better than idol
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
For four years, I’ve covered American Idol for TheTwoCents.com, loving pretty much every minute. So I approached the launch of The X Factor with trepidation, knowing it could probably be a mere imitation.
Sure, I wanted to see Simon Cowell again. And I thought Simon’s hiring Paula Abdul was genius – together again! But I didn’t think the show would really compare to Idol.
I was wrong. Really wrong. Let me tell you why I like The X Factor more:
There’s More Talent: Perhaps it’s how the show is edited, but the camera spends more time focusing on those with a real gift and that I find enjoyable to watch. Plus, after airing two weeks, I see at least nine acts who have real chances at major recording careers (including Jazzlyn Little, Chris Rene, Drew Ryniewicz, Josh Krajcik, 59-year-old Leroy Bell, Stacy Francis, The Brewer Boys and the adorable and big voiced Rachel Crow). I’ve never felt that Idol had nine people who could be recording right as they leave Hollywood Week. This cast seems to have worked at and polished their craft.
Just a Dash of Crazies: I don’t mind the crazies and the musical losers (although I’d like it if they kept their pants on), but in small doses. Idol toned down the percentage of camera time the crazies got last season, but from the beginning, The X Factor has just sprinkled them in as a seasoning. Excellent!
The Judges are Good/Nice/Interesting: Have you noticed that Simon is nicer, Paula is more sane (yet still fun to watch), LA Reid is interesting and perceptive and Nicole Scherzinger smiles beautifully? I even mostly agree with them, although they did let a few people through I didn’t think deserved it (that’s you Siameze).
Adding Groups and Widening the Age Range: I’m not a fan of letting little kids audition on TV. And several kids that didn’t make it further than Boot Camp broke down like the little kids they are. But a few of the really young kids are now among my favorites. I’m still not sure about adding groups, as none have really impressed me that much. But the over 30s? I love it!! These people are so much more grateful for the opportunity and have richer backstories than a 16-year-old. The sad part is that their group mixes both sexes together, making it more difficult to get to the finals.
It’s Honest: The judges are quite clear that this show isn’t just about singing. They are looking for someone who shines on stage with that elusive “X” factor — something that is impossible to define but easy to ID when you see it.
Zipping Along: In two short weeks we’re down to 32 contestants and 16 next week. I like it.
Just a Little Bit: Not every performance is shown in full. Often we hear just one chorus or verse. That’s enough for most of us at-home judges.
Great Boot Camp: While Boot Camp had many of the same elements as Hollywood Week, there are some significant changes that made it more interesting. I like that groups and songs were assigned — no popularity contest thing ending with hurt feelings. We got to see the contestants working with a vocal coach and a choreographer, giving us more of a backstage peek. I don’t know if Boot Camp had the same amount of drama as Hollywood Week, but if it did, the producers chose not to show it. Thank you!
Less Backstory: We did get a little and that’s fine. Sometimes you could spot the producers pushing contestants to mug for the camera (poor Drew Ryniewicz had to pretend to be mega Justin Bieber fan just because she sung “Baby”). But mostly, the producers restrained themselves. And yet we really got to care about some contestants after only two weeks because we fell in love with them as performers, not just personalities (I am talking about you, Tiger Budhill!).
Less Host:: Host Steve Jones is far less intrusive than Ryan Seacrest and I like that. He puts in several well-placed remarks, then is quiet until he really has something else to say. Frankly, I get as much personality as I need from the contestants and judges, thank you very much.
This Wednesday, the eight contestants in each of the four categories are invited into the home of the judge that will be coaching them. I love the idea that they will be coached, but hate that another half will go home. But I’m guessing, the way this show has been going, that by Thursday night, I’ll have another reason to prefer The X Factor.
TheTwoCents 
I think those are all the same reasons I, too, prefer the X Factor to American Idol. I stopped watching AI after Simon left. I also love the fact that, while rejecting a bunch of singers as solo acts, they just said, “Hey, these guys would sound good together” and put them through as a group.