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X Factor is what it sets out to be and
that is a method of optimising the maximum profits for the producers
and owners of the programme. If you accept it for what it is you
cannot help but have a sneaking admiration for the slickness of the
marketing machine behind it. We must also accept that despite its
obvious manoeuvres in this direction it is still a programme that
hits the ranking spots and so whilst it continues to do so it will
be a very saleable commodity to the TV networks.
Simon Cowell and his production company Syco have a business model
that has proven successful and whilst it remains so they will
continue to work it to its potential.
The initial auditions held are not in front of the "Panel" but a
production team who select who goes through. I suspect at this stage
they deliberately let people through who have absolutely no ability
just so they make good tv viewing. There is no other explanation as
to how some people get as far as the "Panel" on TV and cannot sing a
note. It is apparent that the audition programmes are now avid
viewing for exactly that reason as viewers appear to get enjoyment
out of seeing people make complete fools of themselves on national
TV. This in itself however undermines the morality of the programme
as a genuine talent competition as I have contacts who have
auditioned who I know have an ability and they never get past first
base and yet they are streets ahead of many that get as far as the
"Panel". However that would not make good viewing and the tv public
would not want to sit through hour upon of hour of auditions with
averagely talented people. Good viewing are at the extremes i.e very
good or very bad and that eliminates the vast majority in the
middle.
Setting that aside the timing of the programme with the run up to
the release of a Christmas single on the back of the programmes
media presence at that time almost guarantees a number one single at
Christmas and another few million for the shows organisers.
Interestingly several winners of these talent contests have fallen
spectacularly after the media hype has diminished and reality has
kicked in that they have no sustainable talent to take them further.
Come in HearSay and Gareth Gates and who the hell was it who won X
Factor last year .... to name but a few. Notable exceptions being
Will Young and Lemar who write their own material and Girls Aloud
who ...well just look so dam good...
Unfortunately X Factor is in danger of becoming "Pop Idol" by any
other name and I personally would like to have seen Andy or Brenda
win as Shane seemed to be groomed to win way back during earlier
shows with talks of a 1million pound record deal already on the
table as you sensed the marketing moguls could smell money to be
made by packaging him as a better looking Justin Timberlake and
promoting him to the teenage girl market that would throw their hard
earned parents pocket money their way.
Has Shane got the X Factor. Well if X factor equates to a marketing
image that will make a ton of money for his backers then perhaps
yes. If X Factor means that indefinable something that makes someone
truly standout as special and world class then in my case the jury
is still out.....
Gezz B (Kent)
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