[Red Moon]

X Factor 'like pantomime'

Jo Whiley has slammed ITV talent show X Factor, saying it's "more like pantomime meets soap opera than being about music".

The Radio 1 DJ made the dig as she talked about her show MobileAct Unsigned, the Channel 4 show that's like an indie answer to X Factor.

But her decision to get involved with something which, on paper at least, seems so similar to Simon Cowell's baby could raise questions.

Jo too had doubts about the format, but they were soon cast aside when she saw how talented some of the groups auditioning were.

"I never thought I'd be able to say this with my hand on my heart, but I love MobileAct," said the mother-of-three.

"X Factor is more like pantomime meets soap opera rather than being about music. MobileAct is a real talent search, for real bands singing their own songs."

For those of you not familiar with the programme, Jo and two other judges - former Blur bassist Alex James and record executive Simon Gavin - will choose one band from thousands of hopefuls to win a record contract.

"It's great, but it's been quite emotional really," she says. "Having to tell a band that they're no good or that they're not going through to the next round is really tough. It's like crushing someone's dreams or something."

Source: Metro

[GiRTh]

I tyotally agree. It should be more like American Idol where they simply push them out there and tell them to sing on their own.