The X factor and the Christmas No. 1

For the last few years The X Factor has become synonimous with two things, Simon Cowells abrasive put downs and the Christmas number 1.

For those who aren't aware having the number 1 record at christmas in the U.K. has for a long time been a must have for all musical artists it is a prestigious achievement.
As well as the traditional esteem it represents it is also the most profitable week to be number 1 due to the increased spending of the public in the weekend before christmas. It is a week that is specifically targeted by record companies as a real money spinner.

It all really began in 1973 when Wizzard and Slade released their christmas themed songs, "I wish it could be christmas every day" and "Merry Xmas Everybody"

The chrismas number one was then very much the home of christmas related songs and novelty records, but then reality tv emerged firstly with Popstars: The Rivals which launched Girls Aloud and in recent years The X Factor.

As much as I enjoy The X Factor I think it would be nice to see a return to hessian days of a christmas number 1 that was either a christmas themed songs or a novelty record. So how do things look for christmas 2008.

Well there may be hope the contenders are as follows:

Geraldine McQueen " Once upon a Christmas"

(Peter Kay's genius creation follows up her hit number 2 song "My winners song" with this funny and catchty hit that will never leave your - Over and over and over and over and over.... you will see . Written by the growing legend that is Gary Barlow of Take That fame -this has a genuine chance)





Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon "Islands in the Stream"

Taken from the ever funny Gavin and Stacey this will be an also ran.



Leona Lewis "Run"

Lewis' cover version of Snow Patrol's hit. Already released the more sombre song than others contending the number 1 this screams of 2003 when Mad World by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules beat out The Darkness.



Complete long shot but who better than the "Best Act Ever" at the MTV Europe music awards 2008 Rick Astley to topple The X Factor winner.

X Factor Bores me to "Tears."

I've finally had enough of the X Factor, and its no suprise that it's coincided with the departure of Diana Vickers. Last nights show was bland, predictable, boring, and full of vomit enducing close ups of peoples salty tears as they explained how much they "wanted it," and just how hard they'd "worked," to get here.

The judges bleet about how this is a "talent" contest, but when it boils down to it, the public are more interested in who can shed the most tears and act like the biggest muppet. First there was the inexplicable success of Daniel Evans, who, although seemingly a throuougly nice guy, couldn't sing for his supper, yet was kept on week after week. We can only imagine because of his 'hearbreaking' tale of love lost.

Next theres Alexandra (Leona Lewis) her mum needs a kindey op don't you know! She is a great singer, but haven't we been here before? What does she offer the market that Leona doesn't already own. Her songs bore the life out of me, and when i see the judges giving her a standing O' i want to launch my fish supper at the tele.

Next theres the living foetus Oweighn Quigges, who looks like an adorable high school kid who's been smacked in the face with a spade and then had his hair tied to a ceeling fan... oh... and he can't sing!

JLS seem to be totally genuine guys, but their vocals are terribly weak, having said that i hope they win, just so i can see Louis Walsh wet himself.

Granted Diana was poor the last couple of weeks, and looking back at her best bits last night i couldnt believe just how far she's fallen since her excellent performances in boot camp; the pressure got to her, and Cheryl Cole tried to Iron any sort of quirk she had flat by dressing her up as Avil Lavigne.

The final is going to be a drab affair full of Alex's "big voice" EOughing's "big fun" and JLS's "Big Performances. Excuse me while i fall asleep.

Britney Spears overshadowed by those trying to emulate her.

What should have been a story about the triumphant return of Britney Spears to British shores - her first performance in five years - we were instead treated to something so dire it left us begging for the return of the erstwhile X factor loser Daniel Evans.
Despite Daniels inept ability to reach beyond the levels of cruise ship crooner, he was at least the one thing any singer should be, which is entertaining. Whereas Daniel stretched the limits of his ability every week on the X factor Britney Spears left us wishing she had never turned up at all.

Whoever makes the decisions for her in hindsight must concur getting her to mime to her own song in a week dedicated to her screams stupid. X factor is a show that requires people to sing live week on week. The X factor contestants no matter how inexperienced have become quite adept at singing live week on week. They come out and sing a Britney song live - they do it reasonably well - she then comes out and mimes badly. Who is the professional singer? Even Same Difference managed to mime in time with their song the previous week. I'd rather have Daniel Evans over Britney Spears any day of the week. The worst thing about it was the ridiculous adoration that she received from the judges on the completion of her performance - no wonder she is crazy if nobody can tell her she is awful - too many yes men around her I think.

THE RESULTS:

This was the first week where the decision on which contestant would go was solely the responsibility of the voting public. Despite Ruth Lorenzo putting in two great performances she found herself along with Eoghan Quigg - High School Musical wannabe - awaiting to see which of them would join Alexandra, Diana and JLS in the semi final. Despite the best efforts of Louis Walsh to sabotage his own act JLS showed they must have a strong public following along with longtime favourite Diana Vickers. Diana overshadowed by Alexandra this week is in danger of seeing her favourite moved to her rival. Despite strong performances I still don't enjoy Alexandra's performances, there is something about her attitude that doesn't allow me to find her likeable.

As Dermot announces the fourth semi finalist it is the sultry spaniard who has to go home, with her powerful vocal ability the only one to rival Alexandra it will be interesting to see where Ruth's votes go next week. With Alexandra, Diana and Eoghan the only acts not to be in the bottom two, it looks likely that JLS could be up for the chop next week.

Anyone remember this guy? No me neither, apparently he appeared for a few weeks on X factor and was compared to someone called Ricky Gervai, who, apart from in Louis Walsh’s mind isn’t actually a real person. So in essence he offered this “bloke” neither a criticism nor a compliment, he actually might as well have said “you remind me of someone who doesn’t exist.” So… a Ghost? That’s right Daniel Evans (I remember him now the one with the wife… who died) was the first X factor contestant compared to a ghost.

I’m becoming increasingly concerned for the sanity of Louis Walsh, first their was the Ricky Gervai debacle, then he reduced Dannii minogue to a blubbering wreck off camera, meaning for the rest of last weeks show she couldn’t actually talk (thank god) Then as I sat, surprisingly bored by Kirsty Alsop’s appearance on Gordon Ramsey’s’ cook along live I spotted him sitting staring blankly into a camera while rotund DJ Chris Moyle’s served him prawn cocktail; Also have you noticed he claps like monkey.

X Factor tonight, and I’m going to happily predict a bottom two of JLS and Ruth Lorenzo.