The X Factor

Judging from the 5.7 rating, it would seem that the majority of viewers are as Luke warm about X Factor as I am....such a disappointment! The irony is....the show just seems to be missing its own X Factor...that elusive quality that makes it appealing, addictive, thoroughly satisfying. Way off the mark from "Idol".

No real human connection. The judges seem to be more interested in besting each other than in mentoring (if that is even an appropriate word in this case) their brood of wannabees.

Simon is beyond redemption as a caricature of himself, Paula will soon be without a group to mis-mother. LA should try NY, and Nicole should just ride off into the has been sunset.

Over-produced and just plain dumb. The focus is not the performers, but the panel of judges who are the real drama here. Albeit, lame drama. Get past the auditions, which seemed to last an eternity, and you are left with a "competition" that is comprised of judges clashing egos. For the most part the talent is not front and center, the performance is lost in lights and smoke and dancers and orchestration that takes the eye and ear to everything but the singer. At least with American Idol the focus really is on the performer. There is some true talent on this show (not the judges, no way). But they are being lost to the infighting and strutting of the judges. I'm not watching it anymore.

OK...let's talk shop...we like that everyone can join the party....but its the same old same old....well except for the judges wanting you to see how they live...so contestants visit their spreads....(a mini version of the Real Houses of the Rich and Famous)...

These should go home:

Lakoda ??? (girl group), have you noticed they never say thank you to any of the judges after high praise compliments...I hope they leave tonight all seasons...fall, spring. summer and winter....don't like their attitude...they are full of themselves...

Drew is another one that is just plain bad...what are they saying she is a star..huh...she also never says thank you..not an humble person ..

Marcus Canty nice guy but the vocals were as weak as the stage performance was strong

The Glee group replica....too many too many participants....the one lead girl should stay she has a great voice....others GO

Leroy Bell, I don't like his attitude...he does not appear humble...something is not right with him..but love love love his voice....not a friendly guy...

For the ones to watch:

Stereo Hogz, Melanie, Astro and Stacey

This kind of show has been seen and done a dozen of times. Due to my travels I was able to see The X-Factor in the UK, Germany and Australia already and the US Version is not much different but bigger.

Obviously you need to like casting shows to enjoy the program, having said that, people giving this a 1 star rating should be banned from further reviews and ratings since there is more to the production of a TV Show than the likable factor. This program is produced and directed very well, there is a nice flow and speed going on, the scenery shots from the cities alone are worth more than 1 star so what's it to ya? Let me be very clear, it is Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and LA. Reid, you get exactly what is on the package and someone who's rating 9 stars for American Idol and 1 Star for The X Factor is a hypocrite. If you like American Idol you like this show, if you don't like American Idol you won't like this either. Opening the age limits is a fantastic decision because that gets really interesting later when the contestants will be split into Boys, Girls, Groups and over 30s and receive personal training from the judges and coaches. This is where the show will be different from Idol and since it has worked in other countries very well, it will work in American just fine, despite the hypocritical ratings on this website.

If you're looking for something entirely different you won't find it here, but if you feel entertained by great voices and quirky auditions this is a great show to watch. As long there are 20,000 people auditioning in every city this show clearly deserves it's space.

Based on the UK's singing competition, this American Idol-like show is a talent contest consisting of four groups of contestants - all competing for the title of the X-Factor.

There were only three seasons, but undoubtedly the highlight of the show was judge Simon Cowell's brutally honest persona and a welcome comeback of judge Paula Abdul. The bad auditions were also a highlight of the show, especially hearing the tone-death contestants trying to belt out a tune and those who believe they're natural-born talents but ending up falling flat on the notes.

Some of the drama in the show were intense, especially those contestants who sang well but just missed the cut. Overall, you get to see some really good talent here.

However, the series wasn't too popular with other singing shows, as you could tell that some of the contestants acted like the show is more of a chance to make it based on sympathy instead of exhibiting good singing, and the judges' mentoring element of the four contestant group just didn't make a connection with me I think. It dragged the show, I thought.

Overall, it's not a terrible series - it just really is another singing reality show meshed in in what is an overly large number of those repetitive TV programs - it really didn't generate to much new material or uniqueness.

Grade C+