Home to talk about ‘X Factor,’ week two
Loading ...I’m on vacation but I wanted to give the regular followers of “Idol” to kvetch (or even praise) “X Factor” during its second week on the air.
Ratings last week both nights were 12.5 million viewers. That was clearly a disappointing figure for Fox officials and creator Simon Cowell after all the publicity and build up over the months. “Criminal Minds,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Person of Interest” and “Modern Family” drew more viewers. Both comedies drew more 18 to 49 year olds.
The only clear upgrade from “Idol” so far that I can ascertain is record executive L.A. Reid. He has gravitas and a track record that outweighs Randy Jackson. Otherwise, we have two personality black holes in Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones, neither of whom have distinguished themselves yet. And even Simon himself seems oddly diminished. So far, what used to be his classic wordplay has been rather tepid. And the show itself focused absurd amounts of time on bad and mediocre singers, giving them even more time on stage to sing than “Idol” would.
Plus, the “naked” guy last Wednesday was a complete fake out. TMZ reports the guy wasn’t even naked! He was wearing a leopard print thong! It seems Simon courted the controversy by letting the guy stay on the stage a ridiculously long time and then airing the entire sequence. Simon wanted people to be outraged and talk about it. The Parents Television Council fell for it, saying it was an abomination and plans to file copious complaints to the Federal Communications Commission. Sure, there is a school of thought that controversy like this might fuel viewership but I thought it was a complete and utter turnoff. I’m 100% sure Nigel Lythgoe and Co. at “Idol” would never have allowed the guy to have done that for more than three seconds before security folks hauled him off. Even Piers Morgan would have buzzed him on “America’s Got Talent” before he had even gotten his pants off.
Maybe week two will be better. Maybe. At least the audition episodes only last two weeks, as opposed to four for “Idol.”
Other folks who write about the show were not any kinder than I was.
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126 comments Add your comment
Sam-A
October 4th, 2011
8:42 am
Deirdre and Mercedes (I think): Did y’all happen to notice that last week Carson K danced to “Walking Back to Happiness”? Lordy, I hadn’t heard that song on at least 40 years, then I think it was Mercedes who brought it up in one of our “fave old songs” conversations, and there it was!
Don’t watch, just peek into DWTS, but seem to hit on China P every week – she really is lovely to watch – such graceful movements. Her hand positions remind me of skating’s Michelle Kwan.
Does XF start for real this week?
JT: I don’t think Amanda Knox falls quite into the same category as the baby killer. I have extremely serious doubts, from all the evidence I’ve read about, incl the fact the dude in jail has confessed, not indicated anyone else helped him, and his dna was all over the dead girl and crime scene. On the other hand, there’s not one iota of doubt in my mind, and apparently in just about everyone else except the lying, stupid mother, that CA is totally guilty!
Deirdre
October 4th, 2011
8:59 am
Harriett, I have no idea if this episode of Glee will be any good but I highly recommend that you try to see last week’s. Do you have On Demand? That will probably have the episode. If not, you can pull it off the internet.
Sam, I don’t watch DWTS at all but Walking Back to Happiness…wow! Long time,no hear!
The “boot camp” starts on XF this week. I’m looking forward to getting a better look at the talent but I fear that boot camp will be all about the judges…one in particular.
Harriett
October 4th, 2011
9:46 am
D, I will watch it today if I can.
And, Sam-A, totally agree re: Knox and Anthony. No comparison.
JTesla
October 4th, 2011
10:03 am
The media celebration, and rewarding, of the accused = the same. Tot mom Anthony and Foxy Knoxy were not the victims.
Harriett
October 4th, 2011
10:05 am
It won’t let me watch online, D. You have to have a Dish Network account to view it. They release it for everyone tomorrow, eight days after broadcast. Guess I will have to read a synopsis.
Sam-A
October 4th, 2011
10:19 am
JT: you are so very wrong. AK has spent 4 important years, her college and last of youth time, from 20 -24, in a prison. She’s been called horribly slanderous names by the idiot prosecutor, has lost any innocense you may have had at age 20, and probably will have nightmares for the rest of her life. Both girls have been victimized, and all for no reason in Amanda’s case, as the person in jail for the murder has not indicated anyone else was involved, and his dna were all over the dead girl and the scene. Both families are victims.
JTesla
October 4th, 2011
10:36 am
Innocent in the court of public opinion does not make her a victim. Meredith Kercher is the victim. Amanda has a lifetime, and a fat payday, ahead of her, what does Meredith have in front of her? We will never know what truely happened to Meredith, but the loss of four years and the mythical loss of innocence pales in comparison to the loss suffered by the true victim.
Does anyone even remember her name? I’ll admit it, I had to look it up.
JTesla
October 4th, 2011
11:42 am
Simon has addressed the ratings issue, saying (via AP) “I’m not going to lie. I wanted 20 million when we launched, but now I’m kind of back in the real world and I’m seeing this grow naturally. I’m as happy as I’ve ever been.”
Damage control?
Deirdre
October 4th, 2011
1:09 pm
Re Simon…definitely damage control. His ego has taken a beating and he’s backing off…for now.
Deirdre
October 4th, 2011
2:38 pm
I’m busy making eggplant parmesan for tonight. Preparing the eggplant takes a long time but it’s always worth it!
Harriett
October 4th, 2011
2:45 pm
Sounds wonderful, Deirdre! How do you make it? I think I asked you a long time ago but did not write it down.
See where The Playboy Club has been cancelled. Not a surprise.
Sam-A
October 4th, 2011
4:12 pm
We all seem to be too tired to get a conversation going today. I know I’ve needed a nap since I got up at 5:30 this am!
Harriett
October 4th, 2011
4:37 pm
And, it is time for me to head home. I am tired, too, Sam. G’night all.
Sam-A
October 4th, 2011
4:42 pm
19 mins more for me and I’m outta here.
Good evening to all.
Mo Schreibman
October 4th, 2011
11:33 pm
This dancing television program with the stars on it is a travesty and I will not be watching it again until next week.
Deirdre
October 5th, 2011
7:13 am
Morning!
LOL! Mo!
Today is a scheduled “new thread” day. This will be our last new thread until Rodney returns from his vacation. I think he anticipated that we’d have a lot to talk about with boot camp starting tonight.
Deirdre
October 5th, 2011
8:07 am
The review in the ajc gave Scotty’s album a B- and had some praise for it. Lauren Alaina’s new album got a D because she seems disconnected from the songs and over processed.
Deirdre
October 5th, 2011
8:11 am
Also, mj has lots of video of little Kellie Pickler’s appearance on Ellen yesterday. She is adorable, as usual:
http://www.mjsbigblog.com/kellie-pickler-is-adorable-on-the-ellen-degeneres-show.htm
Sam-A
October 5th, 2011
8:52 am
Kellie was indeed adorable, but a bit more subdued than her usual Ellen appearances. Loved her “Minn-a-sooo-ta” stuff and the interpretation on her mother-in-laws accent. She’s also actually quite a good singer.
Deirdre
October 5th, 2011
12:19 pm
Well, let’s hope XF sparks some more discussion tomorrow!
Harriett
October 5th, 2011
12:59 pm
Hey, everyone. I have wanted to chime in, but I have been in meetings today. Maybe later? XF should give us more to chat about and comment upon. I am actually looking forward to seeing what tonight will bring.
Woodpappy
October 5th, 2011
1:19 pm
Yes me too..Harriett. I think the next few episodes will make or break the XF as far as viewership.
Sam-A
October 5th, 2011
2:18 pm
I’m certainly hoping for more than the first two weeks afforded! I couldn’t even stay with them, just flipped back and forth.
Sam-A
October 5th, 2011
3:31 pm
Boy, we can’t even manage a comment an hour! Guess we need our leader to keep us going.
Harriett
October 5th, 2011
3:59 pm
And, I have to get out of here now. We should have things aplenty to occupy us tomorrow. Where was Nana today to offer her critiques of DWTS? They said there was a shocking elimination last night, but I wouldn’t know. Bye!
Deirdre
October 5th, 2011
4:23 pm
As promised, new thread.