[Red Moon]

Another bad blow for Louis

LOUIS Walsh’s disastrous form continued this week as another of his bands became the second act to be voted off X Factor.

Girlband were in the sing-off again for the second week, and went crashing out to Ruth Lorenzo after the judges couldn’t decide who to send off, sending the competition into deadlock.

The girls from Bristol and Birmingham received the fewest votes from viewers for their first performance of Heal the World, which Simon described as “gimmicky”.

Phoebe Lau, 18, said through tears: “It’s been the most amazing journey ever, we’re just happy to have been in the competition”

Louis said of his act: "They sang their hearts out and did their best."

But the Irish music mogul couldn't resist making a sly dig at Simon who called Rachel by the wrong name during the show: "At least I know their names, Simon doesn't know the name of anyone in the competition."

Alexandra - I'll Be There

There’s no denying this girl has a cracking voice. Last week she got up, sung a Whitney song and sounded just like Whitney – no easy task.

This week she got up, sung a Mariah Carey version of a Michael Jackson classic, and sounded just like Mariah Carey.

But, of course, the world already has Whitney and Mariah, so the question is: ‘Just what is the point of Alexandra?!’

Well I’ll tell you – anyone who can make Luis Walsh go ghetto-tastic and shout: “You got it going on girl” is worth a premium rate phone call for comedy value alone.

Scott Bruton - She's Out of My Life

The best thing about this performance was the clip of Simon open mouthed and almost scared eyes – he looked like he was awaiting the results of a paternity test.

Scott did well singing this lesser known Jackson track – a sterling effort compared to last week’s turkey – but it was far from a show stopper.

Ruth Lorenzo -I Just Can't Stop Loving You

Simon says she needs be making more of the fact she’s a firey Latino femme-fatale. I couldn’t agree more.

GirlBand - Heal the World

Crumbs. This was more twee than the Eurovision song contest in the 70s.

Laura White - You Are Not Alone

Solid performance.

Austin Drage - Billie Jean

This was the first performance that sounded like a winner.

Austin’s slow and haunting version of Billie Jean didn’t get the warmest reception from the judges but I loved it.

He made the song his own and dared to be different.

Daniel Evans - One Day in your Life

This was more like watching Max Bygraves than Michael Jackson.

If you’re a fan of a) cruise ships, and b) Dan Evans, you’re in for a treat because it really can’t be long before he’s signed up by P&O.

JLS -The Way You Make Me Feel

Fair play to the boys they went hammer and tongs to give a full stage show – singing, dancing, role play and eight girls.

At no point though did you see even one of the boys make eye-contact with any of the girls – instead choosing to focus what they were gyrating.

Hilarious viewing.

Diana Vickers - Man in the Mirror

I couldn’t work it out – I was sure I had heard her/this song before, but where?

And then it dawned on me, she sounds like the countless US acts that take any 80s track, slow it down using nothing but an acoustic guitar, throw a kooky voice over the top and then play repeatedly on all of their teen dramas.

I look forward to hearing her over the more poignant moments of One Tree Hill, Smallville, The O.C. (I know, I know, that one’s been cancelled), etc in the not-too-distant-future.

Rachel Hylton - Dirty Diana

This was the one act I was really looking forward to. Rachel’s great with a powerful voice that’s just itching to be fully unleashed, and this is the best Jacko track by a country mile.

But something about the performance was lacking, and she failed to impress.

Eoghan Quigg - Ben

Who’d have thunk it?! Cute little Eoghan singing cute little Ben.

I’m sure there were 13-year-old girls up and down the nation in tears of adoration before the lad from Ireland got through the first line.

Source: News of the World

[microscope]

"GIRLBAND", as well a "BAD LASHES" will never be as good as "JLS", those boys have REAL TALENT! I expect them to go all the way to the end.

[NettoSuperstar!]

Daniel should have gone, its like dad dancing at weddings

[TheMac]

Why did Louis put Girlband or Bad Lashes through? He shoulda put the other girlband and the guy and three girls through.

[microscope]

Originally posted by mr_mitb
Why did Louis put Girlband or Bad Lashes through? He shoulda put the other girlband and the guy and three girls through.

I think Louis will be thinking the same thing as you. Even though he won't say that, instead he praises them. I must also stress that the song choices were awful and Louis has to take the blame there.

[Red Moon]

What I think this article shows is how much the press live and die on what Cowell says on the show and it reinforces the idea that he is always right.

And what the writer said about Austin Drage was laughable. For starters it hardly different to copy something that was sung on American Idol on the X-Factor and it was hardly made it his own when he didn't even match the standard American idol performance. He doesn't have the type voice to carry that song off in the way David Cook. If you hadn't you watch American idol might think it was good, but if you have seen David Cook perform it then you will know it was just average.

Clearly the knives are coming out for Alexandra, Cowell must have her in his sights.

[Z]

Originally posted by Red Moon
What I think this article shows is how much the press live and die on what Cowell says on the show and it reinforces the idea that he is always right.

And what the writer said about Austin Drage was laughable. For starters it hardly different to copy something that was sung on American Idol on the X-Factor and it was hardly made it his own when he didn't even match the standard American idol performance. He doesn't have the type voice to carry that song off in the way David Cook. If you hadn't you watch American idol might think it was good, but if you have seen David Cook perform it then you will know it was just average.

Clearly the knives are coming out for Alexandra, Cowell must have her in his sights.

Totally agree. I'm seeing similarities between Alexandra and Beverley from last year - amazingly talented, but one bum song choice tripped Beverley up last year (James Blunt? WTF.) and I'm beginning to wonder if the same thing is going to happen to Alexandra. Had last year's show been based on vocal talent, the final two would have been Rhydian and Beverley - similarly if this year's final was based on vocal talent, it will be Alexandra and Laura, but there's no way that'll happen.

[Tom]

The line Simon says that makes me laugh is "it was all a bit karaoke". Well seriously, what is the show if it isn't karaoke on a massive scale? Its only a step up from Stars in their Eyes.

I don't like how people discard the rest of the judges comments just because of Simon. He clearly has the most power over he public and I agree that he is playing dirty to get the competition to crumble. If Ruth sang in Spanish each week, I bet Simon would say its too repetitive and gimmicky.

I think its fair to say Louis just wanted JLS and it looks as though he purposely destroyed his two girl bands so he could concentrate on one potential winner.

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by Tom
The line Simon says that makes me laugh is "it was all a bit karaoke". Well seriously, what is the show if it isn't karaoke on a massive scale? Its only a step up from Stars in their Eyes.

Well Observed and very true.

Originally posted by Tom
I don't like how people discard the rest of the judges comments just because of Simon. He clearly has the most power over he public and I agree that he is playing dirty to get the competition to crumble. If Ruth sang in Spanish each week, I bet Simon would say its too repetitive and gimmicky.

Of course he would, even if it was his idea to do it in the first place. Of course he would be right and that would get her voted off the show, all because he wanted to do it in the first place.

He knows what he is doing.

Originally posted by Tom
I think its fair to say Louis just wanted JLS and it looks as though he purposely destroyed his two girl bands so he could concentrate on one potential winner.

I think your right that how he felt inside, he must have known the girls were weak when he picked them, but overall the bands were weak this year like they are every year. Maybe it's time they dropped the idea of having bands on the show at all.

[rayheartbliss]

i think simon is just looking for someone whos got THE x-factor...because there are singers whos got very big voices but may not have the "x-factor" with them....

simon knos what he is looking for...
hes got a point about ruth
buh i dont see why she have to sing in spanish every week...

loius's judgement is just nosence at most time
for all i can say! -.-

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by rayheartbliss
i think simon is just looking for someone whos got THE x-factor...because there are singers whos got very big voices but may not have the "x-factor" with them....

simon knos what he is looking for...
hes got a point about ruth
buh i dont see why she have to sing in spanish every week...

loius's judgement is just nosence at most time
for all i can say! -.-

Cowell is out to win the show, he doesn't really care about the x-factor at all. That is something he made up as an idea when he ripped off the show from pop idol to use as a title and a gimmick to sell the show to the public. It doesn't really exist but it something we all seem to talk about.

He knows as long as the winner can sing he will get his million back plus a bit more as well as make money from the show itself and the tour. Remember once the show is over Cowell and his team have a year to shape the winner into what ever type of recording artist he needs to fill a hole in his collection of singers.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by mr_mitb
Why did Louis put Girlband or Bad Lashes through? He shoulda put the other girlband and the guy and three girls through.

I totally agree.

The family group should have got through. Ok they totally messed it up in one of the auditions but my cynical side thinks - they were quite good singers but the whole family vibe (a la Same Difference) will pull the heartstrings of the many suckers watching the show.

I think Louis needs a good result in this series or it may be his last. Simon has already fired him once and lest we forget the person who probably got him his job back (Sharon) is no longer around.

[Wildcat!]

Originally posted by Red Moon
What I think this article shows is how much the press live and die on what Cowell says on the show and it reinforces the idea that he is always right.

And what the writer said about Austin Drage was laughable. For starters it hardly different to copy something that was sung on American Idol on the X-Factor and it was hardly made it his own when he didn't even match the standard American idol performance. He doesn't have the type voice to carry that song off in the way David Cook. If you hadn't you watch American idol might think it was good, but if you have seen David Cook perform it then you will know it was just average.

Clearly the knives are coming out for Alexandra, Cowell must have her in his sights.

Your post is soo contradictory! Becasue he agreed with Simon about a couple of songs! WHy dont you read, what the article said about Owen, or Diana, who Simon was raving about! By the way, I agree with almost everything he says. Great unbiased review of the performances, and totally different to Simon!

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by Aint_mad_atcha
Your post is soo contradictory! Becasue he agreed with Simon about a couple of songs! WHy dont you read, what the article said about Owen, or Diana, who Simon was raving about! By the way, I agree with almost everything he says. Great unbiased review of the performances, and totally different to Simon!

I am my own person and there will be times I agree with Cowell and there will be times when I don't. But I'm not going to agree with Cowell on everything when he is out to manipulate the British public and undermine the confidence of the acts.

I have read what the article said about Eoghan and Diana. In the case of the later the writer doesn't like her which matches Cowells Marmite comment from the week before and in the case of the former it's just the image Cowell is trying to create with the lad.

Clearly this isn't the writer for me, because I disagreed with his comments about Alexandra, Scott, Ruth, Austin, Diana and Eoghan.

[robb]

I agree that Louis should have put the family group thru.................having two girlbands was asking for trouble. To be fair to Girlband, I thought they WERE the best of the girlband bunch.
JLS have promise. I'd like the Cowell/Cole cartel broken up, tho I do like alex as a singer. It looks ominous that the top4 have already been decided (Cheryls Angels and austin). The rest are being written off......................

[Benjamin]

This all come fom News of The World, one of the most laughable papers in the World.

I love how they follow Simon Cowell exactly, it's a s if they had no thought into the article, just copied Simon word for word. (maybe it was actually written by Simon pretending to be somebody else?)

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by robb
I agree that Louis should have put the family group thru.................having two girlbands was asking for trouble. To be fair to Girlband, I thought they WERE the best of the girlband bunch.
JLS have promise. I'd like the Cowell/Cole cartel broken up, tho I do like alex as a singer. It looks ominous that the top4 have already been decided (Cheryls Angels and austin). The rest are being written off......................

Totally agree

I watched that top twelve reveal show with a friend and all along I was saying the family group will go through for the reason I outlined above. When Louis put two girlbands through it was clear that it was a mistake. But then again that's Louis for you. Clueless.