The X Factor Fails to Deliver

Simon Cowell launched his new show X Factor last night along with fellow judges Paula Abdul, music producer L.A. Reid, and  British judge Cheryl Cole, who was replaced by former Sing-Off judge Nicole Scherzinger.  It failed to live up to all the hype generated during the preceding weeks, and, in fact, often seemed a muddling affair.  The mid-show switch between Cole and Scherzinger confused this viewer, who could see no reason for the change, and the editing during the second hour created a feeling of being in a time warp.

Cole interacted well with the contestants and gave on-target feedback for her no votes.  Rachel Crow, a thirteen-year-old contestant who started the show, gave a strong performance that ignited the audience.  When asked what she'd do with the $5 million dollar prize, she replied that her family didn't have much money and six people were living in a two-bedroom home.  She then quipped, "A girl needs her own bathroom, you know."  The main problem in the first hour centered on diseention between Reid and Cowell over which contestants had the level of talent to move forward.  However, that problems paled in comparison to the botched second hour.

With no warning that a new judge had replaced Cheryl Cole, the second hour of X Factor moved from Los Angeles auditions to Seatlle.  Viewers were subjected to the Geo Godley debacle when he dropped his pants, exposing his nether regions to the panel of the judges and the audience.  Whether Abdul feigned her physical reaction or not, she left the stage.  The worst part of the whole situation was Cowell's decision to allow this untalented contestant to continue, despite the fact that he should have been removed immediately when his pants dropped the first time.  Finally, after the first half of the second hour, Cowell introduced Scherzinger as the new judge.  Whoever bears responsibility for editing the show should return to editing school.  It failed to impress.

Ham on Wry believes American television has quite enough talent shows that feature singing auditions.  Simon Cowell should institute many changes before the next segment of  X Factor airs, if he wants to capture significant audience share in a highly competitive television slot.