Factor’.  And it was The X Factor.  Why had I not been informed that it was starting again?

If I was being snobby I’d call The X Factor a guilty pleasure, but I’m not, so I won’t.  It’s an out-and-out entertainment show, and should be judged as such; it should not be compared disparagingly with great works of fiction.  That said, as I watched it last night (without the benefit of being able to fast forward using Sky Plus), I was completely underwhelmed.  Sure, there were still moments of great comedy, such as:

JOHN: I’m John!

EDWARD: I’m Edward!

JOHN & EDWARD: Together, we are… John and Edward!

There was also classic cases of exploitation such as the sisters with tiny faces on fat heads, one of whom was auditioning for the third time.  We all know that there is a preliminary round, so why are they letting the poor girl through again? This time with the added bonus of  being humiliated in front of two thousand people.  Luckily, they seemed too thick to notice.

But for all this, I was uninterested.  I did Sky Plus the late night repeat (and The Xtra Factor), and skimmed through them this morning.  I must have watched about 10 minutes of two and a half hours of programming.  Maybe it’s the change to a live audience in the auditions that is spoiling it for me, or maybe the format has run its course.  It’s more than likely though that I’ll be bored for a few weeks, get drawn in a bit and then be gripped when they get to boot camp.  It is usually claimed that the auditions are the best bit, but, actually, I disagree.  I think that people tend to say that because it’s easy to sneer and be ‘ironic’ at the auditions, and therefore it’s ‘cooler’.

The only other thing that I would point out is that The Xtra Factor tends to be a better show than the main ITV1 programme.  This is in large part down to the talents of Holly Willoughby, who apart from being incredibly lovely, is extremely likeable, good at her job and brings a sense of fun to proceedings.  She so clearly overshadows Dermot O’Leary (who I generally quite like), that it’s bordering on embarrassing.

Anyway, I may be around after next weeks show, or I might not! See you then (or not).