X Factor 6 - MOVIE WEEK 7th & 8th NOVEMBER

Movie week.. So was it lights, cameras, action or as damp as a wet fireworks party. They had all attended the première of Scrooge this week and so cue shots of them arriving on the red carpet and the first real taste of what winning this completion could mean.

Stacey Solomon opened the show, with Son Of a Preacher Man, from the film Pulp Fiction, a Dusty Springfield classic. She came on stage in tight black PVC reminiscent of Olivia Newton John in Grease! Vocals were weak to start although she did get into it more from the middle onwards. I cannot understand why she is just not allowed to stand and sing, Simon never had any problem with it when Leona performed. And I wonder if Simon had been Stacey’s mentor what he might have done differently. Mixed reactions from the judges, I fear that Stacey may well be in the bottom two tonight.

Next into the spotlight was Olly Murs, His offering was Twist and Shout from the film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, taking the stage dressed in a sharp suit, he again entertained with the dancing we expect to see from him. Great appreciation from the audience, Louis thought it was a "silly song" and Dannii was wondering why the dance routine morphed into something that could have come out of the Thriller video. I am fairly sure we will be seeing Olly back in next week, and not being in the bottom two this week. I would love Olly to just stand there though and sing something a little less up tempo, if only to show another side of himself.

Last week in the bottom two and allegedly suffering from a bad throat out came Lloyd Daniels, performing Stand by Me, from the movie of the same name. Not great, song was really too big for him, and I agree with the judges that Lloyd is now out of his depth. It’s a shame he didn’t audition a couple of years on from now, when maybe his voice would have time to mature and grow. By rights he should be in the bottom two this week, but will probably get a wave of sympathy votes after last week

Jamie Afro was out next. Jamie’s performances are becoming all a bit samey, he was due to sing Simon’s standard for X Factor, Unchained Melody, but this was changed again at late notice to Crying from the little known Aussie movie, Gummo (it did also feature in the film Mulholland Drive, which Jamie pointed out to Louis). It was an OK performance. Most of the attention came in what is now a normal spat of judges' bickering. Louis accused Simon of cheating and threw a compete hissy fit, and then Cheryl waded in with her comments on Unchained Melody, describing it as cheesy and Simon snapping back that she quite clearly had never listened to U2’s version. I feel Jamie is sliding backwards a tad now, he needs to do something current and fresh.

Lucie Jones sang This is Me from the film Camp Rock, she like Olly seems to be improving weekly and she seemed to get into her stride very quickly with the song. She is comfortable moving around the stage, and while not my favourite contestant gave a very creditable performance. Good response from the judges... But will she get the public vote?

Danyl Johnson, who last week came in for some harsh criticism from the judges and looked totally defeated, came out this week with his head almost shaved and sang Prince’s Purple Rain, from the movie of the same name. This was the song that Ruth Lorenzo did such a fabulous job on last year. Standing on a Perspex tower, he looked much more comfortable this week. He did a good job with the song, putting his own twist on it and the audience loved it. The judges were also appreciative and even Cheryl had some nice comments for Danyl, which must be a first.

Only two more acts to go, and yes you have guessed it. Jedward as they have become to be known. The song choice had been leaked early in the week. And it was all bells and whistles for the campest stage set ever. John and Edward Grimes pushed away dancers in ghost costumes, rode the Ghostbusters' car, got hit by lightning, and led a mass dance with the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man. You have to say that they are consistent, if only in their entertainment value. Simon was smiling, Dannii was rendered speechless, Louis was jumping up and down almost as much as the twins.

Simon actually felt it was one of their better weeks, and pronounced it good! Can they go all the way to the final or will they finally be in the bottom two tonight?

Joe McElderry was the last to perform - Circle Of Life from The Lion King. This song a lot of people will associate more with the stage show, and Joe did give it a very musical theatre feel. I think vocally he is one of the best, but he is still a little bland, in some respects he reminds me of Gareth Gates. Joe somehow needs to find some sort of identity, I can see Joe in musical theatre, much more than a recording artist and if anything this show will give him some kind of platform to expand his quite obvious vocal talent.

Louis and Dermot also came to blows, with Louis sniping that HE was a judge and Dermot was merely a presenter. Someone needs to tell these judges to stop this inane bickering as it is becoming too pivotal in a show that is meant to be about the contestants. Louis I think needs to take a chill pill!

So who were your favourites, who do you think will be in the bottom 2 and voted out?

Sunday Night 8th November 2009

So another Sunday night rolls round and the contestants have all performed songs from the movies.

We open the show with a group number ‘Hot and Cold’ by Katy Perry, seems a lot of focus on the girls in this number. I sometimes think it would be nice to put the group number in between the two star acts that they have on a Sunday. Anyway more commercial breaks, tension is mounting backstage, more padding to fill the hour. The first of the stars this week is Black Eyed Peas. Lacked a bit of sparkle and energy really. They sang their single, which is Meet Me Halfway. No sure if Brian Friedman had a hand in the choreography, but poor Fergie was suspended on a crescent moon for most of the performance. Yet another wardrobe malfunction, this time thankfully just Fergie’s shoes and Cheryl had stepped into lend her a pair of hers. Phew, disaster averted!
Next up was Leona who looked stunning in a floor length black dress. She sang her new single Happy. She does have incredible vocals, whether you like or dislike her style of singing. The very odd thing is that she did what Simon has constantly berated Stacey for and that was standing still through the entire performance. Lots of gushing from Simon, about this is what X Factor is all about, someone like Leona.
After another commercial break, this was it.. The bottom two would sing again. Lots of speculation in the press was that Lloyd Daniels was a certainty for the sing off, lots of camera panning the contestant’s faces with some looking visibly nervous and worried. And so in no particular order, Joe, Olly, Stacey, Jamie, Lloyd and Danyl. Leaving the two contestants to sing again Jedward and Lucie Jones (who Simon had praised quite highly the night before) Lucie was first out with ‘One Moment In Time, lacked a bit of energy, but I don’t somehow think she expected to be in that position. Jedward followed with Rock DJ, intermingling with the audience and judges and bouncing round the stage. It all seemed pretty obvious that this was the week that Jedward would be going home. Louis said that Lucie should never have been in the bottom 2, but as their mentor his vote would be going to the twins. Cheryl sent home Jedward without much hesitation but Simon took it to deadlock and left it up to the public, saying neither of the bottom two were going to win anyway.
As the votes were tied the decision went back to the public and the act with the fewest votes – Lucie Jones – was sent home. I think there was an audible gasp from the audience. Lucie was devastated and in tears and Jedward looked astonished that Simon in some adverse way had saved them.
Will there be more shocks next week? Is anyone safe? Did Simon remove Lucie as he thought she may be a threat to his still remaining 3 acts or did he merely do it to keep the ratings up? Let us know what you think!

The X Factor forum