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Summary
We enjoyed the premiere of The X-Factor, contrary to what we expected when we first sat down to watch the show. We were expecting the auditions to be like on American Idol, but instead the feel of the episodes was closer to what So You Think You Can Dance does. The first episode in particular focused on the good contestants and relegated the majority of the poor auditions to a montage. The moderate pacing and extended length for the songs gave the show an organic flow in contrast to most reality shows which make use of quick cuts and short sequences.

The structure of the show is interesting, from the audience appearing to influence the choice of who gets through and who doesn’t to allowing people too old or young for American Idol to shine. We’re not convinced really old people will do well in this show since the need for energy and a strong vocal performance will be necessary in the long run. We also didn’t see much strength from the group auditions so far. We’re hoping the next round of auditions will reveal a compelling group act for us to enjoy.

Of course, no reality audition process would be complete without the bad auditions, of which we had several from Geo Goddley dancing around in a leopard print thong (no, he wasn’t naked although the censoring X made it appear that way) to Dylan Lawson’s freakout (we still have no idea what he was doing or what song that was supposed to be). Xander Alexander was an interesting case as his vocal ability wasn’t bad, but his attitude turned the audience against him. We’re convinced that if he auditioned for American Idol, he would have gone through and then would have had an intense backlash.

Siameze Floyd, Marcus Canty and Nick Voss intrigued us. We’re not yet convinced by them as their vocal abilities aren’t stellar, but they made up for it with good performances so we’re giving them the benefit of the doubt and want to see more. Caitlin Koch we don’t get at the moment. Her voice is good, but we didn’t find it as appealing as the judges did. Because a lot of people online and the judges liked her, we’re waiting to see another performance from her before we pass judgment.

We were blown away by Chris Rene, Stacy Francis and Melanie Amaro. Chris Rene pulled out a performance and sense of musicianship that we didn’t expect and Stacy and Melanie provided stellar vocal work and personality. Stacy’s soulful cover of Aretha Franklin moved us and made us happy to see her finally get her break. Melanie floored the room with their amazing control, strong range and sense of dynamics during her performance. She commanded the room without even having to move around.

We’re looking forward to the next round of auditions!

Please let us know your thoughts by dropping us a comment here after listening either here! We love to hear feedback and what you thought of the show. We also encourage you to check out our blog or twitter feed to keep up to date with us!

Episode Length: 40:39

Time Stamps
0:00 – Introduction: We enjoyed the first two episodes and compare it with American Idol.
4:21 – About the production: General feel, how it’s different from American Idol, how the audience affects the process.
8:20 – Discussion about the judges
12:43 – The lower age limit: Rachel Crow and Ellona Santiago
16:47 – Can really old people do well in this? Dan and Venita.
18:48 – Benefits middle-aged people the most: Stacy Francis and Dexter Haygood
22:19 – Bad auditions: Geo Goddley, Dylan Lawson, Xander Alexander
27:50 – Interesting auditions: Siameze Floyd, Marcus Canty, Nick Voss and Caitlin Koch
33:13 – Amazing auditions: Chris Rene and Melanie Amaro
38:54 – Wrap-up: What do you think?

And so the show begins and a great one at that for music and reality fans everywhere!!! Below are the crews reaction to this first week of shows. Simon said the audience is tough and a judge of each contestant as much as they are. Much more below for their reactions. I like the comments for how Simon has gone “soft” which I agree with. L.A. Reid is the tough one (but, I actually found myself agreeing with L.A. Reid more than Simon).

The X Factor official site has released another new teaser in anticipation to the September 21st and 22nd premiere. You can view the judges interacting with one another and speaking about how they believe in their team. They talk of how much they respect each other. All this and more below.

I do see a big difference in the American work ethic compared to the British work ethic in a lot of artists. Nicole Scherzinger, who is a judge on X Factor, is a great example of that. This girl, honest to god, is like a machine. She’s up at five in the morning. She’s in the gym. She’s jogging. She’s working. She’s thinking about everything. She’s rehearsing. She’s hustling. She’s aware of what’s happening around her. She’s got that 360-degree vision. Beyoncé has that as well. And I think what we’re experiencing is almost like one of those B-movies from years ago where we’re seeing sort of the rise of the super female pop star. It’s like a different breed. ~Simon Cowell in Interview Magazine

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul posed together for a glamorous new shoot promoting the X Factor in the new September issue of Interview Magazine. Simon is interviewed as well. He talks of how he was inspired to do the show being he always liked to watch TV and he loves music. He talks of what it’s like to say “no” to contestants. He also talks of the differences in work ethic between the UK and the US. All this and more at the link.

We are inching closer and closer to the Septemebr 21st premiere of the X Factor. In light of the event, the X Factor team of judges and host are covering the September issue of Hollywood Reporter. In the new issue, Simon is interviewed. They ask him what he hopes for the most with the X Factor. He says “Buzz” as he wants everyone talking about it. He’s setting the bar with wanting 20 million viewers a week. All this and much more in a new article all about Simon and the X Factor >>>>HERE. You can veiw a behind the scenes video of the cover shoot below…

According to a Deadline exclusive (who have been a good source for new X Factor news in the U.S.), Mariah Carey is in final negatiations to mentor the contestants from the X Factor. Details below. Be sure to read the link for the full story as they question if adding Mariah to the show will “outglitz both The Voice and American Idol”.

Simon Cowell is in final negotiations to have Mariah Carey as his personal pick to mentor his contestants from his house. “He’s still finalizing her deal,” an insider tells me. The X Factor is pulling out all the stops to draw in other superstars as mentors. Contacts are being made now with “the Beyoncés, the Rihannas, all of them.” the insider tells me. The X Factor’s UK original series reportedly has signed up Usher as a mentor. Mariah’s name has been mentioned in connection with the U.S. show from the beginning but her twins pregnancy prevented her from being one of the judges.

I’m not sure about The Voice as I don’t watch that show. I love American Idol though and I think I will love watching both American Idol and the X Factor. I’m loving everything I’m hearing about the X Factor too and who has been picked to do the show. I’ve awlays been a Mariah Carey fan.

Extra spoke to Simon Cowell about his dream team of judges. He talks of the chemistry of he and Paula. It’s never been “happier”. Simon wants Mariah Carey to play a role on the show somehow too as reported to you earlier. However, he is still keeping it “top secret” only revealing that Mariah wants “a throne and a raised platform”. lol More below. Be sure to see the link to see Simon’s secret for anti-aging.

Revealing the chemistry between he and Paula is still strong, Cowell said, “It’s never been happier.”

The executive producer still wants new mom Mariah to join the show, saying, “We just have to decide what [Carey will be doing on the show],” adding, “It’s top secret, I can’t tell you!”

Cowell continued, “Mariah wants to be, in her own words, ‘judging the judges,’ literally with a throne and a raised platform… and I’m not kidding.”

“Paula Power” is RIGHT! I don’t think there is barely a soul out there more excited to see Paula back in the lime light and as a judge on the new US version of the X Factor. In promotion for the upcoming X Factor premiere in September, Paula graces the cover and the inside of Emmy Magazine. They interview her as well where she talks on the X Factor, her old role on American Idol, and her choreographing and singing days in the 80′s and 90′s. Here are a couple of excerpts from the interview from Just Jared. You can also view the fabulous shoot at the link. More on how you can obtain a copy of the magazine and interview at Emmy.com.

“This show is kind of a [combination] of all the different careers I’ve had. And I love nurturing raw, untapped talent – having a front-row seat to something at its humble beginnings that could lead to greatness.”

On not having regrets about leaving American Idol: “I felt like my time on the show ran its course. I was very grateful for the good times, and I was a good student through the tough times. But I felt like the dynamics of the show changed when they brought Kara in.”

Publicity for the US X Factor is really starting to pick up with only a little more than a month until it’s official premiere on Fox on September 21st and 22nd. This week more promotional pics have been released of the all-star cast of Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Steve Jones. A group high quality image of them can be seen below that I picked up from the Official X Factor Site. I think it showcases their personalities perfectly, do you? You can view 5 more pics at Digital Spy.

Paula and Simon have opened up more on their bond and working relationship on the X Factor. Paula compared Simon to “a quintessential older brother that needles you all the time”, but, she understands him more now and gets his “warped sense of humor”. So much so, she can look at him and know exactly what he’s thinking. On Paula, Simon compared her to “owning a pet dog”. When you read the take below from Digital Spy you can understand and feel their connection and why Simon felt so strongly about having her on the X Factor with him. Be sure to read the link for the full story.

“We’d always said we’d work together again,” Cowell said. “At one point, when [Paula's] deal came down to the 11th hour, I remember saying to the team, ‘If she’s not there, you may as well cancel filming.’ I really felt that strongly that I wanted her with me.”

The judge recently compared his friendship with Abdul to owning a pet dog, noting that the singer becomes upset if she is not sitting next to Cowell during the talent competition.

Cowell expanded upon the comparison in the new interview, insisting that it is the highest form of praise he can give.

“I’d forgotten how much I missed her,” the 51-year-old admitted. “Think of it like having a pet for years and years – you move away, get on with your life and forget the pet a bit. Then suddenly you’re reunited and you remember how much you loved it!

“She’s not going to like me for putting it like that. But as an animal lover, it’s about the highest compliment I can give!”

Cowell also confessed that the pair’s personalities are rubbing off on each other. “I’ve been actually starting to think at times we are turning into one another,” he said. “She’ll say things I’d normally say, and vice versa.”