[Crimson Dynamo]

This weekend, vast numbers of ITV viewers will tune in to The X Factor, to discover if a stunningly untalented pair of singing and dancing Irish twins named John and Edward have been inexplicably voted through to the next round. And, I have to admit, I'll be watching, too.

Some television programmes are termed 'guilty pleasures', but with The X Factor, the sensation I feel comes closer to self-disgust. For the show's current series has plumbed depths of voyeuristic cruelty that make even Channel 4's much-reviled Big Brother seem mild by comparison.

This time around, the chief victim has been Danyl Johnson, a 27-year-old drama and dance teacher whose singing talent leaves his rival wannabe pop stars floundering. The Brothers Grimes AKA 'Jedward' represent style over substance on the X Factor

The Brothers Grimes AKA 'Jedward' represent style over substance on the X Factor yet viewers still keep them in the competition

Rather than the usual wan British copy of some American idol, Danyl is totally original, with the passion - and unpredictability - that marks out true stars. Yet from the moment he stepped in front of the X Factor judges, Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole, he has been under attack.

While they regularly urge other contestants to be more confident and aware of who they are, Danyl's flawless performances were condemned for 'cockiness'. On one show, when he performed Jennifer Hudson's I'm Telling You, Minogue had to apologise to Danyl after telling him there was 'no need to switch the gender reference in that song' if Press reports about his bisexuality were true.

From the safe house where the contestants are billeted have come allegations of this evidently sensitive, caring man - who in the past worked with disabled children - 'bullying' female housemates. He has also had to suffer a torrent of abuse on the internet and a message on Twitter labelling him 'more hated than Hitler'.

Last week's rock-themed show should have seen him surpass himself with Aerosmith's sweeping ballad Don't Wanna Miss A Thing. Instead, a combination of technical malfunction and hostility from Cole left him in tears (and I don't mean just glitter-eyed; his whole face was awash).

Luckily, the viewers had more sense and voted him through again. But each week, in a weird inversion of The X Factor's stated aim, we are seeing a potential star eroded, not developed. The X Factor once helped to represent the fact that talent could be found in Britain in the most unlikely of places

The X Factor once helped to represent the fact that talent could be found in Britain in the most unlikely of places. When the show began in 2004, I was among its greatest enthusiasts. Never mind that judge-in- chief Simon Cowell signed each winner to his SyCo record company, virtually guaranteed hit singles by the show's huge audience - a control of supply and demand even the rapacious UK pop industry has never known before.

Never mind that, aside from the outstanding Leona Lewis in 2006, most of the winners were mediocrities who, despite Cowell's grooming, took only a few months to sink back into well-deserved obscurity.

What The X Factor at its best revealed was a Britain other than the decaying, violence-torn, foul-mouthed wilderness of daily news headlines; a place where talent existed in the most unlikely quarters, where young people still possessed ambition and dedication (not to mention charm and generosity of spirit) and families were still united, loving and supportive.
The X Factor judges have condemned Danyl for 'cocky' performances while urging other contestants to be confident

The X Factor judges have condemned Danyl for 'cocky' performances while urging other contestants to be confident. How could this welcome arena for youthful hopes and dreams - far better than old-style TV talent shows such as Opportunity Knocks or New Faces - have turned into such a theatre of cruelty?

It began with the televised nationwide auditions which kick off every series and inevitably attract large numbers of the hopelessly untalented. Instead of tactfully sending these obvious non- starters home, the producers took to choosing the more grotesque examples for the judges, and viewers, to laugh at.

Now, this humiliation of self-deluded, sad people is a cherished X Factor ritual, akin to the 19th-century 'sport' of sending groups of wealthy Victorians to tour the local psychiatric institution and have a good giggle at the inmates. Cowell became notorious for often brutal judgments which, nonetheless, were always backed by profound knowledge of the music business. But his co-judges can be almost as rough without being as constructive.

All of them experience constant vertiginous changes of mind, one week hailing a contestant as a superstar, the next excoriating him or her as a 'karaoke' singer or a fashion disaster. The internecine bickering between the judges - especially Cowell and the Irish boy-band guru Louis Walsh - may have the authenticity of a Marx Brothers film, but it frequently stops the whole show, leaving the unfortunate performer at a total loss as to whether he or she has been good or bad. Rachel Adedeji was voted off even though Lloyd Daniels had a poor singing voice

In The X Factor's transatlantic counterpart, American Idol (also masterminded and dominated by Cowell), an acerbic host named Ryan Seacrest acts as an ally to the contestants, frequently giving even the mighty Simon (who's not that good at repartee) a flea in his ear.

By contrast, our X Factor has Radio 2 presenter Dermot O'Leary, a nice enough bloke but not much of a bulwark. When the judges turn nasty, the contestants - some just teenagers, let's not forget - are up there on their own. Each stage of the contest has developed its own special torture chamber. When the individual judges interview the singers or bands they are 'mentoring' and announce who is and is not going forward to the next round, they spin it out for the camera while the poor contestant waits in anguish. 'This is a very tough contest . . . [long pause] . . . but I've made my decision . . .[long pause]. . . I'm afraid it's bad news . . . [long pause] . . . You're through to Boot Camp!'

In one peculiarly horrible variant a few weeks ago, Cole visibly changed her mind about sending a young singer forward to the next stage while he was sitting right in front of her. Before announcing her decision, poor Cheryl had to take a break to tell the camera how awful she felt. Meanwhile, the singer was not allowed to wait on her sofa but was moved away out of shot by a thick-eared minder.

For sheer, unadulterated cruelty, however, nothing matches the results show, now with a whole Sunday-night slot to itself, when the viewing public's votes are counted and the 'bottom two' acts have to perform again for the judges to decide who stays and who goes home.
Danyl Johnston was reduced to tears on last weekend's show as he floundered during a performance of Aerosmith's Don't Wanna Miss A Thing

Last Sunday, the choice was between Lloyd Daniels, a nondescript 16-year-old with a frog in his throat, and 17-year old Rachel Adedeji, who over the weeks had developed from a gawky novice into a sexily accomplished soul singer, in talent terms perhaps the only real rival to Danyl Johnson.

Cowell had the casting vote but chickened out, instead ruling that winner and loser be determined by the number of viewer-votes each had received. So limp Lloyd went through, talented Rachel went home and The X Factor had another great weepie moment.

Then there is the cruelty of a subtler kind in the weekly spectacle of the terrible untalented twins John and Edward Grimes murdering another pop classic, yet still moving remorselessly onward and upward. And if they win, as some think possible, it will be cruelty on a truly hideous scale to plunge them, however fleetingly, into the terrible realities of pop stardom.

Last week's X Factor was watched by 14.8 million people, 50.7 per cent of the national TV audience, and there's no reason to expect any drop in viewing figures this weekend. I don't like what that says about us as a nation. Hell, I don't like what it says about me.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz0Vyjj32On

[Jessica.]

Hmm, Interesting!

[Niamh.]

Good article, makes me feel terrible for watching

[Dr.Gonzo]

That's a good read. I do happen to agree with most of it. Think I'll go out on Saturday night

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Dr.Gonzo

That's a good read. I do happen to agree with most of it. Think I'll go out on Saturday night

It would make you feel a bit ashamed for watching wouldn't it?

[Dr.Gonzo]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

It would make you feel a bit ashamed for watching wouldn't it?

Yeh. I think it started when they upped the competition between judges. Now it's less about the acts winning and more about the judges winning.

[Twilight]

This article = Fail

[Dr.Gonzo]

Originally Posted by Twilight

This article = Fail

Insightful post.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Twilight

This article = Fail

Do you not find any of it interesting and close to the truth Twilight?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Dr.Gonzo

Yeh. I think it started when they upped the competition between judges. Now it's less about the acts winning and more about the judges winning.

Yeah, Simon & Cheryl in particular are annoying me this year, It's all about them

[Twilight]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

Do you not find any of it interesting and close to the truth Twilight?

No

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Twilight

No

Really? OK then.

[MissChelle]

I don't usually agree with hardly anything that's written in The Mail (and won't even mention THAT article) but I think they've got it pretty much spot on here.

The bickering and oneupmanship going on between the judges this year is really spoiling it for me and don't even get me started on Simon sending it to deadlock last week meaning Rachel ended up going home.

Cheryl is useless as a judge and a mentor, just had to get that in there too.

If JEdward are still there after this weekend I really don't think I can bear to watch anymore, it's just a joke that they were picked for the live shows in the first place.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by MissChelle

I don't usually agree with hardly anything that's written in The Mail (and won't even mention THAT article) but I think they've got it pretty much spot on here.

The bickering and oneupmanship going on between the judges this year is really spoiling it for me and don't even get me started on Simon sending it to deadlock last week meaning Rachel ended up going home.

Cheryl is useless as a judge and a mentor, just had to get that in there too.

If JEdward are still there after this weekend I really don't think I can bear to watch anymore, it's just a joke that they were picked for the live shows in the first place.

I think it's wonderful that J and E are still in the show as they're a constant thorn in Simon's side, and I would absolutely adore it if they won the show because it would serve as the ultimate fŁck you to Cowell and his souless money making enterprise.

[Dr.Gonzo]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

Really? OK then.

You lost the 'use the least characters in a post' game.

Better luck next time!

[MissChelle]

Originally Posted by setanta

I think it's wonderful that J and E are still in the show as they're a constant thorn in Simon's side, and I would absolutely adore it if they won the show because it would serve as the ultimate fŁck you to Cowell and his souless money making enterprise.

I can't agree with that when there are people in the competition who can actually sing, and who could make an album that people actually want to buy and listen to, who would miss out because of those two wee idiots!

I don't actually think Simon would be that bothered tbh, after all he did make a record with Zig and Zag and got that to #1.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by MissChelle

I can't agree with that when there are people in the competition who can actually sing, and who could make an album that people actually want to buy and listen to, who would miss out because of those two wee idiots!

I don't actually think Simon would be that bothered tbh, after all he did make a record with Zig and Zag and got that to #1.

Well I just think the show has lost any credibility it ever had recently so I basically want J and E to destroy the whole farce.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MissChelle

I can't agree with that when there are people in the competition who can actually sing, and who could make an album that people actually want to buy and listen to, who would miss out because of those two wee idiots!

I don't actually think Simon would be that bothered tbh, after all he did make a record with Zig and Zag and got that to #1.

Hey don't knock Zig & Zag, they're great (even though they're traitors!!)

[Dr.Gonzo]

Originally Posted by MissChelle

I can't agree with that when there are people in the competition who can actually sing, and who could make an album that people actually want to buy and listen to, who would miss out because of those two wee idiots!

I don't actually think Simon would be that bothered tbh, after all he did make a record with Zig and Zag and got that to #1.

Well, Zig and Zag are puppets. They have a guy with a hand up their arses. Actually, that's pretty similar to John and Edward.

Wash your hands Louis!

[Tracyjay]

Originally Posted by setanta

I think it's wonderful that J and E are still in the show as they're a constant thorn in Simon's side, and I would absolutely adore it if they won the show because it would serve as the ultimate fŁck you to Cowell and his souless money making enterprise.

Do you really think it would be best for them if they won?
They are very young and i dread to think what the recording industry would do to them with its notorious habit of raising hopes high then dropping them when they have milked them dry of every last penny then going on to the next big thing. and that happens to those with talent!
Simon is not really bothered if they win, he will still win in the end anyway.
i hate to say it but I have actually found myself agreeing with a DM article.....Shiver.....

[MissChelle]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

Hey don't knock Zig & Zag, they're great (even though they're traitors!!)

I used to love The Big Breakfast and always used to make myself late for school by staying home to see Zig and Zag!

[MissChelle]

Originally Posted by Dr.Gonzo

Well, Zig and Zag are puppets. They have a guy with a hand up their arses. Actually, that's pretty similar to John and Edward.

Wash your hands Louis!

LOL!

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MissChelle

I used to love The Big Breakfast and always used to make myself late for school by staying home to see Zig and Zag!

They're Irish as well you know, they started off on The Den till they left us for England!!

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Tracyjay

Do you really think it would be best for them if they won?
They are very young and i dread to think what the recording industry would do to them with its notorious habit of raising hopes high then dropping them when they have milked them dry of every last penny then going on to the next big thing. and that happens to those with talent!
Simon is not really bothered if they win, he will still win in the end anyway.
i hate to say it but I have actually found myself agreeing with a DM article.....Shiver.....

They're on a different planet like Zig and Zag so I don't think any of it will effect them much, particularly when I'm sure they realise that they don't have much talent to begin with.

The show is manipulation of the highest order and I'd prefer to see Louis' two losers winning it because it would surely spell the end to the whole formula. The last two weeks have just p"ssed me off way too much, with two very talented acts leaving the show because they never got the backing of the producers or the public.

[MissChelle]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

They're Irish as well you know, they started off on The Den till they left us for England!!

I never knew they were Irish!