[ElProximo]

To get a wee bit serious now..

..favourites or not there is, possibly, a 'confidence trick' happening here. Viewers are asked to pick up the phone and vote to get their favourite through and may be misled by that.
IF they really are to be 'completely transparent' as Dermot suggests then the advice to the viewers ought to clarify that you have to vote you fave - at least - the third last place.
(how can we phrase that better?)
Explain that you (the viewer) cannot necessarily vote your fave to go on. That they have to be voted 'past' 2 others.

The obvious problem is that x-million dump cash on X-Factor to get 'Mary' (or whoever) well ahead,
but,
see their 'investment' canceled-out.

Now this may be some 'short-term gain' for X-Factor when they see big-money Mary can make more money on tour or get her started on the Christmas Single,
versus,
the soda pop princess can make them more cash for a few weeks.
OK.
Having said that, they ought not be too surprised when, next season, there is a dramatic drop in phone voting.
(if there is?).