Comments on: Talent No Longer a Factor?

By: Chris Bull

Chris Bull — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:22:27 +0000

Thanks for all the comments so far, really interesting to hear your views. I think Kate has it bang on - we all expect a little bit of manufacturing to keep things interesting, but when it becomes blatent and the audience are treated like idiots, that is where problems arise.

By: Kate O

Kate O — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:18:41 +0000

I understand from a business point of view why Simon Cowell did this, but as you pointed out, look what’s happened to Big Brother. Consumers/viewers are getting cleverer, paying more attention and know when they are being deceived. I think this was a very risky move which could prove the beginning of the end of X Factor. We all know it has an element of being ’set-up’ and we can usually ignore this, until it becomes obvious

By: Rob Dyson

Rob Dyson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:57:56 +0000

X-Factor is WWF Wrestling for the ‘noughties. Simon Cowell is Vince McMahon - the outspoken ‘owner’ of the federation who plays a role, looks outraged when the story suits it, but ultiamtely makes a shedload of cash from whoever wins. And no doubt has shares in all of the contestants’ future forays in recording their music. A tad embarrased about my knowledge of American Wrestling there, but it was “popular in the 80’s” weren’t it.

By: Ade Stevenson

Ade Stevenson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:37:57 +0000

I guess I thought these sorts of shenanigans have been common knowledge for some time really. Maybe it does have more credibility than I tend to assume