X-Factor - FIX-Factor

I have been a regular viewer of the X-Factor since its first airing onto our TV screens, and have, until this current series, looked forward to watching the programme develop each week, despite my concerns over 'Jedward' last year. The trouble is that I believe that it's no longer a genuine talent show seeking the next Pop idol so much as a show where the contestants, both good and bad, are simply used for the sake of entertaining the public at their expense, rather than because of their talent.


The latest controversy, one in a line of an increasing number, concerns Cheryl Cole's refusal to vote for either of the bottom two last Saturday because they were both under her wing. The resultant flak does nothing for her as a judge/mentor or the show in general, and certainly nothing positive for the contestants concerned. No doubt the votes cast for Katie Waissel this week will reflect the public anger at the situation, and Katie, who has already suffered on several occasions in the current series, will probably finally be voted off.


Whilst she is a good entertainer she has nevertheless fluffed her lines on several occasions, including her original audition and last Saturday's sing-off. Treyc Cohen proved herself the better singer and, according to the reports in the media, polled three times the number of votes that Katie did. One can only arrive at the conclusion that the hidden agenda of the producers/owners of the show are determined to promote Katie Waissel at all costs. If, as has happened on other occasions, the decision had been left to the public vote, then Katie would have gone last Saturday and Treyc would be singing again this week.


I'm not taking sides here, just pointing out what I perceive to be the facts of the situation.


I think that the other controversial issue concerns both Wagner and Mary Byrne. Wagner entertains certainly, in an end-of-the-pier manner, but this is surely not what the programme is about. How can he be seriously considered for the position of the next Pop idol? As for Mary Byrne, she is a very good singer and a pleasure to listen to, but I believe that she would be better placed in the Britain's got Talent programme rather than a programme seeking the next pop idol.