‘X Factor’ top 6 performance show recap: a good night had my (almost) all
THE X FACTOR: 6 Perform: Diamond White performs live on THE X FACTOR airing Wednesday, Dec. 5 on FOX. CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX.
More power to “X Factor” tonight with two ideas that brought the best out of the final six competitors.
First they went unplugged, which helped us see the artists stripped down and without all the smoke and doodads the producers like to distract us with. Second round features songs picked by the public and we should give ourselves a pat on our collective backs for giving the remaining singers good song choices for themselves. So overall, there were a lot of great performances.
CeCe Frey, by far the weakest of the remaining bunch, is hopeless to me and again, I will predict she’s going home. I have to get that right eventually, right?
Then it gets tough. Carly Rose Sonenclar (brilliant as always) and Tate Stevens (fine for who he is) are certifiably safe. I think of the other three acts, Diamond White is going home, though I do like her a lot. She just doesn’t seem to have a strong enough fan base to make it to the final four. Then again, if she competes with Fifth Harmony for the final fourth spot, she could win over the judges. I give cred to Fifth Harmony for stepping it up this week. As for Emblem3, they might be in trouble only because Simon is steering them very very pop and that isn’t really who they are. We’ll have to see if their fans save them anyway.
1) CeCe Frey (”Edge of Glory” Lady Gaga/Demi’s team) – Stripped down, her vocal performances was decent, not great, as Britney said. I don’t get why she’s still here. She simply isn’t likable to me at all and lacks real star power. “I don’t think you’re worth a $5 million recording contract,” Simon said. “It was more cabaret than unplugged.” Grade: B/B-plus
2) Emblem3 (”Just the Way You Are” Bruno Mars/ Simon’s team) – A total mixed bag. Vocals veer from okay to horrid. Ditto with the harmonies. “That was pretty good,” L.A. said. “At least one of Simon’s groups can sing harmony.” “I used to really love you guys. I feel like it’s a downgraded version of the Jonas Brothers five years ago,” Demi said. Grade: B/B-minus
3) Carly Rose Sonenclar (”As Long As You Love Me” Justin Bieber/ Britney’s team) – This girl is just 13. That never ceases to amaze me because she is incapable of singing poorly. She is mature beyond her ears on stage. She could probably sing”Who Let the Dogs Out” and make it work. In this case, she turns a pop song into a sultry love song. Adele, meet your maker! “What I loved about that performance is you showed some restraint. That was the best for my taste,” L.A. said. “You sang it better than Justin,” Demi said. Grade: A
4) Fifth Harmony (”Set Fire to the Rain” Adele/ Simon’s team) – Arguably, most of these women are better individual singers than CeCe Frey. That’s the problem. Some of these ladies should be solo, as Demi said. The woman with the thick eyebrows, for instance. L.A. harped again on their lack of harmonies. “The group thing doesn’t work for me,” Demi said. Grade: B-plus
5) Diamond White (”It’s a Man’s World” James Brown/ Britney’s team) – I’ve always liked Diamond but she’s overshadowed by Carly’s brilliance. Diamond feels more like a teen play-acting while Carly is truly singing. But this is one of her best performances to date with passion and verve. “You brought attitude and I love attitude,” L.A. said. Simon’s critique: she’s done it before. Grade: A-minus
6) Tate Stevens (”Living on a Prayer” Bon Jovi/ L.A.’s team) – I haven’t found him terribly compelling to date but this was pretty darn good. Sure, Demi complained he didn’t go for the high notes. Simon felt it wasn’t a good song choice. Grade: A-minus
The second half were “Pepsi Challenge” songs picked by fans (though I presume their choices were fairly limited)
7) CeCe Frey (”Part of Me” Katy Perry) – Strip Katy Perry’s charm, vocal skills and looks. You get this. A horrifically fascinating sparkly, tri-color outfit. Lots of attitude but not much else. “Karaoke,” L.A. said. Grade: C
Emblem3 (”Forever Young” Alphaville) – These guys have lost all their edge now that Simon wants to turn them into OneDirection. This was sweet and sentimental but had attitude, which they could use.
9) Carly Rose (”If I Were a Boy” Beyonce) – She makes this extraordinarily difficult song sound easy. Heartfelt and commanding. Again. “You never let me down,” L.A. said. “Phenomenal,” said Britney, who does want something more uptempo. And did Simon not know that Beyonce sang that song? Grade: A
10) Fifth Harmony (”Give Your Heart a Break” -Demi) – This is the very first time I thought this Franken-group actually sounded like a group. Great song for them, too. “I actually heard harmonies!” L.A. said. “This should have been your song,” Demi said. “It was energetic and fun. Simon actually did a good job this week.” Grade: A-minus
11) Diamond White (”Diamonds” Rihanna) – She actually brings more soul to this song than the original. I thoroughly enjoyed it. “I didn’t love your rendition of it,” L.A. said. Grade: A/A-minus
12) Tate Stevens (”If Tomorrow Never Dies” Garth Brooks) – Tate can sing any country song and give a respectable version. He does so again here. Vocally, he rarely misses. As an artist, I’m not sure how interested I’d be in him. “Brilliant,” Britney said. “Got a little sleepy on that performance,” Demi said, though she blamed her own fatigue. “You have a huge future ahead of you.” “Welcome back Tate Stevens,” Simon said. “You remind me of Garth Brooks.” Grade: B-plus
The ratings for the show are way down from last year: 6 to 9 million viewers during the live show. Last year at this point, they were drawing 9 to 12 million.
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110 comments Add your comment
Harriett
December 5th, 2012
9:20 pm
Emblem 3 very good on this one
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:22 pm
Out of all the songs that popped in my head, I’m surprised White Flag was actually covered. Beatrice’s performance was too teary and too scratchy. I still want Carly Rose to sing it, but guess that won’t happen. Thank you, Harriett, I’m stunned that a thought I had this evening was thought of already.
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
Harriett, I was thinking Rod Stewart’s version.
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:25 pm
Carly Rose has excellent control of her voice.
DanJ
December 5th, 2012
9:28 pm
There’s no way she(Carly Rose) doesn’t become a star!That was amazing…again!
Seth T
December 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Carly Rose could put-out a song about swampland in Florida, and it would sell. Her acting skills really help her to deliver a song as well as it can be delivered by anyone.
Rated 8 1/2.
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
I agree, DanJ. Carly’s contract has already been signed and looked over with her managing team (her parents)..lol
Seth T
December 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
5th Harmony is really getting to be a pro type of group. Liked it. 7 1/2.
Harriett
December 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
Ok, let’s see how this goes for 5th Harmony
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:36 pm
Best rendition of the original song goes to….drum roll….Carly’s rendition of Bieber’s song. I actually liked the lyrics now that I heard them.
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:38 pm
I would like to take this time to thank all of you, more so you RoHo, for having this outlet to wind down after work. I definitely needed this this evening!
Seth T
December 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
There’s a 5 girl UK group called The Saturdays – this is what Simon is shooting for with this group — but the UK girls get very risque and wild in some of their performances. He can’t do that with this group; not yet anyway.
DanJ
December 5th, 2012
9:42 pm
I really like 5th Harmony. I think my top 3 are Carly, 5th Harmony and Tate. Pitchy a glass of wine or two will help you unwind!
DanJ
December 5th, 2012
9:44 pm
I think Diamond may be in trouble! Good not great!
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
DanJ, I have had a glass of wine. A shot of likka may have been better, but I don’t have any (lol).
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
55 years of the Whopper…oh my!
Seth T
December 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
Diamond did well singing “Diamond”. gets a 7 – plus on it. That’s the best she’s done on the show, imo.
Harriett
December 5th, 2012
9:47 pm
Agree Dan.
Harriett
December 5th, 2012
9:49 pm
If Tate sings the Garth Brooks song, he takes it this week.
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:49 pm
I feel Diamond hasn’t been given songs that really showcase her voice. She can sing. I thought it would be a fight between her and Carly, but that’s not panning out to be the case.
DanJ
December 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
I agree Harriett, Garth Brooks should be right up or is it down his alley?
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:52 pm
I’m liking Tate on this song. I love country. Nice!
Lil Red
December 5th, 2012
9:54 pm
Been watchin but not able to blog with you. Hi guys. Good overall show. I think they all stepped it up.
Harriett
December 5th, 2012
9:54 pm
He’s nailing it
DanJ
December 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
Well CeCe and Diamond should go home but I think a group will go. I actually think Emblem3 and Diamond go! Can’t believe I just saved CeCe again. Boy I hope I’m wrong!
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
9:59 pm
I’m thinking Emblem 3 will go home, along with CeeCee. I hope Diamond stays.
Pitchy
December 5th, 2012
10:01 pm
Time for Chicago Fire.
Hope you all enjoy the rest of the evening before we have to rinse, repeat and find we’re back at work.
Seth T
December 5th, 2012
10:01 pm
Good song for Tate – gets an 8.
Our scoring for tonight – 20 points maximum:
Carly Rose – 16
Tate – 14
5th Harmony – 13 1/2
Diamond – 12 1/2
Emblem 3 – 11 /1/2
CeCe – 10
However, I think 5th Harmony may drain votes from Diamond and Emblem 3’s fan base will keep them safe. CeCe and Diamond most probable elim’s.
Harriett
December 5th, 2012
10:03 pm
I hope CeCe goes home. I think it will be her and also Diamond gotta watch Nashville
Mercedes S.
December 5th, 2012
11:00 pm
Maybe I’ll get to do this live sometime…
Re previous posts: yes, Demi looks like just her face has gained 10 pounds since the show started.
And yes, Diamond’s first song was way too adult.
If I voted I would have voted for CeCe. She’s just fun to watch.
Most impressive of the “acts”: Carly Rose. I never feel nervous when she sings. She nails it every time, even makes the trite Bieber song sound imortant.
On a scale of 1-5, in order of appearance:
Accoustic perfs
Cece: ***
Emblem 3: **
Carly Rose: ***
Fifth Harmony:***
Diamond: ***
Tate: ***1/2
Audience choices (WAY better than mentors’!)
CeCe: **
Embem 3: **
Carly Rose: **** 1/2
Tate: **** 1/2
My favorites this week, in order of preference
Tate
Carly Rose
Fifth Harmony
Diamond
CeCe
Emblem 3
I’m hoping for the disappearance of Emblem 3 and Diamond next week.
Love the little girl, but think her mentor’s song choices are all wrong. She’s not Whitney, she’s not Rihanna. She needs to grow into herself.
Mercedes S.
December 5th, 2012
11:04 pm
Oops, missed AC points for Fifth Harmony ( *** 1/2), and Diamond (***)
Highlander
December 6th, 2012
7:03 am
While I don’t believe they could win the $5 mil, Fifth Harmony is getting better each week.
And I find it odd that L.A. rips them for not singing more in harmony but doesn’t give Emblem 3 the same critique. They don’t harmonize much either. (Especially the poser who always wears a tank top! – “Dude, …I’m so buff!”)
Mercedes S.
December 6th, 2012
9:05 am
Emblem 3 – baseball caps born backward, shopping for skateboards… I can see what they would do with the $5 million (shudder).
DanJ
December 6th, 2012
9:06 am
Good morning all! I think this is the time where competition for votes between Carly & Diamond and Emblem3 and 5th Harmony will push out one from each group. That’s why it wouldn’t surprise me to see Emblem3 go. You would think the mass voting from young girls would keep them in it but they do come across as full of themselves. Maybe even the young girls see it. Carly at this stage is just better than Diamond. I think Emblem3 and Diamond go tonight. It should be CeCe but she get’s one more week.
Mercedes S.
December 6th, 2012
9:07 am
And good morning!
In a year full of personal ordeals ( one dead dad, two dead aunts, one crippled, then dead, cat) I have one good piece of news to share: there’s a new man in my life. His name is Jasper, and he’s 11 weeks old. And, a tricolored corgi.
Deirdre
December 6th, 2012
9:15 am
Mercedes:
Mercedes S.
December 6th, 2012
9:34 am
Thank you, D. Glad to see you still check in with us.
Pitchy
December 6th, 2012
9:53 am
How cute, Mercedes S. I immediately thought of Jasper on Twilight. I think that’s the name of the young, always looking scared vampire married to what’s her name (lol). I know the characters, just can’t remember all of their names.
I agree 5th Harmony has gotten better, but the only person on this show deserving of a $5Mil contract is Carly Rose.
Good morning.
Mercedes S.
December 6th, 2012
10:17 am
Agree, Pitchy. Carly Rose can not only sell music now, she’s a good investment and I hope part of the money goes to decent schools for her.
G
December 6th, 2012
10:28 am
Overall, it was a good night for all the contestants…….even CeCe. I think that Diamond and CeCe leave tonight. Tate should regain his #1 spot. Although I wasn’t overly impressed with Carly Rose, I think she was solid. She’s a bit “idolesque” for my taste.
Also, I think is was an excellent idea to let the viewing audience choose the songs and some of the performance scenes.
Pitchy
December 6th, 2012
10:48 am
G, even the judges thought the viewing audience picked better songs than they did. It’s unfortunate, but Diamond’s coach is doing her such a disservice.
G
December 6th, 2012
10:53 am
Yeah, Pitchy. I hope the producers build upon it. Surprisingly, I thought 5th Harmony was decent. I agree with LA in saying it’s the first time he heard the group harmonize. However, I agree with most of what LA says anyway. His delivery may not be viewer friendly, but his analysis of performances are on target for me.
Sam-A
December 6th, 2012
10:55 am
Mercedes: Congrats on the new precious little one. Jasper – cute! You’ve got a storm of love and kisses coming your way now! Nothing like little puppy-breath kisses to lift the spirits!
Deirdre: Glad to see you back, at least for a few minutes. Hope you’re taking it easy and resting.
Dum-Bass
December 6th, 2012
12:01 pm
Looks like X Factor has its usual 5-6 viewers on here this week. Seriously how do you guys watch that junk? The times I have watched it for about 15 mins., that’s all I can handle. That’s mostly to try to catch Tate Stevens. The other talent is so lacking it’s pathetic. The judges are all a joke, and who can stand to watch Kloe Kardashian? Downright ugly and seems to be uneducated. No personality at all. The 6 left on The Voice would blow these still remaining on X Factor completely off the charts! It’s a shame RoHo has chosen to ignore The Voice. That’s a mystery to me.
DanJ
December 6th, 2012
12:15 pm
I do like the public picking the songs and I do like the vote standings being posted/known. So X-Factor has made some nice changes to their format. I stil don’t like the two hosts but they’re better than Steve Jones? I think Emblem3 and 5th Harmony will both be signed by Simon. I think both Tate and Carly are locks for contracts. Vino, Lyric and Diamond may eventually be signed.
I’d be willing to bet that Simon has cronies who read blogs and forums as well as focus group who view the show. I say that because I can see changes in the show. No where near the same production numbers as last year. Granted Paige and CeCe have been over-the-top at times but it doesn’t compare to last year. Maybe the next time Rodney interviews Simon he can ask: Do you read blogs, forums or have focus groups to get a public perspective of the show?
G
December 6th, 2012
1:09 pm
@Dum-Bass. Roho is a HUGE Idol fan, so I don’t believe any other show would garner as much detailed time as Idol. I would imagine XF get’s the write-up edge over Voice because of Simons past with Idol. I prefer Voice to, but at least XF gets a little attention on a pro-idol blog. But hey……Roho can certainly speak for himself.
G
December 6th, 2012
1:21 pm
typo above……….”too”
@DanJ. Yeah, I dig the XF changes too. As far as the hosts, I would prefer Mario being the stage host, and Khloe being the backstage reporter.
I think that you have to sign Emblem 3, Vino, and Tate. There is a market out there for them today!
Just my opinion, but I see Diamond and Carly in the same boat. They are both kids (little girls) singing adult songs. I don’t think that will sell. I see them with a gig at Disney or Nickelodeon. Maybe you sign them to a “development” contract and try to have them release an album when they turn 17.
I’m not so sure about 5th Harmony’s future after the show. Poor girls are just now learning how to “harmonize”.
JTesla
December 6th, 2012
1:32 pm
Congratulations Mercedes, you are brave to add a new man to your life so close to the holidays.
DanJ
December 6th, 2012
1:42 pm
@Dum-Bass, quote: “Looks like X-Factor has it’s usual 5-6 viewers this week. Seriously how do you watch this junk?” Actually all I do is turn on the television and tune in Fox! If you’re talking about the quality of the show then I would say: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!” I watch ALL 3 singing competition shows because I love music. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Of the 3 I prefer X-Factor. I do however also like The Voice and Idol.
If you want to compare the shows that one thing. X-Factor will sign more contestants to contracts than any of the other shows. At best only Cassadee Pope, Trevin Hunte and maybe Amanda Brown will get contracts from The Voice. I think only 3 from last year got signed and not sure about that. I know Jermaine Paul and Tony Lucca got deals. Not sure about Chris Mann, Juliet Lewis or Jesse Campbell.
What I don’t understand is why you(Dum-Bass) are always so bitter…negative! Usually I just skip your posts but seriously dude you need to get a life or get a puppy. If you hate something why waste the time to comment on it or watch it? I don’t comment on The housewives shows because I don’t watch them! I don’t care for them! Do you seek attention that badly? If you want to debate the merits of any show I’ll do that. Constructive criticism can be fun to discuss but blanket statements especially negative only makes the author of the post look bored or foolish.
DanJ
December 6th, 2012
1:53 pm
@G, The only thing I would argue about your 1:21 post is this. I think with the right producer that Diamond COULD be similar to Brandy. I also think Carly WILL BE bigger than Miley Cyrus. I think a lot of young girls along with some of us elders will support her music if she stays pop. I could see her becoming X-Factors version of Kelly. Different genres but the first real star. I see Tate getting a huge push and country music fans are loyal to their music.
G, I do agree that Mario should be on stage and Khloe backstage. Nice comment!
I’m sure Simon has signed Emblem3! Tate and Carly as I said before are locks. I kinda hope 5th Harmony wins. I really like their growth and their harmony is coming along. I really like Dinah Jane and Camilla from the group.