‘X Factor’ auditions, ep 2: listen – or not!
Melanie Amaro was incredible in her Miami audition. CREDIT: Fox
These two hours, night two, were enervating. I feel weaker and less of a person after way too many bad singers and deluded human beings. At least there were two great singers in the mix who I won’t forget.
The first hour of “The X Factor” in Miami was an utter waste of time except for the last five minutes when Melanie Amaro, a sweet 18 year old, showed up. She looked utterly unassuming but when she opened her mouth, it was a revelation.
I actually saw her in the advance screener Fox sent out a few days back. I didn’t realize it would be shown tonight, not night one. Amaro’s evocative singing gave me goosebumps. That almost never happens. Even Simon Cowell give a standing ovation?
Assuming she can replicate this with other songs, she is surely someone who I could see win this competition. I also like her sweet, aw-shucks personality and I didn’t even need a back story.
There were a few other promising singers who were given short bursts but let’s wait until the next round to get into them. A couple of folks who got through had me shrugging my shoulders, especially Marivana Viscuso, who sang “Summertime” really loudly but with no soul.
Hour two in Dallas didn’t start any better with a far greater ratio of bad vs. good.
There’s a teen named Jonny Rogers, who was a bit warped and clearly not worthy of the $5 million. Simon thought he looked like Ken, as in Ken and Barbie.
Dylan Lawson said he sold his truck to audition. He was beyond terrible. This almost struck me as a put on.
At the halfway point of hour two, we get 49-year-old hard-luck story Dexter Haygood channeling James Brown. He’s actually doing a pretty good imitation but Simon was not impressed. “It’s a tribute act,” he said. Simon gives him a shot to sing something a capella. He isn’t a particularly pure singer but he brings plenty of grit and character and gets through.
After Melanie, I didn’t hear anyone memorable until Caitlyn Koch, a 21-year-old rugby coach. She brought tenderness and vulnerability to a slowed-down version of “Stop! In the Name of Love.” “You have an original, authentic voice,” Paula said.
Then we get back to silliness: Xander Alexander. He’s a little nuts and very deluded. He talks back. And he is a terrible singer to boot. I do have to give “X Factor” credit: it ended with this instead of a great singer, which is par for the course for “AGT” and “Idol.” The dude is in the end kind of sad.
UPDATE: “The X Factor” will air only four first-round audition episodes. By October 5, the show will start the “boot camp’ section, which I’ll miss. That might actually be fun. Also, ratings Thursday night were comparable to the opener.
And the Guardian in the U.K. just pillories Simon and the show.
Conan mocked the “differences” between “Idol” and “X Factor”:
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54 comments Add your comment
JTesla
September 23rd, 2011
1:29 am
How many audition episodes are there? What will be new with the later episodes? Seems that they already have the ’sing in front of a crowd’ bit down.
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September 23rd, 2011
4:35 am
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September 23rd, 2011
4:57 am
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Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
7:13 am
Morning!
I haven’t watched this episode yet but it’s on my dvr.
JT, I don’t know how many audition episodes there are but after this, the coaches take all the “good singers” to something called boot camp where they are trained…by the coaches. Sounds like The Voice to me and I’m wondering if Simon is in for a rude awakening with American audiences.
Mo Schreibman
September 23rd, 2011
7:50 am
The man who said nature abhors a vacuum obviously never encountered those Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul girl judges in his scientific studies. Judging by the dust bunnies around here my wife on the other hand has never encountered a vacuum scientifically or otherwise but do not get me started please.
Rickster
September 23rd, 2011
8:04 am
Actually… XanderAlexander wasn’t as bad as I thought he was going to be. But it would have taken a performance on par with Melanie Amaro for me to want for him to get through.
Lar
September 23rd, 2011
8:19 am
I thought Melanie was great, I had to rewind to see how old she was. Overall I am still not thrilled with the show.
Deirdre are you originally for EA? I still have family that live there and I did not live to far from there.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
8:23 am
Lar, I graduated from EAHS and went to Geneseo. I taught at Warsaw High School for awhile too. Small world. Where does your family live. I used to live in a subdivision off Bowen Rd.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
8:25 am
And I’ll catch up with X-F today…I know y’all are just living to hear my review!
Rodney Ho
September 23rd, 2011
8:26 am
There is so much detritus in yesterday’s two-hour X Factor that if you watch it on DVR, the only things worth watching are at the 55 minute point of hour one and the last 15 minutes of hour two.
Rickster
September 23rd, 2011
8:26 am
Melanie Amaro reminds me of some of my other singing show favorites like Paul Potts, Susan Boyle, Andrew Johnston (BGT – look him up) and Jackie Evancho.
Before they start singing,, they’re quiet, unassuming and often deeply hurt or damaged. But when they start to sing… they transcend themselves and they go to some place few people have the ability to go.
But when they stop singing… they come back to being “mere” mortals.
Watch Paul Potts’ original audition. He nods to the side to start the music, looks down briefly, and when he looks up… he’s a different man altogether. It’s like a switch was flipped. as soon as he finishes singing… he’s back to looking like a hurt little puppy.
I love those moments.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
8:27 am
Lar and I are talking about a place near Buffalo NY. If anyone here has ever lived in snow country, you’d understand the comraderie.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
8:28 am
Thanks for the tip, Rodney. I’ll keep my dvr on ff through most of the show. What is Simon doing? I thought he’d be smarter than this but I fear his ego assumes we’re all idiots and therefore, he needs to put on a show for the mentally disabled.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
8:30 am
Elliot Yamin started a little like that as well, Rickster.
Rodney Ho
September 23rd, 2011
8:35 am
Last night’s “X Factor” was incredibly disappointing. Did “The Voice” scoop up all the talent? It seems with “Idol” going “nice,” “The X Factor” felt a need to luxuriate on the talentless and the deluded. And when bad singers are allowed to go on as long as they do in front of a huge crowd, it seems even meaner than when it is done in a small room.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
8:39 am
I’m not sure where to go today! We’ve got this and the two new places.
Kelly was fabulous on Ellen, and adorable as well. Deirdre, she saw a pic on a magazine cover while at her Chiropractor and fell in love – told Ellen he was the most perfect man, and “they don’t make them like that anymore”. Said she sadly found out he was married, “so I guess I can’t stalk him”. Who – our, and Ga’s own, Kyle Chandler. Good taste, Kelly! (sorry K&CF!).
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
8:46 am
um, Sam, this IS the new place.
Yes, Kyle Chandler is a catch, unfortunately already caught.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
8:48 am
Missing Mercedes since I was looking forward to our weekly movie reviews. I sent her an email on how to find us when she returns.
The ajc review LOVES Brad Pitt’s new movie, Moneyball
Rickster
September 23rd, 2011
8:53 am
My uncle lived in Rochester. Used to tell me stories of having to dig a path out to the barn to feed the animals. (And that was in pre-snow blower days.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
9:11 am
I used to work for a repertory company in Rochester. The snow there came off Lake Ontario. The snow in Buffalo comes off Lake Erie. Either way…not fun!
G
September 23rd, 2011
9:18 am
Don’t know what to make of XFactor. Seems like the same AI format, with a large audience during the auditions. Some of the corny acts the let perform remind me of AGT. NOTHING of this show reminds me of The Voice.
However, I did enjoy the 40 yr old female singer with two kids (Stacey?). She really has strong R&B potential, which is something AI has shunned for the past couple of years. I felt her passion through the tube….that’s rare. She got a standing ovation from the crowd and ALL the judges.
Speaking of the judges…..I like the balance. LA Reid KNOWS what he’s talking about, and so does Simon. There’s no need to make peace at the judges pannel. You feel how you feel, and that’s it.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
9:23 am
Oops. There look like 2 other links when you go to “radio/tv”. Oh, well…….
Didn’t Mercedes say something about a trip to “the old country” a week or so ago? I too depend on her take of the new movies opening. As very much as I dislike Brad P, the movie does look good. Will def be seening the Dolphin movie.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
9:25 am
We got a call last night from a survey for movies. Asked a bunch of questions, and at the end asked for the age group – turns out we’re too old for our opinions to matter! And I go to at least one, often 2, movies nearly every week of the year! Galling, I must say.
kelly&carriefan
September 23rd, 2011
9:36 am
Hey y’all! I’m here, I’m here!
Sam-A, I’m not sure what the new rules are, but I figure I’ll just show up to the newest thread and post there. It’s what I used to do at our old home. BTW, you crack me up with the Kyle Chandler story. In actuality, I have to say, “Sorry, Kelly! I saw him first!” Because I think I’ve shared before my “boycrush” on “Coach.” So really, we can not stalk him together. (See what I did there? I can make any situation work!
)
I’m ashamed to admit it, but I haven’t seen X Factor yet. Been way too busy…and honestly, the early reviews aren’t making me rush out and watch. Who am I?
kelly&carriefan
September 23rd, 2011
9:42 am
PS.JT, if you haven’t seen Kelly’s interview with Ellen, you should. She was extremely charming and highly distracting…
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
9:46 am
K&CF: Here you go:
Home > News > Kelly Clarkson > Kelly Clarkson News > Kelly Clarkson Smitten With Emmy Winner Kyle Chandler
23 September 2011 01:36
Kelly Clarkson has fallen for Emmy Award winner Kyle Chandler after reading all about the actor in a recent Men’s Journal magazine.
The singer tweeted a photo of the cover of the men’s publication after reading all about Chandler before a doctor’s appointment and asked followers for more information about the Friday Night Lights star, but she now accepts a romance is not meant to be.
She explains, “I found out he was married, so I can’t stalk him now. He’s hot… They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.”
Appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in America on Thursday (22Sep11), Clarkson had a special message for her latest crush.
She said, “I’d just like you to know that I loved you before you had an Emmy. That’s true love.”
kelly&carriefan
September 23rd, 2011
10:09 am
Sam-A, hilarious. I would love to know what he thinks about all this.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
10:14 am
Deirdre, what is this page, http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/category/american-idol/, for?
Lar
September 23rd, 2011
10:20 am
Deirdre – I cannot remember the name of the road off the top of my head, but they live right on the river. I have family all over the place up there. I have a sister in Cheektowaga, and Aunts and Uncles from West Seneca to Springville. I used to live in North Collins. You are right about the snow, if you recieved 6″ where you lived we received 2′ where I lived. The lake effect snow machine is crazy!
Lar
September 23rd, 2011
10:29 am
I really liked the young girl they did not put through. I cannot remember her name but I think she wore a yellow dress and Paula came on stage to console her. I did not understand how she received 4 no’s;.
Rodney Ho
September 23rd, 2011
10:43 am
The dedicated page allows you to find “Idol”/”X Factor”-related blog entries easier if you don’t want to sift through the other stuff I post.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
Thanx RoHo!
Woodpappy
September 23rd, 2011
10:57 am
Didn’t get a chance to see XF last night had to work. But…sounds like I didn’t miss much. Thanks for the info RoHo.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
11:12 am
Sorry…I was off visiting mom.
Lake-effect is a scary phrase, Lar!
I’m going to ff through X-F while eating my lunch.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
11:56 am
Hope; you’ll be able to eat your lunch! The only two “worth a flip” ones are the dark haired girl near the beginning and the blonde girl near the end. Rest not worthy of air time.
Rosita
September 23rd, 2011
12:00 pm
Yo, Mo: Nature abhors a vacuum and so do I!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nana
September 23rd, 2011
12:34 pm
After two nights and 4 fours of auditions, for me the best so far is Melanie. She won me over.
As far as Dylan Lawson (the 18 y/o who his truck), imo, the producers should have pulled him off the stage when they had to bleep every other word. I will place him in the same category as Mr Drop My Pants and Flash Everyone. On both occasions, the producers should have had them escorted out.
Rickster
September 23rd, 2011
1:21 pm
At least Kristi Lee Cook got a great return on her investment when she sold her horse to get to an AI audition.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
3:26 pm
Well, I see we’re back to normal…long pauses in the afternoon.
I started to watch X-F during lunch but my gag reflex kicked in.
I WILL get through it at some point.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
3:30 pm
Told you so- the “good” ones are much fewer and further between than on Idol, and the “funny bad ones” are must less funny and mor bad than the Idol ones!!! Not a show to enjoy a meal by!
Rickster
September 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
Not feeling all that great this afternoon. It’s been a long week…. so my boss is letting me get out a bit early.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
3:39 pm
Hope you feel better, Rickster!
So the naked guy on the first night of X-F is claiming that he was wearing a g-string, thong type thing and he’s a little put out that X-F made it look like he was naked. He should sue!
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
3:59 pm
HE should sue????? – Hopefully your tongue was glued to the roof of your mouth! Even with a g-string, that piece of equpiment must have been quite grotesque flinging around the stage over everyone, and that flabby white butt was fully exposed! It’s the women and kids in the audience who should sue, as they were stuck – at least we could turn to another station.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
4:04 pm
This when googling “x factor”:
‘X Factor’ hit with FCC complaint over nude contestant
by James Hibberd
Categories: Reality TV, The X Factor
Comments 141 Add comment
Image Credit: Fox
A parents group announced it has filed a Federal Communications Commission complaint against Fox’s The X Factor for showing a contestant who exposed himself on stage.
In a pre-taped segment from the reality show’s two-hour Wednesday night premiere, contestant Geo Godley dropped his pants and sang for the judges and studio audience while apparently nude. The judges were appalled — Paula Abdul stormed off stage and appeared to be ill, saying the performance “literally made me sick,” while L.A. Reid declared, “that was offensive, disgusting, distasteful, upsetting — get him out of the building please!”
“Perhaps the ‘X’ in X Factor stands for the MPAA rating,” said PTC president Tim Winter, whose organization filed the complaint this morning. “If Godley performed his act in public, he would have been arrested. But if he performs it in front of a Fox camera, his act is beamed via the public airwaves into every home in the nation.”
Continued Winter:
“The prolonged, previously videotaped footage of a contestant dancing nude on the X Factor stage represents a conscious decision by the producers — with the approval of the network’s broadcast standards department — to intentionally air this content in front of millions of families during hours when they knew full well that children would be watching. Families were led to believe the X Factor would be family-friendly programming and instead were assaulted by graphic nudity.”
Except “graphic nudity” isn’t accurate — Fox put a large red “X” over Godley’s crotch during the sequence.
Said Godley after the performance: “I was in key, everything was going well,” he said. “My pants were down and I was jumping around and all of a sudden the audience turned against me. I don’t know what happened. I thought they’d like it.”
The complaint comes as broadcast decency laws are expected to be reviewed by the Supreme Court during its upcoming term. The Court will look at the FCC’s crackdown on “fleeting expletives” accidentally aired by broadcasters, a case stemming from a complaint against Fox which aired Cher and Nicole Richie saying the f-word during two separate telecasts of the Billboard Music Awards.
Fox has wrestled with the PTC several times in the past, over its reality shows and scripted fare like Family Guy. The network had no comment.
JTesla
September 23rd, 2011
4:17 pm
“that piece of equpiment must have been quite grotesque flinging around the stage over everyone”
I’m willing to bet that he doesn’t have that much equipment to fling. Oh and when he bent over to pull up his pants the first time… he wasn’t facing the audience.
He also looked like he could be hairy. Robin Williams type hairy.
With that said: the “FCC complaint over nude contestant” is a joke, even if he were nude nothing was broadcast that would violate FCC guidelines.
Deirdre
September 23rd, 2011
4:22 pm
Sam, I have no doubt that it was grotesque even WITH the g-string but X-F left the impression that the guy was naked when he wasn’t which is illegal….he could end up labeled as a sex offender. It was tasteless no matter what but it was minutely less tasteless than the X producers wanted us to believe.
My big question is, why did they air it especially leaving everyone with the impression that the guy was free wheeling? Did they honestly think we’d laugh at something that icky? Were they looking for this kind of controversy?
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
4:39 pm
I’ve been trying to figure out why the producers let that gross-out festival go on for several minutes! And I can tell you there were times when the “X” didn’t cover up very much. It was entirely awful. There certainly were kids in the audience who didn’t need to see that even if there was a g-string, which I’m not totally convinced about. It was foul, repugnant and obscene, X or no X! It would have been unpleasant even if the creep had been an attractive and young man, which he by no means was.
Sam-A
September 23rd, 2011
4:53 pm
A good weekend to all.
Rodney Ho
September 23rd, 2011
5:13 pm
No doubt the producers “manufactured” this controversy and the PTC fell into their hands. This is the side of Simon wanting “buzz,” even if it’s the type of buzz that turns people off.
JTesla
September 23rd, 2011
5:29 pm
Did they ever say that he was naked? There was never any indication that he was or was not naked, they simply put on a big X under which he could have had on a diaper. The viewer painted the picture of nakedness, the show simply stayed quiet on the matter.