The Agency's Posts

Apocalypse pretty soon, romantic yearnings now in 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World': So much of the drama we respond to, from the heart, depicts ordinary flawed women and men....
Read More>

Check-out this great AGENCY Talent shoot, by AARON WARKOV: Several of our talent were shot last week for a project by AARON WARKOV ( www.aaronwarkov.com )......
Read More>

HBO's 'The Newsroom' delivers lots of opinion: West Wing's' Aaron Sorkin pens the new series about a TV newsman (Jeff Daniels) trying to tell it....
Read More>

For 'Magic Mike' crew, being sexy is a lot of work: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey and Joe Manganiello admit to a few nerves on the set of....
Read More>

'Portlandia' boosters wryly seek Emmy nomination: The IFC sketch comedy show's try for recognition has a David-versus-Goliath feel amid other....
Read More>

Maya Rudolph breaks down her 'SNL' host highlights: "Saturday Night Live"had its share of great episodes this season, but few delivered....
Read More>

Mike Tyson and Spike Lee are headed to Broadway. Together.: Edward Albee. Terrence McNally.Horton Foote.Mike Tyson? The ear-gnawing former heavyweight....
Read More>

Box Office: Cruise, Sandler lose out to 'Madagascar 3': Two A-list stars failed to attract moviegoers to the box office this weekend, as a musical....
Read More>

ABE LINCOLN, VAMPIRE HUNTER: The sun was just about to set over Lake Pontchartrain on a humid Louisiana day last May when....
Read More>

Saturday Night Movie Pick: ROCK OF AGES: Review: 'Rock of Ages' loves rock 'n' roll Put another dime in the jukebox, baby, because this....
Read More>

Usher finds a fresh groove in 'Looking 4 Myself': Seductive R&B artist Usher explores electronic music in his latest album "Evolve....
Read More>

'Dallas' premieres big on TNT: TNT's reboot of the"Dallas"struck oil. Its Wednesday premiere drew nearly 7 million....
Read More>

'Rock of Ages': Tom Cruise gets Bret Michaels' seal of approval: WhenTom Cruisepopped up in 2008’s “Tropic Thunder,” barely recognizable in....
Read More>

'Prometheus': Should Ridley Scott return to sci-fi full time?: Since making us cover our eyes and drop our jaws with 1979's "Alien," Ridley Scott....
Read More>
'The X-Factor' review: And did we miss Simon Cowell?
Posted on: 09/21/11
Share/Save/Bookmark
 

Watching, in recent weeks, as Simon Cowell explained that  “The X-Factor” is a completely different show than “American Idol” was a bit like watching Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada” explain to her neophyte assistant why two turquoise belts of similar width and style represent utterly distinct looks. Um, OK, if you say so, Miranda.

If the 90-minute preview made available to the media before Wednesday’s premiere on Fox is any indication, “The X Factor” is essentially “American Idol” with a wider participant base and judges who promise to be, aggregately and individually, better than most (though not this last) seasons of “American Idol.” Not only has Paula Abdul taken whatever steps were necessary to appear fit and consistently sensible, the addition of music producer L.A. Reid brings a discerning ear and gravitas to the table that balances Cowell much more evenly than Randy Jackson ever did.

This means, alas, that early on we are treated to a “he says yes, I say no” montage and mini-interview with Cowell saying, “I’ve met my match,” after which the two men do nothing but agree. But steps must be taken to establish Brand X and this is one of them.

When the show opens, in L.A. for open auditions, the fourth judge is Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, but by the time they move to Seattle, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls has taken her place. Cowell has said he replaced Cole because she seemed “bewildered,” but on a first impression, she is much more interesting than Scherzinger, if only for her fabulous Geordie accent. Scherzinger certainly knows her way around reality, having judged on the U.K. version and “The Sing-off” as well as competing on “Dancing With the Stars,” but in early scenes she seems more interested in tearing up and out-glamming “Idol’s” Jennifer Lopez than bringing much to the commentary.

Not that there’s much to say in the early days. Like “American Idol,” “The X Factor” begins with the cattle calls — lots of shots of the crowds, the signs, the hopefuls, the fans — although, this being a new show, things are mercifully accelerated. Viewers are spared the vast quivering middle and see only the very bad and the very good (or at least the quite promising), so there’s not much for the judges to do except admire or dismiss.

As with “American Idol,” the heart of the matter remains the astonishing talent that emerges from the roiling tank-top-clad masses, hand-wringing families and colorful back stories, and there appears to be talent a’plenty, including one performance (which I will not spoil by naming) that could easily have been the winning final song of any singing competition.  

Where “The X-Factor” differs from “American Idol” is that it is more self-consciously a television show. Not surprisingly, kids are a huge factor, particularly in the beginning, as is the tension between the two male judges. Watching performers whose personalities perhaps outweigh their talents, Cowell’s eyes narrow appraisingly — this may not be a possible winner of the $5-million recording contract and Super Bowl Pepsi commercial, but he or she will no doubt bring some drama to the show, so I say yes.

Which is not a bad thing; if nothing else, it extends the possibility of criticism, and this is how the show’s creators plan to set it apart from “Idol,” on which many people felt last season that the judges had gone soft. But when a man is allowed to “sing” a song about being a stud while shaking his presumably naked genitals at the audience (on the screen they are covered by an X) without the judges stopping him or a woman who may or may not be challenged by pharmaceuticals is shown continually addressing the camera about how great a singer she is, the narrative manipulation suggests the word “desperate.”

As the show continues, other differences may emerge — Cowell has said the judges will act as mentors to the contestants — but for now the ratings will gauge two things: How big an appetite for singing competitions Americans still have and how much they really missed Simon Cowell.

COMMENTS
Be the first to post a comment!


Post A Comment:




  • It's 2020! Start booking roles in commercials, fashion, films, theater and more with The Agency Online!

  • NEW WORKSHOP with Barbara Barna & Sean De Simone!

    Hi Everyone and Happy Summer! Sean at Sean De Simone casting and Barbara Barna are teaming up for a super informative and fun Hosting for Home Shopping workshop. A great opportunity for established or experienced TV Hosts and Experts interested in learning how to get noticed and how to get in....
  • MASTERCLASS W. Robin Carus & David John Madore

    A Special Offer for the Agency Community, from one of our favorite NYC Casting Directors! EMAIL FacetheMusicWithUs@gmail.com Or Eventbrite To Sign Up! Class Size is Limited.
  • Don't Fall Into The Comparison Trap

    Hi Everyone! As the second installment in an ongoing series of features by the Agency's amazing community, here's some sage advice from our own Regina Rockensies; a humble (& awesome)veteran we've had the pleasure of working with for a long time. Have an excellent week! : ) - The Agency....
  • One Model's Agreement

    Hi Everyone! As the first piece in an ongoing series of original articles by the Agency community, here's a short reflection on some of the values of professional acting & modeling that we can all keep in mind for our next casting. Good luck on your castings &shoots this week! : ) -....




 
home       castings&news       privacy policy       terms and conditions      contact us      browser tips
Official PayPal Seal