KW: I’ll say something I’ve never said before: I did love L.A. (Zing!) And, admittedly, it was nice to see Paula and Simon together again. And other lady(ies) was fine too. But I found myself shocked by how much I missed Ryan Seacrest. Say what you will about the Idol host, but he is masterful to watch during the audition rounds. He supplies the show with a necessary sense of humor, finding camaraderie with even the most insane of contestants and offering us priceless reaction shots. He takes Idol for what it is: A silly, addictive reality show. Last night’s oh-so-serious audition episode, on the other hand, was sorely lacking any humor at all. Sure, the stakes are higher on X Factor, but does the schmaltz factor have to be too? It simply seemed to thrive too much on excess — there was something nice about the intimacy of the Idol auditions. It was nothing short of magical when an extremely talented contestant finished a song unaware as to whether or not they impressed, and something downright hysterical when an extremely untalented contestant finished a song not realizing they had totally failed. Adding cheers and boos to the equation — I know we’re a generation that thrives off of instant gratification, but where’s the suspense?!
ABV: It’s true that the only distinctive thing about Steve Jones so far is that he says “Simon Cowell” in an odd accent — and looks vaguely related to EW’s Darren Franich. (I may be the only one in the universe who sees that, but I swear it’s there.) I can only hope that as the show progresses, Jones will have more of a chance to show his stuff. But I’m good with that arena-sized audience. It puts more pressure on the judges themselves — Simon can’t be as much of a pissy crank, etc. — and they all have to bolster their opinions since they’re at times fighting against the masses. And since when was Simon Cowell ever subtle? Of course he’s going to pour on schmaltz and spectacle — it’s what he does. Bottom line for me: Before The X Factor premiered, the most common complaint I’d heard is that it was going to be too much like Idol’s Pepsi-sponsored fraternal twin. But after the inaugural episode, I’d say that The X Factor feels more like Idol’s brasher, bolder, more street-wise second cousin. And I’m down with hanging out some more with this new addition to the reality TV family.
KW: Fine. While you go do that, I think I’ll just see if their cooler, younger cousin, The Voice, wants to hang out instead.
PopWatchers, which side are you on?
Follow Kate on Twitter @KateWardEW
Follow Adam on Twitter @adambvary
Read more:
‘The X Factor’ series premiere recap: Simon Says Yes
‘X Factor’ opens solid, but ‘Modern Family’ steals the show
Too soon to tell. Must see a little more to judge.
The host of the show. I want to eat his butt. He is gorgeous! So much hotter than Seacrest.
Wait in line Tim. You outta see him in person, yum!
Hey Timmy poofer,
Be careful-ya might snack on a turd.
My best friend has just announced her wedding with a great man who is a cele+brity!
They met-via { himillionaires*c”o’M }
It is nice club for rich men or pretty girls mate.
You do not need to be wealthy or famous, but you can meet your true love, it’s worthy a try.
he is very handsome for sure. I am a little dissapointed with first showings. I love the four judges and of course the theme of age rangings, but way to much repeating of showing the three trucks rolling down the freeways, the long lines of contestants over and over again, the registration has been shown 15 times already, just way to much in repeats. Perhaps less junk fill in and more showing of the various people without taking up so much time on one or two people
Sorry, but I haven’t been impressed with the hot host or the show. Last night, we had to wait almost 50 minutes to hear an auditioner who could sing… and he could Barely do that. When has Idol ever made us sit through that many stupid bad auditions, In A Row?!? I’ve only seen 4 people over the 2-night premiere who could actually sing: 1st night – 14 yr old girl, 42 yr old lady; 2nd night – 18 yr old Melanie, and woman who coached rugby. The rest were put through because they were “interesting”, had “the package” (Cheryl Cole comment) or looked like the next Justin Beiber. The rehab guy couldn’t sing well but he wrote a great rap. Hope he stays Sober! Agree with everyone who said there are W A Y too many shots of trucks and crowds.
I’ll still give it a chance, but it has yet to impress me.
Who is the host?
Now ladies…. =))
Are you kidding me??? Ryan Seacrest is a twit!
THIS. he is one of the WORST things about idol. As a new day Casey Kasem on the radio? fine. but he’s an ass on idol, esp. during the live shows where he tries to be funny with the contestants and usually just resullts in being very awkward and making the audience feel awkward as well.
My best friend ,she just has announced her wedding with a millionaire young man Ronald who is the CEO of a MNC ! They met via —-Mαtch’Rich.С’⊙M—– ..it is the largest and best club for wealthy people and their admirers to chat online. …you don’t have to be rich there ,but you may meet one ,maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends !
——-I totally agree. Not to mention that the “screaming” crowd was completely fake. Shots of the judges speaking while the “crowd went wild” showed the people behind them sitting silently – not even clapping!! I thought every singer sounded off-key and some of the younger singers’ voices were not developed enough yet——
i wish they would come to indanaplios
Is that somewhere in Greece?
that chick in the picture blew away any audition i’ve seen on idol. Kelly Clarkson? you clearly like that corny pop music. I’d argue i saw more talent last night then on almost any idol season. Clearly better singers. Like that weird country dude with the deep voice. Wtf was that. if you like that then i’d just question your taste. And ryan seacrest? who cares if its’ about music. I guess the difference is i find the stuff mentioned as missing in this article either corny like seacrest or bad like Clarkson. sorry.
Dude..Kelly Clarkson has one of the best voices in the entire industry…I don’t think “bad” and KC actually go together! FAIL!
BOTH IDOL & X “Fracture” have their decent and pathetic contestants. This is just another way for Simon to make some more moola.
Kelly is one of the best vocalists out there, the majority of the singers out there in today’s music is no way near as good as Kelly and don’t have her pipes. She doesn’t make corny pop music. Never has, never will. Kelly isn’t corny. And there have been people on Idol who are just as good as the people on X Factor. Idol is still the better show.
I have seen every Idol show in the past, and must agree so far they are still ahead. I am a little disapointed with Xfactors theme, in drawing it out way to much with the interviews, long lines of constestants, registrations, repeats repeats repeats, did i say repeats?
This year’s Idol turned me off of the show. The judges were useless. The performance could have been a trainwreck and all they did was over-praise. Yes, and WTF was up with that weird deep voiced kid winning. Then they had another country girl take 2nd or 3rd I can’t remember. They also had some kid who shrieked in the most Gawd-awfull pitch that made dogs fall over dead around the country. He was the weird looking one who kept squinting his eyes and I gather this years faux rock singer – LMAO!! Weird, weird season this year. I’ll check out X-Factor so far the talent was way better than the past season of Idol.
I was totally bored by all of the contestants and found the whole thing just really loud. There was no break from the screaming crowd which made me want the show to hurry up and end. So much so that I fast forwarded through everything that wasn’t a contestant singing.
I totally agree. Not to mention that the “screaming” crowd was completely fake. Shots of the judges speaking while the “crowd went wild” showed the people behind them sitting silently – not even clapping!! I thought every singer sounded off-key and some of the younger singers’ voices were not developed enough yet. They had a childish quality that sounded more like school musical than $5M recording contract. The only one who impressed me at all was the last guy just out of rehab. At least he showed that he could also write music.
just watched that rene guy. come on that was way way way better then that idol stuff. there’s a different class of talent in this. original too.
He was really good and I’m definitely rooting for him. I think the part of this show after the auditions will be interesting to watch… to see someone really grow and watch how the “mentors” help them do that. I’ve got to disagree with you about the “chick in the picture” though… however great her story was, she was extremely “pitchy.” I hope she’s one of the ones that will flourish in the “boot camp.” I also like the 20-year-old with the two-year deadline from his mom (the “Momma’s Boy”) who sang “I Wish”. But I love that song so much, I was maybe biased from the start.
One thing for sure. The audition process is worse. Most of the “singer” cant actually sing but the music and crowd noise masked it. That said I’m still a fan because this is the only show that gives underdog singers a chance to shine (SuBo anybody?)
Technically, Susan Boyle came out of Britain’s Got Talent, not the UK X Factor. But they have similarities in that they allow a greater pool of people to try out in the first place. One thing I always hated about Idol was that they make like once you’re over 28 you’re no longer talented enough to make something of yourself. And of those who think Idol has better talent overall, let’s be honest, they take some lesser talented singers too and some even make it to the semis and finals. They both (so far for X Factor anyway) rely on too-long bad auditions and backstory bulk rather than showcasing a majority of talent in the audition process. Not sure why they think it is a good thing, since most fans seem to hate those things now, but that’s what they do. I will reserve judgement on the overall show until they get into deeper rounds and we can see what talent we a really dealing with. But I already like all the judges (even Nicole, dare I say) more than I’ve ever cared for Randy Jackson. So that’s a plus right there.
I agree with everything you said. Does anybody really want to see the padding? The bad auditions, the too-long back stories, the endless waiting for the judges to say yes (when we *know* they will)? I would much rather see some of the dozens of people they showed Simon and L.A. Reid arguing about. We didn’t see ANY of those people. Let’s just see more people SING. And I liked Cheryl Cole but I like Nicole too. I don’t care if I ever hear Randy Jackson speak another word again. In fact, I’d rather not.
X-Factor was a total disappointment. It was no better than American Idol. The formula was the same – praise the really talented and screw those who think they are talented!
I was looking for a more refined show that elevated the search for the undiscovered talent. However, to garner the support of the American low-life, the show resorted to showing episodes that tittilated us… instead of uplifting us! Shame on the producers and more shame on Cowell!
By the way way, did you see how the WSJ trumpeted the show’s successful debut? Just remember… X-Factor, American Idol – they are on Fox and Murdoch owns Fox and WSJ! X-factor garnered 12.5 share and an unknown show got more. SOME POETIC LICENSE1
I dare this site’s editor to publish this comment.
Give X a chance..you cant even judge so quickly
Give it a chance
All those who said to give X a chance… you are all naive. Its format is patterned after AI and it will remain the same throughout the season. You are looking through frosted glass. Wake up!
I’ll wait to reserve judgement until after the auditions. They are very similar to Idol with some of the elements “The Voice” had thrown in too. I’m looking forward to the Boot Camp and the mentoring. I think that could be interesting and not like Idol at all (but still similar to “The Voice”).
“The Voice” was actually copied after the UK original X-Factor show.
@Rose, No the Voice was copied after the Voice in another country.
Yes, I know “The Voice” isn’t original either but it’s not from the UK. I believe it was from Denmark or something? I don’t know if THEY copied from the UK “X-Factor” though…I don’t know which came first with the whole mentoring thing.
I found it very choppy, and I guess a bit tacky. i won’t watch it again. Don’t like the judges [actually despise Cowell], and the whole Coke v Pepsi-Ford v Chevy thing is droll.
GOOD JOB, LOVE SIMON.
WISH FOR ANOTHER NICK CANNON FOR THE SHOW!
Nick Cannon?? Seriously??
I’ll watch if they dump blandy Nicole Scherzinger and they bring back that British chic as a judge.
Seriously. I’ve never actually heard Nicole Scherzinger speak but I had no idea she was such a big phony.
Bring back the British singer! I liked her.
I never cared for Nicole before but I say give her a chance! I want to see more of Paula Abdul’s drunk, hot, younger cousin.lol
Phony? Who r u to judge??
Who is Nicole to judge anyone?
Nicole is a talented singer, musician and performer. That’s who she is. I haven’t loved her style of judging so far but I think what comes off as “phony” is really extreme nervousness and pressure from replacing someone at the last minute. They might have done better to keep Nicole as the host, and Cheryl as the judge (Nicole was supposed to host, I believe). I think she may loosen up later on and who knows how she’ll be as a mentor? I like her though…not with the PC Dolls but from when I saw her perform in “Rent” at the Hollywood Bowl. She was incredible. Youtube it. “Over the Moon” and “Take Me or Leave Me”. You’ll become a fan too.
Bring back Cheryl Cole. I hated that they kicked her off claiming people wouldn’t be able to understand her. The contestants seemed to understand her just fine.
Nicole is a beautiful person both inside and out! she was an excellent choice for a judge!
Nicole may be beautiful on the outside, but she’s too narcissistic to be beautiful on the inside.
And J.Lo isn’t extremely narcissistic?
Absolutely ZERO interest in watching ANY of the five million “talent shows” bloating the TV schedule. Same corny format, lame attempts to manipulate the viewers with “touching” back-stories, hosts & judges with inflated egos and minimal actual talent. The genre has run its course. Bring on something NEW (like, um, well-acted, scripted series!?!)
Don’t watch then. There are plenty of scripted series on… many of them debuted last night and tonight. There’s room for both.
I tried watching and it made me realize how much I love The Voice! The singers on The Voice are much better. X Factor also made me realize WHY there is a age limit on most these shows. The first little girl was cute with great personality but c’mon are we really going to tell her she wasn’t that good? I mean she will definitely go far in life and I could totally see her as a Disney kid. Then the old people, I mean how did they even get in? Very cute but let’s just say I can appreciate The Voice for weeding stuff like this out. I only watched about half the show and lost interest just like I do with Idol.
Oh, and the fake rivalry between Simon and the record producer…LAME!
I like the show so far, but I must admit the contrived rivalry is pretty lame.