Subscribe to RSS About Me
I'm an author and freelance journalist, venturing into the world of 'blogs' for the first time. Although I usually write from dreams, these are purely formed from my own opinions, observations and general silliness. If you're feeling brave, why not read a couple? Or if you want to go back to the safety of nice, familiar books, venture back to the main site.
Xcess Factor - Posted on 10/16/2009
Okay, when the X Factor first started out, I must admit it was entertaining to watch. Now and again. When there was nothing else on. And the auditions part still is - especially when it's some hopeless sod who's caterwauling like some demented seagull with its foot stuck in a mincer. I even found myself being persuaded to go along to the live auditions in Glasgow, which involved being herded like sheep as is the style of the queuing British public. Because the auditions are live now, don't you know. Oh yes. They are.
But come on. It is just being stretched out and thinned out by the producers, so that every little possible part of the process is turned into an event, a drama. Actually, if it was represented by Stretch Armstrong, he'd probably be able to reach the Moon by now. I can even feel the effect on my brain and I feel almost dirty after watching it. I'm not angry, I'm not upset. I'm just disappointed. And it's gaining on me.
X Factor is, in fact, growing in an almost cancerous way, to ensure maximum airtime, maximum cheap thrills and in such a cunning way to allow for the audience to form the biggest possible emotional attachment to the puppets - sorry, people - involved in it. Of course they want that. Hook us in. They want us to care for the poor performing seals and follow their every step, so we'll all want to vote every week.
I'm not saying X Factor is the only culprit in this. Call me paranoid, but it's just something that is gradually overtaking television in general and no, I'm not going to blame the Americans this time. I'm going to blame us, the viewing public, who have watched and over time grown numb to the gradual demise of their much-loved box of joy, and have accepted it all the while stuff Big Macs and Marks and Spencers ready meals down their mushes. Baa-aaah, I say, baa-aah.
And that's all I have to say on the matter. Thank you, Mr Cowell, for another beautifully engineered tumour.
~B
Add a comment
Comment from Rina
I'm a closet X Factor fan lol I love it but I don't like to admit it! But I agree! and what I don't like is that they all get advertised in different ways.. you see more of a certian contestant on the news that the other? maybe something dodgy going on there to try and make you vote for them! but anyway wtf is with Louis & John and Edward! eurgh!
Posted 10/16/2009
Comment from Bytey
All reality TV is the same mindless drivel tailored and marketed at the slew of mindless zombies that sit transfixed to the Jesus box for hours on end.
Your points are more than justified if anything you are letting them off far too lightly.
B
Posted 10/16/2009
Comment from B.
That poor sod who punched Leona Lewis had obviously just had enough of the whole thing, in my opinion! Apparently he's been sectioned. This is a warning to all who continue to watch this pugwash, including myself.
Louis, Jon and Edward are most obviously gay. Kidding... or am I?
Posted 10/16/2009
Comment from Cake
It is junk food TV, cheap and nasty for the mass market.
Laziness on the part of the TV companies, why bother spending time and money creating something unique when you can just point a camera at members of the public?
Posted 10/16/2009
Comment from Dionne V Hood (via Facebook)
Absolutely Bronwen! The X factor always seems really nasty to me. It's basically only a talent contest but it is stuffed down our throats at every opportunity - the newspapers are the main culprits of this
Posted 10/16/2009
Comment from Ange
Defo, you're right! But Simon Cowell is a sexy beast. Bronwen - I love the Meredith series on Twitter, don't stop! A
Posted 10/16/2009
Comment from B.
What I'm liking about this so far is that everyone seems to be agreeing with me. ~B
Posted 10/17/2009
Comment from Meredith
Who would argue with you? You're the voice of reason.
Posted 10/17/2009
Comment from jimmythecat
X Factor isn't about people making it big. It's about people like Cowell, who should be in the background doing some work, wanting to be on the television. Whether the contestants are talented or not isn't the point - Cowell wants to be on TV and that's all there is too it!! Couldn't they have a talent show without the judges?
Posted 10/21/2009
Comment from B.
Jimmy, you are inspired. May I also add, it is Cowell's fault for getting Piers Morgan on the telly again. I actually have a stuffed shark that looks just like him, also called Piers.
~B
Posted 10/22/2009
Comment from jimmythecat
Well, Cowell only likes people who are like him...talentless megalomaniacs. Which explains why so many of the contestants are so, er, talentless. I quite liked eating shark until I heard you had one called Piers...
Posted 10/22/2009
I'm a closet X Factor fan lol I love it but I don't like to admit it! But I agree! and what I don't like is that they all get advertised in different ways.. you see more of a certian contestant on the news that the other? maybe something dodgy going on there to try and make you vote for them! but anyway wtf is with Louis & John and Edward! eurgh!
Posted 10/16/2009
All reality TV is the same mindless drivel tailored and marketed at the slew of mindless zombies that sit transfixed to the Jesus box for hours on end. Your points are more than justified if anything you are letting them off far too lightly. B
Posted 10/16/2009
That poor sod who punched Leona Lewis had obviously just had enough of the whole thing, in my opinion! Apparently he's been sectioned. This is a warning to all who continue to watch this pugwash, including myself. Louis, Jon and Edward are most obviously gay. Kidding... or am I?
Posted 10/16/2009
It is junk food TV, cheap and nasty for the mass market. Laziness on the part of the TV companies, why bother spending time and money creating something unique when you can just point a camera at members of the public?
Posted 10/16/2009
Absolutely Bronwen! The X factor always seems really nasty to me. It's basically only a talent contest but it is stuffed down our throats at every opportunity - the newspapers are the main culprits of this
Posted 10/16/2009
Defo, you're right! But Simon Cowell is a sexy beast. Bronwen - I love the Meredith series on Twitter, don't stop! A
Posted 10/16/2009
What I'm liking about this so far is that everyone seems to be agreeing with me. ~B
Posted 10/17/2009
Who would argue with you? You're the voice of reason.
Posted 10/17/2009
X Factor isn't about people making it big. It's about people like Cowell, who should be in the background doing some work, wanting to be on the television. Whether the contestants are talented or not isn't the point - Cowell wants to be on TV and that's all there is too it!! Couldn't they have a talent show without the judges?
Posted 10/21/2009
Jimmy, you are inspired. May I also add, it is Cowell's fault for getting Piers Morgan on the telly again. I actually have a stuffed shark that looks just like him, also called Piers. ~B
Posted 10/22/2009
Well, Cowell only likes people who are like him...talentless megalomaniacs. Which explains why so many of the contestants are so, er, talentless. I quite liked eating shark until I heard you had one called Piers...
Posted 10/22/2009